PODCAST · news
The week that really was
by John McGuirk, Sarah Ryan
The Week That Really Was" offers a different and distinctive take on the events of the week of a kind that you won't find anywhere else in Ireland. It is presented by Gript Media Editor John McGuirk, and Barrister at Law and Media Personality, Sarah Ryan.
Episodes
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Sarah's big American trip
This week, Sarah tells listeners all about her big White House trip; what it was like in the room with Donald Trump, and how the Taoiseach did. Also: A bulldozed house in Meath; Fringe migrant crime ladies; and Ireland's forbidden oil wealth
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The St Patrick's Day Wallet Massacre
This week John faces a personal crisis: An empty home heating oil tank as prices have risen 65%. Also: The man here for two years illegally now accused of serious crimes; The UCD rape case; Drag Queens at the Zoo, and Emiratis in Shannon.
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War, what is it good for?
John and Sarah discuss a great week for Irish politicians, as a new war in the Middle East stopped them from having to do any Irish politics. Also: Fuel taxes, Burkes in Jail, Stephen Kerr arrested, and a quiet start for Catherine Connolly:
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The Apology Industrial Complex
This week John and Sarah ask: When do the state apologies for historic abuse end? Why is Ireland welcoming NATO into Irish waters? Has Aontú had a bad week? Should we all be Petro-Masculinists? And is Fionnán Sheahan a monster for wearing ashes on his forehead?
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Angry White Female
Should we want our young boys to be gay so they don't harm women? The Irish Times says yes, Sarah says no. Also in the podcast this week: Macron's fertility drive, Culleton's PR disaster, Ireland's tax crisis, and Mary Lou's White House snub:
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Overstaying your visa is a crime
John and Sarah dive into the Seamus Culleton case and if Ireland looks hypocritical on immigration; discuss the Dublin Central by-election; the media's warped coverage of a Canadian school shooting; and whether Nigel Farage is right on working from home.
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The Enoch and Epstein files
John and Sarah delve into the big stories of the week, including: A big win for Enoch Burke? Are conspiracists vindicated over Epstein? Is "stolen land" real? And should politicians go to jail for telling lies?
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Flooded with nonsense
John and Sarah turn their attention wholly to the state of Ireland this week: Flooding, Housebuilding, Scrambler Bikes, Opinion polls, and Saint Brigid the Patron Goddess of Purple Haired Feminism.
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The Irish Council for Civil Fiberties
After driving away listeners with 8 mins of Beckham chat, John & Sarah rip into the big story: Misinformation circulated by the ICCL and other state-funded agencies. Also: Gráinne Seoige's call for new laws, smartphones for kids, and the usual row over Trump:
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Immigration, and Customs enforcement
John and Sarah start this week with analysis of the Government's immigration bill: Step forward, or too little too late? Also: Heated debate over that ICE shooting in America, analysis of Sinead Gibney's plan to nationalise X, and Mary McAleese's war on baptism:
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The Climate Cost Crisis
John and Sarah open 2026 with a detailed discussion on how Climate policy drives the enormous cost of living in Ireland and Europe; and how Europe is the only place on earth where Governments seek to make things more expensive. Also: Musk's AI porn, Mercosur, and God-Emperor Trump:
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Another ride around the Sun
With John still away, Sarah is joined by Keith Redmond (aka Mr. Sarah) to reflect on the turmoil of 2025 and the challenges facing Irish politicians in 2026:
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Pathologising normal
Sarah returns for the final podcast of 2025, as she and John tuck into the Micheál Martin controversy, the rise of Candace Owens, and why society seems to pathologise normal male sexuality:
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Climate, Drones, and migration
With Sarah absent for a second week, John is joined by CORMAC LUCEY, who fills an entertaining episode with discussion on the great Climate Climbdown, the Government's panic on defence, why we need to be much tougher on migration, and why politics is broken:
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Abandoned by the left
With Sarah off, John is joined by barrister and campaigner Laoise de Brún, and the conversation covers loads: Immigration, surrogacy, religion, hunger strikes, and why Laoise - a life long leftie - now calls herself a conservative:
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Tax slaves
This week John and Sarah discuss the crisis in the rental market and how government makes it worse, the crisis in hospitals and how tax makes it worse, Jim O'Callaghan's new immigration laws, Conor McGregor finding God, and Sarah's personal dating "icks".
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Simon's Folly
"A catastrophic mistake": John and Sarah discuss the departure of Paschal Donohoe and Simon Harris's decision to make himself finance minister. Also: , Enoch Burke goes back to jail, and Sarah is outraged by the tale of a Mayo Children's hospice:
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The Crooked Media
John and Sarah discuss the BBC's awful week, and RTE's relentless bias here in Ireland. Also: Are boyfriends out of fashion? Fianna Fáil's awful communications, Denis O'Brien's warning, and a big fight about Trump/Epstein:
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One of us
In this week's edition, John and Sarah reflect on Simon Harris's newfound conversion to "far right" views on immigration, the demise of Ivan Yates, the miserable state of the health service, and the latest opinion poll trends. 00:00 The Departure of Ivan Yates 11:58 The State of the Health…
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Fallout
This week's podcast covers all the fallout to the great spoiled vote of 2025: Simon Harris's migration u-turn, Micheál Martin's jeopardy, the Galway West by-election, and the state of Ireland's right wing politics. Click here to watch a video of this episode. https://youtu.be/BIFEpzGDBiE 00:00...
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Missi-CityWest Burning
John and Sarah break down the two biggest stories of the week, discussing all aspects of the Citywest sexual assault and subsequent riots, and then examining the myriad ways that Fine Gael managed to blow the Presidential Election. 00:00 Introduction to Current Events in Ireland 03:25 The...
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Martin Nolan Country
John and Sarah ask: Is Judge Martin Nolan unfairly maligned or justly criticised? Also, Independent Ireland backs Simon Harris; The Deposit Return Scheme humiliates voters; and Fine Gael flounders towards humiliation. 00:00 Overview of Current Events in Politics 02:42 The Motion of Confidence in...
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Wally Brolly; Budget Folly
John and Sarah discuss Joe Brolly's latest descent into awfulness, debate Catherine Connolly's eventful week, and discuss a budget that was described as "prudent" yet ended up as anything but.
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EMERGENCY EPISODE: Jimless wonders
John and Sarah react to the Jim Gavin news: His scandal, Fianna Fáil's incompetence, what it does to Micheál Martin, and why the civil service will be laughing. 00:00 The Fallout of Jim Gavin's Withdrawal 02:54 Political Implications for Fianna Fáil 05:32 The State of the Presidential Race 08:28...
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Gaza Gaza Gaza
This week John & Sarah turn their attention to the most popular topic with Irish pols and media and ask: What's with the Gaza obsession? Also, reflections on Barbie Kardashian and ten years of Gender Recognition. And the latest from the boring boring election:
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Balls of Steen
John and Sarah bring you the inside account of the last days of the Steen campaign, and chew the fat about what the three-candidate race says about Irish democracy. Also: Some thoughts on saying whatever the F**k you want on RTE.
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Becoming Tom Robinson
In an action-packed episode, John and Sarah recap the case of Daniel Aruebose, discuss John and Eoin Hayes' blackface scandals, analyse the Joe Brolly wars and attempts to murder David Quinn, and dissect the Maria Steen nomination fight.
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The worst week
John and Sarah spend most of this week's episode talking about the murder of Charlie Kirk, the pathology of those cheering it, and where we go from here.
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Mommy's Home
Sarah returns to her chair this week, and shares her tale of accident and emergency horror. Also: Why she's not high on Jim Gavin's chances, the media's double standard on Graham Linehan, and reflections on the great flag wars.
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It's a love story
With Sarah still sadly indisposed, John and Laura discuss the stories of the week: The big engagement in America, the controversy around Dr. Umar Al Qadri, the CSO migration numbers.. and that Sunday Indo article about how the nation loves Michael D.
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Droning on
With Sarah away, Laura Perrins joins John and gives him a thorough education in why his support for delivery drones is wrong. They also discuss crime in Dublin, Maria Steen's Presidential prospects, and Laura goes off on Kneecap and Sally Rooney.
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Kayfabe
John and Sarah react to big news in the Presidential race, assess Gareth Sheridan's first week campaigning, talk free contraception. And also: Why Simon Harris's personal brand may never recover from breaking "Kayfabe".
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Avoidable death
Sarah re-joins the podcast this week from her Cretan retreat, and she and John discuss topics ranging from the tragic - the death of Harvey Sherrat - to the controversies around assisted suicide and the Mise Eire event, to the love lives of Pamela Anderson and Bonnie Blue.
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Disunited Kingdom
With Sarah away, John is joined by Laura Perrins. They discuss the state of Britain, where immigration has become the defining political issue, as well as the Dublin Stabbing, the Tuam nuns, the progressive war on western history, and Laura's occasional desire to just keep walking.
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Infidelity: Marital and Political
John and Sarah discuss the ethics of marital infidelity, the government breaking promises to themselves on spending, Tony Holohan's Presidential bid, and Molly Malone's bronze boobies.
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Prancing Princes
This week's podcast begins pretty serenely with a discussion of the Presidential election, before John absolutely loses it over the state of the country. When Sarah calms him back down, they discuss the Tuam babies.
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Nonsense and Nonsensibility
John and Sarah start the podcast talking about Jeffrey Epstein, and proceed to have an enormous row about conspiracy theories. Also: Javier Milei's progress in Argentina, re-running referendums, and prickly cyclists.
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Bad Kitty
The settlement between Ryan Casey and the BBC on foot of comments by Kitty Holland dominates this week's podcast. Also: The state of the parties, the Presidential sweepstakes, and are school summer holidays too long?
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Simon Harris's Statement-itis
John and Sarah ask if the Irish Government is addicted to pointless statements on the middle east, discuss the ubiquity of the Pride Flag, and ask why RTE's current affairs shows are so poor. Also: Sarah's favourite new Netflix show is revealed:
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Getting up after midday
John and Sarah discuss the Puska family's living arrangements and lifestyle, the free money Irish artists will keep getting, Paul Reid's new job, and the UK officials who still have jobs after the grooming gangs.
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Bodily Fluids
In a packed episode, John and Sarah discuss the case of the Luas "bodily fluids" incident; the Ballymena riots; the French war on Pornhub; an Irish Times' Editor's views on Media Bias; Noisy Drones; and the folly of rent caps.
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I hear you're a racist now, father
John and Sarah debate the vexxed question of whether John is a racist, as Ruth Coppinger claims. Also: The power of NGOs; are Irish people homogenous; and is the Macron marriage just plain weird?
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I'm 35 and I don't have a house
John and Sarah devote most of this week's episode to the cost of living, and the various ways Irish families are feeling financial pressure. Also: Nick Delehanty runs for President; Cathal Crowe defends the Brits; and the Children's Hospital remains a disaster.
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The Michael Gaine mystery
John and Sarah ask if Gardai have questions to answer over the Michael Gaine investigation, discuss whether commemorating Normans is appropriate, ask if John's TDS is cured, and talk about the newest Bonnie Blue copycat.
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Sinn Fein's Orwell moment
John and Sarah discuss the UK's sharp shift right on immigration, Sinn Fein's George Orwell moment on transgender issues, Sinead Gibney's painted nails, and the role of porn in the Hawes family murders.
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Skort Nation
John and Sarah discuss People before Profit's anti-Gript stance, the big political bunfight about what Camogie players should wear on the pitch, and Sarah offers interesting views on the "sex for rent" bill.
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The €4.4bn Migrant Hotel Racket
John and Sarah look in detail at the €4.4billion awarded to often obscure companies in Ireland to house migrants; examine Sinn Fein's hypocrisy in Carrickmacross, and discuss Regina Doherty's renewed confusion over men and women.
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The best Catholics in the world
John and Sarah discuss the media's slightly unhinged coverage of the Papal interregnum, dissect Conor McGregor's relevance after that Tucker interview, and argue over women's right to know everything about their partner. Also: Are Paedophile hunters good or bad?
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Old fashioned women
John returns to the podcast as he and Sarah discuss this week's various triumphs for old-fashioned women: The UK transgender ruling, Katy Perry in space, Mary Lou's poll boost, and so on. Also: Are lots of us pretending to have fake medical conditions? 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:14 The UK...
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Sex, drugs, and Enoch Burke
Sarah Ryan, minus her usual whipping boy, is joined instead by her husband Keith on this week's episode. They discuss Trump's tariffs, Ireland's exposure to economic ruin, and then for fun they debate whether libertarianism has any merit whatsoever.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Week That Really Was" offers a different and distinctive take on the events of the week of a kind that you won't find anywhere else in Ireland. It is presented by Gript Media Editor John McGuirk, and Barrister at Law and Media Personality, Sarah Ryan.
HOSTED BY
John McGuirk, Sarah Ryan
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How many episodes does The week that really was have?
The week that really was currently has 181 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The week that really was about?
The Week That Really Was" offers a different and distinctive take on the events of the week of a kind that you won't find anywhere else in Ireland. It is presented by Gript Media Editor John McGuirk, and Barrister at Law and Media Personality, Sarah Ryan.
How often does The week that really was release new episodes?
The week that really was publishes regularly with 181 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to The week that really was on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The week that really was?
The week that really was is created and hosted by John McGuirk, Sarah Ryan.
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