Words, Stories and the Irish Way of Life Colm O'Regan and Páraic Kerrigan in conversation with Pat Carty
What makes something quintessentially Irish? And what do the words we use, the stories we tell and the cultural moments we remember reveal about us?
Join Colm O’Regan and Páraic Kerrigan for a warm, witty and wonderfully Irish conversation inspired by their new books. In Tipping Away (Gill Books), Colm turns his attention to Hiberno-English, exploring the words and expressions that have evolved through our workplaces, homes, pubs, communities and everyday lives. In Pop Culchie (Eriu), Páraic delves into the oddities and eccentricities of Irish popular culture, from Daniel O’Donnell and the Fat Frog to national moral panics, forgotten pop acts, unusual scandals and the curious history of Housewife of the Year.
In conversation with arts journalist Pat Carty, they uncover the humour, quirks and contradictions that make Irish culture so distinctive — and ask why we are, quite simply, the way we are.
 |  |
|---|
© Ruth Medjber
Páraic Kerrigan is an Irish Times bestselling author, researcher and Assistant Professor at UCD. He was also a star in the smash hit second season of The Traitors Ireland, where he was selected as a traitor. His expertise in Irish popular culture stems partly from academic study and partly from an unhealthy level of affection for Irish pop music and cult films. He maintains, without irony, that Fade Street and Dublin Wives are key national texts worthy of serious scholarly attention. He also believes that Six’s “There a Whole Lot of Loving” is one of the great, overlooked achievements of Irish musical history. Following several unsuccessful attempts to become a pop star, he turned to writing books instead. His previous book, Reeling in the Queers, was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2024.
© Christine Burns
Colm O’Regan is an acclaimed Irish author and columnist, known for his humorous explorations of Irish life and culture. He is the author of eight books, including the Irish Mammies trilogy, Bolloxology, the Ann Devine novels and Climate Worrier. As a stand-up comedian, MC and event host, he has performed all over the world. He has written for and performed on TV and radio and has a weekly column for the Irish Examiner. He lives with family in Dublin, but his heart and language are still in his home of Dripsey in Co. Cork.
Pat Carty is a freelance arts journalist and broadcaster whose work has featured in The Sunday Independent, The Sunday Times, The Irish Examiner, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, The Business Post, Hot Press, and Classic Rock Magazine. He’s a regular contributor on RTE Radio One’s Arena, and on several Newstalk shows including The Hard Shoulder, Moncrieff, and Lunchtime Live. He’s turned up on television the odd time too but producers are unanimous in their opinion that his is a face for radio.