One of our most trusted media sources for over a century, radio has always informed, educated and entertained us. And as a nation that loves to listen, it’s no surprise that 81% of Irish adults tune in to it daily (Ipsos MRBI, 2021).

A medium that has always adapted and rolled with the technological times, the on-demand nature of radio’s younger sibling – the podcast – means that we need never miss a beat or a broadcast again.

We’ve rounded up a taste of some of the many podcasts supported by the Creative Ireland Programme. 

Considering one in three Irish people listen to a podcast every month (Reuters, 2019), one of these five might just be your next monthly fix.

Pop those headphones on and hit ‘play’!

Enjoy some creative conversations with your morning coffee 

Podcaster and author Ruairí McKiernan digs deep into the Banner county’s artistic bounty with Creative Souls of Clare. A series of online conversations with a truly diverse group of Clare-based writers, poets, musicians, playwrights and craftspeople, topics range from their creative practice, influences and inspirations, to the importance of community, and their sense of connection to the county. 

Participants to date have included East Clare storyteller and crafter Ruth Marshall, Miltown-Malbay songwriters Anne Rynne and Shona Blake, Ennis documentary filmmaker Ken O’Sullivan, poet Anne Casey, folk singer Katie Theasby, musician Tommy Hayes, actor and playwright Jacinta Sheerin, and writer and actor Mark O’Halloran.

Listen or watch via Google podcasts / Spotify / Apple / Facebook video / or YouTube video.

Or why not try South Tipp Arts Centre’s Cuppa Culture podcast, which provides yet more creative inspiration through its short conversations with an array of creatives working both nationally and internationally. 

Borne out of the pandemic and the high level of restrictions in place at the time, the 13 episodes feature people from visual arts, theatre, literature, opera and community arts backgrounds discussing the effect of lockdown on their lives and work. 

Co-presented by Eimear King and Helena Tobin, just some of the podcast’s participants have included sculptor James Horan, illustrator Roisín Hahessy, director, producer, writer and photographer Jeremiah Chechik, and experimental poet Michelle Moloney King.

Listen via Spotify.

Snuggle up on the sofa with a short story

Lose yourself in four tales of survival written and read by Sylvia Cullen. Where Three Waters Meet is a 2021 collection of short stories, each set in a different County Wexford location.

The four works each explore a different aspect of what it can mean to survive in dire circumstances, with characters facing traumatic choices and needing to steel their resolve to endure.

Beautifully crafted and captivatingly told, this short story series gives the audience the opportunity to reflect on adversity, endurance and resilience. Curl up and enjoy!

Listen via SoundCloud.

If you fancy some musical debate…

South Dublin youth music collective SubSounds empowers young people to develop their creativity, musicianship and composition skills through mentorship and collaboration. 

The group’s fortnightly SubSounds Podcast is a creative outlet that sees its young participants share their thoughts on all things music and songwriting.

Listeners can even expect the odd lively debate on all-time favourite albums, artists and songs too! Not just a way of expressing musical tastes and opinions, the podcast element of the SubSounds programme introduces young musicians to this much-loved medium and teaches them how to plan and produce their very own show.

Listen via subsounds.ie

Hop into history on an afternoon stroll 

Fancy getting hooked on historical drama? The episodic Fractured podcast injects drama, tension, love, humour and historic fact into a soap-like format as it follows the fictional Kildare-based Barry family during the turbulent War of Independence years. 

Peppered with real-life events like the bombing of Maynooth courthouse in May 1920 and the contentious Treaty debates, this enveloping series puts family at the heart of one of Ireland’s most divisive periods. 

With three series available, history and drama-lovers alike will have plenty to devour.

Listen via PodBean.