The week that really was - podcast cover

The week that really was

Griptgript.ie
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.
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Episodes

Everything falls apart

John and Sarah bid farewell to a beloved colleague, and then turn their attention to the wheels falling off the Fine Gael bus. What went wrong - and could politicians across all parties get punished for an utterly insipid campaign?

Nov 26, 202434 minEp. 114

The McGregor Trial: A postmortem

John McGuirk is joined by Gript Media's Fatima Gunning, who sat through nearly all of the McGregor trial, and Laura Perrins, former criminal barrister, to talk through the evidence and verdict in the the civil case that captivated the nation.

Nov 24, 202458 minEp. 113

Voting our way through WW3

John and Sarah talk the latest twists in Russia and Israel, Blindboy's new RTE documentary, and the latest twists in the very, very, very unexciting general election.

Nov 22, 202452 minEp. 112

Campaign Roundup: The debate from hell

"Derek Blighe should have been in that debate" - John and Sarah discuss the RTE debate, and the campaign where all the parties agree and are having fake rows about nothing of importance.

Nov 20, 202434 minEp. 111

No awards for us

John and Sarah bemoan their lack of recognition at the national media awards, review another boring few days in the greatest election of our age, Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, and why John is not a fan of Micheál Martin. 00:00 Introduction to the General Election Landscape 02:40 Media and Political Awards 03:36 The Hutch's Candidacy: Implications for Dublin Central 07:28 Sinn Féin's Vulnerability: Polling and Leadership Concerns 10:01 Sinn Féin's Policy Stagnation: A Critical Analysis 19:46 F...

Nov 15, 202453 minEp. 110

Campaign Roundup 1

With the election campaign underway, John and Sarah review the major issues of the first few days. Which appear to be Michael O'Leary, and whether the country wants new energy or change.

Nov 13, 202431 minEp. 109

Orange Man Good

John gets a deserved spanking from Sarah over his Trump Derangement Syndrome, The US election gets thoroughly analysed, and a look forward at the very short three weeks campaign to come here in Ireland. 02:55 The Shift in Voter Sentiment 06:14 The Impact of Campaign Messaging 08:56 Reactions from the Media and Political Pundits 12:00 The Future of American Politics 15:09 Reflections on Trump's Second Term 17:53 Cultural Reactions and Public Sentiment 20:53 Final Thoughts on Political Dynamics 34...

Nov 08, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 108

Trump v Harris: Karl Rove predicts the election

"I've never seen a race like this" - John McGuirk talks to legendary Republican strategist Karl Rove about what to expect tonight as the Harris/Trump votes come in, and what key counties to watch in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Nov 05, 202416 minEp. 107

Small lies like these

John and Sarah discuss the new Cillian Murphy "Ireland was awful" movie and it's predictable acclaim; offer final thoughts on the Trump/Harris campaign, and discuss issues that won't come up in Ireland's general election: 03:13 Cultural Reflections on Ireland's Past 06:02 Critique of Modern Cultural Narratives 08:51 The Impact of Historical Narratives on Society 12:03 Contemporary Issues and Social Pressures 14:54 Transgender Issues in Society 18:10 Political Implications of Gender Discussions 2...

Nov 01, 202459 minEp. 106

All this stuff is normal

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in sex ed, the passage of the hate crime bill, the government clearing the decks for an election, and why John has full blown Trump derangement syndrome, god love him.

Oct 25, 20241 hrEp. 105

Nonsenseland

With an election due to be called any day now, John and Sarah review the state of the opposition. Also: Councils ban Bibi, Roderic escapes scrutiny, and tragedy in Argentina.

Oct 22, 20241 hrEp. 104

Bad Teacher

Sarah and John discuss the spy in the Oireachtas, Sinn Fein forgetting how to do politics, Scary Movies, Scarier Sex Education, and the Government buying the media in a packed podcast this week.

Oct 11, 202454 minEp. 103

One angry man

John and Sarah walk through the budget, John's row with an unfortunate Fine Gael canvasser, the latest celeb muck from Philip Schofield and P. Diddy, and the horrifying case of the woman allegedly tortured in Dublin. 00:00 Budget Week Insights 05:54 Child Welfare and Family Support 12:09 Critique of Government Spending 17:45 Opposition Response and Political Dynamics 23:48 Vice Presidential Debate Analysis 29:52 Celebrity Controversies and Accountability 35:46 Rising Violence in Society 51:48 Co...

Oct 04, 202459 minEp. 102

We can hate who we want, now

In the aftermath of the defeat of the hate speech legislation, John and @sarahcatryan unleash a torrent of what some might consider hate speech towards the bike shed, the children's hospital, various members of the Government, and President Higgins.

Sep 27, 202459 minEp. 101

The voters, the fools

John and Sarah examine the contradiction between Fine Gael's standing in the polls and the state of Scoliosis treatment for children. Also: Simeon Burke and the law library, Micheal Martin's endless leadership, and did Israel blunder in Lebanon? 02:45 Political Landscape and Opinion Polls 05:47 Fine Gael's Momentum and Election Strategy 09:01 Health Care Crisis: Scoliosis Case Discussion 12:05 Government Accountability and Public Health 14:50 Contraception for 16-Year-Olds: A Controversial Polic...

Sep 20, 202450 minEp. 100

They're eating the dogs

The big debate in America; The big windfall at home; Another clue about the election date; and Ireland's useless opposition misses again - John and Sarah round up the week. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Week 01:22 Analysis of the US Presidential Debate 12:57 Political Landscape in Ireland: Dáil Returns 16:50 Sinn Féin's Challenges and Opportunities 28:04 The Role of Immigration in Irish Politics 40:12 Discussion on the 13 Billion from Apple 51:14 Accountability in Government Sp...

Sep 13, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 99

A new frontier for nonsense

John and Sarah discuss the SPHE book that set tongues wagging; the world's most expensive bike shelter; what may be the world's most expensive sex abuse enquiry; and why some stories impact you emotionally more than others. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Topics 02:18 Controversy Over Depiction of Irish Culture 09:32 Emotional Impact of the Middle East Hostage Situation 19:24 Concerns About the Abuse Scandal in Catholic Schools 29:25 Balancing Believing Victims and Presumption of Innocence ...

Sep 06, 20241 hrEp. 98

Back to School

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the Enoch Burke case, the nude cyclists and the Mayor of Cork, Kamala Harris finally agreeing to an interview, and the latest revival of the hate speech bill. 00:00 Introduction and Back to School Week 01:00 Enoch Burke's Return to School and Stance on Pronouns 09:58 Discussion on the Stabbing Incident in Galway 16:54 Proposed Ban on Smoking in Beer Gardens 24:55 Critique of the Naked Cycling Event in Cork 27:47 Inconsistent Enforcement of Public...

Aug 30, 202458 minEp. 97

Beauty pageants

John and Sarah discuss beauty contests this week: The upcoming election, during which politicians will flash their ankles. The Democratic Convention, which attempted to entice us to Kamala, and the Rose of Tralee, which has nothing to do with beauty at all: 00:00 Apologies and Introduction 01:22 Minor Public Spat and Election Speculation 04:05 Fine Gael's Advantage and Fianna Fáil's Risk 06:03 Navigating the Election Campaign 11:37 Potential Government Formation Scenarios 13:43 Cynicism and Prom...

Aug 23, 202447 minEp. 96

Raygunism Revived

Sarah and John review a week that featured big revelations about government spending, plans to abolish same sex schools, a big love island breakup, and a disagreement over olympic breakdancing. 00:00 Introduction and Weather 00:55 Government Spending and Lack of Discussion 01:48 Media Coverage and Lack of Challenge 03:08 Lack of Hard Conversations in Irish Politics 13:19 Issues with Single-Sex Schools 26:28 Prison Overcrowding and Drug Use 30:04 Overcrowded Prisons 31:42 Government's Focus on NG...

Aug 16, 202454 minEp. 95

Silly Season Delayed

In what should be silly season, John and Sarah discuss a surprisingly busy week: Riots in the UK, an anti-media rebellion for Kellie Harrington, a new VP nominee for Kamala Harris, and Simon Harris goes to war with Elon Musk. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Recent Events 01:07 Hypocrisy in Media and Politics: The Treatment of Athletes 06:32 Dismissive Attitude Towards the Concerns of the Working Class 14:37 Biased Coverage of Protests and Riots 18:09 The Potential Impact of Social Media Reg...

Aug 09, 202445 minEp. 94

Hot summer of discontent

John and Sarah discuss the controversy around the Olympic games, the riots in Southport, the death of Edna O'Brien, and ask whether it's time to revisit the way the state engages with Travellers after the Dooley murder in Kerry. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of the Olympic Opening Ceremony 13:10 Tragedy in Southport and Societal Issues 16:46 Frustration with the Government's Handling of Immigration 24:06 The Need for a Reasonable and Informed Discussion on Immigration 26:21 Misrepresentation...

Aug 02, 202453 minEp. 93

Gaslight nation

John and Sarah discuss Sinn Fein's new immigration policy, the fantasy of "public service broadcasting", Catherine Martin's bad press conference, and the pitfalls of the Trump versus Kamala Harris election.

Jul 26, 202451 minEp. 92

The battle of Coolock

John and Sarah discuss events in Coolock, which has John "f*cking livid", as well as the attempt on Donald Trump's life, why Sarah adores JD Vance, and why Sinn Fein's apology to its voters likely won't work.

Jul 19, 202459 minEp. 91

Technical difficulties

John and Sarah discuss a week of implosions, including the implosion of Independent Ireland, the disintegration of Joe Biden's campaign, and yet more lenient sentences in our mess of a justice system. Unfortunately, technical difficulties mean this week's audio is sub-par: We apologise.

Jul 12, 20241 hrEp. 90

The baby bust

John and Sarah discuss the fallout from the Biden debate debacle; Independent Ireland's woke turn; the rise to power of Ebun Joseph, and the many many people who simply aren't having children.

Jul 04, 20241 hrEp. 89

Burn it all down

John is on holiday; Sarah is taking refuge in the loving arms of Taylor Swift; and both are in absolute despair at the events of the week in the Oireachtas ranging from standing ovations to baby finance ministers.

Jun 28, 20241 hrEp. 88

Far Right flying

John and Sarah react to the Cathal Crotty case, and Fine Gael's continued claims to be the party of law and order. Also: Eamon Ryan's departure, Michael O'Leary is far right now, and Micheál Martin is feeling left out.

Jun 21, 202456 minEp. 87

Licking her wounds

John McGuirk talks to co-host Sarah Ryan about what it was like to spend 3 days at the RDS, only to come out on the losing side; what the elections might mean for the future of a "right" in Ireland; and why Holly Cairns has something to be sorry for.

Jun 14, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 86

Predicting the elections

As voters cast their ballots, John and Sarah review the election campaign, and stick their necks on the line with predictions for each of the Euro constituencies, and the local elections.

Jun 07, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 85
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