
Looking for the best Irish music podcast? Welcome to The Ballad Lounge! Join musicians Rory Makem and Máirtín de Cógáin as they explore the stories behind traditional Irish ballads and Celtic folk songs. Each episode blends Irish history with musicology, tracking a single song's journey through time. Featuring deep dives into Irish folklore and interviews with legendary folk troubadours. If you lo... more
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 17 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Music HistoryMusic | |||

Amazing Grace
This episode is about one of the most well know songs in the english languge. A hymn by John Newton called Amazing Grace. Rory has done a deep dive finding an amazing connection to Ireland in this ballad. Listen in as they explore the ... more
Welcome back to The Ballad Lounge! This week, we are diving deep into the spirited and legendary tale of "An Poc ar Buile" (The Mad Puck Goat). Join us as we explore the rich history of this beloved song—from its poetic origins in West Cork to the ic... more
While we were sail on the Joanie Madden Folk 'n' Irish Cruise we had the wonderful opportunity to chat with the dashing Kerryman Bryan Murphy of the Gallivanters. He even kept his shirt on for the whole interview. Grab a cup o'tay and sit back, or ge... more
The life and times of one of the balladeers who blazed the trail in America for the rest of us to follow. We tried to have the interview live on the Joanie Madden FOlk 'n' Irish Cruise but the file didn't survive the journey and so we did it again. G... more
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These gentleman know a thing or two about Irish music and it’s a joy to hear the background and context and story behind some of these beautiful notable songs. Brings me back home. I look forward to listing to more.
It is so good to hear these two talented gentleman talk about so many beloved Irish songs. To learn more about them both is an extra treat! I love this idea for a podcast and anxiously await each episode!
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Apple Podcasts | #181 | |
Apple Podcasts | #237 |
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Two hosts—Máirtín de Cógáin and Rory Makem—guide listeners through the stories behind traditional ballads, exploring origins, transformations, and cultural significance with warmth, humor, and deep historical context. Episodes blend personal anecdotes, archival lore, and audience-friendly analysis to illuminate how songs shape identity, community, and memory across generations. A notable strength is the duo's ability to connect historical events to living culture, inviting participation and shared singing while highlighting the human stories behind the music.
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The Ballad Lounge Podcast launched a year ago and published 17 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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Recent guests on The Ballad Lounge Podcast include:
1. Séamus Kennedy
2. Donie Carroll
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