Blas Pod

Le dhá chluiche i gcoinne Iosrael ar na bacáin d'fhoireann sacair Phoblacht na hÉireann, tá Seán Ó Conaill linn le plé a dhéanamh ar an bhealach a mbíonn an spórt agus an pholaitíocht fite fuaite lena chéile i rith na hama. Ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, cluinimid ó HK Ní Shioradáin faoi Múicin, leagan úr Gaeilge den dráma, Piglet, aistrithe ag HK féin. Insíonn Éadaoin Heussaff, gníomhaí aeráide, dúinn faoin nasc idir cúrsaí aeráide agus an aimsir throm a bhí againn le roinnt míonna anuas. As the Republic of Ireland soccer team face two games against Israel, Seán Ó Conaill joins us to discuss the perennial interplay of sport and politics.From Dublin, we hear from HK Ní Shioradáin about Múicín, a new translation of the play Piglet. Climate activist Éadaoin Heussaff tells us about the connection between climate issues and the severe weather we have experienced over the past few months.

Cluineann muid de shíor faoin cheangailt idir aclaíocht agus an mheabharshláinte ach cad é an bunús leighis atá leis sin? Cluineann muid tuairimí oilte Mháire Treasa, atá ina siceolaí spóirt cáilithe agus ina dochtúir leighis. Tá Príomh-Aire na Breataine Keir Starmer ag smaoineamh faoi chosc ar na meáin shóisialta dóibh siúd atá faoi bhun sé bliana déag d’aois, mar atá i bhfeidhm cheana féin san Astráil, ach an é seo an bealach is fearr le daoine óga a chosaint ó chontúirtí? Tá Áine Ní Dhonnaile, Ruadhán Ó Deasmhúnaigh agus Joe Mac Aoidh linn leis an scéal a phlé. Tá leabhar úr filíochta foilsithe ag Éire Ní Fhaoláin, cluineann muid níos mó faoi sin. We are forever hearing about the link between exercise and mental health but what is the medical basis for this? We hear the educated opinion of Máire Treasa, who is a qualified sports psychologist as well as a medical doctor. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not ruled out a social media ban for those under sixteen, to mirror the ban already in place in Australia, but is this the best way to protect young people from potential harms? Áine Ní Dhonnaile, Ruadhán Ó Deasmhúnaigh and Joe Mac Aoidh join us to discuss. Éire Ní Fhaolaoin has just published a new poetry collection, we hear more about that.

Tá Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin linn le níos mó a insint dúinn faoin Mheitheal Meantóireachta, scéim atá dírithe ar ghníomhaí Gaeilge agus orthu siúd ar mian leo a bheith ag obair in earnáil na Gaeilge. Tá Storm Eaton-Kilgallen agus Eimear McGovern linn mar phainéal léirmheastóireachta ar na scannáin nua-eisithe Hamnet, Marty Supreme agus The Voice Of Hind Rajab Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin joins us to talk about the Meitheal Meantóireachta, a scheme for Irish language activists and those who wish to work in the Irish language sector. Storm Eaton-Kilgallen and Eimear McGovern join us to review the new releases Hamnet, Marty Supreme and The Voice Of Hind Rajab.

Agallamh ar leith le laoch ceoil s’againn féin, Brian Mullen, a bhfuil 35 bliain de Caschlár á cheiliúradh aige agus an fidléir Jack Houston, agus é i mbun comhrá faoina albam úr le Hamish Hepburn a nascann ceol Inis Eoghain le ceol na hAlban. A special interview with our own master of the world music turntable, Brian Mullen, celebrating 35 years of Caschlár and fiddler Jack Houston, in conversation about his new album with Hamish Hepburn, which blends the music of Inishowen and Scotland together.

Coirnéal Comhairleach Nollag Chaoimhe Ní Chathail, léargas an Dr Neil Comer ar na nósanna Nollag is coitianta agus ar an stair taobh thiar dóibh, agus labhraíonn Noel Ó Gallchóir, drámadóir, faoin oidhreacht atá fágtha ag an cheoltóir Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh, a fuair bás le déanaí. Caoimhe Ní Chathail’s Christmas Agony Aunts, Dr Neil Comer explores common Christmas traditions and playwright Noel Ó Gallchóir discusses the legacy of musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh, who died recently.

Seachtain Feasachta ar an Chalaois atá ann agus tugann Andy Caomhánach, saineolaí teicneolaíochta, léargas dúinn ar an bhealach le calaois a aithint agus le muid féin a chosaint uaithi. Tá an geimhreadh buailte linn go cinnte, agus cluineann muid comhairle ón chóitseálaí saoil agus éascaitheoir oibre anála, Marian Ní Chonghaile, mar gheall ar mhodhanna leis an solas a ligean isteach sna míonna dorcha seo. Agus cluineann muid faoi Dronuilleog an Scríbhneora, spás nua i gCultúrlann Uí Chanáin i nDoire a bhaileoidh scríbhneoirí le chéile le tacaíocht agus misneach a chothú as a bheith ag cur peann le pár as Gaeilge. It’s Fraud Awareness Week, and technology expert Andy Caomhánach shares his tips on how to detect fraud and protect ourselves from it. The weather has taken a wintry turn, and life coach and breathwork facilitator Marian Ní Chonghaile has words of wisdom for us on how to bring some light into the darkest months of the year. Finally we hear about Dronuilleog an Scríbhneora, a new space in Derry's Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin bringing writers together in solidarity and support as they create work in the Irish language.

Buaileann Séamas Ó Donnghaile, Cathaoirleach Chumann Chluain Árd, isteach orainn sa stiúideo i ndiaidh dó an chéad áit a bhaint sa chomórtas cáilithe don Scéalaíocht ag Oireachtas na Samhna. Leis an leabhar úr Cloch In Áit An Charnáin, tá léargas luachmhar tugtha ag an údar Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh dúinn ar shaol agus ar shaothar an bhailitheora béaloidis Seán Ó hEochaidh as Teileann. Cluineann muid tuairisc Phroinsias Uí Choinn ó sheoladh an leabhair. Leis an fheachtas bhliaintiúil Children In Need faoi lán seoil, cluineann muid faoi thionscnamh óige maoinithe ag Children In Need ag Glór na Móna i mBéal Feirste. Séamas Ó Donnghaile, Chairman of Cumann Chluain Árd, calls in to the studio after winning first place in the qualification competition for Storytelling at the Oireachtas na Samhna festival. And with the newly published book, Cloch In Áit An Charnáin, author Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh has provided a valuable insight into the life and work of the Teileann folklore collector, Seán Ó hEochaidh. Proinsias Ó Coinn reports for Blas from the launch. With the annual Children In Need campaign in full swing, we hear about an Irish-language youth project at Glór na Móna in Belfast funded by Children In Need.

Cluineann muid ó Ailbhe Ní Chasaide, comhstiúrthóir abair.ie ag Coláiste na Trionóide, Baile Átha Cliath, agus ón mhac léinn dochtúireachta Liam Lonergan, faoin uirlis nua Fotheidil le tras-scríbhinní Gaeilge a ghiniúint. Agus ar Lá Idirnáisiúnta ar an Strus, labhraíonn an Dr Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh linn faoin dóigh le strus a aithint agus an bealach le dul i ngleic leis go héifeachtach. We hear from Ailbhe Ní Chasaide, co-director of abair.ie at Trinity College Dublin, and from TCD PhD student Liam Lonergan, about the new Fotheidil tool to generate transcriptions in Irish. And on International Stress Awareness Day, Dr Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh talks to us about how to recognise stress and the best ways to deal with it effectively

Cluineann muid ó cheardlann draíochta scéalaíochta leis na scríbhneoirí Sadhbh Devlin agus Máire Zepf i gCultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. Tá an t-oibrí daonnúil Aonghas Lambkin linn leis an scéal is déanaí as Gaza a chíoradh agus téann Caoimhe ar cuairt chuig cleachtadh ceoil de chuid an chumadóra Michael Gallen, agus a shaothar úr, Bád Ón Alltar, ar tí bheith curtha ar an ardán le Ceolfhoireann Uladh. Cluineann muid ó Mhuireann Nic Amhlaoibh, duine de na ceoltóirí traidisúnta atá roghnaithe aige le bheith ag seinm ar an phíosa corraitheach seo. We hear from a magical storytelling workshop with writers Sadhbh Devlin and Máire Zepf at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. Humanitarian worker Aonghas Lambkin analyses the latest news from Gaza. And Caoimhe visits a music rehearsal by composer Michael Gallen, whose new work Bád Ón Alltar is about to be staged with the Ulster Orchestra. We hear from Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, one of the traditional musicians selected to perform in this powerful piece.

Beidh comórtas rapcheoil mar chuid de Oireachtas na Samhna den chéad uair riamh i mbliana. Tugann Daire Ní Chanáin cuairt ar Ghaelscoil an tSeanchaí, Machaire Fíolta le suí isteach ar cheardlann leis an rapalaí Conor Torbóid. Seachtain Feasachta um Chailliúint Linbh atá ann agus labhraíonn Bernadette Ní Mhuiris linn faoina scéal féin. Labhraíonn Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí, Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt, faoina chuid smaointe le beocht a chur sa Ghaeltacht arís. This year’s Oireachtas na Samhna festival features a rap competition for the first time ever. Daire Ní Chanáin drops in on a workshop with the rapper Conor Torbóid in Gaelscoil an tSeanchaí, Magherafelt. For Baby Loss Awareness Week, Bernadette Ní Mhuiris talks to us about her own story. Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí, the Northwest Language Planning Officer, shares his ideas on how to revitalise the Gaeltacht.

Don BBC Radio Ulster Appeal an mhí seo, tá achainí á dhéanamh ar son Mencap NI, carthanacht a chuireann réimse leathan tacaíochta ar fáil dóibh siúd a bhfuil míchumas foghlamtha orthu, ó na luathbhlianta go daoine fásta. Labhraíonn Ciarán Mac Ailín linn mar gheall ar an tacaíocht a thug Mencap dá mhac Danann, atá ceithre bliana d’aois. Cluineann muid ó Ola Majekodunmi faoi, Off The Scéal, oíche maidhc oscailte ilteangach i nDún Laoghaire d’fhilí, ceoltóirí, scéalaithe agus fuirseoirí ó gach cúlra. Fosta, téann Caoimhe Ní Chathail ar cuairt chuig dealbha úra de chuid Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain in ómós do na feirstigh stairiúla, Mary Ann McCracken agus Henry Joy McCracken. This month, the BBC Radio Ulster Appeal is for the charity Mencap NI, which provides practical support services to children, young people and adults with a learning disability, including their families and carers. Ciarán Mac Ailín explains how Mencap has supported his own son, four year old Danann. We hear from Ola Majekodunmi about a multicultural and multilingual open mic event for poets, musicians, storytellers and comedians from all backgrounds. Also, Caoimhe Ní Chathail visits Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain's new statues in honour of two of Belfast's historical figures, Mary Ann McCracken and Henry Joy McCracken.

San eagrán seo, cluineann muid faoin fhéile Dorn San Aer, i gcuimhne ar Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, craoltóir agus Gael go smior. Tá tuairisc againn ó Storm Eaton-Kilgallen ón mhórshiúil CEARTA a bhí ar siúl i mBaile Átha Cliath le déanaí. Lena chois sin, comhrá le Damien Mag Uiginn (gaol ar bith lenár láithreoir Fearghal!), trodaí óg as Béal Feirste, atá ag súil lena chéad troid phroifisiúnta MMA i mí Deireadh Fómhair. In this edition, we hear about the Dorn San Aer festival, held in memory of Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, a passionate broadcaster and proud Gael. We have a report from Storm Eaton-Kilgallen from the CEARTA march that recently took place in Dublin. We are also joined by Belfast fighter Damien McGuigan (no relation to our presenter Fearghal!) as we look ahead to his first professional MMA in October.

Agus na mílte mac léinn ag toiseacht ar a n-aistear ollscoile nó ag filleadh do bhliain úr, suíonn Caoimhe Ní Chathail síos le Bronagh Starrs, Pádraig Mac Brádaigh agus Grian Ní Dhaimhín le comhairle a thabhairt dóibh. Tugann Kathryn Ní Mhaoláin léargas dúinn ar Oíche Chultúir agus buaicphointí na n-imeachtaí i gCúige Uladh ar an oíche. Rás rothaíochta Vuelta a España curtha ar ceal ar shráideanna Madrid i measc agóidí sráide i gcoinne ghníomhartha Iosrael in Gaza: an scéal ar fad dúinn ag an iriseoir agus déantóir scannáin Cathal Ó Cuaig. Fosta, labhraíonn Emer Nic Labhraí, Comhordaitheoir Náisiúnta Taibhealaíon, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, le Dáithí faoi na pleananna d'Oireachtas na Samhna atá ag teannadh linn agus faoi na comórtais úra atá ann i mbliana. As thousands of students begin their university journey or return to campus for another year, Caoimhe Ní Chathail chats with Bronagh Starrs, Pádraig Mac Brádaigh and Grian Ní Dhaimhín to hear their advice for students. Kathryn Ní Mhaoláin gives us an insight into Culture Night and the best events taking place in Ulster on the night. The final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race on the streets of Madrid is cancelled amid protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza: journalist and film-maker Cathal Ó Cuaig brings us the story. Also, Emer Nic Labhraí, Traditional Arts Co-ordinator with Oireachtas na Gaeilge, speaks to Dáithí about Oireachtas na Samhna, this year's new competitions and the latest plans as the festival draws closer.

Labhraíonn Caoimhe le Niall Mac Eoin, fear as Tír Eoghain a bhí ar scáileán le déanaí ar na Traitors. Faigheann muid amach cad é mar a chuidigh an Ghaeilge leis. Cluineann muid ón amhránaí Bláithín Mhic Cana faoin fhéile Sean-Nós Ard Mhacha Theas. Beidh na ceoltóirí Aisling Moran agus Ryan Harling ag seinm i mBaile Átha Cliath go luath agus an scéim Glór ár Linne ag teacht chun deiridh. Le bliain anuas, bhí ceoltóirí agus bannaí ceoil ag dul do cheardlanna agus gigeanna lena gceird a chleachtadh agus a fheabhsú. Insíonn Ryan agus Aisling níos mó do Chaoimhe Ní Chathail. Tyrone man Niall Mac Eoin was seen on Irish screens recently on the Traitors, and he tells Caoimhe how being an Irish speaker was a great advantage to him. Musicians Aisling Moran and Ryan Harling will be playing in Dublin soon as the scheme Glór ár Linne comes to an end. We hear from singer Bláithín Mhic Cana about the Sean-Nós Ard Mhacha Theas festival. Over the past year, six musicians or bands have been taking part in workshops and doing gigs to develop their craft. Ryan and Aisling tell Caoimhe Ní Chathail all about the scheme.

Déanfar ceiliúradh ar Éigse na nGlinntí i gcroílár Ghlinntí Aontroma an deireadh seachtaine seo, labhraíonn Deirdre Goodlad le Dáithí Ó Muirí le hinsint dó faoi. Tá scéim ar bun ag Raidió Rí-Rá le hamhránaithe Gaeilge a fhorbairt agus tá Emma Ní Chearúil le Caoimhe Ní Chathail le níos mó eolais a thabhairt faoi. Fosta, an bhfuil Brat Summer eile i ndán dúinn? Bhí Charli XCX ag seinm in Éirinn le déanaí agus bhí Storm Eaton-Kilgallen, Áine Ní Dhonnaile agus Leah Ní Mhurchú ann. Cluineann muid níos mó fá dtaobh de. Éigse na nGlinntí will be celebrated in the heart of the Antrim Glens this weekend, Deirdre Goodlad tells Dáithí Ó Muirí all about it. Raidió Rí-Rá are running a scheme where they provide industry training to musicians who are performing in Irish. Emma Ní Chearúil joins Caoimhe Ní Chathail to tell her more. And, are we in for another Brat Summer? Charli XCX was performing in Ireland recently and Storm Eaton-Kilgallen, Áine Ní Dhonnaile and Leah Ní Mhurchú were there. We hear more about that.

Freastalaíonn Niamh Nic Oistigín ar an fhéile Cluichí do Chách de chuid CLG Uladh ag CLG Ciceam ar an Chreagán, Contae Aontroma. Buaileann sí le himreoirí agus tuismitheoirí, chomh maith le cóitseálaithe agus oifigigh CLG atá i mbun na gluaiseachta seo a chuireann fáilte roimh imreoirí de gach aon leibhéal cumais. Fuair an clár seo ainmniúchán do ghradam ag Féile na Meán Ceilteach 2025.Fosta, agus muid i lár Mhí an Bhróid, cluineann Fearghal Mag Uiginn ó Shinéad Wylde ó Chumann na n-Imreoirí Gaelacha maidir le tábhacht na míosa agus an dóigh a dtig leis an spórt tacaíocht a thabhairt don phobal LADT. Niamh Nic Oistigín reports from Ulster GAA’s Games For All Day at Kickhams GAA in Creggan, County Antrim. She meets players and parents, coaches and GAA officials involved in the Games For All mission to offer opportunites in GAA clubs to participants of all levels of ability. This programme was nominated for an award at the Celtic Media Festival 2025. And, it’s Pride Month and we hear from Sinéad Wylde from the Gaelic Players Association about the importance of the month and how sport can support the LGBT community.

Freastalaíonn Niamh Nic Oistigín ar an fhéile Cluichí do Chách de chuid CLG Uladh ag CLG Ciceam ar an Chreagán, Contae Aontroma. Buaileann sí le himreoirí agus tuismitheoirí, chomh maith le cóitseálaithe agus oifigigh CLG atá i mbun na gluaiseachta seo a chuireann fáilte roimh imreoirí de gach aon leibhéal cumais. Fuair an clár seo ainmniúchán do ghradam ag Féile na Meán Ceilteach 2025. Agus tá Mí an Bhróid linn agus tá an Union Cup bainte ag an fhoireann rugbaí LADT+, The Emerald Warriors. Tá ball den chlub Gearóid Ó Cualáin linn leis an scéal ar fad a insint d’Fhearghal Mag Uiginn. Niamh Nic Oistigín reports from Ulster GAA’s Games For All Day at Kickhams GAA in Creggan, County Antrim. She meets players and parents, coaches and GAA officials involved in the Games For All mission to offer opportunites in GAA clubs to participants of all levels of ability. This programme was nominated for an award at the Celtic Media Festival 2025. And, it’s Pride Month and it’a very proud month for LGBT+ rugby club The Emerald Warriors, who won the Union Cup in Oslo recently. Gearóid Ó Cualáin was on the winning team and he joins Fearghal Mag Uiginn to tell him about the win. Also, sports commentator Máire Ní Bhraonáin has the Ladies Football action from the weekend, while Marcus Ó Buachalla has the latest on the rugby.

Beidh Féile Shomhairle Uí Bhriosáin ar siúl in oirthear Bhéal Feirste ag an deireadh seachtaine, labhraíonn sé le Stiofán Carson faoi dtaobh de. Agus tá Féile na Gealaí naoi mbliana ar an fhód i mbliana, cluineann muid faoi fhéile na mbliana seo ó Hannah Rua Ní Bhaoil. Tá moltaí léitheoireachta ag Siún Ní Dhuinn dúinn agus muid ag iarraidh an fhearthainn a sheachaint! The Samuel Bryson Festival takes place in East Belfast this weekend, we hear from Stiofán Carson. And nine years on since Féile na Gealaí first began, Hannah Rua Ní Bhaoil talks about the growth of the festival since its conception and tells us what we can look forward to this year. Siún Ní Dhuinn shares her reading recommendations so we can sit inside and avoid the rain!

Beidh Gaeil fud fad na tíre ag déanamh ar Ráth Chairn na Mí an deireadh seachtaine beag seo do Chomórtas Peile na Gaeltachta. Tá réamhamharc ar an chomórtas ag Jack Mac Íomhair ó chumann Laochra Loch Lao i mBéal Feirste. Tá lámhscríbhinn ón 12ú haois, Leabhar Laighneach, oscailte don phobal i gColáiste na Tríonóide i ndiaidh don ollscoil roinnt oibre a dhéanamh leis an leabhar a chaomhnú. Labhraíonn Mícheál Hoyne le Dáithí Ó Múirí faoi. Ar chuala tú ceolfhoireann ag seinm ceol na n-ainmhithe? Bhuel sin a bheas ar bun ag Ceolfhoireann an Iarthuaiscirt i nDoire an deireadh seachtaine beag seo. Cluinfidh muid níos mó fá dtaobh de ó bhall den cheolfhoireann, Sorcha Carlin. Pléann Gearóid Ó Muilleoir agus Domhnall Ó Catháin an scéal is deireanaí ó Mheiriceá. Gaels from all over the country will be making their way to Ráth Chairn in County Meath this weekend for Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta. Jack Mac Íomhair from Laochra Loch Lao in Belfast looks forward to it. A manuscript from the 12th centuary, the Book of Leinster, has opened to the public in Trinity College, as the college completes work to preserve the book. Mícheál Hoyne from Trinity College tells Dáithí Ó Múirí all about it. The Turas Úr Festival will be held on Inishbofin Island during the summer and they’re looking for poets and artists to take part. Pól Penrose and Laura Ní Dhuibhir have the story. Also, have you ever heard an orchestra playing animal sounds? Well, that’s what Orchestra NorthWest will be doing this weekend in Derry with their Carnival of the Animals. We’ll hear more about it from orchestra member Sorcha Carlin. Gearóid Ó Muilleoir and Domhnall Ó Catháin discuss the latest news from America.

Cuireann Ón Taobhlíne tús spleodrach le Samhradh Spórt na mBan ar an BBC le súil chun tosaigh go Corn Domhanda an Dearbaí Rollála i gcuideachta bheirt iomaitheoirí, Petra Vedres agus Chrissie Ardill, a bhfuil na leasainmneacha Petrafire agus Cardinal Spin orthu. Is spórt é an dearbaí rollála ina bhfuil mná chun tosaigh ar fad, agus labhraíonn Petra agus Chrissie ar an chumasú, ar an chairdeas agus ar an chuideachta atá aimsithe acu sa phobal beag seo. Labhraíonn Dáithí Ó Muirí leis an Dr Kerron Ó Luain faoina leabhar úr ar stair na Gaelscolaíochta. Bhain an podchraoladh Assume Nothing, Femicide: Eight Steps to Stop a Murder, atá go fóill ar fáil ar BBC Sounds, an duais óir sa chatagóir Tionchar Sóisialta i nGradaim an Acadaimh Raidió le deireanas. Cluineann muid ó Sarah McGlinchey, léiritheoir na sraithe. Ón Taobhlíne kicks off the BBC’s Women’s Summer of Sport in style with a look forward to the forthcoming Roller Derby World Cup with Petra Vedres and Chrissie Ardill whose roller derby names are respectively Petrafire and Cardinal Spin. Dáithí Ó Muirí talks to Dr Kerron Ó Luain about his new book on the history of Irish Medium Education. The Assume Nothing podcast, Femicide: Eight Steps to Stop a Murder, which is still available on BBC Sounds, recently won gold in the Social Impact Category at the Radio Academy Awards.