Ireland Said Yes

In the final episode of the series, Shane chats to Irish royalty - Panti Bliss - aka Rory O'Neill. Panti talks about growing up gay in rural Ireland, their early days of drag, a changing Dublin and their incredible speech at the Abbey Theatre that went global. Thank you so much for listening to this series, it has been a passion project for everyone involved and a true honour to feature so many in...

In this special chat, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese talks with Shane about her pivotal involvement in the 2015 referendum, being an LGBT parent and how the Catholic Church still needs to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Macgregor (Series Producer) chats to academic, activist and author Katherine O'Donnell about her memories of 2015, before and beyond. Katherine  is  Professor of the History of Ideas  at  UCD School of Philosophy . She has been an activist for many years, specialising in feminist justice issues and LGBTQ+ activism. She was a co-founding member of the Irish Lesbian and...

Recorded in June 2025, Shane chats to campaigner Ranae von Meding about their ongoing fight for equality for LGBT parents in Ireland and the legal limbo that many queer Irish families often find themselves in, as parents struggle for recognition if they have children through donor conception or surrogacy. After a lengthy delay, the Oireachtas joint committee on health made recommendations in Octob...

Brian Sheehan talks to Shane Daniel Byrne about his pivotal role in 2015 as Co-Director of Yes Equality - he also discusses the behind-the-scenes drama among Irish LGBT activists divided over Civil Partnership Act five years earlier and why it was an important part of the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane chats to Philly McMahon, award-winning playwright and co-director of THISISPOPBABY, about his memories of 2015 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As she releases her new memoir 'Love In a Time of Politics', Shane chats to Katherine Zappone about her groundbreaking time as a campaigner and politician. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to fellow queer comedian Sinéad Walsh about their memories of growing up in Ireland and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruadhán Ó Críodáin talks to Shane about their memories of 2015 and what's next for Ireland's vulnerable trans community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to broadcaster Brendan Courtney to talk about growing up gay in Dublin, living with homophobic abuse and becoming one of the most visible queer people on Irish TV, along with his memories of 2015 referendum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Daniel Byrne chats to broadcaster Seán Munsanje about growing up gay in Ireland, the importance of queer representation in the media and his recollections of 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane chats to Pam and Sarah from Pillow Queens, an award-winning and critically acclaimed queer band from Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to RTÉ 2FM broadcaster and pop culture expert Conor Behan about his memories of 2015 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane sits down with the charming and outspoken force behind LGBT Noise, GCN magazine and co-founder of queer club night Mother - the legend that is Lisa Connell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to Davina Devine about their hilarious memories of 2015 and how they became drag royalty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to activist David Carroll about his recollections of 2015; his marriage in Canada when it still wasn't legal in Ireland and surviving the horrors of the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane Daniel Byrne talks to the genius behind the successful Yes vote in 2015, Gráinne Healy. She talks about the campaign tactics, the initial setbacks and her huge legacy 10 years later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane talks to celebrated author and Irish Time journalist Una Mullally about her personal reflections on the 2015. Shane discusses Una's perspective on the divisions within the LGBTQ+ community around the push for civil partnerships; the strategic approach of the "Yes" campaign, and the key involvement of unexpected public figures like former President Mary McAleese. Una reflects on her personal...

Shane chats to acclaimed artist Joe Caslin about his beautiful artwork, which became the defining imagery of 2015 Marriage Referendum. Joe talks about the mural's origins, the inside help that he received to stay out of the courts, his teaching career, growing up in Roscommon, and what Joe now believes is important for today's LGBT+ youth. See more of Joe's work here: https://joecaslin.com/pages/e...

In the first bonus episode of Ireland Said Yes, Shane talks to veteran activist Ailbhe Smyth. She discusses her memories of the 2015 Marriage Referendum, how she's won and lost campaigns, and what advice Ailbhe would give future generations of Irish LGBT+ activists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of the series, the votes are now in and the count centres suggest an incoming landslide for the Yes side. Shane talks to the people who made it all possible, as he reflects on the tears, the exhaustion and sheer euphoria. Ten years later from that day in May, Shane asks how far have we really come and what’s now important for Ireland’s LBGT+ community? Thank you all for lovely...

In the third episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne reflects on a frantic and often emotional period where the Yes Equality campaign attempted to galvanise the entire country to win Marriage Equality for Ireland’s LGBT community. Shane speaks to Yes activists from all walks of life who all played a part in 2015 - he learns about the key ‘million in the middle’ whose votes were up...

In the second episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne examines the key early moments that shaped Ireland’s path to achieving marriage equality. Beginning with the story of Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan whose legal battle to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland—best known as the KAL case—brought the issue of equality into public focus. Shane explores how...

In 2015, Ireland made history by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But how did a predominantly Catholic nation decide to embrace LGBT equality and inclusion in such a profound and historical way? Over the course of four episodes, comedian and actor Shane Daniel Byrne takes us back to the beginning of this transformative journey, reflecting...

Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrate 10 years of marriage equality in 'Ireland Said Yes'. He'll take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQIA activism and resistance, Shane explores the cultural changes that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and un...