Best Ronan McSherry Podcasts (2025)

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TwoMacs Podcast Bugsy McMahon Ep42 1:20:36

5d ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Bugsy McMahon - all his world's a stage. Currently enjoying a sell-out run with The Snapper, actor, director and all-round stage devotee Bugsy McMahon enjoys a chat with Ronan Mac and TwoMacs producer Oliver, also a theatre veteran. Bugsy (why Bugsy?!) recalls a childhood inspired by his late mother Eithne RIP, a fabulous musician, and father Aidan…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Pearse Kelly Ep41 1:18:29

16d ago1:18:29

1:18:29

Pearse Kelly - When Coalisland was snooker loopy Dennis Taylor's epic World Snooker title win is all of 40 years ago this week. We celebrate a time when snooker in Coalisland was vibrant with players of all abilities and ages on the green baizes. Snooker aficionado Pearse Kelly recalls men like Jim Joe, his son Joe, Vincent Gervin and Louis Conlon …

1
TwoMacs Podcast Bernadette Devlin McAliskey Ep 40 Part2 1:12:13

1M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

Bernadette McAliskey (Devlin) Part 2 Still campaigning for justice and equality for all. Bernadette continues her journey as she advocates for justice and equality, not least for the bombarded population of Palestine, and all those downtrodden by capitalist greed and the rise of fascism. She recalls 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali requesting to meet he…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Bernadette Devlin McAliskey EP 39 PART 1 1:07:40

1M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Bernadette McAliskey (Devlin) Part 1 - The early years and making her mark. Born in Molesworth Street in Cookstown, by the age of 21, Bernadette was the MP for Mid Ulster and on the front line of the march for Civil Rights in the North of Ireland. Just nine when her father John died, she recalls her parents love and a note they sent annually to sch…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep38 Sean Quinn & Sean McCabe Part 2 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Sean McCabe & Sean Quinn - Part II The second half of our Podcast with the Two Seans (McCabe & Quinn), Clonoe and Brackaville stalwarts. They recall how clubs often sought Joe McCabe's advice when facing difficulty with the rule makers while Sean McCabe also pays tribute to his wife Dolores, who had a fantastic football and camogie career. Credo aw…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep37 Sean Quinn & Sean McCabe Part 1 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

Part 1 - The Two Sean's. GAA stalwarts Sean McCabe from Clonoe and Sean Quinn of Brackaville join us for a wide-ranging discussion filled with hurling and football stories and memories, local and All Ireland. On the weekend Naomh Colum Cille held their dinner dance and presentations, Sean Quinn reflects on a great night with a poignant tribute to t…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Malachy Falls Ep 36 1:13:11

2M ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Malachy Falls - Reeling in the Memories. Malachy remembers way back to being lifted by his mother to look across Lough Neagh at the blitz on Belfast during World War II. Born in Aughamullan, Falls' family bar, post office and grocery shop was a hub of activity. His father died when Malachy was just five and he recalls being taught by his sisters in…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 35 Tommy Corr 1:06:09

3M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

Tommy Corr - boxing history maker and football star. Tommy Corr from Clonoe excelled in the boxing ring, in 1982 becoming the first fighter to win a medal for Ireland at the World Amateur Championships. In a stellar football career, he played in a raft of county finals with his beloved O'Rahilly club. The former Olympian, who was a household name i…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep34 Johnny Cummings 54:32

3M ago54:32

54:32

Johnny Cummings - Go, Johnny, Go! The inspiring Johnny Cummings from Coalisland recalls his journey to the Paralympic Games in Beijing, until health reasons ended his swimming career, the onset of dark days and coming back into the light with the love and support of his family, friends and the local community. There was no room for self-pity as his…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 33 Damian O'Hagan 1:13:09

3M ago1:13:09

1:13:09

Damian O'Hagan - A school boy destined for greatness Ronan in conversation with Damian O'Hagan that goes right back to their days in Primary school when he was taken out of class to play with the big boys on the school team. An incredible underage footballer and athlete , Damian recalls a career, now into its sixth decade, that includes playing in …

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep32 Tom Herron 1:05:29

4M ago1:05:29

1:05:29

Tom Herron - A breath of fresh air. There's never been a dull moment with Tom Herron from Coalisland, who recalls his fascinating journey from bookmaker to psychologist. Following the death of his father, when he was a boy Tom faced more trauma in Primary School while college was a mix of terror and madcap capers. Catapulted into running a bookies …

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 31 Cathal O'Neill 1:07:35

4M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Cathal O'Neill - On Song Player To perform well is to be "on song," and the term applies to newly appointed Derrytresk chairman Cathal O'Neill in more ways than one. Not only has he achieved great success on the football field at club and county level, but he also won the All-Ireland singing competition at the 2011 fleadh in Cavan. In 2015 he relea…

1
TwoMacs Podcast EP 30 The Story Continues 57:09

4M ago57:09

57:09

The Story Continues John Lennon sang: 'So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over, a new one just begun.' In this first podcast of 2025 Ronan and Martin reflect on the past year with special reference to stories and their adventures as TwoMacs. Each human life can be told as a story with its own cast of characters. Ronan speaks …

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep29 Mickey Mansell 57:22

5M ago57:22

57:22

There's only one Mickey Mansell!.. The Clonoe Cyclone dropped in for a chat before heading off to the World Darts Championship set to commence at Alexandra Palace on Sunday. Fresh from his marvellous display at the Grand Slam of Darts, Mickey recalls how retrieving a thrown-out dart board began his passion for stepping up to the oche, competing in …

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 28 Mark Shields 1:05:22

5M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Mark Shields - Local Treasure You've heard the phrase 'national treasure', well this week's guest is a local treasure named Mark Shields, who currently teaches English/Drama at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon. Most national treasures are elderly but Mark is still (comparatively) young and has packed an awful lot into his life on the planet. Back …

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 27 Anne Cadwallader 1:03:40

5M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Anne Cadwallader - uncovering the truth. This week's TwoMacs Podcast comes from the home of distinguished investigate journalist Anne Cadwallader. Anne is best known as author of Lethal Allies: British Collusion in Ireland (Mercier Press, 2013) written when she worked at the Pat Finucane Centre for Human Rights. For years there were claims that loy…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 26 Sounding a Retreat 54:15

6M ago54:15

54:15

Sounding a Retreat The Two Macs are back together, with Ronan facilitating a discussion on meditation and spirituality between Martin and special guest Philip Morgan. Philip is a local yoga teacher whose students come from all walks of life, including the Catholic priesthood. Yoga is all about yoking body and mind together in healthful harmony, and…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 25 Kevin Hanna Pt2 1:03:50

6M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Kevin Hanna - GOAT Storyteller. Yes, it's the return of the man who never went away. Kevin tells stories of a country childhood and of his early working life, bizarre 1970s fashion and a trip to see Queen in Slane, which are guaranteed to both startle and fascinate listeners. There's tales of having to catch the Sunday dinner, using a ferret to sna…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep24 Micky Carolan 59:00

6M ago59:00

59:00

Micky Carolan recalls life in Coalisland going back to the 1950s, a time of happy school days, when kids learned to swim in the canal, local coal mines were operating, many shopkeepers lived in the town and future World snooker champion Dennis Taylor sold ice cream at the cinema on Lineside. He also tells the tragic story of his Grandfather Michael…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 23 Jonny Nixon 1:01:57

6M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Originally from Omagh, singer/songwriter Jonny Nixon (a good friend of Martin's) is now based in Belfast. He and Martin have a lively chat about music and the creative process, as well as meditation and spirituality. The two friends recall their experience of being on a Buddhist retreat led by American Jesuit priest Robert Kennedy. (Not another ref…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 22 Gareth Devlin 55:24

7M ago55:24

55:24

At the age of 35, Gareth Devlin, aka Manies, captured the imagination of a nation of TG4 GAA viewers when he was in a shoot-out with the great David Clifford. He talked to his former neighbour Ronan about his many years with his beloved Stewartstown that included All Ireland finals 18 years apart, an Ulster Club All Star, pays tribute to Feargal Lo…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep21 Talking Hard Work 1:07:40

7M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Martin and Ronan recall decades of work that took them from building sites to websites and their dream jobs. Recalling a time health & safety rules were virtually non-existent, a newspaper & milk round, gathering spuds and turf, a flying kettle, when Tyrone Crystal was thriving through to school janitor, window cleaning, factory work and those head…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 20 History on Screen 1:02:25

7M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

History on Screen Ronan and Martin discuss how various historical events have been depicted in films and on television. The sensational US tv series Roots is discussed as is Jim Sheridan's Oscar nominated movie In the Name of the Father and Robert Redford's Quiz Show, as well as The Program a movie depicting the career and uncovering of cycling che…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 19 Lynette McShane 1:10:09

7M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

As the Ladies club finals beckon this weekend, we're joined by All Star recipient Lynette McShane (Hughes) one of the most decorated players in Tyrone. Lynette recalls playing and winning championships with her mother in Carrickmore, the Tyrone years and crossing The Mountains of Pomeroy and joining the Fianna club to lift another championship meda…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 18 Kieran McCaughery 1:04:19

8M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

The conversation begins with Kieran fondly remembering his parents and their decision to send him from home in West Belfast to boarding school at St Michael's College Omeath. The year was 1969 and the Troubles were looming. He and Martin also pay tribute to their much missed friend Paddy Herron, whom Kieran first met at St Patrick's College Armagh.…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep17 Tony Donnelly 1:02:34

8M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Tony Donnelly It was a pleasure to chat with an old 'mature student' Queens' university friend Tony Donnelly from Galbally. Great memories, with loads of laughs along the way, remembering going back to learning in our 30s. Tony stayed with the spade while Ronan went digging with a pen, to paraphrase Seamus Heaney. Also, our journeys into hurling, a…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep16 Back to School 52:49

8M ago52:49

52:49

School - the best days of your life? As the children go back to school, the Two Macs recall those days way back filled with a mix of fear, foreboding and fondness. From a coathanger used to wield punishment, the dreaded yellow bed, there were also wonderful teachers and memories of quirky songs, poems and offbeat incidents. Remembering a school yar…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep15 'Identity' 52:13

9M ago52:13

52:13

'Identity' - a word very much in vogue these days - is examined by the TwoMacs whose formative years were the 1970s. Struggling to keep up with ever-changing political correctness, the discussion includes men with pushchairs, insults, whether the 'n'-word can be used in context, a social experiment proposal to walk hand-in-hand on Main Street and a…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 14 Andy Griggs 52:31

9M ago52:31

52:31

From Essex to Newmills & Brackaville GAA club via United Arab Emirates, Andy Griggs is doing all he can to make the world a better place. Tragically his 19-year-old son Joshua, a talented young Gaelic footballer and coach, died three years ago. His passing and that of Andy's young friend Joshua Green was an inspiration for Camp Joshua that has a va…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 13 46:35

9M ago46:35

46:35

Martin talks to Damian 'mor' O'Neill, the local Irish language worker, about Irish culture. They discuss history, literature and sport and uncover some curious but little known stories of old. As Damian says of history, "Staire casta é" - that is, it's complex, twisted... The book Martin reads from at the start of the podcast is The Fitzgeralds and…

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep12: The Power and Perils of Sports 1:02:11

10M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

Sport has the power to let us forget our troubles for a while as we bask in the excitement of human endeavour, courage and competition. However charlatans, shysters and cheats also taint great competitions. The TwoMacs recall fantastic Olympic memories and heroes going back decades, as well as the darker side with those who cheated their way to the…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 11 52:55

10M ago52:55

52:55

Gerry Goodwin - a Tyrone GAA duel star. Gerry from Dungannon starred at football and hurling, winning a minor All Ireland in 1973 and remarkably the All Ireland Poc Fada in 1982, beating off the challenge of Limerick legend Pat Hartigan. He later managed Eglish camogs to their first Ulster title and continues to spread the hurling gospel to young p…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 10 55:33

10M ago55:33

55:33

Dream or nightmare? Recorded before Saturday's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump: Children in the USA pledge allegiance to "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Is America an utopia upholding justice for all; as it appears to be more divided than ever. The TwoMacs also discuss 'The American dream' which f…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep9 58:05

10M ago58:05

58:05

Football Crazy Martin and Ronan recall falling in and out of love with soccer with memories of Pele and the 1970 Brazil team, George Best, Rodney Marsh and other football genuises. The GAA ban on 'foreign games' is recalled, a love affair with Everton that turned sour and a boyhood visit to Highbury.…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 8 46:11

11M ago46:11

46:11

This week one of the Macs has a birthday when he turns 64. Happy birthday Ronan! In this weeks episode Ronan and Martin look at the passage of time and the nature of nostalgia and about the benefits of living well in the now.By Ronan McSherry & Martin McGuinness

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep 7 42:32

11M ago42:32

42:32

"Ronan talks to GAA stalwart Audi Hamilton. Audi talks about growing up in Dungannon, his great memories of playing in O'Neill park for the 'Clarkes' and going on to play for Tyrone under his great friend and mentor Art McCrory. Audi also talks about his time in America the friendships he has forged thru the GAA and the peace he has found as he enj…

1
TwoMacs Podcast Ep 6 1:04:10

11M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Martin and Ronan chat about their experiences with religion and religious lifeBy Ronan McSherry & Martin McGuinness

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep5 1:04:17

11M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Ronan & Martin talk about their love of writing. Both are published writers and in Ronan's car an award winning newspaper columnist.By Ronan McSherry & Martin McGuinness

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep4 59:48

12M ago59:48

59:48

Ronan and Martin chat about the movies (films) that have had an influence on them over the years and also about 'Coalisland Cinema' the picture house down the line which was an important institution in the town from the 1920's until the mid 80'sBy Ronan McSherry & Martin McGuinness

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TwoMacs Podcast Ep3 1:05:52

12M ago1:05:52

1:05:52

Martin J McGuinness in conversation with Kevin Hanna. Kevin has great stories to tell starting with his early life in Derrytresk then moving to England for work where in encountered the former Man United manager Alex Ferguson while working on his house to bringing his father Dick to visit a big house in England to saving a life on the Blackwater to…