Podcast Episode Guide: How to Start Listening to First Thought

A total of 26 episodes to date include engaging First Thought Talks on hot-button issues of the day, personal Vinyl Hours music conversations, and engrossing interviews with some of Ireland’s most esteemed artists recorded in the heart of the Festival Gallery.

If you haven’t listened to First Thought before, now is the perfect time to dive in. Unsure where to start? Check out our episode guide:

If you’re always following news and current events, we recommend…

• What May the Post-Pandemic Future Hold? Fintan O’Toole in conversation with Catriona Crowe

• Black Lives Matter: Experiences of Racism in Ireland; Tobi Lawal, Felicia Olusanya and Amanda Adewole in conversation with Róisín Ingle

• COVID-19 in Ireland: Dr Luke O’Neill, Dr Catherine Motherway, Dr Mary Favier & David McCullagh

• Mary Robinson: What Can We Do About Climate Change?

• Climate: What Can Change? Minister Eamon Ryan, Tara O’Neill and Mai Sheehan and Dr. Rory Monaghan

• Ireland’s Direct Provision System: Donna Vuma, Bulelani Mfaco and Evgeny Shtorn

If you can’t get enough of political podcasts, try...

• Fintan O’Toole: Brexit

• Brexit and the North: Glenn Patterson, MP Claire Hanna and Dave O’Connell

• The State of the UK: Fintan O’Toole, John Lanchester & Martina Fitzgerald

• Samantha Power and Aine Lawlor: The State of the US

• Marion McKeone & Larry Donnelly: Will Trump Win Again?

If you’re a history buff, try…

• Bloody Sunday 1920: Paul Rouse, Anne Dolan and Diarmaid Ferriter

• Italia 90: Colm Toibin, Eamon Dunphy and Mark Duncan

• The Spanish Flu: Dr Ida Milne, Fergal Bowers and Dr Caitriona Clear

• Tomi Reichental: A Holocaust Survivor Living in Ireland

• Does Culture Drive Human Evolution? With Gaia Vince and Mauren Kennelly

• Michael D Higgins: The Meaning of Home

If you’re a music fan, we think you'll like…

• Vinyl Hours with David Brophy Pt 1

• Vinyl Hours with David Brophy Pt 2

• Vinyl Hours with Liz Nugent

• Vinyl Hours with Julie Feeney

If you’re interested in artists and their creative processes, try…

• Hughie O’Donoghue at GIAF 2020

• Dael Orlandersmith: Theatre and the Personal

• A Conversation with Enda Walsh and Paul Fahy

• Bee Wilson: Food the Vital Frontier

• Kate Mulgrew: How to Forget

First Thought is available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iTunes, and Google Podcasts, or visit our podcast page here.

If you enjoyed an episode, we want to hear from you! rate, review and subscribe to First Thought. If you’re interested in supporting Galway International Arts Festival's ongoing work, please consider making a donation, joining our mailing list, or becoming a volunteer.