CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment
Listen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive (http://newstalk.com/listenlive) | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Producer Brian Kenny brings to life the remarkable true tale of Irish man Lafcadio Hearne who became a literary icon in his adopted home of Japan.
Lafcadio Hearne - Irelands Ghost in Japan was produced, edited and recorded by Brian Kenny. This documentary was supported by a grant from Coimisiún na Meán as part of the Sound and Vision scheme.
16 May 2026
Niwel: A Life In Music
The Congolese guitar maestro, composer, and singer Niwel Tsumbu has become one of the most sought-after musicians in Ireland since he made this country his home in 2004. And this without ever consciously pursuing a career in music. Music was simply a passion he pursued, and it created its own road for him.
Niwel: A Life in Music explores Niwel Tsumbu's life in Africa, his reasons for emigrating to Ireland, the story of his life here, and some of his musical projects across a wide range of styles. These include Irish Trad, Classical and Jazz, as well as the Congolese styles of Rhumba and Soukous.
Samples of Niwel's music are interwoven with commentary from composer Mel Mercier, percussionist Eamonn Cagney, folklorist Ríonach Uí Ógáin, Niwel himself, and the presenter J.J. O'Shea, concluding with the premiere of an original composition recorded especially for the programme.
In addition the programme looks at the history and culture of the Congo – a country ravaged by ongoing wars and poverty, even though it offers vital material to the modern world in terms of rare minerals which are essential for today's technologies.
Niwel: A Life in Music is produced and presented by J.J. O'Shea and funded by Coimisiún na Meán.
2 May 2026
Melting Pot
Producer Patricia Baker of Curious Broadcast explores how food connects cultures, communities, and generations in Melting Pot.
Melting Pot is a story about food, recipes passed down through generations, dishes that remind us of home and family.
From Ukraine and Moldova to Nigeria, Lebanon, the Liberties of Dublin, and Zimbabwe, these are foods that carry memory. They hold the flavours of culture and the histories of the people who cook them.
These are not restaurant recipes. They are family recipes: meals cooked with love, carrying memory, tradition, and identity. They are everyday meals. Comfort food. Stories you can taste.
Featuring contributors from across Ireland’s diverse communities, Melting Pot explores how food preserves culture, creates connection, and helps people feel at home, wherever they are in the world.
Melting Pot is a Curious Broadcast production, funded by Coimisiún na Meán through the Television Licence Fee.
The Melting Pot Cookbook, featuring recipes from the documentary, is available to download free from biazine.com.
Featured Recipes and Contributors:
Ukraine
Borscht
Contributor: Olena Zhuravlyova
Moldova
Zeama (Chicken Soup)
Contributor: Angelina Kuchuk
Georgia
Nigvziani Badrijani (Walnut and Aubergine Rolls)
Contributor: Marina
Dublin, Ireland
Coddle
Contributors: Elizabeth Duffy, Liz Clayton and Angela Rooney
Lebanon
Kibbeh
Contributor: Rita Sakr
Zimbabwe
Pap and Beef Stew
Contributor: Normakhosi Ngwenya
Nigeria
Akara (Bean Fritters)
Contributor: Victory Nwabu-Ekeoma
Additional contributor: Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire
Who has been a guest on Documentary on Newstalk
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Clodagh Murphy
Paul Malone
Leanne McCarthy
Ken Driscoll
Stephen Connolly
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.8 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
4.5 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
93
Contact Documentary on Newstalk
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
