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Ireland Said Yes

Hosted by Shane Daniel Byrne


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  • 1. Episode One - Above the Parapet

    38:12||Season 1, Ep. 1
    In 2015, Ireland made history by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But how did a predominantly Catholic nation decide to embrace LGBT equality and inclusion in such a profound and historical way? Over the course of four episodes, comedian and actor Shane Daniel Byrne takes us back to the beginning of this transformative journey, reflecting on his own memories and experiences as a young gay man in Dublin discovering his own sexuality. Shane explores the decades of activism, protests, and personal sacrifices that paved the way for future generations, collecting a tapestry of rich stories that shaped Ireland’s social and cultural evolution. In episode one, Shane explores the silence and stigma that once surrounded queer lives to the decline of the Catholic Church’s influence, featuring reflections from voices like former President Mary McAleese, drag royalty Panti Bliss and Irish Times journalist Una Mullally among others.

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  • 7. Bonus - Una Mullally

    53:21||Season 1, Ep. 7
    Shane talks to celebrated author and Irish Time journalist Una Mullally about her personal reflections on the 2015. Shane discusses Una's perspective on the divisions within the LGBTQ+ community around the push for civil partnerships; the strategic approach of the "Yes" campaign, and the key involvement of unexpected public figures like former President Mary McAleese. Una reflects on her personal experience of being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and how that intertwined with her campaigning for Marriage Equality.

  • 6. Bonus - In Conversation with Joe Caslin

    43:50||Season 1, Ep. 6
    Shane chats to acclaimed artist Joe Caslin about his beautiful artwork, which became the defining imagery of 2015 Marriage Referendum. Joe talks about the mural's origins, the inside help that he received to stay out of the courts, his teaching career, growing up in Roscommon, and what Joe now believes is important for today's LGBT+ youth.See more of Joe's work here:https://joecaslin.com/pages/equality https://www.instagram.com/joecaslin/?hl=en

  • 5. Bonus - In Conversation with Ailbhe Smyth

    50:52||Season 1, Ep. 5
    In the first bonus episode of Ireland Said Yes, Shane talks to veteran activist Ailbhe Smyth. She discusses her memories of the 2015 Marriage Referendum, how she's won and lost campaigns, and what advice Ailbhe would give future generations of Irish LGBT+ activists.

  • 4. Episode Four - We Live in Each Other's Shadows

    54:26||Season 1, Ep. 4
    In the final episode of the series, the votes are now in and the count centres suggest an incoming landslide for the Yes side. Shane talks to the people who made it all possible, as he reflects on the tears, the exhaustion and sheer euphoria. Ten years later from that day in May, Shane asks how far have we really come and what’s now important for Ireland’s LBGT+ community?Thank you all for lovely comments on the series. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing bonus episodes featuring highlights of Shane’s conversations with interviewed guests. If you’ve enjoyed Ireland Said Yes, please review and subscribe, plus, let people know to give us a listen.

  • 3. Episode Three - Bealtaine

    55:06||Season 1, Ep. 3
    In the third episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne reflects on a frantic and often emotional period where the Yes Equality campaign attempted to galvanise the entire country to win Marriage Equality for Ireland’s LGBT community. Shane speaks to Yes activists from all walks of life who all played a part in 2015 - he learns about the key ‘million in the middle’ whose votes were up for grabs, which person was the most trusted voice in Ireland (hint: she’s a camp icon) and how campaigners handled a relentless and intense press campaign. As the vote on May 22nd draws closer and the polls begin to tighten, Shane discovers how Ireland’s youth turned up to play their part. But will it be enough?

  • 2. Episode Two - Why Go for Something Less?

    45:53||Season 1, Ep. 2
    In the second episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne examines the key early moments that shaped Ireland’s path to achieving marriage equality. Beginning with the story of Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan whose legal battle to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland—best known as the KAL case—brought the issue of equality into public focus. Shane explores how their fight laid the groundwork for incremental change, even when the larger public remained unconvinced. The episode also traces the introduction of civil partnerships in 2011, highlighting the fierce debate within the LGBTQIA+ community over whether they were a necessary step, or an unacceptable compromise. Shane also revisits Panti Bliss’s viral 2014 speech - The Noble Call - which sparked a national conversation on homophobia and helped shift public opinion favourably towards the 2015 referendum.

  • Trailer - Ireland Said Yes

    00:30||Season 1, Ep. 0
    Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrate 10 years of marriage equality in 'Ireland Said Yes'. He'll take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQIA activism and resistance, Shane explores the cultural changes that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and TV presenter Brendan Courtney among many others. The series includes Shane’s personal reflections and standup live from his sell-out run at Vicar Street in Dublin, as he revisits a time that reshaped his life and transformed Ireland completely.