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11. George McMahon
57:39||Season 2, Ep. 11Fair City made him a household name, but George McMahon’s story goes far beyond Carrigstown—charting a path through the highs and challenges of an ever-evolving acting career in Ireland.From growing up in Clondalkin to stepping onto the set of Fair City as a teenager, the good humoured and charming George McMahon has spent most of his life in front of the camera. But his journey hasn’t been without its twists—navigating the unpredictable world of acting, embracing new creative challenges, and balancing life in the public eye.In this episode he chats to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy about life and change including:Family life growing upHow it "wasn't always going to be acting"His parents ambitions for himGetting the acting break at 13Winning a BAFTA and the "Cigar" experienceAn education regret and his interest in lawHis shyness going into Fair City and his first ever scene"Blowing Up Mondo"On set disasterDealing with dark storylinesMondo and KiraPhotographic memoryMirroring real life in fictionThe process of filming an episode of Fair CityStage to screenHis relationship with the fansPeoples attitude to Fair City How he met his wife RachelRunning a stage school with RachelBeing three months into a new mortgage when the shut down of Fair City and their stage school happened with CovidHis two small children Frankie and KodyHow fatherhood has changed himWhat his children think about him being on TVThe insecurity of being an actor An actors wageClimbing EverestVisiting CalcuttaHis views on religion and spiritualityAn emotional experience "eventually I just started crying"The world todayA unique answer to the question "If you could change anything what would it be?"Produced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television and MediaProudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.
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10. Niall Quinn Part 2 - 35 Years Since Italia 90
38:24||Season 2, Ep. 10Jack Charlton called him Noel for four years until he scored in Italia 90. He was at the coalface of the Saipan affair between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy in 2002. He played for Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sunderland, and earned 92 caps for the Republic of Ireland.In this second part of a very special podcast to commemorate 35 years since the glory days of Italia 90, Niall Quinn chats with the two Marys about all of this and also:Leaving Arsenal to ensure Jack Charlton would take him to the World CupThe excitement of Italia 90Jacks ruthlessness when it came to dropping playersA harsh Jack moment in Sardinia AirportHow Jack revealed to him that he was starting against the DutchThe homecomingHow he is not proud of anything that happened in Saipan - "mortified that it happened".The kit not arriving and fake factsHis relationship with his fatherHis mother still living on her own at 94Now working with his daughter Aisling and where is son Mikey is nowHis wife Gillian currently studyingThe politics of sport and fundingHis annoyance at the government department dealing with sportCork City and Niall's input thereWhy he thinks the current Irish Mens team is performing the way they have beenThe solutionAnnoyance with the betting levyThe FAI working with crumbsHow a resolution doesn't fit between the four year election cycleWhy the current team can't be as good as their team of the 90'sDonating his 1.5 million testimonial money to charity and Jack Charltons opinion of it"I didn't think I deserved a testimonial"Receiving an MBEProduced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television & Media.Proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee.
9. Niall Quinn Part 1 - 35 Years Since Italia 90
42:28||Season 2, Ep. 9Niall Quinn is a national hero. From the hallowed turf of Lansdowne Road to the boardrooms of Irish football, his impact on the beautiful game is nothing short of legendary. A towering presence on and off the pitch, Niall’s journey from goal-scoring hero to visionary football executive is a story of passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport.In this first part of a very special podcast to commemorate 35 years since the glory days of Italia 90, Niall chats with the two Marys about:The move from GAA to soccerHis first big game and goalHis Dad's rather colourful view of his first time watching Niall play in EnglandGoing back to education later in lifeHow he met his wife GillianThe very tough days after retiring from playingFootballers and divorceHis first punditry gig with SKY and Gillians adviceHaving a privileged life and somewhat abusing itThe effect of alcoholThe call up from "ruthless" Jack CharltonProduced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television & MediaProudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee
8. Katherine Zappone
52:44||Season 2, Ep. 8Former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in Ireland, Katherine Zappone played a key role in the country's marriage equality referendum. In this emotional yet uplifting episode, Katherine talks frankly to Mary and Mary about many issues including her controversial appointment as a UN Special Envoy and the political fallout that followed. Katherine also openly discusses the heartbreak of losing her beloved wife Anne Louise soon after the groundbreaking marriage equality referendum and makes an exclusive revelation about a future project.Produced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television & Media.Proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.
7. Diarmuid Gavin
58:01||Season 2, Ep. 7This is a simply fascinating story. Diarmuid talks to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy about: His absolute misery in and hatred for school, Being told he was a dunce and would never amount to anything, Being painfully shy until he was 40, Dealing with the loss of his little brother Conor in an accident when he was just 5 and his parents being misinformed that it was him, Having items repossessed and having to leave his apartment because he was broke,Building a garden at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show but having no money to eat,The moment that changed everything and his big television break with Alan Titchmarch,His adoration for his mother in law Terry Keane and how he feels that her story hasn't been told properly,The Strictly Come Dancing experience,Presenting Top Of The Pops,The public controversy over his "Sky Garden",Opening his house to Ukrainian guests.Produced by Enda Grace at Dundara Television and Media.Proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.
6. Heather Humphreys
51:44||Season 2, Ep. 6Presidental possibilities? Why did she decide to retire from politics? How did she deal with her daughters horrific car accident? Would she like to see a united Ireland? Cross border smuggling stories. The one piece of advice Leo Varadkar offered her! How she was treated as a woman in politics. Former Minister Heather Humphreys reveals all to Mary McAleese and Mary Kennedy.Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.
5. Mary Kennedy
57:53||Season 2, Ep. 5In this very special episode, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese interviews her co-host Mary Kennedy. One of Ireland’s most beloved broadcasters, Mary Kennedy is renowned for her warmth, depth, and decades of experience in Irish media. In a wide ranging discussion, she opens up about a range of topics including her upbringing, her journey into broadcasting, presenting Eurovision and handling a drunk adjudicator, the turmoil of her marriage ending and her mothers fears for her career choice.Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations is proudly sponsored by the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.