The Long Hall Podcast - America's Irish Voice

This week podcast we speak to Michael McNamee, the co-owner of the iconic Mean Fiddler Bar on Times Square that closed last year. The bar had become a popular haunt for tourists and Irish people living in New York because of its late bar disco theme, loose atmosphere and Irish hospitality.  Michael closed the bar because the landlord was demanding full rent during the pandemic.   He talk...

 On this week’s show, we discuss the controversial move to sell the American Irish Historical Society’s headquarters on Fifth Avenue. The Society announced the sale of the property in late January - much to the shock of the Irish American Community. The building, which has been home to the society for decades, is on the market for $52 million and houses a library and research facility with th...

In this week’s episode, we speak to Real Estate Broker Shane Boyle who talks to us about the New York City real estate and rental market - and how COVID-19 has impacted prices. Shane, from Killybegs in Donegal, first came to America in 2008 in a J1 visa before moving permanently to New York City in 2012 to pursue his American Dream. He initially worked as a bartender before making the move in...

This week I speak to Journalist, author, publisher and peace negotiator Niall O Dowd.   Niall has been a leading and powerful voice for Irish America over the last four decades and has created several media publications including the Irish Voice Newspaper in New York City and IrishCentral.com - the largest Irish digital media site in North America.   Niall played...

Donal Gallagher managed Donegal Club for 3 decades leading them to 6 New York Senior Football counties. Affectionately known as -- “The Veteran," Donal was also the man who brought Cork Football legend Larry Tompkins to New York in the 1980s during a golden era for Gaelic football in the Big Apple. In a remarkable tour in 1987, the Donegal Club traveled to Ireland and beat Cork, Mayo and Laois bef...

In Part 2 of our interview with former Cork football legend Larry Tompkins we discuss: - Larry’s transfer saga in trying to sign with Castlehaven GAA which kicked off his illustrious career with the Haven and Cork GAA . - Castlehaven winning their first ever Cork County Senior Football Championship. - The the historic Double in 1990. - The state of football today, some rule changes Larry would lik...

In the first half of the show, we are joined by Seán Ó hAodha, the Deputy Consul-General (of Ireland) in New York and top US immigration Attorney Lorcan Shannon. Seán provides us with the Irish government’s latest guidelines for travelers -- in terms of travel restrictions and COVID testing -- and he discusses the services the consulate provides here. In the second half of the show mysel...

With the iconic Mean Fiddler Irish bar on Times Square being the latest bar closure and others only allowed to operate at a mere 25% indoor capacity - we ask if New York City bar and restaurants can survive the cold winter months? We speak to co. Longford native Cormac McCormack, co-owner of the Pig n Whistle Irish Bar on 36th Street which was shut down in March due to the coronavirus lockdown. Wh...

History -- as St. Barnabas become the first team made up of all American born players to win the New York senior football championship. Michael reviews a thrilling final at Gaelic Park last Sunday with Frank Brady and we discuss what it means for the local Woodlawn/Barnabas community -- and the wider New York GAA community as a whole. This is a jam-packed podcast featuring post-match interviews wi...

We preview Sunday's New York GAA County Finals with reporter and former New York GAA football manager Frank Brady. Frank Brady is back to preview Sunday's New York GAA County Finals. Ulster v Westmeath 🏆Junior Hurling Final 🇺🇲12.00/🇮🇪 5.00pm **Tipperary v Hoboken🏆 Senior Hurling Final 🇺🇸 2pm/ 🇮🇪 7pm ** **St Barnabas v Sligo 🏆 Senior Football Final 🇺🇸 4pm/ 🇮🇪 9pm ** ** Please note the above time...

Colm Flynn, TV reporter, presenter and producer, talks to us about his career working for major media outlets like RTE, BBC, and the Associated Press.   This year Colm has been based in New York City and produced powerful RTE Nationwide programs highlighting the plight of Irish American’s living in the Big Apple during COVID-19.   The programs received universal praise from Irish people...

In this episode Michael and Johnny talk about the ongoing impact the COVID-19 shutdowns are having on bars and restaurants in New York City.   Indoor dining remains closed and the bars and restaurants that have remained open are utilizing outdoor dining to try to turn profit.   However with the fall and winter months soon upon us and no blueprint coming from the mayor’s office to reopen...

Veteran reporter and former New York GAA football manager Frank Brady gives us a preview of the 2020 New York Championship scene. Frank has been attending games at Gaelic Park since the 1970s and writes match reports for The Irish Voice, The Irish Echo and IrishCentral.com Frank gives us a rundown on all adult men's grades in both hurling and football -- as well as the ladies football division. We...

US VISAS is a hot topic among our listeners and an issue we promised to cover when we first launched the podcast.   In this episode we speak with top US immigration attorney, Lorcan Shannon.   Lorcan is based in New York City and has a tremendous reputation among Irish immigrants living and working in America.   We go through all the various visas that Irish people might qualify for...

In this 2 part podcast we interview former Cork football legend Larry Tompkins. Larry was in New York earlier this year and sat down with us to discuss his illustrious playing career and in particular his years playing with Donegal club in New York. Quite simply, there is no Larry Tompkins story without New York and the Donegal club. Those years, as Larry recalls, were instrumental in improving hi...

In this podcast we speak to Sandra Feeney Charles, Executive Director at the Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center in Yonkers. The center has played an important role in the lives of Irish immigrants and Irish Americans over the past 25 years. This year the Aisling Center was part of a tristate effort to raise funds for Irish American’s in need during COVID-19 – called Slainte2020. Sandra ex...

Top Irish fashion blogger Louise Cooney sits down with Michael and Johnny to discuss her career as an influencer and life in New York. We delve into social media, visas and much more. Louise even brought her famous dog Cooper along for the chat! The podcast was recorded just before COVID-19 hit and is a refreshing break from the craziness of the past three months. Follow Louise on Instagram: https...

This week’s podcast takes a look at how COVID-19 is impacting people and businesses in New York City On the show is All-Ireland winning Galway hurler Johnny Glynn who reveals he tested positive for COVID-19 recently. Glynn talks about how it affected him and how he’s coping working from home with drywall company Topline Drywall. Glynn also touches on his future Galway career and his role as a sele...

Michael and Johnny outline what The Long Hall Podcast is about, what we’re aiming to achieve, what topics we will be covering and what guests we will be interviewing over the coming months. We discuss how the idea for the podcast came about and what listeners and viewers can expect from the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Time All-Ireland Winner Jack McCaffrey talks about his career as a Dublin GAA footballer and as a full time doctor in Kilkenny Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Kerry County Board Chairman and current Dr. Crokes Chairman, Pat "The Bag" O'Sullivan talks New York and Kerry GAA. Pat was born and raised in Sunnyside, Queens and has a unique perspective on GAA development in New York. Pat shares his thoughts on what improvements are needed - as well as the predicament that is Gaelic Park. Pat also delves into how he spearheaded Kerry's New York fundrais...