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The Irish Snug Podcast

The Irish Snug Podcast

By: Tim Grant
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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.

© 2026 The Irish Snug Podcast World
Episodes
  • Back From Ireland, Ch. 1: Twelve Days of Cliffs, Hikes, Pints, & Family | Chuck Rodda

    Back From Ireland, Ch. 1: Twelve Days of Cliffs, Hikes, Pints, & Family | Chuck Rodda
    Aug 18 2026
    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 CHAPTERS00:00:00 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 MENTIONEDBushmills 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 #IrelandSend us Fan MailSupport the show
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • From Apprentice to Master: Bringing Back Traditional Household Coopering | Killian O'Mahony

    From Apprentice to Master: Bringing Back Traditional Household Coopering | Killian O'Mahony
    Aug 9 2026
    *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.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Welcome and introduction00:01:37 What is a cooper? Killian’s Cork roots and apprenticeship00:06:41 Celtic barrels, Roman trade and the history of coopering00:08:01 Sustainable craft and handmade objects in the age of AI00:09:49 Miniature whiskey casks and charred tankards00:11:21 Whiskey maturation, sealed casks and the angel’s share00:14:00 Killian’s family connection to Midleton Distillery00:16:42 Training on the cooper’s bench in Scotland00:21:39 The sights, sounds and smells of an old cooperage00:23:06 Reviving butter churns with Bunratty Castle00:26:18 Restoring a 150-year-old barrel churn00:29:43 Unusual vessels, French oak and poitín00:32:18 Custom casks and private whiskey clubs00:34:02 How to mature whiskey at home00:38:56 How much whiskey flavor comes from the wood?00:39:58 Killian’s Irish–New York family history00:41:36 The chemistry of toasting and charring oak00:43:27 How coopers shape and bend barrel staves00:46:05 Why smaller casks mature spirits faster00:48:07 Shipping Irish-made casks around the world00:51:34 Shillelaghs, Irish heritage and family lore00:55:02 From “The Rare Ould Times” to a living craft revival00:57:30 A family cooperage and circular traditional life01:02:31 Hunting, the Great Irish Elk and Irish foodways01:08:36 Plans for apprentices and the next generation01:10:38 What to remember the next time you drink whiskey01:11:34 The right way to taste whiskey01:16:13 Custom tankards and a future Irish Snug barrel01:17:34 Final thoughts on the revival of Irish cooperingLINKS MENTIONED00:00:08 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#whiskeyenthusiastSend us Fan MailSupport the show
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Inside the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band: Stories & History | Tom McLoughlin

    Inside the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band: Stories & History | Tom McLoughlin
    Aug 4 2026

    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
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    47 mins
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