The Shnug

Since the 1998 the Marble city has played host to some of the finest names in Americana and Roots music. Held over 4 days every May ‘the Kilkenny Roots Festival’ plays host to over 40 Irish and international acts, staged at 30 venues across the city, boasting an eclectic mix of old and new acts, where all styles are catered for. I was kindly invited down by to the festival in 2024 by Gary Keogh of...

Ah sure, we thought we’d do one for the road. So the government formation talks are over and we know broadly what shape the government will take going forward. So for our final episode in this series, we take a look at the programme for Government and how the main players FF/FG, the Healy Rae’s, the RIG 'Reginal Independent Group' have fared. Most importantly, we discuss what this all means for th...

Well the results are in and it looks like the FFG are back in. We take a look at the results, turnout and fallout from the weekend gone by. Fine Gael And Fianna Fáil were at times expected to receive at least a bloody nose, instead the status quo vote is still in the majority, as 2/3rd of voters want the same. Saying that Civil War Parties Vote share is steadily going down. They didn’t win. Sinn F...

It's finally Election time Baby, so this week we are joined by Max Kelly of the Galway Advertiser to discuss Galway West and Galway East. We take a look at the race, candidates and issues affecting these two constituencies. Given that the election is upon us, we take a look at the campaign as a whole and give our predictions for the winners and losers on the national level. The Shnug: Political Br...

With a week to the General Election, we are joined by Daniel Ryan of the Tipperary Star to discuss the newly redrawn constituencies. We take a look at the race, candidates and issues affecting Tipperary North and South. We also discuss the rather disappointing leader’s debate on RTE and voter apathy among younger voters. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a weekly show where we will be taking a loo...

This week is all about Independents, while politicians without parties are found all over Europe, but they do not garner such a large percentage of the vote as in Ireland. This is due the country’s size, proportional representation and the unique nature of Irish parish pump politics. We take a look at the notable characters that have ran for election both past and present, how Independents may aff...

Join us this week as we briefly chat about the the Mango Mussolini, the Occupied Territories Bill, Volkswagen cuts spelling trouble for the German Economy, Voter aggression on the Campaign trail. In the meat and potatoes section, we take a deep dive on the accomplishments or lack thereof of this current Government and what that will mean when people go to the polls. The Shnug: Political Broadcast...

Join us this week as we discuss the UK Budget, Killing Tony, Election Promises and the state of the smaller parties such as the Labour, Social Democrats, Aontu, People before Profit, the Far Right block and the host of Independents and how they could contribute to possible Government formation. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things politic...

Well he finally did it, Simon Harris has called the election and while no concrete date has been given it has been confirmed for a Friday before Christmas. Join us this week as we discuss the potential dates for the election, Fine Gael losing another one of the Old Guard, political gangsters and how since the Financial Crisis there has been a protest vote in Ireland. It is unfocused, constantly sh...

It’s been a hell of a few weeks for Sinn Féin with the resignation of two TD’s, not to mention two further scandals that have rocked the party both North and South of the border. Join us this week as we discuss the potential political fallout of these events, the possibility of new travel restrictions across the EU, the Hulk vs the Green Party and Ger’s favourite type of Math, Electoral Math. The...

With the General Election on the horizon, we thought it would be interesting to do a comprehensive election podcast series. Whether you have a keen interest in all things political or if you find politics a bit overwhelming, we are here for you. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political, breaking down the major talking points and iss...

It’s Episode 31 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the  European elections tomorrow, we thought we'd bring you our European chat, which will feature contributions with the 3 previously featured  journalists,  Max Kelly, Michal Duffy and Dan Danaher as we look at the candidates and major issues.

It’s Episode 29 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. Today we chat to is Max Kelly...

It’s Episode 29 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. Today we chat to is Michael D...

It’s Episode 28 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. First up is Dan Danaher, seni...

Its Episode 27 of the The Shnug Podacst and this episode see’s us chat to DJ, selector, curator, promoter Kelsey Sheridan who is known for lighting up dancefloors from Vietnam to Tenerife, Dublin to Galway. In 2022, she also founded the Teigh Sios collective, hosting inclusive, multi-disciplinary parties in Galway & fundraising events for Gaza PCRF, Galway Rape Crisis Centre & Ukranians in...

For Episode 26 of the Shnug podcast we were invited down by Gary Jackson and the lads from the Gathering to Thomand Park in Limerick City, for the Conclave gaming convention. The Gathering is a Limerick institution and now holds the title of Ireland’s oldest gaming and hobby shop. Gary opened its doors in February 1997 after transforming the former premises, a fish and tackle shop, to a store of h...

In Episode 25 of the Shnug podcast we speak to Aine O’Brein. Hailing from Kilfenora in County Clare, Aine has always had a lust for the creative arts. She is comfortable with wearing the all the hats, including Performance Artist, Singer, Musician, Actress, Song Writer, Curator, Artistic director, voice over Artist. Aine’s first love was music, playing in a myriad of different bands in her early y...

In Episode 24 of the Shnug podcast we speak to singer/songwriter Sabrina Dinan. We chat to her about her early life in Ennis and Galway and how friends convinced her to take a chance and start singing. While living in Australia she recorded her first EP ‘The Bondi Hotel’ and upon her return she began in her career in earnest, touring Europe and the States with Luka Bloom, while also sharing the st...

For Episode 23 of the Shnug podcast we are joined by Galway’s favourite tea addicted trad band, Kettleboilers. A frenzied episode recorded in Tully’s bar Kinvara as 4 of the 6 members, Evan, Sophie, Luke and Jack took the spin out and regaled with stories and a few tunes. Hailing from across the country but based in Galway, Kettleboilers are a six-piece trad/rock/folk/punk band known for their rau...

In Ep-22 we bring you the 2nd part of our series with Hedge School Doolin. An artist run, not for profit festival which hosts innovators and creators preforming, sharing & collaborating over 3 days, with music and literary workshops during the day and live music prefommaces at night. Held at hotel doolin , the festival is run by doolin arts & Simon O’Reilly who were very kind to invite me...

For Episode 21 of the Shnug podcast I was delighted to be invited to the Hedge School festival down in Doolin to interview some of the line-up. Hedge School is an artist run, not for profit festival for those who need to create. A place for unique collaborations and intimate encounters. The festival hosts innovators and creators preforming, sharing and collaborating over 3 days. With music and lit...

In Episode 20 of the Shnug podcast we speak to chef, writer, restaurateur, painter Dr. Jp McMahon. Originally from Dublin Jp has been has been working in Galway for over 15 years, opening Cava in 2008 and Aniar in 2011, with the latter achieving a coveted Michelin star. Jp is also behind the ‘Food on the Edge’ international food symposium and the Galway based food network Blas Na Gaillmh and recen...

In Episode 19 of the Shnug podcast we speak to founders of the LiveStock music festival Cormac Jennings and Sharon Sweeney. The inspiration for LiveStock stems from the organisers Cormac and Sharon’s wedding celebration held in 2019. The private event proved to be such a magical occasion that they decided to grow and adapt it to a wider audience. It has now grown into one of the most authentic fes...

Happy new year everyone, we thought we’d release a podcast recorded back in the Indian summer of last September to warm yer souls and remind you that brighter days are coming down the line     In Episode 18 of the Shnug podcast we speak to musician, farmer, forager, brewer Eoghan Higgins. Hailing from Corrandulla just outside Galway city, we chat about growing up on a livestock farm and the state...