Arts & Human Rights with Smashing Times

In this episode, Mary explores a wide range of stories from the world of arts and culture. Our featured guest is celebrated spoken‐word artist Emmet O’Brien, known for viral pieces like The North Side and Dirty Dublin. With acclaimed books, performances across Europe, and projects ranging from mental-health murals in Temple Bar to poetry workshops in Mountjoy Prison, Emmet brings a powerful and unique voice to the programme.Mary also discusses the new ITV documentary “Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War”, which offers rare, first-hand testimony from IDF soldiers speaking out about their experiences in Gaza following the October 7th attacks. The film sheds light on the conduct of the war and the troubling accounts emerging from those who served.https://smashingtimes.ie/https://dublinsouthfm.ie/

Today’s episode delves into two compelling stories from the world of art and culture. First, we explore the recent theft of priceless crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris and discuss how monarchies use spectacle, wealth, and grandeur to sustain the illusion of royal power.We then celebrate the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the late Deirdre O’Connell at the original Focus Theatre in Dublin, where Mary Moynihan marked the occasion by reading her poem “The Way.” The event was attended by President Michael D. Higgins, Sabina Coyne Higgins, and Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam.The programme also features an interview with Ciara Hayes, producer of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, who shares festival highlights and details two major exhibitions — Irish in Resistance During World War II at the Smashing Times Visual Art Gallery, and From the Forest to the Ocean at Rathfarnham Castle Gallery.Plus, Ciara announces an Open Call for Artists for the upcoming winter exhibition Solstice Light: Art in Winter.

In this episode, Freda speaks with Rob Harrington, Director of Seo Chugainn na Mná — the Irish translation by award-winning writer Áine Ní Ghlinn of the acclaimed stage show The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII, which highlights the lives of two remarkable Irish women during the war.Freda also shares details of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, featuring upcoming events celebrating art, equality, and storytelling. For more information, visit www.smashingtimes.ieWith thanks to Féilim James, writer and editor, for his text and contributions.Recorded at Dublin South FMhttps://smashingtimes.ie/https://dublinsouthfm.ie/

This week we shine a light on the 7th Annual Irish Arts & Human Rights Festival (Friday 10 – Sunday 19 October 2025). Mary shares a curated selection of the most compelling events you won’t want to miss. Our feature artist interview is with two Voices for Peace contributors: poet and short-story writer Shreya Gupta, and poet/essayist Rowan Tate. Join us as we explore their work, their inspiration, and what peace in art means to them.smashingtimes.iedublinsouthfm.ie

This episode focuses on the launch of the programme for this year’s annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival which runs from the 10 to 19 October 2025, presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders.The aim of the festival is to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world, past and present, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. The show also addresses the upcoming presidential elections in Ireland and takes a look at the candidates running to date.They will also be discussing the new Smashing Times center at 30 Sandycove Road, a multifunctional arts venue perfect for hosting community workshops, live performances, visual exhibitions, spoken word performances and more.And, to break in the new center, Mary Moynihan has put together a multidisciplinary-exhibition which incorporates a mixture of poetry, visual art and photography with the aim of helping self-expression by mapping natural landscapes to the soul, fittingly titled: ‘Landscapes of the Soul, running until the 28th of September.https://smashingtimes.ie/Recorded at Dublin South FMhttps://dublinsouthfm.ie/

In this episode, we discuss the launch of the new Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality in Sandycove, opening with the exhibition Landscapes of the Soul by Mary Moynihan. Our feature interview is with multidisciplinary artist Jessica Rodrigues, who shares insights into her fine art and custom tattoo practice, from dreamscapes to Studio Ghibli inspirations. Jessica’s work is also showcased in Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal and as part of the upcoming Voices of Peace programme at the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. Plus, we highlight artists and musicians worldwide speaking out against the genocide in Gaza.Recorded at Dublin South FMhttps://smashingtimes.ie/https://dublinsouthfm.ie/

In this episode, we sit down with Aoife McAtamney — musician, songwriter, and interdisciplinary artist — recently appointed as one of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Musicians-in-Residence for 2025. Aoife shares her fascinating journey from contemporary dance to multidisciplinary performance, her work under the creative alias Daughter Of A Drum, and her acting roles in Paula Kehoe’s The Devils In Her and The Woman In The Wall. Tune in as Aoife discusses her creative process, her influences, and what’s in store for her upcoming performances at the Lexicon Library.Recorded at Dublin South FMhttp://dublinsouthfm.ie/https://smashingtimes.ie/

In this episode, we explore the powerful Irish podcast Stolen Sister, which investigates the 1976 disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett and the ongoing fight by her family for justice. Mary also reflects on Red Dress Day in Canada—an annual commemoration honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black.Our feature interview is with Ciara Hayes of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. Ciara discusses the upcoming Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival (10–19 October 2025), which celebrates human rights defenders and the role of the arts in promoting justice and equality. She also shares details about three exciting open calls for artists, organisations, and citizens to get involved.Plus, Freda presents News from the Network with arts and culture highlights for July and August and a spotlight from the Ten We Admire series on Spanish artist Marina Vargas.Special thanks to Féilim James, Carmen Ortiz Victorino, and the team at Dublin South FM.https://smashingtimes.ie/https://www.dublinsouthfm.ie/