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The Mick Clifford Podcast
THE RISE OF KNEECAP: Dean Van Nguyen
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The Belfast rap trio Kneecap bring second record Fenian and their incendiary mix of Irish-language hip-hop and politics to Cork with two 'intimate' album launch shows at the Savoy Theatre ahead of a show Live at the Marquee on July 6. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the group’s journey - from their early days in Belfast to becoming one of the most talked-about acts in Irish music. Along the way, we explore how Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí have used the Irish language as both a creative tool and a cultural statement, while also courting controversy through their lyrics, performances, and legal battles. On this episode, Irish Examiner assistant news editor Eoghan O'Sullivan is joined by music journalist Dean Van Nguyen, who reviewed Fenian for Pitchfork. He is also the author of Words for My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur (Penguin Random House, 2025). Together, we look at the band’s rise, their impact, the tension between art and provocation - and what Cork audiences can expect from their live shows this summer.
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POWER OR PROCESS? Tadgh McNally
40:35|The Government says Ireland needs to build faster. To do that it is preparing legislation that could allow major infrastructure projects to bypass parts of the planning system. At the same time, a major review of local democracy wants to hand more power to councillors and reduce the dominance of unelected council executives.So are politicians taking back control, or are they concentrating power in different ways? Will these reforms speed up the delivery of housing, transport and public services? And what happens when national priorities collide with local democracy? Irish Examiner political reporter Tadgh McNally joins guest host Eoghan O'Sullivan to discuss two major reforms that could reshape how Ireland is governed and how decisions are made.Article: Local authority 'mini cabinets' to give more powers to councillors: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41883649.htmlGovernment plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41885329.htmlTHE MORALITY OF KILLING: John Ware
36:00|The running of agents in the North by the British state was a moral maze. Those who were in charge of the agents often had to decide whether or not to allow a murder go ahead in order to protect an agent’s cover. But where is the morality in such decisions? Did a point arrive where the state ceded the moral high ground to groups like the IRA which were killing at will?Veteran reporter John Ware’s new book is entitled Neither Confirm Nor Deny – British Intelligence, lawless agent running and the suppression of truth. He is this week’s guest on the podcast.FOOTBALL FEAST OR SPORTS WASHING: Colin Sheridan
41:13|As the World Cup comes to a conclusion we look back on a month of football to celebrate the best of it but also to ask where exactly the game is going and whether it is irredeemable corrupt. And beyond that, do we care if we keep watching it which is exactly what everybody did. Joining Mick to discuss all this is Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan.INDEFENSIBLE DEFENCE FORCE: Neil Michael.
42:59|For the last month a defence forces tribunal, that was over two decades in the making, has been hearing shocking evidence about how some officers conducted themselves. Allegations of sexual, physical and psychological abuse have called to mind the kind of army life that might have existed in a colonial force from the nineteenth century. The Irish Examiner’s Neil Michael has been reporting on the evidence and he is this week’s guest on the podcast.STILL HOME OF THE BRAVE AT 250? Marion McKeone
42:32|As America celebrates 250 years in existence as a nation, Marion McKeone looks at a country that is currently going through major upheaval with Donald Trump as president. Is America as we have known it coming to an end, or just going through another transition. Journalist Marion McKeone is this week’s guest on the podcast.ANDY, WE HARDLY KNOW YA: Fergus Finlay
44:10|With Andy Burnham all but certain to be the next British prime minister in the coming days, we talk to Fergus Finlay about what he can expect and what he should try to do. Fergus, who was an advisor to two governments talks about how all leaders should focus on one big idea and explains exactly how this should be done. Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay is this week’s guest.
Brexit Blues: Ian Cooper
40:55|Exactly ten years ago this week the UK voted to leave the EU and Brexit was born. At the time there were predictions that this could spell economic disaster for this country but that didn’t come to pass. The UK itself has not fared as well. In fact, the UK is in a bit of a mess, but exactly how much is all of that down to Brexit?Joining us this week to discuss how it happened and what the fall out has been is Ian Cooper, Senior Research Fellow at the Brexit Institute in DCU.HEALTHY PURSUIT: Niamh Griffin
37:23|After the recent row between the Minister for Health and the Rotunda Hospital over consultants doing private work, a question arises as to how soon we will have a single tier health service. The move in that direction has been ongoing now for a number of years and while there might be progress it is not always obvious. Joining us this week to discuss the pursuit of a first class health system for all is Irish Examiner Health Correspondent Niamh Griffin.MORALITY AND WARS: Colin Sheridan
39:01|The Occupied Territories Bill and the triple lock are going to be landing hot and heavy in the public square in the coming months. Both issues elicit deeply felt emotions and questions over what is this state’s role in the wider world, and what should be done about it. Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan regularly touches on these matters and he is this week’s guest on the podcast.