Aran Island Discs

About Aran Island Discs

The stories you haven't heard from people you thought you knew. Set against the windswept backdrop of the Aran Islands off Ireland's west coast, the series reimagines the classic "castaway" format for a modern Irish audience. Hosted by Rossa McDermott, each episode invites a guest—from the worlds of sport, business, media, and the arts—to curate the "soundtrack of their life." The Aran Islands serve as a powerful metaphor for resilience, reflection, and raw honesty. As guests introduce their chosen tracks, they unlock candid stories of childhood ambitions, defining setbacks and successes. The Irish guests are at the heart of Aran Island Discs. Moments Memories Music Key Series Information Presenter Rossa McDermott Recorded at Dublin South Podcast Studios in Dundrum Produced and edited by Peter Rice. Available on all major platforms, including Acast, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. www.aranislanddiscs.ie (www.aranislanddiscs.ie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Rossa McDermott

Category

music · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Feb 2025

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   John Gunning

   The Irish sports journalist and broadcaster joins Rossa McDermott on Aran Island Discs to talk about life in Tokyo, his work in sumo and the journey that took him from Ireland to Japan. John Gunning’s move to Japan began with a two-week visit. In the latest episode of Aran Island Discs, the sports journalist and broadcaster tells host Rossa McDermott how a trip with friends turned into a life-changing decision. “I was just absolutely enthralled by Japan and felt like I’d found my place,” Gunning recalls. After returning to Ireland, he quit his job, began looking for work in Japan and was living there again within a year. Now based in Tokyo, Gunning works across sports media, writing and broadcasting, with much of his work connected to sumo. He also runs a company covering American football in Japan and works on rugby when he can. Gunning says he has always been drawn to new places and experiences. Japan, he explains, offered a constant sense of discovery: “It was the stimulation, essentially, like the constant stimulation of new stuff was like manna from heaven to me.” He describes Tokyo as “endlessly fascinating” and says that, even after a quarter of a century, he is still discovering new things. The conversation also turns to the Aran Islands. Gunning remembers visiting Inis Oírr in the early 1990s, spending a sunny day near the Plassey shipwreck and listening to the Saw Doctors. “It felt like you’re the first step away from Ireland out west,” he says, “and next stop was Boston, as they say.” The episode is part of Aran Island Discs series of conversations with Irish people from different walks of life about their journeys, memories and what being Irish means to them. Key quotes “I was just absolutely enthralled by Japan and felt like I’d found my place.” “The constant stimulation of new stuff was like manna from heaven to me.” “Even a quarter of a century later, I’m still discovering new stuff all the time.” The John Gunning episode of Aran Island Discs is available through the podcast’s usual channels. Aran Island Discs "Irish Life Stories, Told Through Music." Each episode features a guest who is invited to imagine themselves on the Aran Islands—a symbolic place evoking rugged beauty and Irish cultural heritage—and explore the soundtrack of their life. Guests choose songs that have shaped their personal journeys, sparking conversations about key moments, memories, and influences in their life. Edited by Peter Rice, and distributed via platforms Acast, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. . LISTENERS If you have listened to this podcast please leave your thoughts. Or leave a review E contact@aranislanddiscs.ie W www.aranislanddiscs.ie "Feels like sitting in on a real conversation” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Rob Kirwan

   A three-time Grammy-nominated producer, engineer and mixer, Rob Kirwan has worked at the forefront of music for more than 35 years. His experience spans a wide range of genres, helping him recognise what makes an artist’s sound distinctive and bring that individuality to the fore. Known for his technical skill, creative ideas and strong musical instincts, Kirwan has worked with an eclectic roster of artists, including PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode, Editors, Glasvegas, Orbital, St Lucia, Bell X1, The Horrors, Hozier and U2. Rob Kirwan on the chance encounter that shaped his career Three-time Grammy-nominated producer, engineer and mixer Rob Kirwan joins Rossa McDermott on Aran Island Discs to reflect on music, memory and the winding path from Windmill Lane to an international career. In a new episode of Aran Island Discs, Rob Kirwan looks back on a career spanning more than 35 years and work with artists including PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode, Editors, Bell X1, Hozier and U2. Kirwan describes himself as a “record producer”, making a distinction between producing records and directing music on tour. “I just sit in recording studios like a very boring technical chap and make records,” he tells host Rossa McDermott . His connection to music began early. “I knew that music meant more to me than it did to most people from about the age of five,” he says, recalling how a song playing on his father’s cassette deck made such an impression that he refused to leave the car to go for a walk. The conversation follows Kirwan’s route into the recording industry, including his determination to get a foot in the door at Dublin’s Windmill Lane Studios. He recalls an extraordinary coincidence: years before meeting producer Flood professionally, he had spotted him listening to music at a house near his school. Later, when Flood walked into the studio, Kirwan recognised him. Kirwan went on to work with U2, including on Zooropa and the Passengers project. He also recounts an unexpected recording session at Luciano Pavarotti’s home, where he set up a studio in one of the singer’s bathrooms. The story, he says, helped his father understand the reality of his work. Asked what advice he gives people starting out, Kirwan’s answer is direct: “Aim high. Just aim high. Because even if you don’t get there, a rung or two down is still a gorgeous place to be.” The episode also explores his childhood in Wexford, his years at st Columbas, life and work abroad, and the importance of his Irish identity. “Being Irish, I think, is hugely important to me and to who I am,” he says. Though he now lives in England, he misses “the crack and just the fun” of home. Aran Island Discs, hosted by Rossa McDermott, uses music as a starting point for conversations about the experiences and people that shape a life. The Rob Kirwan episode is available on the podcast’s listening platforms. Aran Island Discs "Irish Life Stories, Told Through Music." Each episode features a guest who is invited to imagine themselves on the Aran Islands—a symbolic place evoking rugged beauty and Irish cultural heritage—and explore the soundtrack of their life. Guests choose songs that have shaped their personal journeys, sparking conversations about key moments, memories, and influences in their life. Edited by Peter Rice, and distributed via platforms Acast, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. . LISTENERS If you have listened to this podcast please leave your thoughts. Or leave a review E contact@aranislanddiscs.ie W www.aranislanddiscs.ie "Feels like sitting in on a real conversation” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Rhona Mahony

   Thirty years committed to Irish healthcare as a leader, physician and strong advocate for advancement of Women’s and Infant’s healthcare. Consultant Obstetrician and Fetal and Medicine Specialist at the National Maternity Hospital and Clinical Professor at UCD School of Medicine. Extensive management experience as former Master/CEO of one of Europe’s busiest maternity hospitals and as a former Executive Director of Women Healthcare at Ireland East Healthcare Group. Currently a non-executive director of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, also sitting on Trinity Business School’s Advisory and Executive Education Boards. Strong international collaboration as a Fellow of the Irish, American and Royal Colleges of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist’s, as an Eisenhower Fellow and as former Learning officer and Gold Chair of Young Presidents Organisation Ireland (YPO). Current Chair of the Little Museum of Dublin. Aran Island Discs "Irish Life Stories, Told Through Music." Each episode features a guest who is invited to imagine themselves on the Aran Islands—a symbolic place evoking rugged beauty and Irish cultural heritage—and explore the soundtrack of their life. Guests choose songs that have shaped their personal journeys, sparking conversations about key moments, memories, and influences in their life. Edited by Peter Rice, and distributed via platforms Acast, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. . LISTENERS If you have listened to this podcast please leave your thoughts. Or leave a review E contact@aranislanddiscs.ie W www.aranislanddiscs.ie "Feels like sitting in on a real conversation” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,890

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

0

Contact Aran Island Discs

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.