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
Martin Mcguinness
SDLP
DUP
Northern Ireland Conflict
Graham Eve
James Mitchell
Gerard Hucker Moyna
Good Friday Agreement
Irish Unity
Sinn Féin

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.

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Artwork for The BelTel

Latest Episodes

Allison Morris explains what we know about the death of the British informer at the heart of Sinn Féin, Denis Donaldson, who was murdered in April 2006. No-one has ever been convicted of the murder and Donaldson’s family rejects a claim by the Real I... more

Lee Reynolds is Northern Ireland's first Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition.  The Coleraine man is a former DUP special advisor, Belfast city councillor and he’s the man who coordinated the campaign for Brexit in North... more

Dave Rupert, a six and half foot tall, middle-aged trucker from Chicago, with no Irish links. Rupert was a tourist who enjoyed a pint and through a series of chance events became a trusted republican insider and then an agent working for the FBI. How... more

Belfast man Colin Davidson is one of Ireland’s most celebrated painters. Queen Elizabeth II, Bono, Ed Sheeran and Seamus Heaney are among the host of famous faces to have sat for him. Yet the Belfast-born painter regards his greatest work as a series... more

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Recent Guests

Eamonn Henry
Former guard and current chief of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains
Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains
Episode: Disappeared commission chief on the search for the dead
Samuel Beckton
Historian and author of The Unbroken Covenant.
Episode: Would a nine-county Northern Ireland have survived?
Alex Kane
Unionist commentator
Episode: The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part Three): The ‘game-changer’ which lead to the Good Friday Agreement
Professor Fergal Cochran
Episode: The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part Three): The ‘game-changer’ which lead to the Good Friday Agreement
Professor Graham Walker
Episode: The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part Three): The ‘game-changer’ which lead to the Good Friday Agreement
Ursula Savage
Commentator from the personal politics podcast
Personal Politics Podcast
Episode: BelTel Politics: Givan defiant, Greek signs in Belfast, and toilet flooder wreaks havoc at Stormont
Tim Cairns
Commentator from the podcast Stormont Sources
Stormont Sources
Episode: BelTel Politics: Givan defiant, Greek signs in Belfast, and toilet flooder wreaks havoc at Stormont
Tim Fanning
Author discussing the Fethard-on-Sea boycott and its historical significance
Episode: Fethard-on-Sea: The boycott of Protestants which scandalised Ireland and its link to Ian Paisley
Brett Campbell
News desk reporter from The Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Telegraph
Episode: BelTel Politics: What a new Irish President means for NI amid souring relations in Stormont

Hosts

Ciarán Dunbar
Host of The Bel Tel, providing insights and engaging discussions on Northern Ireland's most pressing issues.
Sam McBride
Northern Ireland editor, recognized for his investigative journalism and commentary on local political matters.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 310 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 States4 months ago
  • Superficial

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States7 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 Kingdom9 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 Kingdoma year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners express concerns over perceived biases in reporting and political commentary, suggesting a need for balanced perspectives.
Listeners appreciate the informative nature of the content, acknowledging the engaging discussions led by Ciarán Dunbar and various guests.
The podcast is recognized for its in-depth exploration of both historical and contemporary issues surrounding Northern Ireland, often appealing to those seeking a nuanced understanding of the region.
High production quality and the personal touch brought by the hosts receive positive feedback, with several noting the expertise and credibility of the journalist contributors.
Overall, it garners praise for presenting a compelling mix of news, personal stories, and political discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#16
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#97
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#161
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#138
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Disappeared commission chief on the search for the dead
Q: How do you decide to start a dig?
Digs are arranged based on thorough investigations and information received; there's always hope, but there's a risk of disappointment.
Disappeared commission chief on the search for the dead
Q: What sort of information do you have about the individuals?
Most of the information comes from people connected to the abduction and murder, who provide leads about where the remains might be.
Dave Rupert: The Chicago trucker recruited by the FBI to spy on IRA
Q: What stage did the Real IRA realize they'd been penetrated?
The first clue they had was when Mickey McKevitt was arrested and questioned about Rupert, who he had been associating with for over a year.
Dave Rupert: The Chicago trucker recruited by the FBI to spy on IRA
Q: What was Rupert's original mission as an informant?
His original mission was simply to listen and report back to the FBI, evolving into gathering evidence and ultimately testifying in court.
Dave Rupert: The Chicago trucker recruited by the FBI to spy on IRA
Q: How did an American, with no background in republicanism, end up getting recruited by the FBI?
Dave Rupert's journey began as a tourist in Ireland, where he met someone who introduced him to individuals involved with the IRA, which eventually led to the FBI recruiting him to spy on these groups.

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?

Featuring contributions from leading journalists in Northern Ireland, the content consistently provides insights into pressing social and political issues in the region. Notable themes include The Troubles, the complexities of community dynamics, and challenges around justice and governance. Episodes often examine historical events alongside current happenings, unpacking the impact of past conflicts on contemporary society. The interactive and investigatory style distinguishes the content, making it appealing to those looking to understand the nuances of Northern Irish affairs, along with personal stories and societal transformations.

Where can I find podcast stats for The BelTel?

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How many listeners does The BelTel get?

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How many subscribers and views does The BelTel have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The BelTel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The BelTel:

1. The Troubles Podcast
2. The Indo Daily
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 4 years ago and published 704 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The BelTel?

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. Eamonn Henry
2. Samuel Beckton
3. Alex Kane
4. Professor Fergal Cochran
5. Professor Graham Walker
6. Ursula Savage
7. Tim Cairns
8. Tim Fanning

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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