Rephonic
Artwork for The BelTel
Northern Ireland
Noah Donohoe
Belfast
Jeffrey Donaldson
IRA
PSNI
Sinn Féin
Natalie Mcnally
Good Friday Agreement
Stephen Mccullagh
Stormont
DUP
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Unionism
The Troubles
DJ Carey
Bloody Sunday
Ireland
Ulster Unionist Party
Jeffrey Epstein

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesDailyEpisodes823Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for The BelTel

Latest Episodes

On Monday morning an horrific discovery was made in Ballymena - the remains of three people were found inside a house on the Old Cullybackey Road – a man, a woman and an eight-year-old girl.

It is believed that the man murdered his wife and child... more

YouTube

The murder of firebrand politician Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through the British establishment, prompting fresh debate around the safety of public figures.  

An unapologetic straight-talking stateswoman, Widdecombe served as an MP for 23 ye... more

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson earned massive sums over a successful career. But the Belfast Telegraph understands the now convicted pedophile's fortune is ebbing away – and that he still has a mortgage on his Dromore home.   

He has to pay a l... more

Long associated with the Orange Order, marching bands and bonfires – the Twelfth goes back a long way. But what is the origin of the celebrations, of the order itself and does the organisation have a future? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by historian Dr Da... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. David Hume
Historian
Episode: The Orange Order and the Twelfth, how did it come about?
Andy McCarroll
Sports and entertainment journalist
Indo Daily contributor
Episode: Conor McGregor: Why does America keep giving the disgraced fighter a platform?
Ruth Coppins
Your Solidarity TD
Irish politics
Episode: Conor McGregor: Why does America keep giving the disgraced fighter a platform?
Peter Lavery
Lottery winner turned Belfast businessman and distiller
Titanic Distillers / Belfast ventures
Episode: 'In the first four weeks, I spent £3 million' : The east Belfast man who won £10 million
Tim Hanley
Senior PSNI detective involved in the cited events
PSNI / MI5 joint operation (as described in the episode)
Episode: Jeffrey Donaldson: Did MI5 and PSNI know of MP’s innapropriate behaviour?
Jim Wells
Former DUP MLA who discusses his personal knowledge of Jeffrey Donaldson
DUP
Episode: Affairs, gay saunas, and drinking excessively: Former MLA on the Jeffrey Donaldson he knew
Kyle Frazer
Reporter for The Bel Tel
The Bel Tel / Belfast Telegraph
Episode: GUILTY: Jeffrey Donaldson is now a convicted child rapist
Nicola Tallant
Investigations Editor at The Sunday World; author of Groomed, Coercion, Control and a Cold-Blooded Murder
Sunday World
Episode: Nicola Tallant on why Katie Simpson’s tragic murder leaves so many unanswered questions
Claire Sugden
Independent MLA, former Justice Minister
Northern Ireland Assembly
Episode: "I’m not a soft unionist” says independent MLA Claire Sugden

Host

Ciarán Dunbar
Host of The BelTel

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 343 ratings
  • Rather death centric

    A good podcast when I do listen, which is typically for insight regarding northern Irish history and culture that’s hard to get anywhere else. Especially recently though, the majority of episodes are meticulously reporting on deaths and murders past and present — much like a lot of other NI media — for which I turn straight off.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mach3turbo
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Noah Inquest

    Liam Tunney is hurling a blinder in his reporting. The show is generally excellent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jerimiah1983
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Superficial

    Plenty of chat but very little information. Also-the headlines can be misleading.

    You travel hopefully but arrive with nothing. Disappointing!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States7 months ago
  • Never miss an episode

    I love listening to the podcast everyday. Nice mix of topics and stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Séamus Magee
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Superficial

    Plenty of chat but very little information. Also-the headlines can be misleading and disappointing.

    You travel hopefully but arrive with nothing. Disappointing!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong investigative journalism style is a draw for professionals seeking nuanced NI coverage.
Some listeners note biases or pacing; others appreciate critical, evidence-based reporting.
Civic and policy-focused discussion is praised for depth and quality of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#227
United States/News/Daily News
Spotify
#50
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#87
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#156
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#66
Australia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Conor McGregor: Why does America keep giving the disgraced fighter a platform?
Q: What is the role of the American media and audience in shaping his comeback?
American media and fans are portrayed as highly influential in sustaining McGregor's star power, sometimes at odds with Irish and other international perspectives, which creates a split in how his comeback is perceived worldwide.
Conor McGregor: Why does America keep giving the disgraced fighter a platform?
Q: How did we get to a place where McGregor is back in the spotlight for a major fight?
The hosts explain a combination of a renewed athletic focus after past controversies, the appeal of a big pay-per-view event, and the ongoing attempt to reframe his public image through media appearances and branding moves.
'In the first four weeks, I spent £3 million' : The east Belfast man who won £10 million
Q: What did you do with the money in the first month after the win?
He allocated funds to family and charities, bought a home, and began setting up long-term community and business ventures, while maintaining a focus on Belfast's development.
'In the first four weeks, I spent £3 million' : The east Belfast man who won £10 million
Q: How did it feel when you first found out you had won the lottery?
It felt unreal and almost dreamlike, a mix of disbelief and overwhelming possibility, especially as the numbers matched and Camelot confirmed the win.
Jeffrey Donaldson: Did MI5 and PSNI know of MP’s innapropriate behaviour?
Q: If there was any truth to the allegations, how might that have impacted political decisions like Stormont?
The discussion suggests that knowledge of the allegations could have influenced strategic decisions within the DUP, including the leadership choices and the timing of Stormont-related actions, though there is no definitive public evidence tying intelligence conclusions directly to political maneuvers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The BelTel

What is The BelTel about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorous current-events show rooted in Northern Ireland affairs, politics, law, and history. Episodes frequently feature deep-dive conversations with journalists, legal experts, and researchers, unpacking high-profile inquiries, inquests, and long-running legacy issues. The program tends to ground its discussions in documented events, public records, and archival material, often linking contemporary developments to historical context. It stands out for investigative-like reporting, strong host interviewing, and guests who illuminate complex governance, security, and societal dynamics in the region, making it helpful for listeners who want clarity on nuanced NI topics.

Potential listeners who follow political accountability, legal proceed... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The BelTel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The BelTel:

1. The State of Us
2. Red Lines
3. The Indo Daily
4. Crime World
5. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

How many episodes of The BelTel are there?

The BelTel launched 4 years ago and published 823 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The BelTel?

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What guests have appeared on The BelTel?

Recent guests on The BelTel include:

1. Dr. David Hume
2. Andy McCarroll
3. Ruth Coppins
4. Peter Lavery
5. Tim Hanley
6. Jim Wells
7. Kyle Frazer
8. Nicola Tallant

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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