The Irish Snug Podcast

Tim Grant

Pull up a stool and settle in. The Irish Snug Podcast is your dedicated corner for the stories, history, and characters that make Irish pub culture legendary. From the storied wood of Manhattan’s iconic bars to the hidden gems of the Irish countryside, we sit down with the people who keep the tradition alive. Whether it’s a deep dive into family legacies or a chat with a local regular, we’re capturing the spirit of Ireland, one pint and one story at a time. (Formerly the Pubs & Pints Podcast). Rooted in the Irish tradition of great storytelling, each episode invites listeners to pull up a stool and enjoy tales that range from laugh-out- loud funny to deeply moving.

  1. 31 Oct

    The Story Behind Saudade & Sláinte Irish Whiskey: The Journey Begins | Frank Forde

    An Irish whiskey is being born—and The Irish Snug Podcast is following the journey from the original idea to the finished bottle. In the first episode of this continuing series, host Tim Grant sits down with Frank Forde, a native of Dunmore, County Galway, a Boston-area police officer and the founder of Saudade & Sláinte Whiskey. Saudade & Sláinte began as a love story between Frank and his Brazilian wife, Joecy. “Saudade” expresses a deep Portuguese sense of longing for a person or place, while “Sláinte” is the familiar Irish toast to good health. Together, the words represent a whiskey created to unite Irish and Brazilian culture. Frank shares his story of growing up on a Galway farm as the second of eight brothers, emigrating to Boston in 2013, pursuing his dream of becoming a police officer and meeting Joecy by chance while working a road detail. The conversation then follows the creation of a remarkable new Irish whiskey. A five-year, triple-distilled single malt is maturing in American oak at Achill Island Distillery in County Mayo. The plan is to finish it in Brazilian amburana casks that previously held cachaça, allowing the whiskey to absorb distinctive flavors from the Brazilian wood and spirit. Frank explains the influence of Sean McKay and IrishAmerican Whiskey, how a tequila tasting sparked the original cask-finish idea, and how partners Gareth Carrick and Mark Kavanagh are helping turn that idea into a business. He also discusses building relationships in Brazil, the Beyond the Barrel educational series and the upcoming journey to Minas Gerais to select the cachaça barrels. This is more than a whiskey launch. It is the beginning of a cultural, entrepreneurial and deeply personal journey—and The Irish Snug will follow it every step of the way. EPISODE CHAPTERS • 00:00:02 – Introducing Frank Forde and Saudade & Sláinte Whiskey • 00:01:19 – Beginning the journey from dream to bottle • 00:02:34 – Growing up in Dunmore as one of eight brothers • 00:05:48 – Emigrating to Boston and becoming a police officer • 00:08:02 – Homesickness and the challenges of starting over • 00:10:03 – Finding Irish culture and community in Boston • 00:12:39 – How Frank met his Brazilian wife, Joecy • 00:14:22 – Frank’s first experience of Brazilian life • 00:16:00 – What Irish and Brazilian cultures share • 00:18:14 – Brazilian traditions in the Forde household • 00:20:19 – Irish, Portuguese and raising bilingual children • 00:22:45 – Sean McKay, Achill Island and Frank’s whiskey education • 00:25:13 – The tequila tasting that inspired the whiskey • 00:26:47 – The meaning behind Saudade & Sláinte • 00:28:34 – What is cachaça? • 00:30:16 – How the amburana cask finish will work • 00:33:28 – Building connections between Ireland and Brazil • 00:35:35 – “I created my wife a whiskey” • 00:36:14 – Beyond the Barrel: teaching through storytelling • 00:37:27 – Building the team and finding Brazilian partners • 00:40:48 – Traveling to Brazil to select the casks • 00:42:14 – What comes next in the series LINKS MENTIONED 🥃 Frank’s whiskey story in The Tuam Herald: https://www.tuamherald.ie/2026/10/20/unique-whiskey-blend-tells-a-dunmore-brazilian-love-story/ 📸 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/saudadeslaintewhiskey/ 🏭 Achill Island Distillery and IrishAmerican Whiskey: https://irishamericanwhiskeys.com/ 🗣 Irish with Mollie: https://www.irishwithmollie.com/ 🎵 Cherish the Ladies: https://cherishtheladies.com/ (Longing for Home) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgDIjra035g 🎙 The Irish Snug Podcast: https://www.theirishsnug.net/ Subscribe and follow the series as Frank’s whiskey travels from Ireland to Brazil—and eventually from the cask to the glass. Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: * Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/ * YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@irishsnug * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuVTsJ13NpbcRIQrHW * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-irish-snug-podcast/id1842749209 * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579093757528&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=lbRgbnHdrwCYz894&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1aKUFcBbxa%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr# * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irish_snug #IrishWhiskey #SaudadeAndSlainte #TheIrishSnug #Brazil #Ireland Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Story Behind Saudade & Sláinte Irish Whiskey: The Journey Begins | Frank Forde

  2. 21 Oct

    The Art of Irish Storytelling and the Seanchaí Tradition | Seán Ó Ocoistealbha

    Join Tim Grant on The Irish Snug Podcast for a conversation with Seán Ó Ocoistealbha, an Irish storyteller, historian, poet, and teacher of the Irish language. Together, they explore *the seanchaí tradition* and the stories, songs, poetry, and place names that carry Ireland’s history across generations. Growing up in Connemara, Seán learned Irish at home and in the schoolyard. He shares the tale of Oisín in Tír na nÓg, explains how folklore changes from place to place, and recalls the old rambling houses where people gathered to tell stories through the long winter nights. The conversation travels through Connemara’s sea stories, mermaids and seals, the Children of Lir, Irish place names, stone-lifting folklore, and the history hidden in family names. Seán also reflects on teaching Irish in the United States, the interest in Irish heritage abroad, and how recordings and social media can help keep language and tradition alive. The episode closes with Seán telling a lively traditional story about a cat, a candle, and a very tempting mouse. In this episode: - 00:00:00 Meet Seán Ó Ocoistealbha and the tradition of the seanchaí  - 00:03:07 Growing up in Connemara and learning Irish  - 00:08:08 Oisín in Tír na nÓg and the Fenian cycle  - 00:12:53 Folklore, historical fact, and how stories change  - 00:16:15 Rambling houses and storytelling by the fire  - 00:18:46 Sea legends, mermaids, seals, and the fairy folk  - 00:22:59 The Children of Lir and stories rooted in place  - 00:24:23 How Irish landscapes speak through names and folklore  - 00:27:08 Stone-lifting traditions and the story of the stone boat  - 00:30:02 Irish surnames and the stories behind name changes  - 00:32:01 Teaching Irish through poetry, story, music, and dance  - 00:35:05 The meaning of “Muing” and the wisdom in Irish place names  - 00:37:02 Irish culture abroad and the challenge of translation  - 00:39:31 Joe Mallaloy, community memory, and Tim’s story The Story Keeper  - 00:44:43 How language, culture, and stories adapt over time  - 00:50:36 Stone lifting, local lore, and becoming part of a story  - 00:54:38 Seán tells a traditional story about a cat and a mouse  Read Tim Grant’s story, “The Story Keeper” https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/thestorykeeper Watch/Listen to Episode #,22 with David Keohan https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/quicklinks Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: * Website: * YouTube:    * Spotify: * Apple Podcasts: * Facebook: * Instagram: #IrishStorytelling #Seanchaí #IrishLanguage #Connemara #IrishFolklore Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    The Art of Irish Storytelling and the Seanchaí Tradition | Seán Ó Ocoistealbha

  3. 6 Oct

    Golf Chronicles Vol.1: Carne Golf Links, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Masterpiece | Gerry Maguire

    Welcome to Golf Chronicles, a new series from The Irish Snug Podcast exploring the soul, stories and people behind Ireland’s great golf courses. In this premiere episode, host Tim Grant sits down with Gerry Maguire, chairman of Erris Tourism and one of Carne Golf Links’ great ambassadors, to explore the remarkable community-built links at Belmullet on County Mayo’s Mullet Peninsula. Gerry shares how local visionaries and farmers transformed dramatic Atlantic duneland into a golf course using spades, shovels and very little heavy machinery—and why legendary Irish architect Eddie Hackett regarded Carne as his masterpiece. He also recounts Carne’s difficult years, its turnaround, and the role the course now plays in the economy and community of Erris. We venture inside Carne’s towering dunes, the original Hackett Course and the Wild Atlantic Dunes routing. Gerry offers first-time visitor advice, explains the value of a forecaddie, and breaks down several unforgettable holes—including the fearsome 17th and “The Snake.” We also hear the legend behind Carne’s four-swans logo and discuss the filming of Edward Burns’ Finnegan’s Foursome. Then it’s on to the 19th hole and local lore: McDonnell’s Bar & Undertakers—better known as “The Lobster Pot”—plus places to stay, traditional pubs, Belmullet’s tidal pool, Erris Head, the Inishkea Islands and other reasons to make Carne a true Irish golf destination. Whether you’re planning an Ireland golf trip, searching for bucket-list links golf or simply love Irish history, hospitality and storytelling, this episode shows why Carne Golf Links is worth the journey. EPISODE CHAPTERS • 00:00:00 – Introducing Golf Chronicles and Carne Golf Links\ • 00:00:53 – Meet Gerry Maguire and Erris Tourism\ • 00:01:36 – Gerry’s first journey to Belmullet and Carne\ • 00:04:22 – From visiting golfer to chairman\ • 00:06:01 – Destination golf and the Wild Atlantic Dunes\ • 00:08:42 – First-time advice: scramble play and forecaddies\ • 00:11:38 – The Children of Lir and Carne’s four-swans logo\ • 00:12:58 – How the community and Eddie Hackett built Carne\ • 00:17:37 – Carne’s comeback and economic impact on Erris\ • 00:23:40 – Exploring the holes: stay straight or face “Carnage”\ • 00:25:36 – Why all 27 holes remain raw, rugged and natural\ • 00:28:51 – Gerry’s favorite holes, the 17th and “The Snake”\ • 00:31:40 – Filming Finnegan’s Foursome at Carne\ • 00:33:53 – Famous visitors and Carne’s growing reputation\ • 00:35:51 – The 19th hole: Belmullet pubs, hotels and hospitality\ • 00:37:26 – Tidal swimming, Erris Head and the Inishkea Islands\ • 00:41:15 – Enniscrone, Strandhill, Mulranny and more northwest golf\ • 00:42:10 – Closing thoughts LINKS MENTIONED ⛳ Carne Golf Links: 🗺 Carne’s courses and visitor information: 🎥 Carne hole-by-hole video playlist: 🎬 Finnegan’s Foursome official trailer: 📖 Ancestral Links by John Garrity: 🏨 https://www.broadhavenbay.com 🏨 The Talbot Hotel: 🏨 The Western Strands: 🍺 McDonnell’s Bar & Undertakers: Subscribe for more conversations about Irish culture, history, travel, golf and the people who keep Ireland’s stories alive. Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: * Website: * YouTube:    * Spotify: * Apple Podcasts: * Facebook: * Instagram: #GolfChronicles #CarneGolfLinks #IrishGolf #LinksGolf #GolfIreland Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Golf Chronicles Vol.1: Carne Golf Links, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Masterpiece | Gerry Maguire

  4. 23 Aug

    Golf Chronicles: Experience Ireland’s Best Golf Like a Local | DOC's Golf Tours

    Planning a golf trip to Ireland? In this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast, Tim Grant sits down with Dennis O’Carroll a South Kerry native and founder of DOC’S TOURS to talk about creating custom Irish golf vacations that combine legendary links, local knowledge, music, food, pints, and the all-important 19th hole. Dennis grew up in Waterville, County Kerry—just a mile from Waterville Golf Links—in a family immersed in pubs, hotels, restaurants, live music, and Irish hospitality. He explains how that upbringing, along with his years in the New York bar business, shaped his personal, boutique approach to planning golf tours of Ireland. Tim and Dennis explore what makes links golf at Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee, Old Head, and Lahinch unlike anything else: Atlantic wind, ocean views, historic terrain, knowledgeable caddies, memorable starters, and the people who make each round special. Dennis also shares how DOC’S TOURS helps travelers experience Ireland like locals, with off-the-beaten-path pubs, traditional music, restaurant recommendations, scenic stops, and itineraries designed around each group. Whether you’re organizing a bucket-list Ireland golf trip, a milestone birthday with friends, a couples golf vacation, or simply love Irish culture and travel, this conversation offers practical advice and genuine local insight into golf across the southwest, west, northwest, Northern Ireland, and Dublin regions. ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Welcome to The Irish Snug Podcast 00:01:31 – Growing up with golf, music, and hospitality in Waterville 00:03:21 – From the New York pub business to founding DOC’S TOURS 00:06:23 – What makes a boutique Irish golf tour different 00:08:08 – Helping visitors experience Ireland like a local 00:11:35 – Why Irish links golf is a bucket-list experience 00:13:18 – The caddies, starters, and hospitality that define Irish golf 00:15:27 – Bringing Ireland’s golf courses and travelers onto the podcast 00:16:50 – Favorite 19th-hole stops, traditional pubs, and hidden gems 00:17:44 – Ireland’s main golf regions and why guests return 00:18:36 – Birthday trips, friends’ groups, couples tours, and sporting events 00:20:25 – Beyond golf: Irish music, food, pints, and local recommendations 00:21:31 – The best bases for golf trips around Ireland 00:24:37 – Dennis’s favorite hole: the 18th at Waterville 00:25:48 – His favorite place for a post-round pint 00:26:28 – How to contact DOC’S TOURS ☘️ PLAN YOUR IRELAND GOLF TRIP WITH DOC’S TOURS Website: https://docsgolftours.com/ Golf Tours: https://docsgolftours.com/golf-tours/ Email: [dennis@docsgolftours.com] Phone: +1 516-606-9515 Discover more stories, culture, and conversation from Ireland and around the world: Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/YouTube:      / @irishsnug  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuV...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...Instagram:   / irish_snug  Subscribe to The Irish Snug Podcast for conversations about Irish golf, travel, heritage, music, storytelling, and the people keeping Irish culture alive around the world. #IrelandGolf #IrishGolf #GolfTravel #LinksGolf #DocsTours Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Golf Chronicles: Experience Ireland’s Best Golf Like a Local | DOC's Golf Tours

  5. 18 Aug

    Back From Ireland, Ch. 1: Twelve Days of Cliffs, Hikes, Pints, & Family | Chuck Rodda

    What really happens when you stop checking boxes and start experiencing Ireland? In this episode of The Irish Snug, retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 and longtime aviator Chuck Rodda joins us for the first installment of “Back from Ireland”—a new series focused less on the itinerary and more on the stories that happen along the way. Chuck and his wife, Michelle, return from a 12-day Ireland road trip filled with Wild Atlantic Way hikes, spontaneous detours, traditional Irish music, family history, Irish pubs, and unforgettable hospitality. Chuck shares practical Ireland travel tips—from booking a direct flight and driving on the left to reading Atlantic weather, traveling without a rigid hotel plan, and knowing when to trade a famous attraction for a quieter local experience. Along the route, we visit Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, Killybegs, Slieve League, Galway, Kilkee, Dingle, Slea Head Drive, Conor Pass, Kenmare, Waterford, and Midleton. We also compare two Irish whiskey tours, search for the perfect pint of Guinness, hear the story of a singing Slieve League guide, and return to Chuck’s grandmother’s cottage in rural County Galway. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Welcome to “Back from Ireland” and meet Chuck Rodda00:04:11 The trip’s standout memories: Slieve League and Dingle00:07:51 A missed connection—and why Chuck recommends flying direct00:09:14 Renting a car, driving on the left, and booking as you go00:12:09 Using aviation weather skills and Ireland’s long summer days00:14:28 Dingle fish chowder, pubs, music, and Slea Head Drive00:17:01 Giant’s Causeway and an unplanned Bushmills tour00:18:34 Bushmills vs. Midleton: which whiskey tour is best?00:21:59 Killybegs, local advice, and a perfect Slieve League hike00:25:55 The Rusty Mackerel and planning a future camper trip00:29:30 The Dingle Pub and Chuck’s best pint at Kruger’s00:32:41 Family roots and Chuck’s grandmother’s County Galway cottage00:37:19 A remarkable family story Chuck had never heard00:40:43 Skipping the Cliffs of Moher for Kilkee and an unplanned ferry00:44:53 The Immortal Irishman and a Waterford connection00:45:36 Conor Pass, “the lake with monsters,” and Crowley’s Bar00:51:29 Roches—the Sinking Pub00:54:10 The Quays, a New York encounter, and Radio Kingston’s Irish Show00:57:05 Why Chuck drank Coors Light in Ireland00:58:33 What Ireland taught Chuck about traveling slowly01:04:50 Five closing questions: place, pint, meal, person, and storyLINKS & PLACES MENTIONED Bushmills Distillery: [https://bushmills.com/pages/distillery] Midleton Distillery: [https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-us/...] Dingle Distillery: [https://dingledistillery.ie/] The Irish Show, Radio Kingston: [https://www.radiokingston.org/onair/t...] The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan (Amazon): [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544944836] If you enjoy honest Ireland travel stories, Irish history, traditional music, pub culture, genealogy, and practical road-trip advice, subscribe to The Irish Snug and share this episode with someone planning a trip to Ireland. Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/YouTube:      / @irishsnug  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuV...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...Instagram:   / irish_snug  #IrelandTravel #IrishPodcast #WildAtlanticWay  #TheIrishSnug #Ireland Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Back From Ireland, Ch. 1: Twelve Days of Cliffs, Hikes, Pints, & Family | Chuck Rodda

  6. 9 Aug

    From Apprentice to Master: Bringing Back Traditional Household Coopering | Killian O'Mahony

    *How do you revive a craft that nearly vanished from Ireland? In this episode of The Irish Snug, Tim sits down with Killian O’Mahony —better known as Killian the Cooper—to explore the remarkable return of Irish coopering. When Killian began his apprenticeship with Irish Distillers in 2013, he was Ireland’s first apprentice cooper in roughly 40 years. Today, through his family-run O’Mahony Craft Cooperage in East Cork, he is helping restore the almost-lost tradition of household—or “white”—coopering. Killian explains what a cooper actually does, from making and repairing whiskey casks to crafting tankards, butter churns, pails and other wooden vessels without glue, screws or sealants. He traces barrel-making from ancient Celtic tribes and Roman trade routes to modern Irish whiskey warehouses, then breaks down the science of oak, charring, maturation, the angel’s share and why miniature casks can transform a spirit so quickly. The conversation also explores Killian’s family connection to Midleton Distillery and New York, his training in Scotland, custom casks for private whiskey clubs, restoring historic butter churns, traditional Irish foodways, shillelaghs, emigration, hunting and the deep human pull toward handmade objects in the age of AI. If you love Irish history, Irish whiskey, barrel making, woodworking, traditional crafts, heritage skills or the stories carried by handmade objects, this episode is for you. Subscribe to The Irish Snug for more conversations about Irish culture, folklore, history and tradition—and share this episode with someone who appreciates Irish craftsmanship. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Welcome and introduction 00:01:37 What is a cooper? Killian’s Cork roots and apprenticeship 00:06:41 Celtic barrels, Roman trade and the history of coopering 00:08:01 Sustainable craft and handmade objects in the age of AI 00:09:49 Miniature whiskey casks and charred tankards 00:11:21 Whiskey maturation, sealed casks and the angel’s share 00:14:00 Killian’s family connection to Midleton Distillery 00:16:42 Training on the cooper’s bench in Scotland 00:21:39 The sights, sounds and smells of an old cooperage 00:23:06 Reviving butter churns with Bunratty Castle 00:26:18 Restoring a 150-year-old barrel churn 00:29:43 Unusual vessels, French oak and poitín 00:32:18 Custom casks and private whiskey clubs 00:34:02 How to mature whiskey at home 00:38:56 How much whiskey flavor comes from the wood? 00:39:58 Killian’s Irish–New York family history 00:41:36 The chemistry of toasting and charring oak 00:43:27 How coopers shape and bend barrel staves 00:46:05 Why smaller casks mature spirits faster 00:48:07 Shipping Irish-made casks around the world 00:51:34 Shillelaghs, Irish heritage and family lore 00:55:02 From “The Rare Ould Times” to a living craft revival 00:57:30 A family cooperage and circular traditional life 01:02:31 Hunting, the Great Irish Elk and Irish foodways 01:08:36 Plans for apprentices and the next generation 01:10:38 What to remember the next time you drink whiskey 01:11:34 The right way to taste whiskey 01:16:13 Custom tankards and a future Irish Snug barrel 01:17:34 Final thoughts on the revival of Irish coopering LINKS MENTIONED 00:00:08 Killian the Cooper on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/killianthecooper/] 00:02:21 Irish Distillers: [https://www.irishdistillers.ie/] 00:10:57 Midleton Distillery Experience: [https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-ie/visit-our-distilleries/midleton-distillery-cork/](https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-ie/visit-our-distilleries/midleton-distillery-cork/) 00:22:54 Leeside Forge: [https://leesideforge.ie/] 00:23:06 Bunratty Castle & Folk Park: [https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/] 00:27:31 The Butter Museum, Cork: [https://thebuttermuseum.com/] 00:38:15 O’Mahony Craft Cooperage: [https://omcc.ie/] 00:38:22 O’Mahony Craft Cooperage on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/omcc.ie/] Please enjoy whiskey responsibly. *Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast:* * Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/ * YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@irishsnug * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1V1xWuVTsJ13NpbcRIQrHW * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-irish-snug-podcast/id1842749209 * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579093757528&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=lbRgbnHdrwCYz894&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1aKUFcBbxa%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr# * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irish_snug #cooper #ireland #whiskey #irishsnug #whiskeyenthusiast Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    From Apprentice to Master: Bringing Back Traditional Household Coopering | Killian O'Mahony

  7. 4 Aug

    Inside the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band: Stories & History | Tom McLoughlin

    Welcome back to The Irish Snug! In this episode, Tim sits down with Tom McLoughlin—Dublin Fire Brigade firefighter, fire chief, and former chairman of the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band. Tom shares his journey starting as a retained firefighter in 1988, joining the pipe band in 1992, and building a deep, lifelong brotherhood with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Pipe Band. From unexpected trips to Moscow to emotional visits to New York after 9/11 and honor guard duties for Irish history, Tom shares unforgettable stories from a lifetime of service, music, and camaraderie. Episode Highlights & Timestamps • 0:00:00 – Welcome to The Irish Snug: Intro with Tom McLoughlin • 0:00:36 – The evolution of the podcast: From "Pubs & Pints" to "The Irish Snug" • 0:04:23 – Joining the Dublin Fire Brigade as a retained firefighter in 1988 • 0:05:52 – Tom’s first interaction with the FDNY Pipe Band in Malahide (1989) • 0:07:13 – Growing up in Malahide & working security and Mountjoy Prison • 0:09:22 – Joining the DFB Pipe Band in 1992 as a drummer • 0:10:43 – The infamous 1993 pipe band trip to Moscow, Russia • 0:14:33 – First trip to NYC (1994), trading a hat for World Cup tickets & meeting the FDNY • 0:17:38 – Travels across the US & Europe: Delray Beach, DC, Chicago, & London • 0:21:05 – Traveling to New York for FDNY line-of-duty funerals after 9/11 • 0:22:17 – Funny memories with band legend Peter Hedderman at the Rose of Tralee • 0:26:28 – The 2006 All-Ireland competition in Letterkenny with the FDNY • 0:31:22 – Traditional vs. modern pipe band music & evolving the repertoire • 0:35:41 – The story behind the Dublin Fire Brigade tartan and uniform • 0:38:37 – Remembering FDNY Chairman Joe Murphy & the bond between bands • 0:41:06 – Visiting Ground Zero and honoring Bronco • 0:44:46 – Serving as pallbearer for Irish patriot Kevin Barry in 2001 • 0:46:32 – Closing thoughts & upcoming reunions in Dublin Links Mentioned • Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band: https://www.facebook.com/DFBPipeBand/ • FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums: https://www.fdnypipesanddrums.net/ • Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann: https://fleadhcheoil.ie/ • Malahide Castle & Gardens: https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/ Connect with The Irish Snug Podcast: * Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/ * YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@irishsnug * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php? * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irish_snug #IrishSnug #DublinFireBrigade #FDNY #Bagpipes #IrishHeritage Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Inside the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band: Stories & History | Tom McLoughlin

  8. 23 Jul

    Carne Golf Links: Where Irish Heritage Meets the Game of Golf | John Garrity

    Award-winning golf writer and longtime Sports Illustrated senior writer John Garrity joins The Irish Snug Podcast for a journey into Irish golf, family history and the wild Atlantic landscape of County Mayo. John’s acclaimed book, Ancestral Links: A Golf Obsession Spanning Generations, traces the game of golf through his family and across Ireland, Scotland and America. At the heart of the story is Belmullet—the remote Mayo town his great-grandfather left during the Famine—and the extraordinary Carne Golf Links, built among some of the most dramatic dunes in Ireland. John shares the emotional story of first arriving in Belmullet in 1989, meeting members of the Garrity family and standing near the place where his ancestor boarded a small boat to begin his journey to America. He explains how those discoveries inspired his return to Mayo, his Sports Illustrated feature and ultimately Ancestral Links. We also explore the oral histories of the Mullet Peninsula, Irish emigration to Wisconsin, changing family surnames, the importance of recording our elders’ stories and the remarkable community effort that created Carne Golf Links with little more than shovels, rakes and determination. For golfers, John offers an unforgettable tour of Carne: its towering dunes, Atlantic winds, original Eddie Hackett design, legendary 17th-hole challenge and the advice every visitor should hear before playing links golf in Ireland. EPISODE CHAPTERS • 00:00:00 – Introduction to John Garrity and Ancestral Links • 00:03:32 – Discovering his family connection to Belmullet • 00:05:05 – John’s first journey to Ireland in 1989 • 00:07:19 – Irish surnames, immigration and changing spellings • 00:12:10 – When Irish ancestry becomes a personal calling • 00:16:39 – Arriving in Belmullet and meeting the Garrity family • 00:18:30 – History and storytelling on the Mullet Peninsula • 00:20:00 – Standing where his great-grandfather left for America • 00:22:01 – Mayo emigrants and their journey to Wisconsin • 00:27:12 – Why preserving family stories matters • 00:31:12 – How Ancestral Links became a book • 00:32:15 – John’s golfing family and Sports Illustrated career • 00:34:13 – Belmullet’s transformation through the Celtic Tiger era • 00:37:20 – The majesty of Carne Golf Links and its towering dunes • 00:41:04 – Golf as a bridge between generations • 00:42:00 – Other great links courses in northwest Ireland • 00:43:29 – Irish banter and a memorable first tee at Carne • 00:48:34 – The right mindset for playing links golf • 00:52:07 – Five months living, researching and golfing in Mayo • 00:54:21 – The legendary 18-ball challenge on Carne’s 17th hole • 01:00:01 – The solitude and spirituality of evening golf • 01:00:59 – John’s favorite holes on the original Hackett course • 01:07:37 – Carne earns recognition among the world’s best courses • 01:09:46 – Belmullet pubs, music and the famous “Lobster Pot” • 01:13:03 – Céide Fields and the North Mayo cliffs • 01:16:03 – Blacksod Lighthouse, D-Day and the SOLAS Visitor Centre • 01:19:04 – International Members Week and Carne’s remarkable rise • 01:20:00 – How local farmers built a world-class golf course LINKS MENTIONED 📖 Ancestral Links by John Garrity: ⛳ Carne Golf Links: 🎥 Carne Golf Links hole-by-hole video playlist: 🏌🏻‍♂️First hole - Par 5 🏛️ SOLAS Visitor Centre: 🌊 Blacksod Lighthouse: About the Podcast: Hosted by a retired FDNY Captain, The Irish Snug Podcast features interviews with a wide range of guests—from pub owners and historians to musicians and local regulars. While it deeply honors Irish and Irish-American roots, the podcast is open to anyone with a compelling story tied to Irish culture, pub culture, folklore and history.  The episodes often blend personal anecdotes with cultural insights, capturing the "craic" and the timeless tradition of sharing a pint and a tale. #CarneGolfLinks #IrishGolf #CountyMayo #GolfIreland #irish Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Carne Golf Links: Where Irish Heritage Meets the Game of Golf | John Garrity
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About

Pull up a stool and settle in. The Irish Snug Podcast is your dedicated corner for the stories, history, and characters that make Irish pub culture legendary. From the storied wood of Manhattan’s iconic bars to the hidden gems of the Irish countryside, we sit down with the people who keep the tradition alive. Whether it’s a deep dive into family legacies or a chat with a local regular, we’re capturing the spirit of Ireland, one pint and one story at a time. (Formerly the Pubs & Pints Podcast). Rooted in the Irish tradition of great storytelling, each episode invites listeners to pull up a stool and enjoy tales that range from laugh-out- loud funny to deeply moving.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Grant
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Irish Snug Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Irish Snug Podcast
  • Provider