The Women's Podcast

November is food month here at The Irish Times and to celebrate, we’re joined by TV chef and business woman Eva Pau on today’s episode. You may know Pau as the presenter of RTE’s Asian Kitchen, but she is also the managing director of Ireland’s largest Asian supermarket, which was founded by her parents on Dublin’s Drury street back in 1981.

As a young girl, Pau spent her days playing hide-and-seek between the aisles of Asia Market and learning all about food from her Hong-Kong born mother. In all aspects of her career, Pau has made it her mission to take the mystery out of Asian cooking and to show just how accessible, delicious and fun it can be. In this conversation, the mother of two speaks to Róisín Ingle about growing up immersed in the family business, the food memories that have stayed with her and they discuss the history of the much-loved Irish Spice Bag.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss the biggest story of the week: the very blue result in the US midterms.

Our next book club pick is Stations by Louise Kennedy.

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In just one decade, Ireland’s birth rate has fallen by 30%. It’s a statistic that is worrying economists and demographers, who warn it could threaten Ireland's future workforce and place financial strain on the state pension scheme. In her new documentary, Ireland’s Population Crash, RTE broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan explores why the country is having fewer babies. In today’s episode, the veteran presenter joins Róisín Ingle to discuss how the housing crisis, childcare costs and the rise of smartphones are among the reasons why more people are choosing not to become parents and what it could mean for the country’s future.

But first Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan is here to discuss some cultural stories of the week, including the comments made by Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins about age-gap relationships and how Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes became a victim of Ai fraud.

The first episode of Ireland's Population Crash is available to watch on RTE1 on Wednesday November 4th at 9:35pm, with episode 2 out on November 11th.

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In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by clinical psychologist, parenting expert and bestselling author Dr Shefali to talk about raising children in the algorithm era. Dr Shefali’s work regularly appears on the New York Times best seller list and she is a regular on Oprah’s Super Soul Sundays. Her latest books, Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons, tackle some of the biggest challenges facing families today. In this wide-ranging conversation, the pair discuss the pressures facing girls in a culture obsessed with appearance and perfection, the crisis of modern masculinity, and her warning that many boys are now being mentored by pornography and the manosphere rather than trusted adults.

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the crisis in Ireland’s national care system which is putting extremely vulnerable girls at risk and the reaction to Joanne McNally’s American TV debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

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In her new book of essays, The Most Normal Woman, writer Roisin Kiberd examines society’s obsession with beauty and the lengths people go to to keep up appearances. Kiberd argues that many of the things we do in pursuit of beauty are not really about attractiveness at all - they're about our desire to be accepted, understood and recognised. In today’s episode, the writer joins Róisín Ingle to share her thoughts on constantly changing beauty standards and our never ending quest to improve ourselves.

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the stories of the week, including the return of Lena Dunham’s hit TV show Girls and why best-selling author Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be distributed in the UK.

Our next book club book is Stations by Louise Kennedy.

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In today’s episode, we’re bringing you highlights from a conversation with writer and poet Dearbhla Mescal that was recorded live at this year’s Electric Picnic. Mescal joined Róisin Ingle on stage at the Wild Words event to discuss her new book Finding Joy. The book is the result of years spent noticing and celebrating the small things in life and is an uplifting collection of thoughts, poems and recollections. The mother of three reflects on 33 years spent working with An Garda Síochana, her move into writing and the joy of watching her children flourish in their careers. She also speaks about living with cancer and how it's possible to experience darkness and light simultaneously.

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrival of a controversial health influencer to Ireland and the reopening of a criminal investigation into the ‘Cornell 7’ rape case.

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Author Louise O’Neill was 37-years old, when her five-year relationship came to an end in January 2023. Suddenly, the future she had imagined for herself with marriage, children and a home by the sea in Wicklow, completely disappeared. Feeling heartbroken and lost, O’Neill went on a mission to heal herself and regain some of her shattered confidence. She took almost a year off work and threw herself into an array of workshops, retreats and unconventional activities. Eventually O’Neill was ready to date again and so began a year-long experiment, which took her on more than 100 dates, with men across Dublin, London, Paris and New York. She documents this exciting and at times hilarious experience in her new memoir, A Bigger Life. In today’s episode, O’Neill joins Róisín Ingle to talk about her recovery from heartbreak and how dating helped her discover more about herself and what really makes her happy. In this wide-ranging conversation the pair also discuss the best way to approach dating apps, the pressure of the biological clock and what it really takes to make a bigger life.

But first Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan is here to discuss some of the cultural stories that caught her eye this week, including new music from Bono’s daughter Jordan Joy and the reaction to Sharon Horgan’s new series Youth.

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The new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility opened in Irish cinemas last weekend. The period drama tells the story of two sisters - Elinor and Marianne Dashwood - as they navigate relationships, love and grief following the sudden death of their father. Irish actor Caitríona Balfe plays Mrs Dashwood, the matriarch of the family who must steer her daughters through this turbulent time. In today’s episode, Balfe talks to Róisín Ingle about her approach to the role and the joy of entering Austen’s world. She also reflects on ageing in the movie industry, her move into directing after years on Outlander and her relationship with her Irish identity.

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In December 2024, MMA fighter and businessman Conor McGregor was found liable by a civil High Court jury for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. In the years since, Hand has lived through events that changed her life forever. She has endured public scrutiny, courtrooms, headlines and toxic commentary, alongside an outpouring of solidarity and support. Now, with her new memoir, Not the Perfect Victim, the mother of two is reclaiming ownership of her story.

In today’s episode, Hand joins Róisín Ingle to talk about survival, motherhood, trauma and resilience, and what it means to finally tell her story in her own words.

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the proposed abolition of the mandatory three day wait for abortions in Ireland and the reaction to Oprah Winfrey's first ever live appearance in Dublin.

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Today we're sharing the opening episode of a three-part series by Róisín Ingle that tells the untold origin story of U2. We hope you enjoy it. The full series can be found on irishtimes.com, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for Drummer Seeks Musicians: The Making of U2.

It is 50 years this month since 14-year-old drummer Larry Mullen stuck a note on a school noticeboard looking for fellow musicians to form a band. That note led to U2.

In this three-part podcast series to mark the 50th anniversary, Róisín Ingle traces the formation of the band in a school on the northside of Dublin through interviews with their classmates, teachers, friends, family and band members.

Why did U2 happen in Mount Temple? And how are Bono, Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton still friends and still making music together fifty years later? Drummer Seeks Musicians is a remarkable origin story, told by the people who were there from the very beginning. From Mount Temple Comprehensive to the world stage, this is the story of how U2 began.

Episode one goes back to the radical experiment that was Mount Temple Comprehensive School on Dublin’s northside in 1976, where fifty years ago 14-year-old Larry Mullen pinned a note on the school bulletin board. 

That note brought together Larry, Adam Clayton, Dave ‘The Edge’ Evans and Paul ‘Bono’ Hewson of U2, four teenagers who were destined to become one of the world's biggest bands. Róisín talks to the people who were there - the ones who nearly made the band, the teachers who supported them and the classmates who watched it happen. We hear about the architect of a remarkable school and discover the back stories of Paul 'Bono' Hewson and Larry Mullen Jr. 

Drummer Seeks Musicians: The Making of U2 is presented, written, researched and produced by Róisín Ingle.

Editing by Rob Sutton.

Additional production by Suzanne Brennan.

The podcast is dedicated to Donald Moxham.

Thanks to the staff at Mount Temple, to U2 and to everyone who took part in the podcast.

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This week on The Women’s Podcast, Róisín Ingle meets award-winning rapper, singer, poet and spoken-word artist Denise Chaila. After a meteoric rise that saw her win the Choice Music Prize and become one of the most celebrated voices in Irish music, Denise stepped away from the spotlight for a few years. In this honest and at times profound conversation the singer explains why. 

 The conversation covers a lot of ground. The singer talks about the pressures of success, people-pleasing, racism, faith, illness and friendship. She reflects on the years she spent reading, writing, travelling and rediscovering herself.

With her first headline Irish tour beginning later this month, The An Seo Tour, Denise also discusses the new music she's been creating and what audiences can expect from a live show that brings together all the influences that have shaped her life and work. 

Also on the podcast, Róisín explains the background to her new three-part podcast series Drummer Seeks Musicians: The Making of U2 which delves into the Dublin origin story of one of the world’s biggest bands. The first episode lands on Monday 21st of September and is available on irishtimes.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Today’s guest is a woman who has managed to combine two worlds that you don’t exactly put together every day: the law and stand-up comedy. Justine Megan is a solicitor, comedian and performer, and she’s bringing her own story to the stage in her Dublin Fringe show, Exhibit A: Imposter. It’s a sharp, funny and very personal look at class, identity, ambition and fitting in. Megan’s journey has taken her from a Dublin council estate, to Trinity College, to working in commercial law. Along the way she found herself changing in order to fit into spaces that didn’t always feel like they were made for her. But first Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O’Connell joins host Róisín Ingle to discuss some of the stories of the week including the standoff between the GAA and former president Mary McAleese.

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In 2021, comedian Kyla Cobbler performed her first ever stand-up gig at an open mic night in Barcelona. Five years on, the Cork woman has become the second ever Irish comedian to headline Dublin's 3Arena, bringing her show Not My Lemons to the venue in February 2026.

Not only has she made a name for herself on the comedy circuit, but Cobbler has also amassed a huge following on Instagram, where her one million plus followers get a glimpse into her world and her hilarious observations on everyday life.

Now, the 35-year-old has published her memoir, Happy, Thank You. More Please. It's a brilliant read in which Cobbler revisits her childhood in Cork and reflects on the appetite for adventure that took her to Greece, Australia, Italy and Barcelona. It’s a memoir about her story so far but also of self-acceptance, gratitude and the power of female connection.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Róisín Ingle, Cobbler discusses her meteoric rise to fame, the life lessons she has learned along the way and the importance of surrounding oneself with strong, wild and wonderful Irish women.

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Dublin's Fringe Festival is just around the corner and over the next couple of weeks we’ll be highlighting some brilliant shows by women that feature in this year's programme. In today’s episode we’re joined by Fionnuala Gygax and Venetia Bowe from Chaos Factory, a theatre company who are bringing their show Miss You to the festival from the 10th to the 12th September. The show is inspired by the many cases of missing women in Ireland and tells the story of three friends who get together on the 10th anniversary of their friend's disappearance. The pair talk to Róisín Ingle about their backgrounds in theatre, the importance of movement in their work and the joys of working in the creative industry. 

For more details on Miss You, see https://www.fringefest.com/festival/whats-on/miss-you

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'Anywhere but Here' is the new novel from Irish author and former journalist Vicki Notaro. The book follows three friends in their 40s who take a trip to Donegal for some much-needed soul searching. In this episode Notaro tells Róisin Ingle how female friendship and the pressure to live the perfect life, served as the inspiration for the book. In this wide-ranging conversation the pair also talk about Notaro's struggles with anxiety and PMDD, as well as the joy of being childfree.

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including last weekend’s fatal crash on the M9, the worrying rise in spiking incidents and the final of this year’s Rose of Tralee.

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Later this month, The Women’s Podcast will be recording a live episode at Electric Picnic in Co Laois, with Róisín Ingle in conversation with special guest Dearbhla Mescal. You can catch us in the Mindfield area on Saturday August 29th. Also returning to the festival this year is spoken word poet Anna D, who will be treating festival-goers to her unique blend of poetry and storytelling, knitting together themes of motherhood, female empowerment, relationships and the patriarchal forces that shape society. 

In today’s episode, the poet joins Róisín Ingle to talk about her upcoming show at Ireland’s largest festival and to discuss her new show Matrescense, which is currently in development. Matrescense - the term used to describe the emotional, physical and social transition that women go through when becoming a mother - is something that the Dublin poet says needs more open and honest discussion. In today’s episode she tells Ingle about the “avalanche” that followed her transition into motherhood, how she battled feelings of maternal regret and why she believes society is not set up to support new mothers. We also hear about her life lessons on turning 40 and she performs the title piece from her new show.

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the reaction to Amanda Knox’s Edinburgh Fringe show and the worrying rise in popularity of technology which allows users to covertly record.

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ADHD coach Ailín Kennedy was 32 years old when she was diagnosed with the condition. Having struggled for years with her mental health Kennedy went to therapy, attended her GP and was referred to psychiatrists, but ADHD was never mentioned to her as a possibility.

She recently co-wrote the book Have I Got your Attention? with fellow ADHDer Mike McGrath-Bryan. It features testimony from nine Irish voices with the condition and serves as a reliable resource and a guide for those suffering from ADHD.

Kennedy joins The Women’s Podcast to discuss her own experience with the condition. She also challenges the misconceptions around the disorder, in particular stereotypes that negatively impact women with ADHD. In this episode she tells Rósín Ingle how women with the condition are often dismissed as “lazy”, “hormonal”, “ditzy” or “hysterical”.

But first, Ingle is joined by Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the surprisingly entertaining jail journal of Andrew Tate and a new national strategy that aims to warn women and girls about the dangers of “tradwife” influencers.

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This episode was originally published in February 2026.

In today’s episode, we’re covering a topic that isn’t often spoken about, but is estimated to affect around one in four families: family estrangement. It’s a subject that writer and Irish Times contributor Laura Kennedy wrote about recently in her Substack, detailing the complicated grief she experienced following the death of her father late last year - a man she hadn’t seen in over a decade. In today’s episode, Kennedy joins Róisín Ingle to reflect on the strange, unsettling reality of losing a parent whose death changes almost nothing in her daily life. You can find her piece on family estrangement on Substack here https://lkennedy.substack.com/

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Joanne McNally on midlife, monogamy and making history at the 3Arena

This episode was originally published in March 2026. 

In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by the brilliant Joanne McNally. The comedian and podcaster dropped by the studio to talk about her newly announced date at Dublin’s 3Arena and how she’s made history as the first ever Irish comedian to headline two shows at the venue. In this hilarious and wide-ranging conversation, McNally also talks about living with fame, why she’s taken a sabbatical from dating and about her desire to become a mother. 

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Throughout the 20th century in Ireland, thousands of women and girls were sent to work in Magdalene Laundries all across the country. By 1951, for every 100,000 women in Ireland, 70 were locked away in a laundry, spending their days “scrubbing and praying in an attempt to salvage their souls”. In her new book, The Fallen, academic and writer Louise Brangan uses archive material and survivor testimonies to tell the story of six women who spent years toiling away unpaid in Magdalene laundries, all of whom were brought there under false pretences. In this episode, Brangan tells Róisín Ingle what day to day life was like for these women, why their history should never be forgotten and why the laundries are so often confused with Ireland’s mother and baby homes.

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Back in March, The Women’s Podcast book club read Heart the Lover by American author Lily King. The story which tells of a complicated love triangle between college students Jordan, Yash and Sam, was adored by each of our bookclubbers - something regular listeners of the book club will know, doesn’t happen very often. So when we got the opportunity to have King on the podcast, we jumped at the chance.

In today’s episode, the best-selling author joins Róisín Ingle to discuss the teenage relationship which inspired the story and her surprise at the book’s huge success. We also hear about King's chaotic family background growing up in Massachusetts, her formative college years and what it's like to live in Trump's America.

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Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh always wanted to become a mother and spent years hoping she’d meet the right person to start a family with. By 2024 however, Walsh was done waiting and she decided to embark upon solo parenthood, as a single, gay woman. In early 2025, she began her fertility journey and finally became pregnant through IVF earlier this year. Today, Walsh is 24 weeks pregnant and happier than ever, although admittedly a bit nervous and excited for what’s to come.

In today’s episode, the expectant mother joins Róisín Ingle to talk about her decision to go it alone and the questions she had to ask herself along the way. Walsh discusses why she chose to keep the start of her journey private and the emotional challenges that came with that decision. She also explains how she plans to balance motherhood with her role as a member of the European Parliament and she reveals the gender of her baby, who is due this October.

This podcast was updated on July 3rd.

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In this episode, psychologist & bestselling author Katriona O’Sullivan joins Kathy Sheridan to discuss her new memoir Hungry: A Biography of My Body. The book follows on from her award-winning debut Poor, this time focusing on her complex and fraught relationship with body image, food and self-worth. In this wide-ranging conversation, O’Sullivan speaks about the societal pressures facing women, her lifelong search for self-acceptance and the importance of therapy in healing. She also talks about her upcoming children's book, "Katie's Light," and a self-help book titled How to Like Yourself, coming in 2028. 

But first, Róisín Ingle is joined by Molly Logan and Rachel Gaughan, two women involved in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre production of Oklahoma! The musical is showing now until Sunday July 5th.

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Earlier this month, author Claire Keegan joined The Women’s Podcast bookclub for a live event at Chapters Bookstore in Dublin to discuss her favourite summer reading recommendations. In today’s bonus episode, we’re bringing you the live Q&A from the event with Keegan, where she answers questions on her writing process, film adaptations and her book being featured on the Leaving Cert syllabus.

You can find the full live show here: https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/the-womens-podcast/the-womens-podcast-book-club-summer-reading-recommendations-with-claire-keegan/

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In today’s episode, best-selling author Maggie O’Farrell joins Róisín Ingle to discuss her new book Land. Set in the 1800s - in the aftermath of the Irish famine - the novel tells the story of a father and his reluctant son, who are tasked with mapping out the island of Ireland for the great Ordnance Survey project. It’s a deeply affecting story about family bonds, set against a backdrop of poverty, inequality and life under British rule. In this conversation, O’Farrell tells Ingle about her great-great grandfather who inspired the novel and the work that went into uncovering his story. She also reflects on the global success of Hamnet and the joy of attending this year’s Oscars and Golden Globes. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the backlash over Gwyneth Paltrow's Israeli real-estate ad and the Government’s plan to abolish the mandatory three day wait for abortion services in Ireland.

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Last week the Women’s Podcast book club gathered for a live event in Chapters Bookstore in Dublin to discuss what books they’ll be packing with them on their summer holidays. Celebrated author Claire Keegan was the special guest who joined book clubbers Róisín Ingle, Bernice Harrison, Ann Ingle and Niamh Towey for the event, alongside an audience of podcast listeners. Keegan spoke about the novel and two short stories that she hopes listeners will enjoy and she treated the audience to a reading from The Great Gatsby.

You can find the full list of recommendations here: https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/the-womens-podcast/the-womens-podcast-book-club-summer-reading-recommendations-with-claire-keegan/\

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Summer is finally upon us and that means festival season is officially here. In today’s episode, we meet a pair of women behind two of Ireland’s most exciting festivals, Beyond the Pale and Kaleidoscope. Jenny Jennings and Fiona McGinn join Roisin Ingle to discuss the challenges facing the festival industry, what it takes to create such large-scale events and which acts are not to be missed in the line up. 

Later on Ingle is joined by Irish Times journalist and author Sally Hayden, who has just released her new book ‘This is also a Love Story’. The book is a reflection on how love can endure even in the most difficult of times and contains love stories from people Hayden has met while reporting in war zones and places ravaged by conflict and inequality. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a row over private care at the Rotunda hospital in Dublin and what can be learned from the recent controversy surrounding Belle Burden’s memoir, Strangers.

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Academic, activist and friend of the show Ailbhe Smyth is turning 80 this Friday 29th May. To mark the occasion and to celebrate all her achievements, we invited Smyth back on the Women’s Podcast to share her life lessons on reaching this momentous milestone. The almost octogenarian reflects on her early childhood growing up in south Dublin, her struggles with anorexia as a young woman and the life experiences that ultimately led her to become an activist. She talks about the stigma of getting divorced and being an unmarried mother in the 1970s and why she almost left Ireland in the 1980s. We also look back on her extensive work and commitment to the campaigns for marriage equality and repeal. In this wide-ranging discussion, Smyth shares her wisdom and advice on ageing, love, failure and self-acceptance.  

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Almost three years on from their final Aisling book, writers and besties Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen are back with a brand new novel, Our Deadly Summer. It’s a heartfelt and hilarious tale about friendship, young women and bad men. In today’s episode, the pair tell Róisín Ingle about the J1 spent in Long Island which inspired the story and why despite pursuing solo projects after the Aisling series, they ultimately found themselves working together again. In this wide-ranging discussion, they also give their take on enduring female friendships, Botox, and the precarity of renting in Dublin. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the surge in women seeking help for cocaine addiction and why Meghan Markle wants you to buy a $64 candle to celebrate her wedding anniversary.

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In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by award-winning Northern Irish writer Jan Carson, who has just released her ninth book, Few and Far Between. Set on a fictional archipelago in Lough Neagh, the novel blends history, realism and the surreal, drawing on themes of community, belonging and generational trauma. In this conversation, Carson explains how a historic plan to drain Lough Neagh and create a seventh county in the north, inspired the book. She also reflects on her childhood growing up in a Presbyterian fundamentalist family - where attending church six days a week was the norm - and what her faith means to her now. 

But first, freelance journalist Kate Lynch is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the racial abuse experienced by newly chosen Dublin Rose, Saud Mooge, plus the rise in popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and what the party’s policies mean for women.

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Fifty-year-old mother of two and stylist Jan Brierton became an accidental poet during the pandemic and has since become a regular on The Women’s Podcast. Her bestselling collections, What Day Is It? and Everybody is a Poem, struck a chord with readers, while a recent appearance on The Tommy Tiernan Show introduced her to an even wider audience.

Fresh from a UK tour with Henry Normal, Brierton joined podcast host Róisín Ingle to talk about life on the road, caring for her father and the unexpected joy of intergenerational friendships. She is now bringing her trademark wit and warmth to stages across Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Dublin. More details are available on her Instagram page, @jbgoodtome.

Also on this week’s episode, Jennifer O’Connell, Opinion Editor at The Irish Times, returned to discuss some of the stories of the week including the continuing decline in marriage rates in Ireland. New data from the Central Statistics Office shows that Catholic weddings have more than halved over the past decade, with overall marriage numbers also falling despite increases in civil and humanist ceremonies. Jennifer and Róisín explore what is driving the shift. They also discuss the latest chapter in the long-running legal dispute involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni and share their favourite looks from this year’s controversial, Bezos-sponsored Met Gala.

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While the war in the Middle East dominates the daily headlines - from peace talks to the price of oil - far less attention is given to the lived experiences of ordinary Iranians. These are the people who are living among the conflict and under the rule of a heavy-handed Islamic regime. 

It is the less-heard voices and experiences that Iranian activists, Mahya Ostovar and Nasim Soleimanian want to amplify and as a result, they have set up the Iranian Democratic Diaspora Network in Ireland (IDDNI). In today’s episode, the pair join Róisín Ingle to discuss the goals of IDDNI, what they are hearing from friends and family in Iran and their hopes for a secular democracy and a peaceful future for their country. 

But first, freelance journalist Kate Lynch is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the death of Holocaust survivor and psychologist Edith Eger at the age of 99, plus the new government initiative which will allow victims of domestic abuse to travel on public transport for free.

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This May, 13 members of the Sea of Change choir will spend five days walking a Camino in Portugal. The choir, which is based in Dublin, is made up of cancer survivors and supporters. Formed in 2018, they have performed at venues across the country, at Electric Picnic, and have even featured on Britain’s Got Talent. Ahead of their departure early next month, two choir members, Terry Kinane and Miriam Payne, joined Róisín Ingle on the podcast to discuss their preparations for the 120km walk. Kinane, who will be leading the group of women on the walk, shares her Camino expertise, while Payne, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, explains what this achievement will mean to her.

But first, freelance journalist Kate Lynch is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the publication of the 1926 census, a new report detailing the barriers some women face in accessing free contraception, and why 91-year-old Leila Doolan walked from Shannon Airport to Leinster House this week.

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This month the book club is reading A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello, as chosen by bookclubber Niamh Towey. The novel follows Anna Hughes, who , from the vantage of middle age, examines her life and the choices she made along the way. It's a story about obsessive love, memory, and self-discovery. 

The next book club pick is London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. The group will be discussing it in May.

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Bestselling author and podcaster Caroline Foran is back with her fourth book, Everything I Wish I’d Known about Anxiety. The book is for anyone struggling with anxiety who is unsure how or where to begin the healing process. Based on her own experience of overcoming debilitating anxiety, it blends storytelling with practical advice and offers a step-by-step roadmap to help quiet anxious thoughts and rediscover calm.

In this episode, Foran tells Róisín Ingle about the micro-changes that make a big difference, how ASMR has helped soothe her nervous system, and why self-compassion is so important. She also talks about the meaning behind her many tattoos and how motherhood - and the challenges it has brought - has shaped her.

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Author Louise O’Neill is back with her sixth novel, Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone? It’s a gripping page‑turner about the dark side of the entertainment industry, focusing on child star twins Madeline and Chelsea, who grow up in the spotlight under the tight grip of their controlling mother, Erin. In today’s episode, O’Neill joins Róisín Ingle to discuss toxic celebrity culture, the treatment of women in the media and how these themes inspired the story. She also speaks about her own experiences of fame, why she believes in fate, and how life has gotten even better since turning 40.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the woman making history aboard the Artemis space mission and how an initiative in Northern Ireland is helping hairdressers spot signs of coercive control.

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What is it like learning to drive in your 50s? In today’s episode, we hear from journalist June Shannon who passed her driving test at the age of 54. For years, Shannon avoided driving due to anxiety, having failed a driving test in her late 20s. Living in Dublin and close to public transport, also meant she didn’t need to use a car. However, a move to Limerick a few years ago - where a car became essential - pushed Shannon to get lessons and try again. This time, she learned on an automatic car, which made the experience a lot less stressful. In today’s episode, she tells Róisín Ingle why it’s never too late to learn and that if she can do it, “anyone can”. 

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the arrest of Martina and Ammi Burke and the musical comeback we’ve all been waiting for: Celine Dion. 

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In 2024, the mass‑rape trial of Dominique Pelicot - who was tried alongside 50 other French men - shocked the world. The father of three was found guilty of drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle, over a ten‑year period, and of inviting other men he met online to rape and abuse her as well. After a 16‑week trial, Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison. It was a case so shocking that one would be forgiven for assuming this type of sexual abuse is rare. However, a new investigation by CNN journalists Saskya Vandoorne and Niamh Kennedy has found that Pelicot is not alone.

The pair spent several months undercover, investigating an underground network of men who exchange information and advice on how to drug and rape their wives and partners and who then share the images and videos they create with one another. In today’s episode, Kennedy and Vandoorne join Róisín Ingle to discuss what they uncovered inside a secret Telegram group, how their investigation brought them to Poland, and what they heard from some of the women who have been victims of this type of crime.

You can watch their investigation on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE_kzRs1wTE

And you can read more here: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2026/03/world/expose-rape-assault-online-vis-intl/index.html

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the guilty verdict that came this week in the Natalie McNally murder trial and what can be done about Northern Ireland’s alarming femicide rate.

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For journalists Tanya Sweeney and Jen Bray, 2026 has been a very exciting year so far. In January, Sweeney published her debut novel, Esther is Now Following You, while Bray published her debut crime thriller, The Lies Between Us in February. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of publicity for the pair, who are still working as busy journalists in two separate Irish newspapers..

In today’s episode, the two ambitious women join Roisin Ingle to talk about their move from reporting on facts to writing fiction. They talk about the road to publication, what inspired their two very different stories and what they’ve learned about themselves along the way. We also hear about three of Bray's novels that never saw the light of day and how Sweeney found the time to write between multiple house moves and becoming a mother.

But first podcast host Róisín Ingle brings us some stories of the week including Jessie Buckley's historic Oscar win and concerning news about the rise of "creepshots" being taken of women on nights out.

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In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by the brilliant Joanne McNally. The comedian and podcaster dropped by the studio to talk about her newly announced date at Dublin’s 3Arena and how she’s made history as the first ever Irish female comedian to headline two shows at the venue. In this hilarious and wide-ranging conversation, McNally also talks about living with fame, why she’s taken a sabbatical from dating and about her desire to become a mother. 

But first Irish Times opinion editor is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a shocking report about the state of Ireland’s only female prison, plus a powerful piece in the New York Times by Daryl Hannah.

Tickets to Pinotphile at the 3Arena go on sale on Friday morning at 11am.

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This Sunday 8th March is International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion, The Women’s Podcast hosted a live podcast recording at Chapters Bookstore in Dublin this week. On the night, Róisín Ingle was joined by DCU Professor Debbie Ging, human rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher and 5th year student Orla Hanratty to discuss how bias against women and girls has been built into the technologies shaping our world and crucially, what can be done about it.

From deepfakes and nudification tools to AI girlfriends, the panel identified all the ways in which misogyny has been baked into evolving technology. They explored the ways to tackle the issue, the progress being made and shared practical ways to build safer, fairer online platforms. Singer Róisín O also joined us on the night to perform her new single Magic. Written as a tribute to her mother Mary Black, it’s out this Friday 6th March.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing Heart the Lover by American author Lily King. 

The story follows ‘Jordan’, a bright, ambitious college student who finds herself caught up in a complicated love triangle, with best friends and fellow students Sam and Yash. 

Decades later, Jordan is living the life she dreamed of, and the vulnerable days of her youth seem comfortably behind her. But when a surprise visit and unexpected news brings the past crashing into the present, Jordan returns to a world she left behind and is forced to confront the decisions and deceptions of her younger self.

The next book club pick is A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello.  The group will be discussing it in April. 

Lily King writing about the teenage love that "changed her life" in Vogue: https://www.vogue.com/article/lily-king-teenage-love-essay

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This week, the grand final of the Irish Times Debate will take place in Dublin, where teams will debate the motion: This house believes the United Nations has had its day. The debating competition was founded in 1960 and counts many distinguished alumni among the ranks of its participants and winners, including comedian Dara O’Briain and the late broadcaster Marian Finucane. In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by this year’s debate convenor and former winner Ciara McLoughlinn, plus Clíodhna McHugh, who won the individual speaker prize in 2024. Both work in the legal profession and say this debating experience was crucial in building their confidence and public speaking skills, before leaving university. 

But first Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including Katie Taylor’s retirement announcement, the latest in the disappearance of US pensioner Nancy Guthrie and the backlash that followed a proposal to reduce the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in Irish schools. She also shares her thoughts on the new Wuthering Heights movie, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

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When America’s Next Top Model arrived on our screens in 2003, it was an instant hit with viewers around the world. The reality TV competition, hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, saw young aspiring models compete for the chance to win a lucrative modelling contract. Although the show ended almost a decade ago, it’s back on our screens in Netflix’s new documentary series, Inside America’s Next Top Model.

The three-part show revisits the modelling competitions' most shocking moments and includes interviews with former contestants and judges that paint a picture of a toxic and harmful filming environment. In today’s episode, Irish Times contributor Rachel O’Dwyer and model and actress Amber Jean Rowan join Róisín Ingle to share their thoughts on the show and how the young women who took part were treated. Rowan also discusses her experience on The Model Agent, an Irish reality show which she took part in at just 15 years old.  

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the newly released EP by U2, the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the ongoing search in Co Wicklow for missing Irish women JoJo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.

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In today’s episode, we’re covering a topic that isn’t often spoken about, but is estimated to affect around one in four families: family estrangement. It’s a subject that writer and Irish Times contributor Laura Kennedy wrote about recently in her Substack, detailing the complicated grief she experienced following the death of her father late last year - a man she hadn’t seen in over a decade. In today’s episode, Kennedy joins Róisín Ingle to reflect on the strange, unsettling reality of losing a parent whose death changes almost nothing in her daily life. You can find her piece on family estrangement on Substack here https://lkennedy.substack.com/

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including France’s ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ moment and a revealing confession made by an Olympic athlete at the winter games this week.

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Last month, Action Aid Ireland published a new report highlighting the challenges that lone migrant parents, mainly women, experience when they leave state accommodation. Many face discrimination, unaffordable rents and inadequate supports, leaving them effectively trapped between direct provision and homelessness. In today’s episode, Deborah Oniah and Owodunni Mustapha (Ola) - two Nigerian women who have made the move from direct provision into secure housing - share their experience of finding accommodation as single parents in the middle of a housing crisis. We also hear from Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, who explains what recommendations have come from the report and why for lone migrant parents, the barriers to securing housing are often multiplied. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the latest tranche of Epstein files released last Friday and a new Netflix documentary which questions the guilt of the UK’s “most prolific child killer” Lucy Letby.

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This Sunday 1st February is St Brigid’s Day and to celebrate the occasion we’re learning all about Brigid - the woman, the myth, the legend - from author and writer Kim Curran. 

Curran has just published her new book Brigid - a reimagining of Ireland’s most beloved saint - in which she details the life of Brigid, the miracles she made and the women she saved. It’s the story of a trailblazer who carved her own path, rebelled against the status quo and could never be caged by men, by gods, or even by history itself. So if you’ve ever wondered who the real Brigid was, what’s the story behind the cross and what inspired her to live as she did, then this is the episode for you. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the tragic death of a homeless woman in Dublin city centre this month and why more women in Ireland are having babies in their 40s.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing Flesh by David Szalay. 

The book follows the life of István - an emotionally detached Hungarian man - as he moves from adolescence into adulthood. As the years pass, István moves from the army to the circles of London’s elite. His competing impulses for love, intimacy, status and wealth win him unimaginable riches, until they threaten to undo him completely.

The next book club pick is Heart the Lover by American author Lily King. The group will be discussing it in March.

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Although Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, their origins actually stretch back to the mid 1980s. Back then, scientists were searching for an alternative treatment for diabetes, one that could replace insulin. Few could have imagined that this research would go on to reshape the treatment of obesity and later evolve into one of the best-selling drugs in the world.

In her new book Off the Scales, journalist and author Aimee Donnellan traces the history of Ozempic, telling the story of the people behind its development. Among them is a young, ambitious woman from Macedonia whose research helped pave the way for the creation of the drug. In today’s episode, Donnellan talks to Róisín Ingle about the seismic impact GLP-1s have had on society and the body positivity movement. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the Beckham family feud and one woman’s fourteen-year-fight to get her former partner prosecuted for domestic violence.

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In late December, merchants and shopkeepers in Iran took to the streets to protest against the dire economic situation in the country. Since then, thousands more Iranians have joined the protests, snowballing it into a much bigger movement which is now calling for the end of the Islamic regime. The authorities have responded to the demonstrations with gunfire, tear gas and thousands of arrests.

According to human rights agencies, more than 2000 people have been killed so far in the uprising, with some reports suggesting the death toll could be as high as 12,000. These protests follow on from the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom Movement which saw thousands demonstrate following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police.

To understand what is happening on the ground in Iran, and what this latest unrest means for its people and women in particular, Róisín Ingle is joined by two Iranian academics, Mayha Ostovar and Yasaman Ranjbaran. Ostovar is a lecturer at NUI Galway, while Ranjbaran is completing a PHD in ecology and evolution in Padua, Italy. Together, they speak about their hope for a free and peaceful Iran.

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Over the past thirty years in Ireland, the lives of women have changed unrecognisably. Unparalleled advances in legislation have allowed for divorce, abortion and marriage equality. The economy has gone from boom to bust and to boom again, with more women entering the workplace. But for all the progress, there is still an underrepresentation of women in politics and positions of power, and there’s also a worrying rise in violence against women. 

This transformation of Irish society and its impact on women is documented by Irish social researcher and author Íde B. O'Carroll in her new book Thirty Years of Change Through Women's Eyes: Ireland, 1993-2023. In today’s episode, the US-based writer tells Róisín Ingle about the women she spoke to for the book and their perspectives on a changing Ireland. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the outcome of a harassment case taken by the wife of French President Brigitte Macron and calls to ban AI “nudification” apps.

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Prima Facie, the award-winning one-woman play written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller, is coming to the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin later this month. It follows the story of Tessa Ensler, a highly successful criminal defence lawyer who specialises in sexual assault cases. When Ensler (played by Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer) is sexually assaulted by a colleague, she suddenly finds herself on the other side of the justice system and learns that the law was not written for victims - and that she is the one on trial.

In today’s episode, Miller joins Róisín Ingle to discuss the play’s global success, the real-world impact it has had on the court system, and why the story has resonated with so many. She also talks about her background growing up as a working-class girl in Australia, where her love of writing came from and about working with Lena Dunham on upcoming projects.

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2025 was the year Ireland elected its third female President, but only three women were appointed Ministers in the new Cabinet. Down one on the previous government. 

It was the year the hit Netflix show Adolescence had everyone talking about the dangers of the 'manosphere' and toxic masculinity and Australia introduced the world’s first social media ban for children. 

The year also saw the engagement of pop queen Taylor Swift to her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the relocation of American comedian Rosie O’Donnell and her family to Ireland. 

Dublin City Council took steps to protect the Molly Malone statue from being groped by tourists and a row over ‘skorts’ caused ructions within the GAA. 

To look back on this pivotal year and how it impacted the lives of women in Ireland and around the world, Roisin Ingle is joined by Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan, opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell and social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland.

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If you’re looking for a gift for the book lover in your life, The Women’s Podcast Book Club has you covered. In today’s episode Niamh Towey, Bernice Harrison, Róisín Ingle and Ann Ingle are discussing what books they’ll be giving as gifts this Christmas and the ones they’d like to receive. 

Their recommendations include a biography for art lovers, a self-help book about setting “healthy boundaries” and a 2020 novel which has just been made into a film starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. Whether it's a gift for family, friends or even for yourself, we hope there's something for everyone here. 

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the introduction of a social media ban in Australia for anyone under 16 and a new taxi service coming to Dublin which allows customers to choose a female driver.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing Thirst Trap, the debut novel from Belfast writer Gráinne O’Hare. 

The book tells the story of Harley, Róise, and Maggie, three friends in their late twenties who are living together in a run-down house in Belfast, navigating all that life can throw at them - tricky relationships, heartbreaks and grief. As they approach thirty, the trio must confront past losses and decide whether their friendship can withstand the changes ahead.

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Ten years ago, a group of women in The Irish Times got together to envisage a podcast that told stories about the female experience and provided a space for women to share their passions, projects and plights. From there, The Irish Times Women’s Podcast was born. Over the past ten years, the podcast has heard from political leaders, sexual abuse survivors, campaigners, comedians, health professionals, authors, academics, relationship experts and every(woman) in between.  

Earlier this week, to celebrate a decade of conversation, craic and captivating stories, The Women’s Podcast hosted a live event at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin. On the night, Róisín Ingle and Kathy Sheridan reflected on the most memorable moments from ten years of telling stories - from Waking the Feminists to Repealing the 8th - with contributions from some special guests in the audience. Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell was also there on the night to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week. Plus, poet and friend of the show Jan Brierton delivered a gorgeous poem called The Revolution will be Podcast. In today's episode, we're bringing you a selection of highlights from the nights festivities. Enjoy!

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Although it’s still November, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas over here on The Women’s Podcast. To kick off this year's festive season, we’ve asked three business owners to share their Irish-made gift ideas. Joining Roisin Ingle in studio is illustrator Catherine Geaney, jewellery maker Maureen Lynch and Pat Kane, founder of reuzi, Ireland's one-stop shop for sustainably made, reusable goods. All three are showcasing their work at this year’s Gifted craft fair at the RDS, along with hundreds of other talented makers and producers. In today’s episode, they tell Ingle about what they’ll be bringing to this year's event and what other Irish sellers to look out for. Some of their gift recommendations include Bernie Murphy socks, Conscious Convert bedding and children's toys from The Wonky Wollens.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Italy’s new femicide law, the introduction of women-only carriages on french trains and the inquest into the death of teenager Niamh McNally at University Hospital Limerick in 2024.

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In today’s episode, former senator and government minister Katherine Zappone joins Kathy Sheridan to discuss her new memoir Love in a Time of Politics. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zappone charts her journey through Irish politics, from a fresh-faced senator appointed by then taoiseach Enda Kenny, right through to her tenure as minister for children and youth affairs. She speaks about the campaigns she’s most proud of and the scandals she’d rather forget. The 71-year-old also reflects on her relationship with her beloved wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan who died in 2017 and the grief that followed her devastating loss. She tells Sheridan how she eventually found love again with her South African partner Jennifer and what the future now holds for the pair. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Trump's unhinged behaviour aboard Air Force One and how and why the global skincare industry is targeting products towards children as young as four.

Did you know The Irish Times Women’s Podcast is turning ten years old? To celebrate a decade of conversation, craic and captivating stories, we are hosting our ten year birthday bash at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday, December 2nd. For more information and to get tickets to the event, seehere.

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With a career spanning theatre, film and television, Irish actor Fiona Shaw has been a household name in Ireland for decades. The Cork native is known for her award-winning stage work, as well as her iconic roles in the Harry Potter films, Killing Eve, and Bad Sisters.

Shaw’s latest project, Park Avenue, opened in Irish cinemas this week. Earlier this year, while in Dublin for the International Film Festival, she joined Kathy Sheridan in studio to talk about the film, in which she plays the glamorous and wealthy widow Kit.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Shaw reflects on her early career and explains what led her to setting up a women’s group while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. She also tells Sheridan about her friendship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, why she turned down a move to Hollywood in the 1990s, and how she met her Sri Lankan wife, Sonali Deraniyagala.

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On the 24th October 1975, 90% of the women in Iceland went on strike. For the entire day, women refused to participate in waged work, domestic labour or childcare. Instead they took to the streets to protest, demanding fair employment, equal wages and the recognition of work done inside the home. To reflect on the impact of that historic day, the 50 years of progress since and the work still left to do, Róisín Ingle is joined by Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, producer of the documentary film, The Day Iceland Stood Still. 

Later on, anti-domestic violence campaigner Patricia McLean joins Ingle to talk about her organisation Finding Our Voices, which is hosting a series of online talks with Irish authors about their books involving domestic abuse. It’s free and open to all, starting with Irish author Roddy Doyle on November 18th 2025. You can find more information on the talks here: https://findingourvoices.net/book-club

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the record number of women giving birth past the age of 45 and the dismal reviews coming in for Kim Kardashian’s new legal drama ‘Alls Fair’.

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Since opening in 2024, Jane’s Place has become a sanctuary for some of Ireland’s most vulnerable women. The drop-in centre, located in the heart of Dublin city, is a space where those in need can access mental health support, addiction recovery services, and counselling, and even take part in yoga, art therapy, and mindfulness sessions.

In today’s episode, co-ordinator of Jane’s Place, Susan Diffney, tells Róisín Ingle why a service like this was so badly needed and what invisible barriers women often face when trying to access help. We also hear from Christine, who is in recovery from addiction and visits Jane’s Place regularly. She explains how this female-focused support has been instrumental in her path to sobriety.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the release of Lily Allen’s tell-all album Westend Girl, and the death of Mary “May” McGee, who changed the course of Irish social history.

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Last week, Irish author Naoise Dolan and psychiatrist Dr Veronica O’Keane arrived home to Ireland after spending five days in an Israeli prison. The pair were among more than one hundred activists including five other Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces earlier this month, as they made their way to Gaza as part of the Thousand Madleens flotilla. In today’s episode, Dolan and O’Keane tell Róisín Ingle about the gruesome conditions they were kept in, the violence and heavy-handedness used by members of the IDF and the relief they felt upon release. 

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the government’s plans for a new domestic violence register and the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre’s tell-all memoir.

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This Saturday the 18th October is World Menopause Day and to mark the occasion we are joined by journalist, broadcaster and menopause advocate Mariella Frostrup and by Belles Berry, chef and daughter of well-known cookery writer Mary Berry. Together they have written Menolicious, a new cookbook packed full of healthy recipes designed to help balance hormones, boost energy levels and improve weight management through perimenopause, menopause and beyond. In this episode, they tell Róisín Ingle how they first met at a protest for HRT, why they feel a cookbook like this could help women at all stages in life and what some of their favourite recipes from the book are - including Irish-inspired porridge bread and kale and tahini pancakes.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including new findings around the benefits of taking HRT and the results from the latest presidential opinion poll.

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This week, five Irish citizens including author Naoise Dolan were detained by Israel when their flotilla of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was intercepted. In today’s episode, Dolan’s mother Miriam McNally speaks to Róisín Ingle about the latest updates on her daughter’s detention and when she might be released. 

Also in this episode, we hear from filmmaker and visual artist Myrid Carten, who discusses her new documentary film, A Want In Her. It’s a raw and honest portrait of her mother Nuala’s lifelong battle with addiction. 

And finally, ahead of the third episode of The Walsh Sisters airing this weekend on RTE 1, we’re joined by friend of the podcast Marian Keyes and actor and writer Stefanie Preissner. The pair talk about creating and casting the show, dealing with bad reviews and how they first initially bonded over their shared hatred of ‘the grand stretch’.

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In July 2019, Bláthnaid Raleigh’s life changed forever when she was raped at a house party by a man named Jonathan Moran, whom she was familiar with from her hometown of Mullingar. It was a vicious and violent attack, which resulted in a headline sentence of nine years for Moran, although he is likely to serve just six.

In her new memoir Aftermath, Raleigh describes how her life was effectively put on hold for five years while she awaited the trial. During which time, Moran continued his working life, socialised with friends, and played rugby with the local club in Mullingar.

In today’s episode, Raleigh tells Róisin Ingle about the long-lasting emotional and physical impacts of the attack, the trauma of the subsequent legal process and why she waived her anonymity to name her rapist. She also talks about the healing process and how she hopes her story will help others. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the women standing up to racism in their local communities and a new report highlighting research gaps in the understanding of women's health conditions.

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We’ve got a jam packed episode for you this week, kicking off with a fascinating interview with Indian theatre artist, Mallika Taneja, who is bringing her show ‘Be Careful’ to the Dublin Theatre Festival next month. Running from the 7th to the 10th October, the show is a satirical piece that challenges our notion of safety in public spaces and addresses attitudes towards women and girls in India and elsewhere. See DublinTheatreFestival.ie for tickets. 

Later on, Róisín Ingle is joined by Laura Dowling, aka The Fabulous Pharmacist to discuss her new book Love Your Vulva. It’s an open and empowering guide to women’s intimate health, which covers everything from vaginal dryness to grooming your bush. Dowling explains the inspiration behind the book and why we should all be getting to know our vulvas better. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss the biggest news stories of the week including Trump’s controversial advice to pregnant women, why everyone's talking about Maria’s Steen’s Hermés handbag and Tuesday’s nail-biting finale of Traitors on RTE.

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According to academic Dr Marie Keenan restorative justice is “a way of giving justice to victims that centres the victim of crime in the process, as distinct from the criminal justice system, which centres the perpetrator”. Keenan joined two women Janet O’Brien who’s son was killed in a one punch attack and Sophia Murphy who was sexually abused by her father to discuss the power of restorative justice. The women explore how coming face to face with perpetrators in a safe, controlled manner can be transformative for victims of crime.  In this powerful and insightful conversation, the women also speak about  the difficulty as victims of navigating the criminal justice system. But first, Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to chat about Holly Cairn’s difficult first day back after maternity leave, the benefits of moderate drinking and The Walsh Sisters, the highly anticipated TV adaptation of Marian Keyes’ beloved novels.

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1980s Dublin wasn’t all emigration and recession. There was great music, mad nights out and a capital city bursting with homegrown talent. Irish rock icons Leslie Dowdall of In Tua Nua and Flo McSweeney of Toy With Rhythm and Moving Hearts were at the epicentre of it and now they have teamed up to present Natural Women, a collaboration which will see them covering songs by 1970s songwriting legends Carole King and Linda Ronstadt in Vicar Street. They came in to talk to host Roisin Ingle about their 1980s heyday, the scene in the Pink Elephant nightclub and why they wanted to make music together after all these years. They even give us a bit of a song. But first, Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to talk about some of the biggest stories of the week including the at home cervical screening that has arrived in the UK and the presidential chances of conservative Catholic Maria Steen.

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We’ve a special live episode of the podcast for you today, a wide-ranging chat with actor, writer, presenter and mother of five Rosie O’Donnell at The Electric Picnic. We teamed up with Jan Brierton’s Wild Words at the festival where O’Donnell talked to Róisín Ingle and a packed Manifesto tent about everything from her feud with Donald Trump, moving to Ireland, weight loss drugs, the price of fame and that time she turned down a night out with Prince. Star of The Flintstones, Sleepless in Seattle and A League of Their Own, the former talk show queen also talks about how she has lost some Jewish friends by speaking out about the genocide in Gaza and why she’s so happy to have made Ireland her home. 

But first, Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to talk about the biggest stories of the week for women, including the devastating earthquake in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

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This weekend the Women’s Podcast is joining the line up of Jan Brierton’s Wild Words at Electric Picnic. For the event, Róisín Ingle will be hosting a special live recording of the podcast with American comedian, actor and new Irish resident Rosie O’Donnell. Brierton joins the podcast today to look ahead to the weekend’s festivities and to explain what festival goers can expect from the rest of the Wild Words lineup. She also talks to Ingle about her exciting year ahead, which includes another appearance at Dublin’s Olympia theatre and a two day celebration in December to mark her 50th birthday. 

But first, Irish Times Journalist Niamh Browne is here to talk about the biggest stories of the week, including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s big announcement, the discussion around Serena Williams' latest endorsement and all the latest on the CAO offers which came out this week.

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In the early 20th century, in a remote village in Hungary, a group of women, driven to despair by their violent, abusive husbands, decided to take matters into their own hands. Their solution to their difficult life circumstances was arsenic, a deadly poison easily extracted from fly paper or arsenic-rich “flystones". The women began slipping this deadly substance into their husband’s porridge, stews and drinks and according to some estimates, up to 300 people in the Nagyrév region were murdered in the space of two decades. In this episode, Hope Reese, author of The Women Are Not Fine, joins Róisín Ingle to explain why this deadly sisterhood of women were driven to kill, how the murders spiralled out of control and how they were eventually caught and punished for their crimes.

But first podcast producer Aideen Finnegan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the crowning of the 2025 Rose of Tralee, Sally Rooney’s support for Palestine Action and why Rhashidat Adeleke is out of this year's World Athletics Championships.

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In recent years, more and more women have been speaking openly about their decision to not have children. There are numerous books on the subject, dedicated social media spaces for childfree women and an ever increasing media interest in sharing the stories of those who refuse to go down this well-trodden path. However, some of the lesser told childfree stories are those of older women, who went against the grain at a time when motherhood was not only expected of women, but regarded as central to their lives. 

In this episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by one such woman, 77 year-old writer and academic Helen Taylor, who from a very young age decided not to have children. In her new book Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Child-free Life, Helen shares her reasons for choosing to remain childfree and she unpacks the complex feelings that have accompanied her choice. In this wide-ranging conversation, she tells Róisín Ingle where she draws meaning in life, how she dealt with moments of regret and what she wants women to know about the later stages of a child-free life.

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Following the breakdown of her long-term relationship in 2021, Orla Donoghue became a single parent to her then one-year-old son, Rory. The transition, however, was far from easy. As a new mother, she grappled with feelings of isolation, shame and uncertainty and despite the fact that one in five households in Ireland are single parent families, she also found the experience deeply isolating. However, it was this difficult experience that ultimately led her to set up Solas Coaching, a support space dedicated to helping other single parents. In today’s episode, Donoghue talks to Róisín Ingle about finding her footing as a solo parent, the importance of asking for help and why she's passionate about supporting others in difficult times.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing The Marriage Vendetta by debut author Caroline Madden. 

The book tells the story of Eliza Sheridan, who seeks the help of a marriage therapist to mend her relationship with her unloving and unsupportive husband Richard. As their sessions unfold, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary counselling service. Week after week, Eliza is encouraged by her therapist to commit a series of vengeful acts against her oblivious husband, with each task more bizarre than the last. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the book. Why not send us a voice note on Instagram @ITWomensPodcast or email us TheWomensPodcast@Irishtimes.com

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Would you sleep in a different room to your partner? Or do you think couples should share a bed together? That's what we’re asking on today’s episode of The Women’s Podcast. While many people enjoy sharing a bed with their other half, there are many others who prefer to go solo when it comes to sleep. This could be for reasons including loud snoring, a partner tossing and turning in the night or even a disagreement over what temperature the room should be. While there’s still a stigma attached to going your separate ways at bedtime, Australian writer Jennifer Adams argues there shouldn’t be.

Happily married and sleeping apart from her husband for more than two decades, Adams has literally written the book on separate sleeping and in today’s episode she tells Róisín Ingle why it’s not only possible but easily attainable, to have both a great night’s sleep and a great relationship. She also shares some tips from her book ‘Sleep Divorce: How to sleep apart, not fall apart, which will help you to broach the subject with your partner or figure out how to make it work with limited space. 

But first, Irish Times journalist Niamh Browne is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including yesterday’s shooting in Fermanagh, the average cost of IVF for Irish couples and why Irish radio should be playing more female artists.

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In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by women’s health and fitness coach Elaine Gillespie, to talk about the transformative power of lifting weights and strength training. From navigating fitness during perimenopause to returning to exercise postpartum, Gillespie explains why lifting weights isn’t just for bodybuilders - it’s essential for women’s health, energy, and confidence at every stage of life. The pair discuss gym intimidation, how to get started if you’re a total beginner, and how to tell the difference between your dumbbell and your barbell. Gillespie also shares her own personal fitness journey following the birth of her two children and why she left her career as an estate agent to set up the Kildare based fitness group, Sound Mamas. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a quick de-brief on the two women hoping to become the next Irish president and why the lyrics of CMAT’s latest song are resonating with so many.

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Anne Marie Allen was just 15 years old when she first entered the world of Opus Dei. It was the late 1970s and the young woman from Cork had enrolled in a cookery course run by the religious order. The program promised culinary qualifications and a pathway to a professional career, but it didn’t take long for her dreams to shatter. As Allen spent most of her days cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for the members of Opus Dei, it soon became clear that she was not there to learn, but to serve. In today’s episode, Allen talks to Kathy Sheridan about her time working as an unpaid ‘assistant numerary’, the lasting emotional impact of her years within the order and why she's sharing her story in her new memoir Serve. 

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the completion of five external reviews into maternity care at Portiuncula University Hospital, what we can learn from Rachel Reeve’s tears in Westminster and why the happiness levels of women often dip in midlife.

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This month, actor and mother and baby home survivor Noelle Brown and singer Camille O’Sullivan will take to the stage together for a new theatre performance called In Plain Sight. The project, written by Brown, focuses on Ireland’s history of mother and baby homes, paying particular attention to the large stately buildings dotted around the country that incarcerated young pregnant women. In today’s episode, the pair join Róisín Ingle to discuss the show and how it explores the design and history of three homes that are still standing, Sean Ross Abbey, Castlepollard and Bessborough Mother and Baby Home (where Brown was born).

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the arrest of former swimming coach George Gibney.

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Concerns about the rise and rapid development of artificial intelligence often tend to focus on AI’s threat to jobs or its potential to influence politics and elections. But what about the very real threat that AI poses to women? In her new book, The New Age of Sexism, feminist writer Laura Bates explores how the ever-evolving world of technology has become a danger to women and how the expanding scope of what’s possible online is “reinventing misogyny.” In this episode, Bates talks to Róisín Ingle about the real harm caused by pornographic deepfakes, the alarming rise of AI girlfriends, and her eye-opening visit to a cyber brothel in Berlin.

But first Irish Times journalist Niamh Towey is here to talk about some of the biggest stories of the week including the new Women's Aid report showing the rise in domestic violence disclosures, the latest in the Annie McCarrick case and the furore over the Bezos wedding in Venice.

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Last weekend our Book Club gathered for a live show at Kildare Village to discuss the best reading recommendations for summer 2025. Róisín Ingle, Bernice Harrison and Ann Ingle were joined at the event by special guest bestselling author Marian Keyes and a room full of Women’s Podcast listeners. 

There were recommendations to suit every style and every mood, including a gripping crime thriller, a “life-changing” self help book and a couple of exciting fiction debuts. 

But before we bring you that recording, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including a crack down on boozy Leaving Cert holidays in Portugal. 

For the full list of summer reading recommendations, click here

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The tradition of women taking their husband’s surname stems from a time when marriage effectively erased a woman’s legal identity and she would become her husband’s property. While this is no longer the case and society has thankfully moved on, the practice of women changing their last name upon marriage still persists today. But why?

In a recent feature for The Irish Times, journalist Áine Kenny poses the question: “If changing one’s name isn’t a big deal and isn’t sexist, why don’t we see more men taking their wife’s surname?”

To explore this further, Kenny joins Róisín Ingle on the latest episode of the podcast, alongside parenting columnist Jen Hogan. Together, they discuss why they did and didn’t keep their own names after marriage. 

But first Ingle and Kathy Sheridan are in the studio together to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the long awaited excavation of the Tuam babies site, which is to begin on Monday.

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It was a bright afternoon in April 2015 when Mary Ann Kenny, a university lecturer, received a call that changed her life in an instant. Her husband John, with whom she had two young sons, had collapsed while out jogging and died at the age of 60. Struggling to cope with the sudden loss and the loneliness that engulfed her life in the aftermath, Kenny's grief soon turned to depression, which later progressed into psychotic delusions.

In her new memoir, The Episode, Kenny details her descent into psychosis, her hospitalisation, and her journey back to health and happiness. In this episode, she talks to Róisín Ingle about the impact of her husband’s death, the trauma of her psychiatric treatment, and how she has made sense of her mental health crisis.

But first, Irish Times reporter Ella Sloane joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Greta Thunberg’s aid mission to Gaza and what new research has revealed about the happiness levels of Irish teenagers.

To enter our live book club event, go to Irishtimes.com/events

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What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? Can you tell your follicular from your luteal phase? Can masturbation ease period pains and why do so many women get the dreaded ‘period poo’? To answer all these questions and more we’re joined this week by Dr Hazel Wallace, medical doctor, nutritionist, and author of Not Just A Period, a groundbreaking new book that seeks to understand the entire menstrual cycle, not just the few days each month we bleed.

In this episode, Dr Wallace tells Róisín Ingle why periods are still so poorly understood, the benefits of tracking each phase of your cycle and when to seek advice from your doctor. She also talks about her own experience with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), her decision to freeze her eggs and why she left the NHS to focus on nutrition and female health. 

But first, Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the viral shove of French President Emmanuel Macron by his wife Brigette.

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This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Kit de Waal novelist, memoirist, and fierce advocate for working-class voices in literature. In conversation with Roisin Ingle, de Waal discusses her powerful new novel The Best of Everything, set in 1970s and 1980s England, which follows the interwoven lives of a single mother, her son, and their neighbours as they navigate grief, love, and survival.

Best known for her acclaimed debut My Name is Leon, de Waal also shares insights from her 2022 memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes, where she recounts her unconventional upbringing as the daughter of a Caribbean father and an Irish Jehovah’s Witness mother. From the fear of a prophesied Armageddon in 1975 to the complexities of faith, identity, and family, the writer reflects on the experiences that shaped her and how they now shape her fiction.

This is a moving, sharp, and sometimes darkly funny conversation about resilience, storytelling, and what it means to find your place in the world. 

Also on today's episode, Niamh Towey joins us to discuss the stories of the week including Gaza, where the UN has said the lives of thousands of children are at risk due to malnutrition.

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In 2016, Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) were murdered in their Co Cavan home, by their husband and father Alan Hawe, who took his own life shortly after. It was and still is Ireland’s largest murder-suicide and the brutal killings sent shockwaves throughout the country. In her book, Deadly Silence, Clodagh’s younger sister Jacqueline Connolly, gives her account of the circumstances leading up to the mass murder and how her brother-in-law, Hawe, coercively controlled and manipulated her unsuspecting sister. In this episode, Connolly talks to Róisín Ingle about the person Clodagh was, the relationship the pair had growing up and how their bond changed when Hawe entered their lives. She also talks about her family’s painful search for answers in the aftermath of the killings and the critical failures in the initial Garda investigation. 

But first, Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the conviction for sexual assault of actor Gérard Depardieu.

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Two years ago this month, Tina Turner died at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland. The global superstar and rock icon had a career spanning more than five decades. Although she retired from performing in her late 60s, one of her final projects was to collaborate on Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, which debuted in London’s West End in 2018. This month the show comes to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for a two week run and in this episode Róisín Ingle speaks to some of the cast members, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy who plays the role of Tina Turner and choreographer Simone Mistry Palmer. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connoll is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the camogie skorts row, the latest from the papal conclave and Prince Harry’s recent security woes.

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In March, a group of secondary school students from Co Offaly made history when they became the first ever all-female team to win the VEX IQ All-Ireland Robotics Competition. ‘The Steminists’ will now represent Ireland at the World Championships in Texas this month. The team consists of five students aged between 12 and 14 years old, from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore. In today’s episode, two team members, Alice Duffy (12) and Rachel Ebenezer (13), along with their teachers Sindy Meleady and Aisling Burke join Róisín Ingle to discuss the upcoming competition and how they created their winning robot ‘Agatha Trunchball’. 

Later on we’ll be learning all about Luail, Ireland’s first all-island national dance company with creative director Liz Roche. But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the Satchwell trial and why US immigration have detained Irish woman Cliona Ward.

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According to the latest European State of the Climate Report, 2024 was the hottest year on record for Europe and the fourth warmest year ever recorded in Ireland. As part of the global fight against climate change, Ireland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 — but are we really on track to meet that goal?

In today’s episode, we hear from three climate activists: CEO of the climate change NGO Opportunity Green Aoife O’Leary, marine environmentalist Flossie Donnelly and Catherine Cleary, co-founder of Pocket Forests. They discuss the changes needed at the top, the reasons to remain hopeful about the climate and why individual efforts, even small ones, still matter.

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Seven years after Amanda Knox was definitively acquitted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, she flew to Italy to meet the man who had led the prosecution’s case against her, Giuliano Mignini. The now 37-year-old mother of two wanted to ask her former prosecutor why he had identified her as the chief suspect, pursued a murder conviction against her, and whether he felt any remorse for putting the wrong person in prison.

In her new memoir, Free: My Search for Meaning, Knox details this emotional meeting, the years leading up to it, and the shadow her wrongful conviction cast over her life. The book explores the power of acceptance and forgiveness, and how to cope with life’s most challenging moments.

In this conversation with Róisín Ingle, Knox talks about the fear and confusion of being accused of such a serious crime, how she reclaimed her identity when she finally walked free, and why what happened to her made her the person she is today.

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Bookshops and libraries are bursting with books on parenting and what to expect when you’re expecting, but there aren't nearly as many guidebooks out there on how to be a good grandparent. That’s why family psychologist Terri Apter has written her latest book all about the topic. Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations offers readers an expert guide on modern grand parenting and how to overcome tricky family dynamics that might occur along the way. Apter talks to Róisín Ingle about how the first grandchild changed her family, the different types of grandmothers and how important a grandparent is in building a child’s identity. 

But first, Irish Times journalist Ella Sloane is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including new research from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre examining attitudes towards victims of sexual assault, why only half of fathers in Ireland are taking paternity leave and how pottery fever is catching in Dublin.

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When Adolescense arrived on Netflix last month, it was streamed nearly 25 million times in just four days and sparked a global conversation on the dark side of social media and the lives of teenage boys. But what is it really like to be a teenage boy in 2025? How much attention do they really pay to masculinity influencers? What kind of pressures do they face? And what do they wish adults would understand about them? To discuss all this and more, Róisín Ingle is joined by three teenagers, Dylan O’Malley, Chester Ryan and Daniella Tetteh. We also hear from Jamie Carrick, a facilitator with The Soar Foundation, which delivers wellbeing workshops for teenagers in schools around Ireland. 

But first, Irish Times reporter Niamh Towey is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrest of eight protestors from the Mothers Against Genocide group outside Leinster House, why the head of Primark resigned this week after making “an error of judgement” and why one reader of the Irish Times is suffering from wedding and baby shower fatigue.

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This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle discuss Confessions, the debut novel from Catherine Airey.

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On Friday March 28th, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) will celebrate Daffodil Day. It’s the charity’s biggest fundraising event and aims to raise millions of euros to support cancer patients and progress cancer research. In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Daffodil Day Ambassador Tara Doonan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 at 36 years-old. Tara lives in Cavan but travelled to the Mater Hospital in Dublin for her treatment. In today’s episode she talks about the shock of her diagnosis, the road to recovery and the financial impact of cancer, from travel and parking expenses, to the loss of income. Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at ICS also joins the conversation to explain how the charity supports patients financially and what needs to change in order to limit costs for those undergoing treatment. 

But first Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a frightening encounter at a Dublin hotel for influencer Chloe Koyce, the harassment of a University of Limerick student at her campus accommodation and the latest in the rumoured feud between Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle. 

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Sarah Corbett Lynch was just eight-years-old when her father Jason was killed at their home in North Carolina by her stepmother Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens in 2015. Over the next decade, the Martens, who claimed self defence, were put on trial for murder, had their convictions quashed and later took a plea bargain for voluntary manslaughter which saw each of them spend less than five years in prison.

For all of that time, Corbett Lynch and her older brother Jack had to remain silent on the case, but now, in her new memoir ‘A Time For Truth', she tells her story for the first time. In this episode, she joins Róisín Ingle to discuss the heartbreak and loss that has defined her young life and shares her account of the events leading up to the night her father was killed.

But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the Dublin Rape Crisis centre’s response to Conor McGregor at the White House, Millie Bobby Brown’s plea to the media and why everyone's talking about the new Netflix show Adolescence.

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In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. This could be because of illness in the child’s family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or simply because the parent or family is not coping. Whatever the reason, foster carers are there to take care of children who cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis. In today’s episode, we hear from two foster carers Sinead O’Donnell and Sharon Kelly. O’Donnell, who lives in Donegal, began fostering during Covid and has welcomed two young girls (sisters) into her home. Kelly, who lives in Kilkenny has fostered children for more than a decade and has provided foster care to two children since birth. They tell Róisín Ingle about why they wanted to open up their homes, the challenges involved and what advice they’d give to anyone considering becoming a foster carer. 

But first Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the stories making headlines this week including American comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland, why girls are getting their periods earlier and why Dublin City Council might elevate the Molly Malone statue.

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To celebrate International Women’s Day, the book club gathered with a handful of podcast listeners for a live event at Kildare Village on Saturday morning. Niamh Towey, Ann Ingle, Bernice Harrison, and Roisin Ingle, explored the books by women that have challenged and changed them and that they think every woman should read.

Book Club Choices: 

Ann Ingle: The Women’s Room by Marilyn French & Anne Tyler novels

Bernice Harrison: Heartburn By Nora Ephron & Country Girls by Edna O’Brien

Róisín Ingle: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott & How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran

Niamh Towey: Claire Keegan’s novels and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

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International Women’s Day is on Saturday the 8th March and there are lots of events happening all around the country to celebrate the occasion. Irish Times features writer Ella Sloane joins Róisín Ingle on the podcast today to tell us about some of them, including a free guided tour exploring how women are represented in a selection of works at the National Gallery and a ​​march against gender violence taking place in Dublin city. She’ll also be telling us about a new report from Nasc, which highlights the barriers that migrant women face accessing employment. 

Later on, we’ll be hearing from three impressive women who have carved out careers in male-dominated industries. Engineer Susan McGarry, horticulturist Rebecca Hegarty and laboratory technician Bronwyn Villis explain why they went into their chosen career, what obstacles they have met along the way and why they would encourage more women to take the leap into jobs that have historically been dominated by men. 

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Born and bred in New York, the last place that Rosie Schaap thought she’d end up, was living in a rural village in Northern Ireland, miles away from the bustling city she once called home. But that’s exactly where she’s found herself. Five years ago, the writer and journalist moved from NYC to the tiny town of Glenarm in Co Antrim, in search of a new life. The writer and journalist was grieving the death of her husband and her mother - who died just one year apart - and was also looking for a new way to heal. In her new memoir, The Slow Road North, Schaap details her personal story of loss and the unexpected solace she found in a small seaside village in Northern Ireland. She tells Róisín Ingle all about it on today’s episode. 

But first, Irish Times podcast producer Aideen Finnegan is here to discuss some of the stories making the headlines this week, including the lifting of a travel ban on controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, the new domestic violence register being proposed by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and why an Oscar could finally be on the cards for veteran actress Demi Moore.

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After lengthy government formation talks and a chaotic first week in the Dáil, the new Government is finally settling into it's first few weeks of a new term. There’s a whole host of new faces in Leinster House, including 10 new women TDs. We wanted to hear what life is like for three of those women, so we’ve invited Labour’s Marie Sherlock, Fianna Fail’s Erin McGreehan and Social Democrats’ Jen Cummins to tell us their first impressions of the Dáil, their background in politics and what issues they’ll be focusing on in their term.

But first, Irish Times reporter Niamh Towey is here to discuss some of the stories making the headlines this week including the results of a new survey which found an “alarming” incidence of rooms being advertised in exchange for sex, the decision to grant planning permission to rebuild Creeslough service station and the long fight for justice for murdered backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.

Email for International Women's Day live event entries: thewomenspodcast@irishtimes.com

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This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to shift the focus away from love and relationships and onto the joy and excitement of the single experience. If you’re single and sick of dating apps, Irish Times relationships columnist Roe McDermott is here with some new dating ideas, from singles running clubs to mindful dating events. Later on, Róisín Ingle is joined by Nicola Slawson, an author who has literally written the book on the single life. Slawson shares her advice for living a complete and full life on your own and details her unconventional path to motherhood. 

But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the news stories that have caught her eye this week. She tells Róisín Ingle about the latest details coming from the Omagh Bombing inquiry and why the civil service is trying to crack down on working from home arrangements.

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