In something of an epilogue to our “Lost in Belfast” series, former U.S. Congressman and U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joseph Kennedy III joins Irish Stew for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, peace, and public service. From the streets of Belfast to the tumult of Washington, Kennedy reflects on the lessons Northern Ireland can teach the wider world, the legacy of his famed family, and where his own journey is headed next.

Joe provides his deeply personal perspective on the remarkable transformation of Northern Ireland from conflict to cautious cooperation. While acknowledging the divisions that remain, he points to the extraordinary resilience of its people and leaders. For him, Northern Ireland offers a living example of what can be achieved when reconciliation and restraint guide politics, a message that resonates far beyond Ireland’s shores.

On a more personal note, Kennedy reflects on the deep imprint of public service in his own family story. He describes it as more of a calling than a career choice, whether through elected office, advocacy, or movements like the Special Olympics. His commitment continues through the Groundwork Project, an initiative supporting civic engagement in often-overlooked communities across America, seeking to rebuild trust between citizens and the political process through a strategy rooted not in messaging alone but in genuine listening and local empowerment, and through Citizens Energy, the green energy nonprofit his father founded.

Looking ahead, Kennedy sees promise in Belfast’s growth, from education and innovation to its growing spirit of community, bridging past struggles with future possibilities.

For Kennedy, service remains the thread tying it all together, whether in politics, community work, or renewable energy.

Join us for this Global Irish Conversation on politics, peace and public service in Belfast, Boston, and beyond with #JK3.

Links:
Joe’s “Seamus Plug”

• Wave Trauma Centre

Social media

• Instagram
• BlueSky
• X - Twitter
• Facebook

Groundwork Project

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X - Twitter

Citizens Energy Corporation

• Website

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 26; Total Episode Count: 129

Today, we hear the story of an American congressman who changed the lives of thousands of Irish people, the foundation created to honor his legacy, and the big event this fall that will celebrate that legacy.

To tell the tale, we have two Irish individuals who benefited from the Morrison Visa program, spearheaded by Congressman Bruce Morrison: Feargal O’Sullivan, CEO of the outsourced sales and marketing firm USAM, and Elaine Brennan, Executive Director of Global Strategic Partnerships for Northwell Health.

Since Morrison Visas helped thousands of young Irish people, Elaine, Feargal, and a stellar group of diaspora leaders created the Morrison Legacy Foundation and will honor the Congressman at the Morrison Visa 30th Anniversary Celebration, Wed., Oct. 1, at the legendary Rainbow Room, high atop New York’s Rockefeller Center.

Get all the details at the links below.

With that, we wrap until the fall when we’ll come back strong on September 7th in an episode with former U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joseph Kennedy III.
Talk to you then!

Links
Morrison Legacy Foundation

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram

Elaine Brennan

• LinkedIn
• Northwell Health

Fergal O'Sullivan

• LinkedIn
• USAM Group

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 25; Total Episode Count: 128

In his third appearance on Irish Stew, historian Dr. Damian Shiels joins Martin Nutty for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation. Now living in Finland, Damian shares the personal story behind his move abroad, driven by Ireland’s rising cost of living and the opportunities remote work provides.

The episode explores Damian’s latest projects, including "Transatlantic", a new podcast he co-hosts with Finn Dwyer, which dives deep into the historical connections between Ireland and America.

Damian also discusses his groundbreaking new book, Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861–1865. The culmination of 15 years of research, the book offers a powerful and detailed examination of the Irish experience during the American Civil War, revealing the socio-economic realities and identities of Irish soldiers in Union ranks.

Throughout the episode, themes of immigration, identity, and racism are explored, connecting past and present. Damian and Martin reflect on how understanding the history of the Irish diaspora can illuminate today’s pressing issues—from housing crises to evolving notions of Irish identity, both at home and abroad.

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 24; Total Episode Count: 127

The Smuggler is back and rhyming its way through Ireland, so we updated our earlier episode with actor Mick Mellamphy with news of his Irish tour of Ronán Noone’s award-winning one-man tour de force this July.

Set on a wealthy American island enclave and performed in rhymed verse, The Smuggler follows Irish immigrant Tim Finnegan as he’s pulled into the local criminal underworld after a fatal crash stirs tensions between locals and migrants.

It's a raucous, interactive experience, with the edge of a thriller and the serious subtext of immigration and identity, playing in Listowel, Cork, Belfast, and Dublin (details below).

With roots in both Dublin and Cork, Mick is a well-known New York actor and artistic director of the Origin Theatre who enjoys rockstar fame as the performance capture actor for the cheeky Irish gunslinger Sean MacGuire from the massively popular video game Red Dead Redemption 2, aka RDR2.

Mick leaves us with a wee sample of The Smuggler as he slips into the conflicted character of Tim Finnegan, but to get the full experience, catch Mick on tour in Ireland this July.

Original episode published January 2023

Links

The Smuggler

• Facebook
• Schedule and Venues
  • St John’s Theatre, Listowel (July 11)
  • The Cork Arts Theatre (July 16-19)
  • The Harrison Hotel, Belfast (July 23-25)
  • J.R. Mahon’s, Dublin (July 28-30)

Mick Mellamphy

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Origin Theatre/1st Irish Festival

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 23; Total Episode Count: 126

In this episode, host Martin Nutty chats with Declan Curran, actor, writer, and producer of the acclaimed short film Dear Imelda. Declan traces his creative path from creating teenage comedy sketches on YouTube to crafting award-winning short films that have screened at festivals worldwide. His growing success is highlighted by a recent distribution deal brokered by Network Ireland Television (NITV) with the Japanese streaming platform SAMANSA, expanding his reach to international audiences.

Recorded at the Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, DC—hosted by Solas Nua—this conversation captures the vibrant, collaborative spirit of the festival. Declan discusses the realities of self-funding projects, the power of film festivals for emerging filmmakers, and the value of real-life connections in a digital age. He also reflects on the top-tier screening experience at venues like the AFI Silver Theatre and the support he’s found through family collaborations, particularly with his cousin Arón Holden, director of Dear Imelda.

Looking ahead, Declan talks about his aspirations to transition into feature filmmaking and the lessons he’s carrying forward from his indie film success.

Links

Declan Curran

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Filmography
  • Dear Imelda (2024 - Trailer)
  • Birthday (2023)
  • Shall We Sit (2023)
  • Shine (2021)

Solas Nua

• Website
• Capital Irish Film Festival 2025

Other Links

• SAMANSA
• Network Television Ireland (NITV)
• AFI Silver

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 22; Total Episode Count: 125

When you have a good story to tell, why not invite the world?
For our Lost In Belfast series finale, we convene in the Titanic Hotel’s grand vaulted hall, where the ill-fated ship was designed. Hundreds have gathered from across local communities and from around the globe for the Belfast International Homecoming—civic leaders, elected officials, business executives, investors, entrepreneurs, culture makers…and two peripatetic podcasters.

Co-host and a Belfast Homecoming Ambassador himself, John Lee spoke with the event’s creator Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, a former Lord Mayor, long-time publisher, and Irish Stew alum and Connla McCann, who organizes this and many other high-profile events on both sides of the Atlantic as co-founder and director of Aisling Events.

We glean their insights on the purpose, evolution, outcomes, and future of this much anticipated annual event (returning Sept. 25, 2025), and grab soundbites from Dan Dennehy--VP Council for American Ireland Relations, Bryan O’Dwyer, a New York lawyer dedicated to advancing Ireland’s cause in the United States, and Smuggling Nun Poitín’s Maura Clare, another past Irish Stew guest and a 2024 Belfast Homecoming Ambassador.

We also heard about the Homecoming’s sister event, the New York New Belfast Luncheon Conference, coming to the stately New York Athletic Club on Thurs., June 12. See the link below for last-minute tickets!

So, we are lost no more—we found our way home to Belfast.

We thank Tourism Ireland for all their support and Máirtín and Connla for inviting us to the Belfast Homecoming!

Links

• 2025 New York New Belfast Conference - Thu, Jun 12
• 2025 Belfast International Homecoming - Thu, Sep 25
• Aisling Events

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir

• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X
• Facebook
• Earlier Irish Stew episode

Connla McCann

• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 21; Total Episode Count: 124

In the 10th episode of the Irish Stew Podcast's Lost in Belfast series, host Martin Nutty sits down with poet Linda McKenna. Together, they discuss poetry, history, and forgotten voices of Irish history.

Linda's path to poetry began almost by accident, but her talent was apparent, confirmed when she received the prestigious 2018 Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing. Recording from the Observatory room at Belfast's Grand Central Hotel, Linda opens up about her unique approach to poetry, drawing inspiration from historical archives and fragmentary records to illuminate the often-overlooked stories of women throughout history.

During this compelling discussion, Linda reads excerpts from her acclaimed collection Four Thousand Keys and offers insights into her upcoming work, which seeks to recover and amplify voices from Ireland's 1798 rebellion. Her poetry serves as both historical excavation and artistic expression, breathing life into stories that might otherwise remain buried in dusty archives.

Join Martin and Linda for a conversation that connects past and present, exploring how poetry can serve as a bridge between forgotten histories and contemporary understanding.

Links

• Linda McKenna page at Doire Press
• Twitter
• Facebook

Books

• Four Thousand Keys
• In the Museum of Misremembered Things

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 20; Total Episode Count: 123

In this episode of Irish Stew, host Martin Nutty connects with key figures from Solas Nua, a dynamic Washington, D.C.-based arts organization devoted to contemporary Irish culture. Recorded during the Capital Irish Film Festival, the conversation features:

• Kate Meenan-Waugh, Board Co-Chair
• Andrew Dolan, Executive Director
• Rex Daugherty, Artistic Director of Theater

Kate recounts her Irish upbringing, her background in education, and the path that led her to Solas Nua. Andrew delves into the opportunities and hurdles of running an arts organization without a permanent venue, highlighting the power of partnership-driven programming. Rex shares his journey of reconnecting with Irish heritage and describes how Solas Nua nurtures the growth of Irish theater and artists.

Together, they explore Solas Nua’s mission to promote Irish voices, innovative approaches to community engagement, and upcoming initiatives, including events spotlighting renowned playwright Enda Walsh.

As Solas Nua marks its 20th anniversary, the guests reflect on the organization's evolving impact, the significance of cultural storytelling, and the enduring influence of Irish arts in the U.S.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Lee, the Irish King and beloved brother of John Lee.

Links

Solas Nua

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter (X)
• Facebook
• Enda Walsh Festival - June 21 - 22

Kate Meenan Waugh - Board Co-Chair

• Profile at Solas Nua

Andrew Dolan - Executive Director

• LinkedIn
• NEA - Artful Life Interview

Rex Daugherty

• Website
• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 19; Total Episode Count: 122