The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is asking: Is a hidden same-sex relationship in the past a dealbreaker in marriage? The topic arises from an emotional email sent by a listener who discovered her husband had a romantic relationship with a male college friend 17 years ago—something he initially denied when they met the friend together recently. The truth only came to light after s...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Do prisoners deserve better living conditions? Live on The Niall Boylan Podcast, we take a hard look at the state of Irish prisons in 2025. The latest figures from February show that the prison population has reached a record high of 5,181 inmates—with 346 prisoners sleeping on mattresses on cell floors due to overcrowding. It’s sparked outrage in some quarters, a...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Is Ireland a kip? We received a message from an angry listener who said he’s had enough—he’s packing up his family and leaving Ireland for good, calling the country a “kip” that’s beyond saving. Live on The Niall Boylan Podcast, we ask: is he right? With the cost of living spiralling out of control, a housing crisis that’s left many without hope of ever owning a h...

In this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is asking: Is wanting children a reason to leave your partner? A listener emailed in to share his heartbreaking dilemma—he loves his wife of four years but wants to leave her because she has made it clear she doesn’t want children. He’s torn between staying in a loving marriage or pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a father. Some callers thin...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Is the EU Migration Pact worth it, or are we sacrificing too much to uphold it? With mounting pressure across Europe and at home, Niall and guest Nick Delehanty explore whether Ireland is doing enough—or too much—to respond to the growing immigration crisis. The conversation centres around the financial and social cost of the EU’s proposed migration reforms. Are I...

In this episode, Niall tackles a heart-wrenching and emotionally charged question: Should a parent ever consider putting their child in care—especially when they feel completely overwhelmed? The discussion was sparked by an emotional email from a listener, a mother who says she is at breaking point trying to care for her autistic child. She explains that despite her best efforts, she can no longer...

In this episode, Niall asks: Is it really inappropriate to touch the statue of Molly Malone, or are Dublin City Council overreacting by hiring supervisors to stop tourists from doing it? The discussion follows a new move by the Council to station staff near the iconic statue after concerns were raised about tourists fondling the statue’s bronze breasts for selfies. The so-called “Tart with the Car...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Should the Irish and British flags ever fly side by side? The question arises following a controversial proposal from the Ulster Unionist Party, which suggested that both flags should be flown together in a symbolic gesture of shared identity and reconciliation. This proposal has sparked strong reactions, with some seeing it as a positive step toward unity and oth...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Should the Irish and British flags ever fly side by side? The question arises following a controversial proposal from the Ulster Unionist Party, which suggested that both flags should be flown together in a symbolic gesture of shared identity and reconciliation. This proposal has sparked strong reactions, with some seeing it as a positive step toward unity and oth...

In this lively and provocative episode, Niall Boylan sits down with the infamous Katie Hopkins, known for her fearless opinions and unfiltered commentary. Katie, often dubbed the most banned woman on the planet, opens up about life on the road, social media censorship, and how she has become one of the most controversial public figures of our time. Katie’s journey has been anything but smooth—she...

In this episode, Niall asks the crucial question: Would you intervene if you saw someone being attacked? With violence on the rise and more people finding themselves as witnesses to troubling situations, it's a dilemma that challenges our sense of responsibility and personal safety. Some callers think that stepping in is the right thing to do. If someone is being attacked, it’s our duty as decent...

In this episode, Niall is asking: Would you report someone to the UK Revenue for not paying taxes if there was a financial reward? The UK government has announced a new plan to incentivize citizens to report tax evaders, aiming to recoup millions of pounds lost to tax dodging and evasion. While some see it as a necessary step to hold tax cheats accountable, others feel uncomfortable with the idea...

In this episode, Niall is asking: When the war in Ukraine is over, should Ukrainian refugees be required to return home, or should they be allowed to stay in Ireland? As predictions suggest the conflict may soon come to an end, the debate over the future of refugees intensifies. Should they go home and apply for visas like any other non-EU citizen, or should they be granted amnesty to stay? Caller...

In this episode, Niall is asking: With all the controversy around Conor McGregor, would you vote for him to be president of Ireland? Conor McGregor has undoubtedly made his mark as a world-class fighter, becoming the biggest name in mixed martial arts and putting Ireland in the global spotlight. However, his rise to fame has been marred by a series of controversies, including multiple criminal cha...

In this episode, Niall explores a sensitive question: When is the right time to start a new relationship after the death of a partner? A listener reached out, sharing that she’s fallen in love with a friend of her late husband only three months after his passing. Fearing judgment, she’s hesitant to tell anyone about her new relationship and wonders if it’s too soon to move on. Some callers feel th...

In this episode, Niall is asking, is repossessing homes a necessary evil? The discussion comes from an emotional email sent in by a listener, Dolores, whose family is facing the devastating reality of losing their home after falling behind on mortgage payments. Dolores and her husband bought their home 12 years ago, stretching their finances to provide stability for their children. But when her hu...

In this episode, Niall explores a dilemma many parents face: Would you allow your child to leave school to pursue a trade? Pauline, a listener, shares her struggle. Her 16-year-old son has little interest in academics but thrives in hands-on work. He dreams of joining his father in the family garage, but Pauline fears that without a Leaving Cert, he’ll limit his future opportunities. Her husband,...

In this episode, Niall asks: Is Ireland losing its national identity, or is it simply evolving with the times? Some argue that Irish traditions are being erased in the name of inclusivity, while others say that culture naturally changes and adapts. Has modern Ireland moved too far from its roots, or is this just the next chapter in our nation’s history? Some callers think Ireland is losing its ide...

In this episode, Niall asks: Should juvenile criminal records be wiped clean once someone turns 18, or should past offenses follow them into adulthood? The discussion is sparked by a growing debate over whether young offenders deserve a fresh start or if their past mistakes should remain on record. Some callers think everyone deserves a second chance. They argue that teenagers make mistakes, and t...

In this episode, Niall discusses a dilemma sent in by a listener who is facing a serious issue in his marriage. The listener and his wife are house hunting, and he wants to move back to Finglas, where he grew up. However, his wife refuses to even consider the idea, saying she would rather die than live in a council estate. Her reaction has caused a major rift between them, and he’s questioning whe...

In this episode, Niall explores a controversial question: Has the West become too soft? A listener, a former Irish army soldier, has written in expressing his frustration over new military regulations allowing makeup, false tan, and various hairstyles for both men and women. He argues that these changes erode discipline and reflect a broader decline in traditional masculinity. The discussion expan...

In this emotionally charged episode, Niall explores a listener’s intense dilemma: Did he go too far when he hit his son’s bully? A heartbroken parent emailed in, sharing how their 14-year-old son—who has special needs—suffered relentless bullying for six months. Despite repeated complaints to the school and the bully’s parents, nothing changed. The situation took a dramatic turn when the bully pub...

In this episode, Niall tackles a tough moral dilemma: Would you steal to provide for your family? A listener working a low-paying warehouse job emailed in, revealing that he's tempted to take part in package theft to make ends meet. Facing rising costs and financial strain, he wonders if breaking the law is justifiable when survival is on the line. With no guests, Niall opens the lines to hear wha...

In this episode, Niall tackles the age-old debate: Who has it easier—men or women? With gender equality constantly evolving, the conversation explores different aspects of life, from the workplace to relationships, mental health, and societal expectations. The episode begins with a discussion on recent research, including the BIGI scores, which assess gender disadvantages across 134 countries. Sur...

In this episode, Niall tackles a heartbreaking dilemma sent in by a listener who has discovered that his brother’s wife is having an affair. Now, he’s torn—should he tell his brother the truth or stay silent to avoid tearing the family apart? The weight of this secret has left him struggling with guilt, fear, and uncertainty about the consequences of revealing the affair. As Niall explores the com...