Searching for something new to listen to? Here are 7 Irish podcasts to add to your rotation

With plenty of well-known names grabbing hold of a mic, we thought it only fitting to bring you some of the very best voices enhancing the Irish podcast scene. From news and pop culture catch ups to advice for new mums and conspiracy theory deep dives, there is quite literally something for everyone.

If you’re looking for some new additions to add to your current rotation, or you’re just dipping your toes into the far-reaching podcast waters, here are some recommendations from familiar Irish voices…

What Did You Eat This Week? With James Kavanagh

Created by a foodie, for the foodies, What Did You Eat This Week? will leave you absolutely salivating. Hosted by the one and only James Kavanagh, each weekly instalment features an extensive, food-focussed conversation that delves into the guest’s favourite bites, dream dinner dates, and ultimate death row meal. Thoroughly embracing the full spectrum of foodie delights, this podcast awards equal merit to the filthiest of hangover takeaways and the poshest of Michelin gourmet. Each episode also features a food fact of the week from chef extraordinaire and the host’s other half, William Murray.

The Group Chat with Richard Chambers, Zara King and Gavan Reilly

It’s safe to say that there’s not a household in Ireland left unfamiliar with this trio since the pandemic came knocking. As Virgin Media correspondents, they’ve been disseminating information and breaking it down into easily digestible, bite-sized chunks so that we can truly understand what’s happening in the world around us. With The Group Chat, they’re breaking down the fourth wall to give us a glimpse into what’s happening behind the headlines, answering key questions and explaining exactly how these things affect us. With a new episode each and every week, now you’ll always be in the know.

Catch Up with Louise McSharry

If you’ve been missing the dulcet tones of Louise McSharry on Irish airwaves, worry not, because the broadcaster is back on the mic. Creating something all new and entirely her own, every Friday will see a new episode of Catch Up do exactly what it says on the tin. Catching us up on all the latest happenings at home and abroad, topics will range from high brow, intellectual discussions to the fun and frivolous. Each episode will feature an interview with someone of the moment and a good dose of pop culture analysis.

Stretch Marks with Caroline Foran and Sinéad O’Moore

Brought to you by bestselling author and host of Owning It podcast, Caroline Foran, and the host of everymum, Sinéad O’Moore, Stretch Marks aims to normalise the tough bits and celebrate the great bits of motherhood. Dealing with a different aspect of motherhood in each episode, the podcast aims to discuss everything from balancing work commitments to deciding to have another baby with compassion and honest humour. They say it takes a village, and these mums are building one through candid conversations between good friends, with some expert insight from time to time.

Red Room with Jenny Claffey

For those partial to true crime mystery and conspiracy theory deep dives, Red Room will be right up your alley. While the podcast has been exclusive to subscribers on Patreon since late last year, host Jenny Claffey has recently started to post monthly free episodes and they’re definitely worth sinking your teeth into. Inviting the listener to get lost in conversation, Red Room explores the weird and the wonderful, peeling back the curtain on topics ranging from The Church of Scientology to The Streisand Effect. Mind boggling and incredibly well-researched, each roving episode aims to broaden the mind and teach us something new about the world we live in.

Honourable mentions

The Laughs of Your Life with Doireann Garrihy back catalogue has a plethora of incredible guests including Aisling Bea, Amy Huberman and Micheál Martin. All about the beauty of having a laugh, the podcast takes each guest from their first memories of laughter right through to a time they had the last laugh.

Elsewhere, Angela Scanlon’s Thanks A Million explores the good, the great and the grateful. The perfect blend of side-splitting and sentimental, each episode journeys from ‘thank you, next’, to ‘thank f*ck for that’, guests so far on the most recent season include Caroline O’Donoghue, Edith Bowman and Lauren Laverne.