Irish with Mollie
Explore the cultural and psychological phenomenon of language and learning - how Irish has faded from our tongues but we're ready to gobble it back up. The word "gobble" comes from Irish! Let's talk to fresh talent bringing Irishness to a new level - musicians, historians, linguists, spiritual teachers, artists, activists and thinkers. There'll be a cúpla focal. There'll be wisdom and storytelling, a few life lessons and a few Irish lessons. Éist linn!
#49: Laurence Falconer - Top of the Morgen - Irish Man in Germany
Laurence Falconer is a comedian, actor, pilot, tour guide, history buff, nature lover, life enthusiast and bon-vivanting flâneur. The author of Top of the Morgan - released this year - Laurence writes beautifully about how his life truly changed when meeting and falling in love with a German woman. He moved to Germany and set up his very popular and hilarious Irishman in Germany Instagram channel, which amassed a huge following exploring and celebrating the cultural differences between Ireland and Germany. He appreciates the moment, he loves being alive, and his writing is deliciously magnetic, authentic, honest and d...
#48: Dr. Darragh Stewart: Healing, Men's work, and the Irish Psyche
Dr. Darragh Stewart (Phd) is the co-founder of Inwardbound and helps people heal emotional wounds, deepen self-awareness, cultivate meaningful relationships and create lasting change through mentoring, retreats, men’s work, psychedelic integration and transformational education.
A curious individual who wants to create positive change in the world, Darragh is contributing his skills and expertise to enable others to connect to themselves, understand themselves and work through life's challenges to find more peace and wellness.
We cover boundaries, consent, shame, how to live a life that's authentic to you.
Darragh offers courses, workshops and re...
#47: Sophia Smith Galer - How to Kill a Language
Our conversation spans the world of languages and the world in each language. Sophia Smith Galer is an award-winning journalist and author best known for pioneering vertical-video reporting on platforms like TikTok. Recognised as one of British Vogue's 25 most influential women in the UK, she has amassed over 200 million views for her reporting on technology, language, and culture. Sophia is also one of just four people ever to have won University Challenge twice!We explore her recent book, How to Kill a Language, which is a hopeful, healing, humorous, insightful book which I highly recommend. Her research resonates so...
#46: Kevin Scollo: Báicéir, Gaeilgeoir, Laoch
Múinteoir bródúil anseo! Proud teacher here! Ba phleisiúr é bheith ag caint le Caoimhín, mo chara agus mo dhalta - It was a pleasure to speak with Kevin, my friend and my student. Nach bhfuil tú tógtha leis? Aren't you impressed with him? Taispeánann sé cad atá indéanta le cleachtadh, paisean, bród, obair chrua agus grá don dúshlán! He shows what is possible with practice, passion, pride, hard work and love for the challenge!
Labhraíomar faoi ghnó, a bhácús, bainisteoireacht, cruthaitheacht, a thuras leis an nGaeilge, agus ce...
#45: Yuji Beleza: Loving Languages
Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara Yuji - Thanks a million, friend Yuji :) Yuji Beleza is a viral Japanese-Irish social media influencer and language enthusiast and entertainer, known for approaching strangers on the street and surprising them by speaking their native languages. He has millions of followers across platforms like Instagram and Tiktok and inspires people worldwide to connect with each other with smiles, and his incredible commitment to learning is encourging and uplifting :)
It was so special to chat with you and hear about your mission to connect with others through t...
#44: Cathy Galvin - Poet: A love song for Connemara
"The beauty of it is just so compelling" - Are we talking about the Irish language? Cathy Galvin's poetry? The west of Ireland? All of it.
"It was the lost inheritance of
something sublime: the force
of sea and wind; survival on the
margins"
#43: Patrick Lynham Van den Boom: An Irish Clown on the Art of Failure
Is failure wrong or bad? Or is it a journey of acceptance, celebration, fun, vulnerability and connection? Through Patrick's clown school, working in hospitals, being a teacher and a student, growing through challenges and finding his joy in play, drama, dance, navigating struggles, second chances, and awareness, this is a story of resilience, one of the most powerful skills we can have.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara :)
Thank you, friend!
Bhain mé an-taitneamh as ár gcomhrá - I really enjoyed our conversation (I extracted shining out of it...
#42: Martha Gilheany - Solo Renovating a 100 Year Old Farmhouse
What a breath of fresh air. Martha is a tonic! I love her work ethic, her joyful spirit, her vision, community, the power of mindset, and her love of Leitrim. Bain taitneamh as! Extract shining out of it!
Grma, a chara Martha! Thank you, friend, Martha :)
Ba phleisiúr é caint leat - It was a pleasure to talk to you.
Follow her journey and get excellent book recommendations, too! Martha Gilheaney (@marthagiheaney)
#41: Stiofán Nutty - Eipeasóid as Gaeilge!!!
In this episode, Stiofán Nutty and I talk about the challenges and triumphs of making Irish central to your life, raising children through Irish, the beauty and richness, wisdom and poetry of the language and how we can root ourselves in An Ghaeilge, making it central to our lives, regardless of previous experiences, study or lack of study!
This is the first episode on my podcast which is fully (or 99% in Irish!) Feedback welcome :)
Bainigí taitneamh as! Enjoy it!
#40 Diarmaid Ó Maolagáin - The Gaeltacht in Canada
Is iarr Thánaiste do Ghaeltacht an Oileáin Úir é Diarmaid Ó Maolagáin - Diarmaid Ó Maolagáin was the Vice-President of the "New Island" Gaeltacht in Tamworth, Ontario.“A small community is drawn here, to a small patch of land in a tiny Ontario town where Gaelic acts as a lifeline to their history, their culture and to the Emerald Isle itself. This is the Canadian Gaeltacht.”
— Susan Krashinsky, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
www.gaeilge.ca
D'fhoghlaim sé a chuid Ghaelainne i gCeanada chun ceangal a dhéanamh len' dhúchais - He learned his Irish in Cana...
#39: Sinéad Crowe - Intuitive Eating
So wonderful to start 2026 releasing this conversation about naturally healing your relationship with food. Sinéad Crowe is an Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Nutritional Therapist, and Perinatal Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. She also has intensive training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Strategic Intervention, and Behavioural Family Therapy, alongside a Masters in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from UCD.
Our chat ranges from listening to our appetite, navigating the nuances of the food industry, our Irish relationship with famine vs feast, and mostly how to be good to ourselves and doing what feels good.
Having personally experienced binge eating for o...
#38 An Maolchathach
Kerry Irish aficionado, online sensation, brain rot connoisseur, and witty wizard, @an_maolchathach knows how to ride those trends while providing us with the most soothing, lyrical accent on the internet waves. This was an illuminating conversation with such a knowledgable young enthusiast who is celebrating our language and drawing in the giggles from far and wide. The richness of his accent and the great interest he has is inspiring. He creates memes and brain rot on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, making it inclusive and accessibe by adding subtitles. Brain rot is a slang term for the perceived mental de...
#37: Shaun with a fada
@shaunwithafada is a bilingual content creator from Waterford. He learned his Irish in school - attending both an Irish speaking primary and secondary school. Shaun’s lifestyle content interweaves Irish and English together whilst showing us glimpses into his life! He showcases Irish as a language that is alive outside of the classroom, and shows that it’s more than just a school subject. Since creating his account in February of 2025, he has amassed thousands of followers and has been named in District Magazine and by the official Irish Government as one of the “Irish Language Content Creators to help I...
#36: Yoga le Naoise
Naoise and I talk wellness, the Irish language, nurturing our inner world and bringing that light to our communities. Naoise is a certified yoga teacher who brings techno, togetherness and technique to her practice and is developing her strengths through various exciting projects like Tabhair Aire - which means "Give care" or "Take care". Since recording, Naoise has also become an Image Magazine columnist! Her energy and eagerness to teach is truly beautiful. I was lucky enough to be invited to join in on one of her classes recently and it was a pleasure to stretch, breathe and laugh...
#35 Colm Ó Broin: Irish language activist
Colm was born and raised in Clondalkin, Dublin, and attended Naíonra Chrónáin, Scoil Chrónáin & Coláiste Chillian. Colm's love for the language grew after spending time in East Timor, teaching English. East Timor is a multilingual country and experiencing that got him asking why we make such a song and dance about bilingualism in Ireland! When he came home he studied communications and worked with the Irish language newspapers Lá and Gaelscéal. He now works in the non-profit sector. While he was working in journalism he started writing about myths we often hear about the...
#34: Dr Mamobo Ogoro - Social Entrepreneur
Dr. Mamobo Ogoro is a Social Psychologist, Scholar, Broadcaster and multi-award winning social entrepreneur. Mamobo’s PhD research focused on migrant identity and how systems of inclusion and exclusion impact belonging for migrant communities. As a result, she founded, and acts as the CEO of GORM, an award winning social enterprise on a mission to unify across differences and advance belonging for marginalised communities through intercultural media and education. Mamobo is an avid conversationalist and sits as the youngest presenter on NewstalkFM , hosting the show ‘Younified’. Mamobo has been heralded for her work with GORM on countless occasions. In 2024 she wa...
#33: Blue Niall - Rapper, Artist, Producer
Blue Niall (@blue_niall_) is a rapper, music producer, artist and designer from Dublin. His work has been featured by DUMMY Magazine, District Magazine, Nialler9, Polyester Magazine, Hot Press and RTÉ. Niall’s work uses Celtic Mythology to explore modern Ireland and point to a future for a country in flux. His new project Oisín is focused on the experience of a returning emigrant to Ireland, and involves a retelling of the legend of Tír na nÓg. The first single “New Celtic Flow”, was premiered on Dearfxch TV Youtube channel and featured Celaviedmai. He runs a fortnightly...
#32 Daragh Fleming - Poet
Episode 32:
Daragh Fleming is a poet, writer, and mental health advocate from Cork, Ireland. With a background in psychology and linguistics, his work explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and resilience. He has published multiple poetry collections—including Notes For A Mid-Youth Crisis and Enigmatic—alongside fiction and non-fiction titles such as Lonely Boy. His writing has appeared in journals like Southword, Crannóg, and Paris Lit Up, and he’s received several accolades, including the From The Well Short Story Prize. A passionate mental health advocate, Daragh is the founder of the blog Thoughts Too Big, works with ch...
#31 Weird Ireland with Brinsley McNamara
Brinsley takes us through whimsical, wild, weird stories and happenings around our island of Ireland. Thanks a million, Brinsley - it was an absolute pleasure to talk to you! Highly recommend Brinsley's book which you can find here linktr.ee/weirdireland or celebrate and support McNamara's work here buymeacoffee.com/weirdireland
Míle buíochas, a chara - A thousand gratitude, friend
#30: Dane Buckley - Comedian
Dane Buckley is the world’s only Irish, Indian, gay comedian… probably! An award-winning comedian and writer, he delivers his comedy effortlessly with cheeky charm and camp mischief.
Dane burst onto the comedy circuit in 2022, after a fulfilling career in charity work and social care, making a name for himself by winning Gong Shows and was a finalist in LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year (2022), British Comedian of the Year (2024) and BBC New Comedy Awards (2024).
Whether it’s stories of his early years – Irish mammies, Indian grannies, and rebel priests – or his career in social care – cha...
#29 Aoife Lowden - Soul retrieval
Aoife Lowden is a guide and facilitator of courses, ceremonies, and gatherings which aim to support in building relationship rooted in land-based ancestral wisdom.
Aoife works as a voice for the more-than-human world. Through story, song and healing ceremony, she weaves together ancestral wisdom and lived-mythology to bring forth an embodied experience of ancient druidic spirituality in the present moment today.
Weaving the old with the new - Aoife creates spaces rooted in wild & ancient wisdom, whilst allowing the space for our emerging culture to come through and evolve.
Aoife founded Leigheas Dé D...
#28 Dian Killian, Ph.D. on The Gaelic Effect
Míle buíochas, mo laoch! Many thanks, my hero.
Dian weaves together her experience and research from an illustrious career in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) & Transformative Coaching, an academic vocation focused on Classical Rhetoric, Applied Linguistics and Critical/Narrative Theory, and a lifelong passion for Irish Studies. Dian's Master of Philosophy degree at Trinity College, Dublin was in Anglo-Irish Literature in Cultural-Historical Contexts. Her PhD culminated in research on The Nation’s Other: The Construction of Irish National Identity in the Context of British Colonialism and Emigration. Dian has been an NVC trainer for 20 years, working with organi...
#27: Breandán Ó Cionnaith (Gaelscoilis)
Breandán is an inspirational, rising TikTok star in the Gaeltok, who is ensuring that Gaeilge has its place on the global app. My favourite creator on Tiktok by far! He believes that the accessibility of TikTok and its high usage among our youth is key to the revitalisation of our beautiful language. He brings us right back to his school days in Athenry where he was immersed in the language in his youth and how that has had such a positive effect on his love for the language today. Breandán's energy is refreshing as he avidly believes that...
#26 Aislinn Clarke - Film Director, Writer, Lecturer
Aislinn and I talk about the genre of horror and its social purpose, cultural trauma that is hard to articulate, her work, her interests and the future of filmmaking in Irish. We explore the fun-loving outward face of the Irish and the inward heart which is thwarted with pain.
“A good story will always carry anyway - regardless of the language. It wasn’t a barrier to me that people would have to read subtitles”
Aislinn has just been nominated as an IFTA Rising Star! Comhghairdeas agus tuillte go maith agat! Congratulations and well-deserved.
...
#25 Seán Mulrooney - Bard, singer, songwriter
Go raibh míle, a Sheáin - Thanks a million, Seán. It was brilliant to explore these themes with you. We touch on the enlightening and awakening Gaeilge Revival in all things music, language, culture, and dúchas - a deep sense of respect and honour for heritage.
Seán Mulrooney’s shift into solo artistry represents a deeply personal evolution, blending his Irish psychedelic folk roots with universal themes of justice, empathy, and healing. Known as the frontman of Tau & the Drones of Praise, he now steps forward with his debut solo album, This Is My Pray...
#24: Talk to Ross - tour guide, culture and history content creator, podcaster
Episode 24: Meet Ross - tour guide, culture and history content creator, podcaster This conversation will propel you into the new year with curiosity, inspiration and pride. Ross’s generous and upbeat attitude is a breath of fresh air. “One of the originals” as I call him, he brings aspects of Irish culture and history to his global audience, fuelling his feed with clever, quirky facts about our island’s culture, our language and our heritage. Ross has a huge interest in local history and shares it with passion and a palpable excitement which simultaneously informs and impresses us. Ross, your voi...
#23 David Keoghan - Stone Lifter
Episode 23: David Keoghan - Stone Lifter "It started off as just lifting a stone but now it has lifted a whole part of our culture! It's not just a stone, it's a story."
My esteemed guest, David Keoghan, is the proud Waterford man, a world-champion kettle bell athlete, rediscovering his pride and passion in the Irish language, and leading a revival of bringing back a whole culture of Celtic stone lifting. This is a fascinating story connected to Irish mythology, an ancient important ritual, such an integral part of Irish life which was practically deserted. David's message...
#22 Abi (weird_watercolours) Artist, Business-owner, Comedian
Abi and I touch on the hilarious, haunting and heartwarming aspects of growing a creative business online, and her chaotic but highly productive capacity to generate ideas and transform them into sellable art and viral videos, which works seamlessly thanks to her organised, efficient other half, Audrey.
There is an increased consciousness of buying Irish, and buying from small family-run businesses and Abi and Audrey are a wonderful example of a hard-working, values-driven, compatible partners who clearly care about what they do, as do their loyal and growing customer base.
We are not only enjoying...
#21 Caoimhín - Musician
My guest this week, Caoimhín, is a talented musician, an Irish Language advocate, a creative storyteller and a gentle soul, as his name "Caoimhín" suggests. In this soothing episode, Caoimhín takes us from his childhood all the way into his adult life where the common denominator was, and still is, music. He is a gifted traditional musician and plays various instruments including the banjo, flute and fiddle. Caoimhín adores traditional Irish music and he claims he enjoyed it even when it wasn't as cool as it is today! Despite his love and respect for the music...
#20 Ryan Dixon - Native American Educator and Indigenous Language Activist
#20 Ryan Dixon - Lakota Name: Taṡuƞka Wakiƞyaƞ Watogla (Wild Thunder Horse) is an inspiring Native American Educator and Indigenous Language Activist who has been teaching and coaching the Dakota Language since 2012. He has co-founded C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oti- Lower Sioux Headstart and Early Headstart and drives the language movement forward with his community projects, leadership teams, competitions and innovative educational development. We talk about language loss, the revitalisation projects underway, the current status of Lakota and Dakota, colonisation, decolonisation, and hope for the future. Find Ryan on instagram @tasunka.wakinyan to learn mor
#19 Eimear Burke - Druid, Seanchaí, Psychologist
Eimear is Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She is a Storyteller and a Psychologist. She has a deep love of the ancient Irish tales and has a passion for storytelling. In this conversation we talk about the healing power of nature, Eimear's earth-based exploration, her growing community, thin places and thin times.
Eimear loves to weave in song and the harp into her stories. She particularly enjoys showing people the sacred sites of Ireland and telling the ancient tales right where they happened.
Eimear has private practice as a Counselling...
#18 Kevin Whelan - Historian, Professor, Writer
Kevin Whelan is one of Ireland's most widely published scholars, and a professor at the University of Notre Dame Dublin, having lectured at top universities all over the world and worked on over 20 books.
Kevin was also the historical advisor to the Irish Government on the Famine and the 1798 Rebellion.
His articulate and expansive reflections on the ecocidal agenda of the Irish Famine are illuminating and sobering. We discuss the project of imperalism and globalisation, and how Ireland was an early ethnocidal experiment, which has affected Ireland to such an extent we could have talked...
# 17 Barbara Scully - Writer, Comedian, Spokesperson for aul wans
What a pleasure, what lark! Talking to Barbara Scully about becoming more ourselves, knowing the privilege of ageing, cultivating a habit of gratitude, and making decisions on our own attitude... uáu! I loved our conversation, a chara!
Barbara is an accomplished writer, columnist, and broadcaster, comedian, and BANLAOCH (female warrior). She is frequently published in the national press and magazines. Her first book, ‘Wise Up, Power, Wisdom and the Older Woman’ was published in summer 2022 and has been widely well-received. Marian Keyes described it as “a warm, accessible, personal account of what it is to be a woman...
#16 Vsevolod Rzhondkovsky - Ukrainian language professor, linguist, anthropologist
In this episode, I am joined by the fantastic Seva, an enthusiastic linguist with vast knowledge and expertise around indigenous languages. He is a language professor who grew up in a bilingual environment in the Soviet Union. He studied anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley and now teaches academic Spanish and Italian in a community college in Seattle. He is an academic who poses questions regarding the connection between language and identity, a concept that is challenged and questioned in both Ukraine and Ireland. This comparison makes for a fascinating conversation about the parallels that exist between the...
#15 Órla McGovern - Storyteller, Writer, Performer
This week's conversation was with the one and only, Órla McGovern. A lengthy introduction is needed for this multitalented individual. She is an imaginative storyteller, a gifted actress, a sharp playwright, a dedicated teacher, a poetic author, and an entertaining performer. Órla allows us into her world of imagination and reveals how the Arts allow her to express herself and find her truth. She is a creative, progressive person who delves into hot topics such as blackcurrant in Guinness, her draw towards bodies of water and taking on a voice during the act of telling a story. Not only do...
#14 Leon Diop - Advocate, Creator, Entrepreneur
Episode 14: Leon Diop is a fantastic spokesperson who aims to increase awareness and educate people, celebrating and connecting Black and Mixed Race Irish people. Leon is the founder of the Black and Irish community, a movement which strives to highlight the struggles and successes of the Black and Mixed Race Irish community. The organisation raises the question of defining “Irishness”, which Leon does so beautifully. Leon is also an award-winning author who wrote the stunning Black and Irish: Legends, Trailblazers and Everyday Heroes. Thankfully, there are more books on the way. Leon lives by the motto of “Is fiú agus is...
#13 Conor Creighton - Spiritual guide, Meditation teacher, Author
In this insightful episode, Conor Creighton speaks in great depth about his life as a creator, a meditation teacher, a spiritual guide, and other roles he has put his hand to!
We touch on the Irish psyche, loving ourselves and the path towards acceptance and authenticity.
Conor dissects the endless opportunities his life has presented due to a deeper connection with both himself and the world around him, through an abundance of meditative experience. During this warm chat, I refer to his profound book, “The Truth About Love” and he describes his alluring artistic process, whic...
#12 Dee Mulrooney - Captain Ireland, artist, activist
We all deeply love Ireland... but we need to talk about it.
In this episode we talk about the salvation of art, connection with the land, grá for mná (love for women), finding meaning and direction, loving the eejit out of yourself, cringe, naff, and the inexhaustible desire to live.
Dee is an everyday Goddess. Her voice will transport you. Her relationship with and understanding of Ireland and Irishness will challenge, resonate, and inspire.
Growler is Dee Mulrooney’s alter-ego, performance piece. She is an 82-year-old drum banging, shamanic alchemist, who transmutes women’s pain...
#11 Ruairi Glasheen - Percussionist, composer, filmmaker and educator
Episode 11: Ruairi Glasheen is an award-winning percussionist, composer, filmmaker and educator based in London. Drawn by the limitless creativity and possibilities of being a percussionist, and indeed a love of drums and percussion from all around the world, Ruairi spreads his passion through diverse global projects including workshops, orchestras, filmmaking and collaborations, for which he has won many prestigious awards and accolades. Ruairi has led a truly illustrious career in music, released documentaries such as Hidden Drummers of Iran, and has developed courses online.
We talk about students' confidence shifting, the positive power of music, the story...
#10 Jane Casey - Journalist, content-creator
Wicklow native, Jane Casey, is a content creator and journalist that has a passion for highlighting the forgotten stories of Ireland’s past.
Jane aims to ignite curiosity about our world and inspire an appreciation for the hidden beauty and rich histories we often overlook.
We talk about reframing success, the curiosity which unveils a story in every place, pursuing passion, and reconnecting with our incredible land.
Find Jane at @janecasey.ie