Westmeath's local voices: Podcasts from the Lake County
Like everything else in the modern world, our media landscape is changing. One medium that has gained immense popularity over the last decade is podcasts.
Podcasts are similar to radio shows that people can listen to on demand, on a range of different topics, and these days, you can find one on any topic.
They are relatively simple to create; in their most minimal form, someone could record and edit a full podcast on their phone.
This lets creators tailor content easily, allowing for a range of subjects to be covered. And with video conferencing platforms like Zoom, creators can conduct interviews relatively easily.
Traditionally, podcasts were recorded in audio format only, but video podcasts have seen a rise in popularity over the last few years, most notably with sports podcasts.
In Ireland, the industry is booming, both at the local and national levels. Over the last few years, many Irish podcasters have gained huge notoriety worldwide.
Some notable Irish podcasts that have done incredibly well over the last few years include:
The Blindboy Podcast
Although not the most popular podcast in Ireland, Blindboy has managed to secure 80 million listens worldwide and retains a huge amount of weekly listeners.
He admitted that over the years his podcast had become increasingly popular outside of Ireland, but he still speaks regularly about uniquely Irish subjects and enjoys discussing Irish history.
My Therapist Ghosted Me
Hosted by Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams, this podcast sits at number three on Apple’s Top Charts in Ireland (as of January 2026). The hosts discuss life, mental health and relationships, all with a uniquely comedic tone.
Their name even comes from a true story, where Joanne’s therapist suddenly halted all contact with her.
Crime World Podcast
Through its dynamic host, Nicola Tallent, this podcast details the dark side of Irish society. Featuring in-depth discussions on true crime, this podcast looks at criminals, drugs, and general crime in Ireland.
An extremely popular podcast, it currently sits at the top of Apple’s Top Podcast Charts in Ireland (as of January 2026).
The 2 Johnnies Podcast
Hosted by popular comedy duo Johnny B and Johnny Smacks, this podcast focuses on comedic storytelling and interviews with key Irish personalities.
The two lads often discuss aspects of Irish culture, including the GAA, dating, and regularly looking at relatable listener stories.
I’m Grand Mam
Hosted by Kevin Twomey and PJ Kirby, they look at all things Irish life, with a focus on their own stories.
This includes their experiences of growing up gay in Ireland, as well as their mothers' influences, done so with a comedic and authentic tone.
At the local level, there are multiple podcasts in each county, with many ranging in popularity. This is also rapidly changing, and with the popularity of podcasts rising, this list continues to grow.
Notable Westmeath Podcasts
In Westmeath, a range of podcasts look at many different topics. Westmeath Libraries has a podcast library page with multiple county-specific podcasts. These include:
Past Perspectives
A history-themed podcast where hosts chat to local historians in Westmeath, analysing the vast amount of interesting history in the Lake County.
News and Events Podcast
This is a monthly podcast focusing on news and events in Westmeath. These episodes are around 15 minutes each and provide in-depth insight into what is happening around the county.
Life Changes
This is an interview podcast centred around people over the age of 55, focusing on changes they have seen throughout their lives.
In Conversation
This podcast features interviews with local authors and other creatives around Westmeath, including Patricia Gibney, Paul Timoney, and Anne Griffin.
Iarmhi TV Podcast
This is the official Westmeath GAA podcast created by Iarmhi TV. The podcast analyses both hurling and football, with a range of subject matters.
Hosted by Ray Gavin and Donie Malone, this podcast features season reviews, team news, county news, and look-ahead episodes for new seasons.
The podcast has been very well received, with a 4.5-star rating on Spotify.
The Irish Stew Podcast
Although not specifically a Westmeath-centred podcast, it contains multiple episodes featuring different subjects in the Lake County.
These episodes feature interviews with communities in Tyrrellspass, the history of Athlone with Vincent Harney, Sean’s Bar, and Chef John Coffey.
Some would say these are early days for podcasting in Westmeath; more people are seeing the benefits of listening to podcasts. They offer freedom for creatives to make shows tailored to any subject, and at the local level, can include insights from a range of different experts.
The future is bright for podcasting across Ireland, and who knows what subject matters we may see explored over the next few years.
If you have a favourite local podcast you think we should check out, drop an email to Regan at: digitaljournalist@celticmediagroup.ie