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Best of Nolan

BBC Radio Ulster
Northern Ireland
PSNI
Sinn Féin
Belfast
DUP
Stormont
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Centre
Ulster Unionist Party
Northern Ireland Assembly
Ulster Banner
Commonwealth Games
Police Service Of Northern Ireland
Mlas
Naomi Long
PSNI (police Service Of Northern Ireland)
Casement Park
Flu Vaccine
Sectarianism
Northern Ireland Health Service

Stephen Nolan's no nonsense approach to confronting the biggest issues of the day: an unmissable mixture of news, phone ins and entertainment. From BBC Radio Ulster

PublishesDailyEpisodes144Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Best of Nolan

Latest Episodes

SDLP Cllr Carl Whyte and commentator Chris Donnelly react

Guests include the SDLP's Séamas de Faoite & Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons

Nolan talks to Ind Cllr Paul McCusker and Commentator Matthew Robinson

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Debbie Mullen
Mother of a road-traffic victim and road victim support advocate
Road Victim Support NI
Episode: Motorist driving at 81 mph in 40 zone, an ‘R’ driver speeding at 123 mph. Senior PSNI officer's concern at speeding statistics
Niall McClean
Co-chair of the Fleadh
Fleadh committee
Episode: Excitement as the Fleadh comes to Belfast – with 800,000 visitors expected. But will it bring much disruption for workers?
Ron MacDowell
Youth justice advocate and commentator
Community/Legal perspectives
Episode: Excitement as the Fleadh comes to Belfast – with 800,000 visitors expected. But will it bring much disruption for workers?
Tony Cahir
Public Policy Fellow
Institute of Economic Affairs
Episode: Six penalty points, £200 fine and e-scooter seized from working man. But is the law being applied equally to everyone?
Martina Anderson
Former Sinn Fein MLA and MEP, interviewee
Sinn Fein (at the time of the events discussed)
Episode: Former SF MEP Martina Anderson reveals to RTE she had abortion in the 80s to take part in IRA operation. Nolan gets reaction.
John Ware
Veteran journalist covering the conflict in Northern Ireland
BBC/Journalism
Episode: Former SF MEP Martina Anderson reveals to RTE she had abortion in the 80s to take part in IRA operation. Nolan gets reaction.
Diane Forsythe
DUP MLA providing counterpoints and perspective on abortion and terrorism
DUP
Episode: Former SF MEP Martina Anderson reveals to RTE she had abortion in the 80s to take part in IRA operation. Nolan gets reaction.
Gerry Kelly
Broadcaster, former host of The Kelly Show and Kelly on the Road
UTV (former)
Episode: Broadcasting legend Gerry Kelly dies – Nolan interviewed the presenter back in 2022
Maya Forstater
Legal expert/advocate on gender and equality law
Sex Matters
Episode: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons considers cutting future Féile funding after women’s rights network event cancelled

Host

Stephen Nolan
Host of the show

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 315 ratings
  • Avoid

    Same old garbage rehashed over and over

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nick fiasco
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • “Trans border” episode

    “With respect” says a man who thinks he should have the right to women’s single sex spaces and shows exactly zero respect for the views of women who don’t want him in those spaces.

    Such disregard for the realities of science and the law, too.

    Such male entitlement; such terrible misogyny.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LizAnne S
    Australia5 months ago
  • Awful

    How is this dinosaur still broadcasting

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    scouse_bhoy
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Not for me

    The future of journalism is in citizen journalists not bought and paid for puppets pushing an agenda

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Duke1mary
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • BBC in Ireland.

    The show talks about the problems arising from the British created state in the North of Ireland.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bass2:
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates timely coverage of NI politics and public safety issues.
Critics note a perceived strong editorial stance and provocative questioning.
Listeners praise on-the-ground reporting and hard-hitting interviews.
Some listeners express frustration with perceived bias and heated on-air exchanges.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#117
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#149
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#25
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#232
Saudi Arabia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jamaican woman targeted in racist attack in Ards - wants to move to a nationalist area. Does loyalism have a racism problem?
Q: Do you see nationalists who speak English being allowed to move into these houses?
Timothy Gaston asserts it would be acceptable to move English-speaking nationalists into nationalist areas, stressing inclusion across Belfast as long as there are no safety concerns, while Gerry Carroll counters with concerns about how policy shapes community change and calls for carefully managed integration.
Broadcasting legend Gerry Kelly dies – Nolan interviewed the presenter back in 2022
Q: Looking back, do you think your power within the TV landscape affected how you approached work and negotiations?
He suggests that it was more about teamwork and delivering a strong show for the audience than about personal power, and that while negotiations happened, the focus remained on producing quality content and supporting the team behind the scenes.
Six penalty points, £200 fine and e-scooter seized from working man. But is the law being applied equally to everyone?
Q: What is the current policy on discretion when stopping someone on an e-scooter?
The policy is unclear to many listeners, with some officials saying discretion exists while others indicate a strict, automatic enforcement for uninsured scooters; the lack of a written, public policy leads to perceived inconsistencies.
Serious disorder in west Belfast – many young people involved. Parents watching on. What should be done to stop it?
Q: What more could have been done to prevent this during the incident?
Callers and experts suggest early intervention, stronger police powers to seize dangerous bikes, and rapid engagement with youth workers; also emphasized the need for a long-term diversionary program and parental accountability.
Business owner raises serious concerns over drug use and crime in Belfast City Centre ahead of Fleadh
Q: What do you think could be done immediately to improve the city centre ahead of the fly festival?
Many participants advocate for urgent, multi-agency coordination, better policing and rapid deployment of support services, with a focus on reducing street drug use and rough sleeping over the coming days.

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 Best of Nolan

What is Best of Nolan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-hitting current affairs show that combines news, politics, public safety, and social issues with listener calls and on-the-ground reporting. Episodes frequently center on Northern Ireland politics, budget negotiations, policing, policing-community relations, and controversial policy debates (language policy, youth law, public safety measures). A distinctive strength is fearless, fast-paced interviews and live reactions from a wide range of guests, from politicians and union leaders to business owners and members of advocacy groups, often framed by urgent public-interest concerns. The format's mix of sharp questioning, real-time reaction, and human-interest stories makes it a valuable platform for stakeholders seeking immediate visibi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Best of Nolan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Best of Nolan:

1. The BelTel
2. Talkback
3. Give My Head Podcast
4. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
5. The Indo Daily

How many episodes of Best of Nolan are there?

Best of Nolan launched 20 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Best of Nolan?

Recent guests on Best of Nolan include:

1. Debbie Mullen
2. Niall McClean
3. Ron MacDowell
4. Tony Cahir
5. Martina Anderson
6. John Ware
7. Diane Forsythe
8. Gerry Kelly

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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