Changing Times - The Allenwood Conversations

Eileen Dunne is our presenter Mary Kennedy's best friend!! She has seen and done it all in her broadcasting career.She presented the main RTE television news programmes Six One News, Nine O'Clock News andOne O'Clock News as well as other news bulletins on both radio and television from 1980 to 2022.Over her career with RTE, Eileen covered some of the biggest stories of the past four decades, includingmultiple General Elections, historic referendum campaigns, the talks leading to the Good FridayAgreement, and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.Here is Eileen like you've never heard her before. She chats about her life, career, Dancing with the Stars, how she almost retired early because she was cross and her thoughts on the RTE of today,

In this special bonus episode, Rory talks about how Rory's Stories all began, his love for the GAA and about his experience captaining the Meath minor football team.

Rory O’Connor is a comedian and mental health advocate who has amassed over 1.2 million followers and 2 billion video views across his social media channels, Rory’s Stories.Nobody thought he would make it – written off as ‘thick’ at school he struggled to find a career he felt he could succeed in. When a hot tip led to a win on the horses it was the beginning of a dangerousspiral into a gambling addiction that gnawed away at his self-esteem even further and sent him into the depths of depression. But the man who thought he had nothing to live for, went on to become a stand-up comedian selling out venues around Ireland and reaching millions of people through his social media platforms.Rory has sold out theatres throughout Ireland, the USA and Australia.This podcast explores some sensitive topics.

Daniel O'Donnell is a true Irish legend. He has performed at iconic venues around the globe, from The Point (3Arena) in Dublin to London’s Royal Albert Hall, Sydney’s Opera House and New York’s Carnegie Hall. Daniel has had more albums in the British charts than any other recording artist – and Prince Charles presented him with an MBE for his services to music and charity.In this podcast he speaks about a variety of topics including growing up in Donegal, meeting his wife Majella through her parents, what his mother said to King Charles, his views on the same sex marriage referendum, the 'Strictly' experience and breaking into a building aided by Mary McAleese. It all wraps up with a special surprise ending.Proudly supported by Kildare County Council.

In this special bonus podcast, Phil Coulter talks about his exciting experiences at the BBC's Top Of The Pops while working with Cliff Richard, Sandy Shaw and The Bay City Rollers. He also talks about his worldwide number ones and the young artist he has now taken under his wing. Phil also speaks about his Dad being a policeman in the RUC.

in an exclusive and rare deep personal insight, Phil Coulter opens up to the two Mary’s about his extraordinary life including his phenomenal career success, family life including with his sons diagnosis of Downs Syndrome, two almost identical personal tragedies, the state of Eurovision, his love for rally driving and the divisive Irish rugby anthem ‘Irelands Call’ which he wrote.Phil Coulter has amassed 23 platinum discs, 39 gold discs, 52 silver discs, and is one of the biggest record sellers in the island of Ireland with millions of record sales. His well-known compositions include "The Town I Loved So Well", "Puppet on a String", "Congratulations", “The Old Man” and the Elvis Presley hit “My Boy”.

In this special bonus podcast segment, Anne Doyle tells of the only time she ever saw her mother afraid. She speaks beautifully about the financial challenges she and her family faced when she was young and tells us about the many occasions she was hung upside down over a well to retrieve water! And in speaking about Annes love of poetry, former president Mary McAleese utters an unparliamentary word. :)

In this special five and a half minute bonus podcast, Dermot Kennedy talks about songwriting, self belief and how his first songs had no chorus!