Una and Andrea's United Ireland
220 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratings32 Episodes. 32 Counties. 32 Questions. Every week United Ireland looks at how issues in small places have a much bigger context, and discusses the issues important to you. Let's go!
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Episodes
Pressing Pause...
August 10, 2022 10:24 - 24 minutes - 19.8 MBPressing Pause... by Una & Andrea's United Ireland
EPISODE 152: Summer Jam Top 20 Summer Vibes
July 28, 2022 18:22 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBIt's our 2022 Summer Jam! On this episode, we give you our on top 20 cheerful summer vibes; things to look forward to, positive changes a'coming, good vibes to soak up, and all round Positive Pam feelings. Enjoy!
EPISODE 151: Parks, Recreation, and Biodiversity in Dublin City
July 21, 2022 10:09 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBWhat makes a city sing when it comes to biodiversity? We're joined by Dublin City Council's biodiversity officer, Lorraine Bull to talk about wilding, bees, otter surveys, and making the capital greener. Also, Andrea is raging with Apple, our queen JLo ties the knot, and the plans for "culture" at the former site of the Tivoli theatre stall.
BONUS EP: The Uber Files with Simon Carswell
July 12, 2022 13:20 - 34 minutes - 31 MBBONUS EP: The Uber Files with Simon Carswell by Una & Andrea's United Ireland
EPISODE 150: Derelict Ireland
July 06, 2022 12:54 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBAttention paid to dereliction across Ireland has increased hugely during the pandemic, with a grassroots anti-dereliction movement emerging from ordinary people interested in addressing the scourge of vacancy and dereliction, but also offering solutions that should be acted on now, which would address aspects of the housing crisis, improve villages, towns and cities across Ireland. On this episode, we speak to James McGauran who has launched Dog House, a portal for derelict properties, and al...
EPISODE 149: Where To Next For Abortion Rights in America?
July 01, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBIt’s a time of great distress and anger in the US and beyond, as Roe V Wade was overturned by a Supreme Court once again throwing the future of American democracy into turmoil. But don’t despair. In this episode we turn to hope, tactics, strategy, and mobilisation with the great Ailbhe Smyth. Instead of repeating the same conversations rattling around, could this be a moment for radical change? Also in this ep; the airport and airline breakdown, Una reflects on Neale Richmond’s grievances, ...
EPISODE 148: Party Scene
June 23, 2022 11:01 - 1 hour - 62 MBFor our final episode before Dublin Pride's biggest weekend, we're talking to Philly McMahon and Philip Connaughton about their new production, Party Scene, which examines chemsex and community. Plus, Andrea and Una give their verdicts on J Lo's Halftime (and her giant bejazzled coffee cup), and Roisin Murphy held hands with Andrea, so now they're best friends.
EPISODE 147: The ethics of AI
June 15, 2022 13:20 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBThis week Blake Lemoine, a Google engineer was put on leave after he claimed an AI program, named LaMDA, had become sentient. We've all seen the movies where AI becomes sentient, turns on humans and machines take over the world - is this what's happening now? In a word, no. But we are joined by Dr William Ratoff, Asst Professor at the Department of Philosophy, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Trinity, who has a focus on current various issues in the ethics and regulation of arti...
BYLINE: Mick Clifford
June 10, 2022 16:12 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBMick Clifford is one of the most experienced and dogged journalists in Irish media. He is a special correspondent at the Irish Examiner, and author of several books, in genres as broad as political analysis and crime novels. On this episode, we talk about Mick's career, and his focus on corruption, especially the Garda whistleblower scandal. But our main focus is on planning, from Mick's time at the Mahon Tribunal to his current reporting on An Bord Pleanála. What's going down in ABP as the w...
EPISODE 146: Gays Against Guns
June 03, 2022 11:45 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBWe begin June with a different look at Pride. What happens when queer activists use their learnings to tackle issues that wouldn't be traditionally seen as LGBTQ+? We're joined by Irish filmmaker Paul Rowley in New York, who has been documenting the protest and creative activist group Gays Against Guns, in the wake of more horrific mass-shootings in the US. Plus, the ABP tea keeps spilling, the country is in a weird blend of 2007+2010 energy, and it's festival season and we're getting ready t...
EPISODE 145: The Crypto Crash
May 26, 2022 12:13 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBConfused about the crypto crash? How will this turbulent time in digital currency impact society? We’re joined by Alex Hern, Technology Editor at The Guardian to discuss buying the dip, Ponzi scheme characteristics, and evangelical crypto communities. Also, Emer Higgins is back, the rolling An Bord Pleanála drama, and loads of techno tales.
EPISODE 144: The Small Business Crisis
May 10, 2022 14:27 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBAcross Ireland, small businesses are facing a near-crippling confluence of events; the staffing crisis impacting hiring and retention, out of control insurance costs, crazy energy price hikes, and inflation across the board. There's also the housing and rental crisis which is having a huge impact on small businesses. On this episode, we're digging into the reality of these issues, as well as looking at immediate solutions that could help. Andrea is repping Tropical Popical's perspective, and ...
BONUS EP: Laurence McKeown, Time Shadows
May 07, 2022 08:39 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBThe date of the Assembly Election, May 5th, was also the anniversary of Bobby Sands' death, a seismic moment in Irish history. On this bonus episode, we talk to Laurence McKeown, who also joined the hunger strikes that changed the political landscape. McKeown is an author, playwright, and poet, who was also imprisoned in the H-Blocks, and spent 70 days on hunger strike. In this episode, he discusses his memoir which details his time in prison, the trajectory of those protests, and how the dis...
EPISODE 143: Assembly Election Spesh #5: End the Racist Border
May 03, 2022 14:55 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBIt's our final #AE22 instalment before the North goes to the polls, and this week, we're talking borders. But not the border discourse you're used to. Many, many people are prevented from moving from county to county in this country because of border restrictions placed on visa-nationals. Imagine working in a hospital in Derry, but being unable to take a day trip to a Derry beach. Imagine living with fear of being "caught" driving your child to school if it involves crossing the apparently i...
EPISODE 142: Assembly Election Spesh #4: Poverty in Northern Ireland
April 26, 2022 17:47 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBDr Ciara Fitzpatrick of Ulster University School of Law joins us to discuss what we feel is probably the biggest underlying election issue in the North: poverty. What aspects of poverty hit harder in the North, and why? With the cost of living crisis spirally, we chat about the problems and the solutions. Also, Andrea has a life-changing experience at Roisin Murphy, and it's the return of J LO NEWS.
EPISODE 141: Assembly Election Spesh #3: Arts and Culture Policy
April 21, 2022 17:48 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBOn our third instalment examining issues beyond the headlines during election season in the North, we're digging into the parties - as in the ones on the dancefloor. Which political party has decent arts and culture policies? We're also joined by AVA bosswoman Sarah McBriar who gives us an insight into running one of the most interesting festivals on the island, and how Belfast is leading the way in electronic music culture.
EPISODE 140: Assembly Election Spesh #2: A New Era of Candidates with Emma DeSouza
April 12, 2022 13:42 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBOn our second NI Assembly spesh, we’re looking beyond the traditional binaries to spotlight one of the new era of candidates that are focussing on being independent voices in the hope of being elected in a jurisdiction known for partisan politics. Emma DeSouza joins us to discuss her ideas, and the changing landscape of voters and the issues they’re invested in, in the North. Also, NASCAR racing, Brit Brit is preg preg and the wondrous Saint Sister make magic in the Olympia.
EPISODE 139: Assembly Election Spesh #1: The Big Picture
April 08, 2022 13:24 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBWelcome to the first episode in our month-long series examining the upcoming Northern Irish Assembly elections! You know we love a good vote (and this one takes place on May 5th), but we also feel that a lot of people in the South simply don't engage in Assembly elections, and tend to tune out. Not here! We're going to bring you the FUN ASSEMBLY ELECTION SPESH. Get ready to tune into a different take on a hugely significant election, with expert analysis, brill guests, candidate interview...
BYLINE: Simon Carswell
March 29, 2022 14:47 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBBYLINE is back! This month, we're chatting to The Irish Times' Public Affairs Editor, Simon Carswell. Carswell is known in the industry for his breadth of expertise, his fastidiousness, and his capacity to take on any beat. His background in financial journalism - when he worked at both the Business Post and then the Irish Times - switched gears to American politics when he became the Washington Correspondent of the Irish Times during Obama's second term. In this episode, we're talking about ...
EPISODE 138: the Irish Aircraft Leasing Sector Hits Turbulence
March 28, 2022 16:57 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBPeter O'Dwyer of the Business Post joins us to discuss the Irish aircraft leasing sector's turbulent times, with leased jets languishing in Russia in the face of EU sanctions, how did this industry come to be massive in Ireland, and can they get their planes back? If you've always wondered what Ireland's strong connections are with this sector, here's the explainer you've been waiting for!
EPISODE 137: The New Celtic Revival
March 21, 2022 15:18 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBAs an epic return to St Patrick's Day celebrations winds up, we're chatting about the new Celtic revival currently influencing contemporary Irish identities across Irish culture, society, and politics. From the popularity of the Irish language, to the blending of tradition in art, music, design and fashion, it feels very much that we're in a new Celtic revival. What's behind this shift, what will its impact on society be?
32 Questions: First Woman of Ireland, Sabina Higgins
March 09, 2022 11:19 - 30 minutes - 28 MB32 Questions with the First Woman of Ireland, live from the London Irish Centre in Camden.
EPISODE 135: How Did Putin Get This Far?
March 04, 2022 13:58 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBOn this week's episode, we're joined by the brilliant journalist, Natalia Antelava, the editor-in-chief of Coda Story, to discuss the Russian invasions and military actions over the past decade and a half that preceded the invasion of Ukraine.
EPISODE 134: Why is the government ignoring the reform and resourcing needed on the issue of drugs?
February 25, 2022 10:08 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBA Citizen's Assembly on drug use that was expected to take place this year has been pushed back till 2023 much to the frustration of many campaigning on the issue. Ireland has one of the highest rates of drug overdoses every year. Senator Lynn Ruane tabled an amendment calling for an end to the delay in establishing this essential Citizens Assembly and gave an impassioned speech in the Seanad this week highlighting why we must move now. She joins us on this week's pod.
EPISODE 133: Build Your Own Gaff
February 16, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBDoes the self-build movement offer some solutions to the housing crisis and the rent trap? Would you like to learn how to build your own gaff? This week, we're speaking to Fionn Kidney of Common Knowledge, a new enterprise based in County Clare that's teaching people the skills to build, plant, forage, and connect with each other, and the land.
EPISODE 132: WE ❤️ DUBLIN
February 11, 2022 15:15 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBIt's been a tough time for our fair city recently and the levels of frustration being felt by people who want to continue living here but can't because of the housing crisis, the eradication of spaces to create and meet and the insane cost of living. It seems like we've made the decision that only people who buy into the definition of success that those who can accumulate the most are successful and can live in the city. We need to redefine our metrics of success as otherwise, whoever has t...
EPISODE 131: The Big Housing Debate Analysis
February 04, 2022 14:13 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBIt's the housing showdown everyone was waiting for! O'Brien V O'Broin. On this week's podcast we're analysing the debate that had everyone talking, until it didn't, what it says about the government's approach to housing, and whether Sinn Féin's vision is up to scratch. Plus the return of Glenisk yoghurt, Bezos' yacht a bridge too far, Investors taking legal action against residents objecting to developments and more!
EPISODE 130: Wear and Tear of Pandemic Decompression
January 28, 2022 17:58 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBThis week, Una and Andrea are doing something different. With Andrea feeling worn out by the news cycle's barrage of negativity, and the frayed feeling that you have to fight for everything in this GODFORSAKEN COUNTRY, Una does her best Dr. Melfi impression in an attempt to find out what's beneath a feeling of end-of-tether-ness that's cropping up so much at the moment, how people can feel more in control of bad situations, and how 2022 will be a year of connection, gathering, mobilisation an...
BYLINE: Isabel Hayes
January 25, 2022 18:20 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBBYLINE: Isabel Hayes by Una & Andrea's United Ireland
EPISODE 129: Busting the NIMBY Myths
January 19, 2022 15:47 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBIn the midst of a housing crisis, all building is seen as “good” when it comes to tackling supply, but how much attention is being paid to developments that don’t just provide “units”, but community? We’re joined by architects Alfonso and Rob to talk about urbanism, SHDs and why accusations of NIMBYism are often misplaced when it comes to creating cities we want to thrive in.
EPISODE 128: British Democracy Is Under Attack
January 13, 2022 16:47 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBAs Boris Johnson struggles for his political life thanks to a load of lockdown parties, what about the bigger picture of British political chaos? On this episode, we're joined by the editor-in-chief of OpenDemocracy to discuss how British democracy is under attack thanks to a shift to the libertarian-right within the Tory party, and how a raft of regressive and sinister legislation seeks to curtail freedoms and undermine democracy. Plus: Iveagh Markets; Deadly Cuts AGAIN; our new TV show ab...
EPISODE 127: An Outbreak Of Self Love
January 07, 2022 13:45 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBNew Year, Same us. We're not buying into the January narrative round these parts and instead have enlisted the warmth and wisdom of author, journalist, coach and most importantly for this ep, meditation teacher Conor Creighton to spin that narrative on its head. Conor says, "The Pressure to be highly productive in January is capitalism further disconnecting us from our true selves. All nature is resting right now, so should you." Less Namaste is the rioting in Kazakhstan and it's connecti...
EPISODE 126: The 2021 United Ireland Awards
December 31, 2021 17:50 - 1 hour - 73.7 MBStrap yourselves in for an episode of unwarranted judgements, chaos, joy, nitpicking, and other ridiculous yet somehow tremendously insightful assessments of the year that was. From Best Minister to Gas Bitch Of The Year, our awards show has it all. Happy New Year!
EPISODE 125: The United Ireland Stocking Filler
December 23, 2021 08:57 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBLa la La - Tis the season. We're putting our fingers in our ears and blocking out anything that isn't joyful for the next week (or so). So this episode is just a bumper filled episode of fave bits. Will JLo make the cut? Of course she will. Does everyone apart from Una know what Christmas Milk is? Is there a full on lean to the left in Latin America? YES! And is The Golden Girls on TG4 every day? Thank you for being a friend. Good things are happening.
EPISODE 124: The National Broadband Plan gets murky
December 16, 2021 18:30 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBRecent revelations about the National Broadband Plan say a lot about public-private partnerships, transparency, and what the State does with large amounts of money for big projects. Joining us to explain it all is Thomas Hubert of The Currency, who has been investigating the broadband money trail. Meanwhile, Una wants the new season of Drive To Survive ASAP, and Andrea has her PR hat on with Peloton.
EPISODE 123: Is there a licensing revolution on the way?
December 09, 2021 13:29 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBReform of Ireland's licensing laws has long been advocated for, but the desire for more flexible and expansive licensing was ignored. Now, the government is getting to it. Even as clubs are closed, there is progress being made, and a public consultation on licensing has been opened by the Department of Justice. So what needs to happen, and how can you make an impact in the consultation process? We're bringing you a licensing explainer, and the thoughts of PYG booker and DJ Colin Perkins. Shou...
EPISODE 123: Is there a licensing revolution on the way?
December 09, 2021 13:28 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBReform of Ireland's licensing laws has long been advocated for, but the desire for more flexible and expansive licensing was ignored. Now, the government is getting to it. Even as clubs are closed, there is progress being made, and a public consultation on licensing has been opened by the Department of Justice. So what needs to happen, and how can you make an impact in the consultation process? We're bringing you a licensing explainer, and the thoughts of PYG booker and DJ Colin Perkins. Shou...
EPISODE 122: Tis the Season! 10 Reasons to be Cheerful!
December 02, 2021 13:45 - 1 hour - 59 MBWe know things are a bit grim & frustrating right now, but there are reasons for be cheerful. It's Mariah season! Let's go! In this episode, we give a rundown of things that are making us smile, and reasons for hope. From new vibes in the capital to Carrie Bradshaw's podcast, let's get happy.
EVERYONE UNITED: Utopia at the National Concert Hall
November 25, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBThis week's episode is a recording of our recent live podcast event at the National Concert Hall with ourselves and Conner Habib of Against Everyone With Conner Habib. You should definitely support Conner's podcast on Patreon, it's genuinely one of the best around. For this episode, we were joined by an audience to discuss utopian processes, unity, creating the life you want to live, and asking: what do you want?
EPISODE 120: The Government's lost the (badly ventilated) room
November 19, 2021 14:37 - 51 minutes - 46.7 MBShit got real again this week as the COVID surge escalated, and HSE chief Paul Reid issued a crisis management directive. So the government obviously stood up to the task of introducing mitigation strategies, right? Well, em, no. They popped a midnight curfew on clubs and continued to talk about washing your hands. We're looking at a cataclysmic week for the govt where things were reduced to arguing over who was going to pay for their own antigen tests (how noble) and who was throwing tea...
EPISODE 119: Gold Diggin' in Leitrim
November 10, 2021 12:59 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBJust as the Leitrim community was able to relax after winning it's fight against onshore fracking, another threat to the county strikes - the hunt for gold. A few weeks ago, a group called Treasure Leitrim was formed when it emerged a company called Flintridge Research was seeking a prospecting licence for gold and silver in north Leitrim near Manorhamilton. We're joined by Jamie from Treasure Leitrim to find out what's going on, if there's an actual difference between prospecting and mini...
EPISODE 118: Solving Dereliction in Waterford
November 02, 2021 14:43 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBWaterford's approach to dereliction has dramatically decreased the number of families living in emergency accommodation, and homelessness more generally. By utilising a rarely talked about scheme, derelict and vacant buildings are being transformed into social housing. So why can't this happen everywhere else? We're joined by Fine Gael Senator John Cummins to discuss this success story. Also, Andrea is not entering the metaverse any time soon, and Una is binging on D.A. Pennebaker documentaries.
EPISODE 117: Ready For The Floor? Going out-out nerves as Ireland opens up.
October 29, 2021 12:02 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBHave you waited for clubs and gigs for so long, you're feeling weird about not rushing out to them? How can we cope with anxiety and overwhelm as places open back up? Our favourite psychotherapist Sarah Gilligan joins us for calmness, coping mechanisms, and capacity tips. Plus, Una discusses what it was like at the eviction on Prussia Street in Dublin 7, and the capital loses two more beloved cultural spots.
EPISODE 116: UP THE STUDENTS
October 13, 2021 18:20 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MB'water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink' This famous line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem seems perfectly apt when we're (still) talking about student accommodation. Following a heap load of frustration communicated from UCD SU's Ruairí Power to Owen Keegan, CEO of DCC about the change of use of PBSA to short term student lets, Owen Keegan suggested, perhaps, the SU could build their own. In this ep, we're down at the protest organised by the UCD SU at DCC HQ talking to the st...
EPISODE 115: Ireland's Corporate Tax Rate Conundrum
October 07, 2021 16:53 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBEPISODE 115: Ireland's Corporate Tax Rate Conundrum by Una & Andrea's United Ireland
EPISODE 114: Empty Student Gaffs & Maternity Restrictions Rage On
October 01, 2021 15:39 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBWhy does it feel we have to keep protesting for the things that should be a given in a society? 1: Somewhere To Live Killian Woods predicted a rent strike in a recent Byline episode because of the crazy housing crisis. Within that crisis, there's another arc that perfectly illustrates why trying to find somewhere to live is so difficult. Empty purpose built student accommodation being granted change of use rather than lowering the prices. We're talking to Dublin Inquirer's Laoise Neylon ...
BYLINE: Stephen Carroll
September 21, 2021 16:47 - 53 minutes - 49 MBStephen Carroll is the Business Editor of France24. In this episode of Byline, we talk about his career in broadcast news, from starting out as a radio reporter in Dublin, to presenting young people's news for RTE, to producing and editing global breaking news stories for Sky News, working at the BBC World Service, and for the past decade working as a television journalist in Paris for a French public broadcaster, reporting on Brexit, Davos, and the personal and professional impact of the Bat...
EPISODE 113: Big Tech's data dream
September 14, 2021 10:45 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBAs Ireland continues to be home for many Big Tech HQ's, the responsibility for enforcing privacy laws lies with us too. This week, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties released a report that suggests Ireland is failing to enforce these laws on these companies. The report comes on the back of a recent case with WhatsApp where the Irish Data Protection Commissioner's suggested fine of 30-50 million was pushed back on by our EU counterparts in the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), wh...
BONUS EP: Defects: Living with the Legacy of the Celtic Tiger
September 09, 2021 13:53 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBLast night Eoin O'Broin launched his new book, Defects: Living with the Legacy of the Celtic Tiger. Today, bus loads of mica redress campaigners have arrived at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Cavan. In this bonus episode, we talk to the Sinn Fein spokesperson on housing and TD Eoin O Broin about his new book where O Broin examines the personal stories of people living in defective homes, as well as the legislative and political context that gave rise to scandals such as breaches of building re...
EPISODE 112: DERELICTE
September 08, 2021 16:43 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBHousing For All launched last week and there were some easy wins for the government that were kicked down the road, like tackling the vacancy and dereliction problem that is currently rampaging through the country. The most sustainable and sense filled solution is to obviously use what’s already built - but you simply have to look at the hashtags #DerelictIreland & #DerelictDublin to see the amount of buildings that are just being left to rot. But here at United Ireland, we don't like to ...