Booker Prize-winning author Paul Lynch joins Alison Cowzert to reflect on the intense demands and deeper meaning of a writer’s life.
After 18 months promoting his acclaimed novel Prophet Song, Lynch still has plenty to say — about the discipline of writing, the risks of pursuing it as a vocation, and why, for him, there was never really a choice. “The thing about true vocation is you don’t have a choice,” he says. “To do anything else is to risk a loss of core identity.”
In a wide-ranging conversation, Lynch discusses the role of the artist, the importance of state support for writers, and why Prophet Song — a novel often described as dystopian — is in fact a mirror to the modern world. Arts Matters is supported by HLB Ireland.
Mike Cronin and Mark Duncan’s new book Revolutionary Times looks at the revolutionary period in Ireland. In this podcast he talks to Dion Fanning about the stories we tell ourselves, the problem with reunification and why Irish history remains such a hot topic to debate.
Guaranteed Irish and its instantly recognisable G symbol has been deeply linked with Irish business in its 50-plus-year history but it’s entering a new chapter, one dominated by economic uncertainty and unpredictable tariffs. CEO Brid O’Connell speaks to Jonathan Keane about the challenges for exporters in a changing economy, trade wars and how Guaranteed Irish will evolve in the future.
As sport evolves into a complex global industry, the legal frameworks supporting it have grown equally sophisticated. Emma Richmond, joint managing partner at Whitney Moore, and Aoife Farrelly, barrister and chair of the Sports Law Bar Association, are at the forefront of this shift.
In this episode of Sports Matters, they talks to Ian Kehoe about how grassroots clubs operate like SMEs, grappling with employment law, data protection, and regulatory compliance. Wearable tech and performance tracking have introduced new data privacy concerns, while volunteer-led organisations often lack the legal knowledge to manage risk effectively.
Richmond and Farrelly also highlight how governance structures—like the GAA’s Disputes Resolution Authority—serve as models for efficient, sport-specific adjudication. At the elite level, legal challenges span restrictive sponsorship contracts, IP rights, and disciplinary hearings with limited avenues for representation.
Sports Matters is sponsored by the law firm Whitney Moore.
Colm O’Gorman talks to Dion Fanning about the death of Bishop Brendan Comiskey, why it was not his failings as a bishop which led to the cover-up of abuse in the Ferns diocese and why Pope Francis never dealt with the issue as he should have.
From the Yorkshire Cricket Club racism scandal to safeguarding reforms in British Gymnastics, employment lawyer Sam Murray Hinde has been at the forefront of some of the most significant legal challenges in British sport. In this interview with Ian Kehoe, the Howard Kennedy partner shares insights on governance, crisis management, and the evolving legal landscape shaping the future of sports organisations. Sports Matters is sponsored by the law firm Whitney Moore.
One the day of the pope’s funeral, Fr Ricardo Da Silva, host of the Preach podcast talks to Dion Fanning about the legacy of the pope and why ambiguity was a deliberate course of action.
When Muhammad Ali visited Dublin to fight Al Blue Lewis he famously asked where do all the black people hang out? He was told there weren’t any. Dave Hannigan has written a marvelous book about that week in Ireland. He talks to Dion Fanning about Ali’s time in Dublin and the people who made it happen.
All organisations are experimenting with GenAI - or at least they should be. But already the conversation is starting to move on to Agentic AI. But what is it? How can you implement it? And what will it do to your bottom line?
In this episode of The Tech Agenda, David Lee, the Chief Technology Officer with PwC Ireland, talks to Ian Kehoe about the opportunities and pitfalls of Agentic AI. In a wide-ranging interview, he outlines how Agentic AI could transform workflows—but only for those willing to rethink governance, upskilling, and risk.
Lee argues that the most powerful applications of AI go beyond efficiency, toward revenue growth and innovation. From improving radiology outcomes to predicting customer complaints before they arise, Lee explains how the real value lies in redesigning processes, not just digitising them. For organisations to succeed, Lee says, hands-on experience is essential. His message is clear: start small, build understanding, and think ambitiously.
The Tech Agenda podcast series is sponsored by PwC Ireland.
For professional athletes, retirement doesn’t come in the form of a gradual career peak—it arrives suddenly, often through injury or physical decline. Unlike those in other careers who can steadily build toward financial security, many athletes find themselves facing uncertainty in their early 30s. In this episode of Sports Matters, former rugby players Niall Woods and Marty Moore discuss the challenges of transitioning out of the game, from financial instability to the loss of identity and structure. Speaking to Ian Kehoe, they explore the psychological and practical difficulties of life after professional sport and the importance of preparation for the next chapter. Sports Matters is sponsored by Whitney Moore.
In 2001, Peter McKenna was on the corporate fast track at Smurfit in the publishing business. But a conversation with mentor Paddy Wright planted the seed for a dramatic career pivot as stadium director of Croke Park. When he took over, the stadium was under construction and loss-making. Last year, it had annual revenues of €132 million and paid a €16 million dividend to the GAA.
McKenna still serves as stadium director but he is also in charge of the GAA’s commercial arrangements and corporate partnerships.
In this episode of Sports Matters, he talks about making the stadium as a financial contributor to the GAA, the decision to take control of the association’s streaming service, and the lessons from his career.
Sports Matters is sponsored by the law firm Whitney Moore.
