Ireland Said Yes

Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrates 10 years of marriage equality. Shane will take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQ+ activism and resistance, he explores the cultural shifts that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, journalist Una Mullaly, artists Pillows Queen and Joe Caslin, alongisde TV presenter Brendan Courtney among many others. The series includes Shane’s personal reflections and live standup from his sell-out run at Vicar Street in Dublin, as he revisits a time that reshaped his life and transformed Ireland completely.

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Episodes

Bonus - In Conversation with Joe Caslin

Shane chats to acclaimed artist Joe Caslin about his beautiful artwork, which became the defining imagery of 2015 Marriage Referendum. Joe talks about the mural's origins, the inside help that he received to stay out of the courts, his teaching career, growing up in Roscommon, and what Joe now believes is important for today's LGBT+ youth. See more of Joe's work here: https://joecaslin.com/pages/equality https://www.instagram.com/joecaslin/?hl=en Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original. Written and...

Jul 03, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Bonus - In Conversation with Ailbhe Smyth

In the first bonus episode of Ireland Said Yes, Shane talks to veteran activist Ailbhe Smyth. She discusses her memories of the 2015 Marriage Referendum, how she's won and lost campaigns, and what advice Ailbhe would give future generations of Irish LGBT+ activists. Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original. Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne. Developed and Produced by Series Producer, Paul Macgregor. Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design -...

Jun 26, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Episode Four - We Live in Each Other's Shadows

In the final episode of the series, the votes are now in and the count centres suggest an incoming landslide for the Yes side. Shane talks to the people who made it all possible, as he reflects on the tears, the exhaustion and sheer euphoria. Ten years later from that day in May, Shane asks how far have we really come and what’s now important for Ireland’s LBGT+ community? Thank you all for lovely comments on the series. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing bonus episodes featuring highli...

Jun 11, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Episode Three - Bealtaine

In the third episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne reflects on a frantic and often emotional period where the Yes Equality campaign attempted to galvanise the entire country to win Marriage Equality for Ireland’s LGBT community. Shane speaks to Yes activists from all walks of life who all played a part in 2015 - he learns about the key ‘million in the middle’ whose votes were up for grabs, which person was the most trusted voice in Ireland (hint: she’s a camp icon) and how cam...

Jun 04, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode Two - Why Go for Something Less?

In the second episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne examines the key early moments that shaped Ireland’s path to achieving marriage equality. Beginning with the story of Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan whose legal battle to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland—best known as the KAL case—brought the issue of equality into public focus. Shane explores how their fight laid the groundwork for incremental change, even when the larger public remained unconvi...

May 28, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Episode One - Above the Parapet

In 2015, Ireland made history by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But how did a predominantly Catholic nation decide to embrace LGBT equality and inclusion in such a profound and historical way? Over the course of four episodes, comedian and actor Shane Daniel Byrne takes us back to the beginning of this transformative journey, reflecting on his own memories and experiences as a young gay man in Dublin discovering his own sexuality. Shane exp...

May 21, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Trailer - Ireland Said Yes

Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrate 10 years of marriage equality in 'Ireland Said Yes'. He'll take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQIA activism and resistance, Shane explores the cultural changes that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese...

May 15, 2025•30 sec

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