The week that really was

The week that really was

The Week That Really Was" offers a different and distinctive take on the events of the week of a kind that you won't find anywhere else in Ireland. It is presented by Gript Media Editor John McGuirk, and Barrister at Law and Media Personality, Sarah Ryan.

Episodes

August 1, 2025 63 mins

With Sarah away, John is joined by Laura Perrins. They discuss the state of Britain, where immigration has become the defining political issue, as well as the Dublin Stabbing, the Tuam nuns, the progressive war on western history, and Laura's occasional desire to just keep walking. 

Mark as Played

John and Sarah discuss the ethics of marital infidelity, the government breaking promises to themselves on spending, Tony Holohan's Presidential bid, and Molly Malone's bronze boobies.

Mark as Played
July 18, 2025 62 mins

This week's podcast begins pretty serenely with a discussion of the Presidential election, before John absolutely loses it over the state of the country. When Sarah calms him back down, they discuss the Tuam babies.

Mark as Played
July 11, 2025 60 mins

John and Sarah start the podcast talking about Jeffrey Epstein, and proceed to have an enormous row about conspiracy theories. Also: Javier Milei's progress in Argentina, re-running referendums, and prickly cyclists.

Mark as Played
July 4, 2025 56 mins

The settlement between Ryan Casey and the BBC on foot of comments by Kitty Holland dominates this week's podcast. Also: The state of the parties, the Presidential sweepstakes, and are school summer holidays too long?

Mark as Played
June 27, 2025 57 mins

John and Sarah ask if the Irish Government is addicted to pointless statements on the middle east, discuss the ubiquity of the Pride Flag, and ask why RTE's current affairs shows are so poor. Also: Sarah's favourite new Netflix show is revealed:

Mark as Played
June 20, 2025 58 mins

John and Sarah discuss the Puska family's living arrangements and lifestyle, the free money Irish artists will keep getting, Paul Reid's new job, and the UK officials who still have jobs after the grooming gangs.

Mark as Played
June 13, 2025 59 mins

In a packed episode, John and Sarah discuss the case of the Luas "bodily fluids" incident; the Ballymena riots; the French war on Pornhub; an Irish Times' Editor's views on Media Bias; Noisy Drones; and the folly of rent caps.

Mark as Played
June 6, 2025 59 mins

John and Sarah debate the vexxed question of whether John is a racist, as Ruth Coppinger claims. Also: The power of NGOs; are Irish people homogenous; and is the Macron marriage just plain weird?

Mark as Played
May 30, 2025 60 mins

John and Sarah devote most of this week's episode to the cost of living, and the various ways Irish families are feeling financial pressure. Also: Nick Delehanty runs for President; Cathal Crowe defends the Brits; and the Children's Hospital remains a disaster.

Mark as Played
May 23, 2025 57 mins

John and Sarah ask if Gardai have questions to answer over the Michael Gaine investigation, discuss whether commemorating Normans is appropriate, ask if John's TDS is cured, and talk about the newest Bonnie Blue copycat.

Mark as Played
May 16, 2025 47 mins

John and Sarah discuss the UK's sharp shift right on immigration, Sinn Fein's George Orwell moment on transgender issues, Sinead Gibney's painted nails, and the role of porn in the Hawes family murders.

Mark as Played
May 9, 2025 62 mins

John and Sarah discuss People before Profit's anti-Gript stance, the big political bunfight about what Camogie players should wear on the pitch, and Sarah offers interesting views on the "sex for rent" bill.

Mark as Played
May 2, 2025 59 mins

John and Sarah look in detail at the €4.4billion awarded to often obscure companies in Ireland to house migrants; examine Sinn Fein's hypocrisy in Carrickmacross, and discuss Regina Doherty's renewed confusion over men and women.

Mark as Played
April 25, 2025 54 mins

John and Sarah discuss the media's slightly unhinged coverage of the Papal interregnum, dissect Conor McGregor's relevance after that Tucker interview, and argue over women's right to know everything about their partner. Also: Are Paedophile hunters good or bad?

Mark as Played
April 18, 2025 61 mins

John returns to the podcast as he and Sarah discuss this week's various triumphs for old-fashioned women: The UK transgender ruling, Katy Perry in space, Mary Lou's poll boost, and so on. Also: Are lots of us pretending to have fake medical conditions?

00:00 Introduction and Context
01:14 The UK Court Ruling on Gender Identity
03:39 The Impact of the Ruling on Women and Society
12:03 The Broader Implications for Tr...

Mark as Played
April 11, 2025 63 mins

Sarah Ryan, minus her usual whipping boy, is joined instead by her husband Keith on this week's episode. They discuss Trump's tariffs, Ireland's exposure to economic ruin, and then for fun they debate whether libertarianism has any merit whatsoever.

Mark as Played
April 4, 2025 53 mins

John and Sarah discuss Dublin City Council's move to protect the Molly Malone statue from boob-gropers, discuss Donald Trump's cleavage of the western economy with tariffs, and laugh quite openly at RTE's new campaign to tackle "fake news and misinformation". 

Mark as Played
March 28, 2025 62 mins

John and Sarah ask why nobody ever talks about toxic femininity; discuss the great speaking rights row in the Dáil, and the new transgender controversy engulfing Irish scouting.

Mark as Played
March 21, 2025 58 mins

John and Sarah discuss Conor McGregor, Fine Gael's new war on "toxic masculinity", look back on covid five years on, and have a good old fashioned row about the covid vaccines.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.