The Keening and the Craic: Why Irish Hearts Are Always Full of Both

What this episode covers

In this season six premiere, Jennifer Muldowney welcomes viral sensation and dear friend Vivienne Sayers for a St. Patrick's Day conversation that goes beyond surface-level celebration. Together, they explore the bittersweet soul of Ireland, from red carpets like the Oscars to the sacred traditions of the Irish wake. They unpack why Irish culture has long been a masterclass in holding both joy and deep, generational grief at the same time. They dive into the power of visceral storytelling through films like Hamnet, share the hilarious realities of being Irish in New York, including a mortifying run-in with Ed Sheeran, and reflect on how Irish identity is evolving. The conversation highlights how the traditional Irish funeral is entering a "chrysalis stage," shifting alongside changing beliefs and modern perspectives. They also challenge the drinking stereotypes tied to St. Patrick's Day, encouraging a return to deeper roots like language, community, and the ancient practice of keening.  Tune in for a celebration of the "Yin and Yang" of the Emerald Isle: the heart that smiles, the soul that cries, and the community that holds it all together. Key Topics: The Dual Soul: Navigating the "tear and the smile" in Irish culture Keening and The Craic: The role of professional mourners and the social nature of Irish wakes The Modern Irish Identity: Moving beyond stereotypes and reclaiming language and heritage Generational Trauma vs Wealth: How history shapes emotional expression and resilience Wake 2.0: Why funerals and life itself require community, connection, and presence Quotes from the episode: "There's room for everyone at the table, no matter what industry... even if you're bloody identical twins, they still create their own corners of the world for themselves." — Jennifer Muldowney "America has generational wealth; Ireland has generational trauma. And we totally laugh about it, but... we are looking to broaden the Irish narrative of who we are as people." — Vivienne Sayers Timestamps: [02:16] Irish Excellence: Discussing the Oscars, the Rugby Triple Crown, and Jessie Buckley's visceral performance in Hamnet. [05:57] The "So Irish" Airport Encounter: A red carpet for celebrities, but no one to help with the heavy lifting. [07:54] The Ed Sheeran Incident: A hilarious story of mortification and mocking a global superstar to his face in Williamsburg. [10:33] The Irish in NYC: Why Irish people message you after they see you in a bar rather than approaching directly. [14:09] The Social Event of the Season: Why the rural Irish funeral is a communal milestone worth preserving. [16:13] The Chrysalis Stage: How declining church influence is changing funeral experiences for younger generations. [19:06] Beyond the Green Beer: A call to support Irish culture, language, and businesses. [25:32] Corned Beef vs Boiled Ham: The contrast between Irish-American traditions and growing up in Ireland. [29:26] The Art of Keening: Exploring the history of the Bean Chaointe and the lasting impact of ritual mourning. Connect with Vivienne Sayers at: Websites - https://viviennesayers.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivienne_in_nyc/ Connect with Jennifer/The Glam Reaper on socials at: Instagram - / jennifermuldowney TikTok - / therealglamreaper YouTube - / @theglamreapermuldowney LinkedIn - / jennifermuldowney Facebook Page - / muldowneymemorials Email us - [email protected] Shop Merch - https://the-glam-reaper.printify.me/p Listen to The Glam Reaper Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast The Glam Reaper® AMAZON Storefront - https://amzn.to/4hObpOh