Best Burren Podcasts (2024)

1
The successful 'back to basics' approach of farming in The Burren 5:48

15d ago5:48

5:48

The BurrenLIFE project developed a blueprint for sustainable farming to meet the needs of both farmers and the environment. By Anne Kinsella, Teagasc.By RTÉ

1
5 reasons why it’s so difficult to get a divorce in Ireland 7:21

1d ago7:21

7:21

Getting divorced in Ireland is not as simple as just signing a piece of paper and moving on. By Méabh Browne, TU Dublin.By RTÉ

1
Wreckers and levellers: evicting Ireland's poor during the Great Famine 9:06

10d ago9:06

9:06

These reviled figures were involved in the evictions of some 250,000 Irish families during the 1840s and 1850s. By Ciarán Reilly, Maynooth UniversityBy RTÉ

1
Why Irish field names and local placenames need to be recorded 6:40

22d ago6:40

6:40

These names are real signifiers of our diverse native landscape and are shaped by local knowledge and past generations. By Aengus Ó Fionnagáin, University of Limerick.By RTÉ

1
All you ever wanted to know about shipping containers 9:32

29d ago9:32

9:32

How a simple corrugated box made it possible for us to access global products in a timely, secure and cost-effective manner. By Maurice Brady, TU DublinBy RTÉ

1
How the Marino estate transformed Dublin housing 100 years ago 10:10

1M ago10:10

10:10

Marino was a testing ground for a number of Dublin Corporation housing policies which influenced the city for many years afterwards. By Ruth McManus, DCUBy RTÉ

1
How coffee badging became a new workplace trend 6:10

2M ago6:10

6:10

It joins 'quiet quitting' as another pinch point between employers and employees over the future of the workplace. By Professor Kevin Murphy, University of LimerickBy RTÉ

1
Meet Lena Rice, the only Irish woman to ever triumph at Wimbledon 10:41

2M ago10:41

10:41

The story of the 19th century Tipperary tennis ace and 'dark horse' who won the Wimbledon tournament in 1890. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ BrainstormBy RTÉ

1
How vaping has an unhealthy impact on indoor air quality 6:57

2M ago6:57

6:57

One of the most noticeable byproducts of vaping is the increase in particulate matter pollution and poor indoor air quality. By Asit Kumar Mishra, UCCBy RTÉ

1
The story behind Croke Park's rodeo extravaganza in 1924 8:43

2M ago8:43

8:43

The stadium hosted Tex Austin's travelling rodeo featuring bronc riding, calf roping and other Wild West entertainments. By Conor Heffernan, Ulster UniversityBy RTÉ

1
The story of the secret theatre buried under Dublin’s Busáras 8:21

3M ago8:21

8:21

The Eblana theatre ensured the capital city's main bus station was also a busy cultural and social space for many decades. By Barry Houlihan, University of Galway.By RTÉ

1
'Face the flag': the complicated history of the national anthem and Gaelic games 7:41

3M ago7:41

7:41

The rules and rituals around Amhrán na bhFiann at matches have lead to controversy, resistance and protests. By Siobhán Doyle, Brainstorm.By RTÉ

1
How much does it really cost to build a new house in Ireland? 10:09

3M ago10:09

10:09

Depending on who you ask, where you are and what's included, it can cost from an estimated €318,365 to €461,000. By Orla Hegarty, UCD.By RTÉ

1
Why do people talk so much at gigs and concerts? 8:46

4M ago8:46

8:46

Audience members chatting all the way through a live show is yet another example of bad gig behaviour. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ BrainstormBy RTÉ

1
When Ireland said no to nuclear power in Co Wexford 8:18

4M ago8:18

8:18

The Carnsore Point festivals in the 1970s helped put a stop to the ESB's plans for a nuclear power plant. By Séan Ó Duibhir, University of Galway.By RTÉ

1
Wizard wanted: why job ads use such bizarre terms and descriptions 6:38

4M ago6:38

6:38

The first task for a would-be employee might be to sift through the jargon and waffle to figure out what exactly the job is. By Chris Fitzgerald, Mary Immaculate College.By RTÉ

1
Why class in the workplace remains a taboo subject in Ireland 6:39

4M ago6:39

6:39

'Perhaps it is time that the diversity discussion in the workplace begins to include socio-economic status'. By Vicki O'Reilly, TU DublinBy RTÉ

1
Why we keep comparing politicians to Hitler and why we need to stop 6:39

5M ago6:39

6:39

It's a comparison which is unproductive at best and dangerous at worst as it effectively kills public debate. By Constance de Saint Laurent, Maynooth University.By RTÉ

1
How a new app could show you green travel routes through Dublin 5:40

5M ago5:40

5:40

Using air quality data, the app would suggest routes through the city for pedestrians and cyclists avoiding the worst pollution. By Mingming Liu, Dublin City University.By RTÉ

1
Why do breathing techniques stop panic attacks? 6:11

5M ago6:11

6:11

Abdominal breathing allows you to regain control of a situation that is both terrifying and unrestrained. By Clodagh Ni Ghallachoir, TU Dublin.By RTÉ

1
3 misunderstandings about money that cost a lot in the long run 5:24

6M ago5:24

5:24

We can learn a lot from the psychology of financial decisions to help avoid losing money. By Deirdre Robertson, ESRI.By RTÉ

1
How a kiss in public in DeValera’s Ireland caused a global sensation 6:31

6M ago6:31

6:31

A woman was effectively banished from the country for the crime of kissing of a boy in public in Co Louth in 1937. By Michael Mary Murphy, Institute of Art, Design + Technology Dún Laoghaire.By RTÉ

1
How remote working has changed how we learn on the job 6:51

6M ago6:51

6:51

We seem to be increasingly missing out on learning invaluable bits and pieces from our colleagues, managers or even the new intern. By Arpita Pal, TU Dublin.By RTÉ

1
Why are teens half as likely to walk or cycle to school in Dublin as Dunshaughlin? 6:36

6M ago6:36

6:36

Research has found disparities between areas are not due to population size, but are more to do with differences in educational provision. By J. M. Mancini, Maynooth University.By RTÉ

1
Why do you have so many unread emails? 7:51

7M ago7:51

7:51

4 tips to manage the time demands of digital communication when there's just so much to do. By Anna Navin Young, UCC.By RTÉ

1
Who was Kathleen Lynn? The diaries of a radical Irish woman 6:50

7M ago6:50

6:50

Her diaries tell the story of an innovative and revolutionary activist devoted to the cause of women, workers and Ireland. By Mary McAuliffe, UCD and Harriet Wheelock, RCPI.By RTÉ

1
Dia dhuit: what's behind Irish language's religious roots? 6:09

7M ago6:09

6:09

Gaeilge is deeply intertwined with Ireland's religious history, which explains so many phrases about saints, devils and eternal life. By Peter Weakliam, DCU.By RTÉ

1
5 tips to save money on your heating this winter 6:36

7M ago6:36

6:36

Winter means having the heating on more often so here's how to have a comfortable home with optimal energy use. By Asit Kumar Mishra, UCC.By RTÉ

1
Is Government policy leading to longer commutes and urban sprawl? 4:19

8M ago4:19

4:19

With Dr Lorcan Sirr from TU Dublin on RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime from November 23rd 2023By RTÉ

1
'A good send-off': why food plays a major role in Irish wakes and funerals 9:15

8M ago9:15

9:15

Irish funerals and wakes since ancient times have always highlighted the importance of food, feasting and hospitalityBy RTÉ

1
How Irish dance became a significant business for Irish women 6:29

9M ago6:29

6:29

Irish dance has deep historical ties with cultural nationalism and identity, but its financial importance for women cannot be overlookedBy RTÉ

1
How did the marriage bar affect Irish women? 7:13

9M ago7:13

7:13

The impact of Ireland's marriage bar on the affected women's professional lives and careers is still felt to this day. By Jennifer Redmond, Maynooth University; Judith Harford, UCD and Deirdre Foley, UCC.By RTÉ

1
Why so many of us will run up that hill with Kate Bush 6:43

9M ago6:43

6:43

As fans gather for the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever in Dublin, a look at the life, work and Irish connections of Kate BushBy RTÉ

1
What Ireland ate and drank during the Second World War 8:05

9M ago8:05

8:05

From the "black loaf" to a shortage of tea, the Emergency's hardships forced Ireland to try out many alternative foodstuffsBy RTÉ

1
Under Clery's clock: the history and legacy of the landmark Dublin store 7:42

9M ago7:42

7:42

One of the mainstays of city life for over 170 years, the store's iconic clock provided a meeting place for generations of DublinersBy RTÉ

1
What's going to happen to used electric car batteries? 8:00

10M ago8:00

8:00

The good news is that they're highly recyclable, but the process can be hazardous due to potential fires and other dangersBy RTÉ

1
Why is society so surprised by older people having sex? 7:25

10M ago7:25

7:25

You'll find very few positive depictions of old age sexuality yet research confirms the importance of active sex lives to this cohortBy RTÉ

1
Why we turned a Dublin street into a playground 7:13

10M ago7:13

7:13

The D7 Play Streets initiative is about showing what a simple reallocation of public space which puts children first and which returns the street to a source of social life could look likeBy RTÉ

1
Ráiméis! Here are 15 slang words as Gaeilge to use this week 6:29

11M ago6:29

6:29

Altering words in some way to conceal their meaning to those outside the group is typical of jargons the world overBy RTÉ

1
Do you work in a toxic workplace? Here what you can do about it 7:24

11M ago7:24

7:24

If organisations won't create safe, welcoming and positive workplaces, they shouldn't be surprised if employees won't put up with it. By Professor Kevin Murphy, University of Limerick.By RTÉ

1
A short history of the Irish coffee 8:49

11M ago8:49

8:49

How a coffee laced with whiskey, sugar and cream came to be seen as the height of sophistication. By Barry Houlihan, University of GalwayBy RTÉ

1
Why are Irish gig tickets so expensive? 9:58

11M ago9:58

9:58

The price of a ticket to see your favourite act has increased dramatically for a plethora of reasons. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ Brainstorm.By RTÉ

1
Taylor Swift's songs are full of literary references - so what do they tell us? 6:35

12M ago6:35

6:35

The pop star's references to books and classic literature allows us to see her self-awareness and growth as an artist. By Ellen Howley, DCU.By RTÉ

1
What goes on at the Workplace Relations Commission? 8:37

12M ago8:37

8:37

The WRC is a one stop shop for the resolution of a myriad of employment law issues and disputes. By Brenda Daly, DCUBy RTÉ

1
Why Irish people sing 'Ole Ole Ole' when they're happy 7:41

12M ago7:41

7:41

We don't just break into a blast of 'Ole Ole Ole' at soccer matches, but also at gigs, homecomings and other celebrations. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, BrainstormBy RTÉ

1
How Michael Collins became the Irish revolution's sex symbol 10:04

1y ago10:04

10:04

The mystery, romance and cult around Michael Collins has created an idealised version of the Irish leader. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ BrainstormBy RTÉ

1
How do you clean a wind turbine blade? 7:30

1y ago7:30

7:30

Dirt on a blade's surface can decrease a wind turbine's efficiency by up to 40% after just two weeks of operation. By Seamus Cummins, DCUBy RTÉ

1
The growing world of nixers, passion projects and side hustles 7:26

1y ago7:26

7:26

Many people embark on jobs on the side to maximise their talent, make full use of potential and earn some extra income. By Bhuvan Israni, TU DublinBy RTÉ

1
‘He proposed to me on our first date’: my experience of Irish culture shock 5:32

1y ago5:32

5:32

What we say and how we behave is influenced by cultural norms and can lead to critical (and sometimes funny) incidents. By Florence Le Baron-Earle, University of LimerickBy RTÉ

1
Because they're worth it: medieval hair treatments 6:41

1y ago6:41

6:41

Connla Mac an Leagha's 16th century collection contains many remedies and treatments intended to enhance the appearance of the medieval Irish man and woman. By Siobhán Barrett, Maynooth University.By RTÉ

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