Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations

Seán Ó Fearghaíl is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann since March 2016. Here we have a very open and frank chat with Mary and Mary about a range of subjects including: The economic crash  Israel and Irelands position  What he would love to change  The homeless crisis  The changing face of politics  Immigration in Ireland...

Seán Boylan is a unique character, demonstrated in the fact he is the only person to hold the title ‘Freeman of Meath'. Having played hurling for Meath, Sean then went on to spend 23 years as the manager of the Meath Gaelic football team, during which time they won four All-Ireland Championships. He also won three National Football League titles and eight Leinster Senior Football Championships. He...

Eileen Dunne is our presenter Mary Kennedy's best friend!! She has seen and done it all in her broadcasting career. She presented the main RTE television news programmes Six One News, Nine O'Clock News and One O'Clock News as well as other news bulletins on both radio and television from 1980 to 2022. Over her career with RTE, Eileen covered some of the biggest stories of the past four decades, in...

In this special bonus episode, Rory talks about how Rory's Stories all began, his love for the GAA and about his experience captaining the Meath minor football team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rory O’Connor is a comedian and mental health advocate who has amassed over 1.2 million followers and 2 billion video views across his social media channels, Rory’s Stories. Nobody thought he would make it – written off as ‘thick’ at school he struggled to find a career he felt he could succeed in. When a hot tip led to a win on the horses it was the beginning of a dangerous spiral into a gambling...

Daniel O'Donnell is a true Irish legend. He has performed at iconic venues around the globe, from The Point (3Arena) in Dublin to London’s Royal Albert Hall, Sydney’s Opera House and New York’s Carnegie Hall. Daniel has had more albums in the British charts than any other recording artist – and Prince Charles presented him with an MBE for his services to music and charity. In this podcast he speak...

The wonderful Roz Purcell talks openly and candidly about growing up on a farm in Tipperary, Miss Universe, modelling and how she dealt with the more unpleasant aspects of the business, her struggles with an eating disorder, hiking, baking, writing an award winning book and reveals all about her recent engagement and wedding plans!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus podcast, Phil Coulter talks about his exciting experiences at the BBC's Top Of The Pops while working with Cliff Richard, Sandy Shaw and The Bay City Rollers. He also talks about his worldwide number ones and the young artist he has now taken under his wing. Phil also speaks about his Dad being a policeman in the RUC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

in an exclusive and rare deep personal insight, Phil Coulter opens up to the two Mary’s about his extraordinary life including his phenomenal career success, family life including with his sons diagnosis of Downs Syndrome, two almost identical personal tragedies, the state of Eurovision, his love for rally driving and the divisive Irish rugby anthem ‘Irelands Call’ which he wrote. Phil Coulter has...

In this special bonus podcast segment, Anne Doyle tells of the only time she ever saw her mother afraid. She speaks beautifully about the financial challenges she and her family faced when she was young and tells us about the many occasions she was hung upside down over a well to retrieve water! And in speaking about Annes love of poetry, former president Mary McAleese utters an unparliamentary wo...

In this special five and a half minute bonus podcast, Dermot Kennedy talks about songwriting, self belief and how his first songs had no chorus! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefanie is an award-winning writer for screen and stage, author, director and actor based in Dublin. She was diagnosed with Autism in 2022, at the age of 34. Stefanie speaks openly to the two Mary's about her life, career and her experiences with multiple miscarriage, pregnancy and motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former professional rugby player Damian Browne became the first person to row a boat across the Atlantic from New York City to Galway Ireland, completing his trip on 4 October 2022 after 112 days at sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come on a journey behind the news desk image and meet the real Anne Doyle. Find out what's she's doing now, how she handled some very difficult moments, what she'd like to change about her life and why she was suspended from RTE three times! With her iconic poise, unwavering professionalism, and distinctive voice, Anne has been a beloved figure in Irish broadcasting for decades. Hosted on Acast. S...

An extremely open Keith Barry sits down to talk about many personal experiences including the horrific car crash that nearly lost him his leg, his forthright opinion on how the Gardai handled the death of his grandfather after a break in, his incredible career and how our online habits are affecting us.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned for her historic moment at the Oscars, where she became the first female conductor to lead the orchestra during the prestigious ceremony, Galway woman Eimear Noone's journey is one of resilience, triumph, and profound emotion. Beyond her groundbreaking achievements, this trailblazing figure courageously fought and won a landmark court case, paving the way for the rights of pregnant women...

In a revealing insight, new president of the GAA Jarlath Burns chats to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy about a range of topics including his vision for the GAA, a united Ireland, his love of hurling, amateurism, growing up in South Armagh and the importance of the GAA in Northern Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A revealing and insightful conversation with music superstar Dermot Kennedy. Dermot delves deep into his life, offering perspectives on various aspects including the music industry, what he would like to be if he wasn't a singer and his candid thoughts on social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A short teaser for the exciting new podcast "Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations". This weekly series will be presented by former president of Ireland Mary McAleese and broadcasting icon Mary Kennedy. Each episode sees these two iconic presenters chatting with a guest with the subject of change to the fore. But as you can imagine with these two ladies, the conversations head off in many d...