Rephonic
Artwork for The BelTel
Northern Ireland
Jeffrey Donaldson
IRA
Democratic Unionist Party
Alliance Party
Stormont
Glenanne Gang
Michael Stone
The Falklands War
Northern Ireland Office
SDLP
Martin Mcguinness
DUP
Graham Eve
Northern Ireland Conflict
James Mitchell
Gerard Hucker Moyna
Sinn Féin
Good Friday Agreement
Irish Unity

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.

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Artwork for The BelTel

Latest Episodes

Two members the Burke family have confronted the education minister Paul Givan accusing him ‘promoting sodomy’ and ‘deceiving the people of Northern Ireland’. The Burkes have also confronted Edwin Poots, Mervyn Storey, and Free Presbyterian minister ... more

The funeral of 65-year-old Mark Lenaghan in Castlewellan attracted a large crowd and plenty of well-wishes for the beloved local deacon, but not everyone present knew about his former life as an IRA gunman.

How did Lenaghan find faith and leave the... more

Sam McBride sits down with Stephen Walker who has published a biography on the Nobel Peace Prize winner, entitled ‘Peacemaker’. 

‘David Trimble: Peacemaker’ is based on 100 interviews, including with many members of the Trimble family. Later Lord Tr... more

A Crossmaglen man with Republican family connections has plead guilty to drug and money laundering. The so-called ‘B-Man’, 37-year-old Brendan O’Callaghan, who has links to prominent republicans, admitted 16 charges at the last minute after denying t... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Stephen Walker
Author and former BBC journalist
Episode: Stephen Walker: ‘There would have been no Good Friday Agreement without David Trimble’
Brian Kelly
Managing director of Darlriadan
Darlriadan
Episode: No Tyrone Goldrush: Why Stormont confusion and local division mean gold worth billions might stay under the ground
Leanne Abernethy
Creator of Herstory Women in Loyalism
Episode: Loyalism, what do loyalist women want, and why they don’t trust the media or that O'Neill and Little-Pengelly are in control
Joanna McMinn
Academic consultant at the National Women's Council
National Women's Council
Episode: Loyalism, what do loyalist women want, and why they don’t trust the media or that O'Neill and Little-Pengelly are in control
Sam McBride
Political editor who reveals exclusive information regarding the DUP's secret talks and political strategies.
The BelTel
Episode: Sam McBride on the DUP’s route to power sharing - denials, flattery of Ian Paisley’s ego and secret Sinn Féin talks
Kevin Scott
Visuals editor at The Bel Tel
The Bel Tel
Episode: West Belfast mobile users left ‘dataless’ as 5G masts keep getting burned
Brian Hanley
Assistant professor in history and author of a documentary history of the IRA
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: The 1975 IRA Provo-Stickie feud which left 11 dead and scarred Belfast
Kevin Brannigan
Documentary filmmaker focused on Noraid
Independent
Episode: Noraid: The IRA and Sinn Féin’s American wing, Martin Galvin, and where the money went
Chris Moore
Journalist who has worked on the Kincora scandal for 30 years.
Episode: Kincora: Lord Mountbatten, MI5, William McGrath and Tara – the search for the truth

Host

Ciarán Dunbar
Host and journalist, known for his engaging interviewing style and investigative approach.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 302 ratings
  • 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 States25 days ago
  • Superficial

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States4 months ago
  • Great podcast

    One of my favourite podcasts lots of interesting and varied stories and of course a lovely accents ! 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lainy21again
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • One of my favourite podcasts!

    Great show, great presenter and I think Allison Morris just rocks. She’s such a fearless journalist!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BenfromDevon
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Brilliantly good

    Interviews with people who have studied particular aspects of the Troubles in depth, presenting a mosaic approach to the whole, one tile at a time. These are podcasts not just about historical events but about people and the way they treat each other and justify what they do, and the same dynamics can be seen in every society, just usually not with the same starkness or discussed with such honest clarity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Constant Reader Jr.
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is praised for its depth and clarity in covering complex topics, securing a loyal audience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and exploration of local controversies, though some critique it for perceived bias.
The podcast offers insightful reporting from expert journalists, making it a valuable resource for understanding Northern Irish issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#163
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#96
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#102
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#78
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#105
Germany/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From H-Blocks to the pulpit: how IRA gunman Mark Lenaghan became a Catholic cleric
Q: When he became a member of the clergy and then involved himself so much in the parish, did people know about his backstory? Was there scepticism about him during his time as a deacon?
Yes, while some respected his past, others were skeptical; however, those who knew him recognized his genuine conversion.
From H-Blocks to the pulpit: how IRA gunman Mark Lenaghan became a Catholic cleric
Q: Did he express any shame or remorse for his past, his participation or his involvement with the IRA?
He did not explicitly express remorse as many at the time did not see their actions as wrong, viewing them in the context of a struggle against oppression.
From H-Blocks to the pulpit: how IRA gunman Mark Lenaghan became a Catholic cleric
Q: When and how did he find religion? Was it during his time in prison?
He found religion in prison, influenced by priests who encouraged him to explore his spirituality.
From H-Blocks to the pulpit: how IRA gunman Mark Lenaghan became a Catholic cleric
Q: Can you take us back to his early days as a young man? What kind of environment he grew up in?
He had a fairly normal West Belfast upbringing but faced challenges as a Catholic family during The Troubles.
'The scientist who wasn’t there’: The incredible story of a fantasist father, was he a spy?
Q: How has your understanding of your father's life changed through this process?
Joanne reflects on her father's flawed character, seeing him as a product of his environment and realizing he constructed elaborate narratives around his identity.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

This podcast provides in-depth analysis and discussion on current affairs and historical events affecting Northern Ireland. It frequently features contributions from accomplished journalists and experts, offering diverse perspectives on issues ranging from politics, societal challenges, and notable incidents. Noteworthy episodes address significant topics such as historical political scandals, race relations, and critical journalistic investigations surrounding notorious local cases, making the podcast a compelling source for listeners who want nuanced insights into the region's complex narratives. Its unique approach combines storytelling with robust journalism, catering to audiences interested in the socio-political landscape of Northern ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The BelTel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The BelTel:

1. The Indo Daily
2. The Troubles Podcast
3. Crime World
4. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
5. Shattered Lives

How many episodes of The BelTel are there?

The BelTel launched 3 years ago and published 657 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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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The BelTel from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The BelTel?

Recent guests on The BelTel include:

1. Stephen Walker
2. Brian Kelly
3. Leanne Abernethy
4. Joanna McMinn
5. Sam McBride
6. Kevin Scott
7. Brian Hanley
8. Kevin Brannigan

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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