Although it’s still November, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas over here on The Women’s Podcast. To kick off this year's festive season, we’ve asked three Irish business owners to share their Irish-made gift ideas. Joining Roisin Ingle in studio is illustrator Catherine Geaney, jewellery maker Maureen Lynch and Pat Kane, founder of reuzi, Ireland's one-stop shop for sustainably made, reusable goods. Each of them are showcasing their work at this year’s Gifted craft fair at the RDS, along with hundreds of other talented makers and producers. In today’s episode, they tell Ingle about what they’ll be bringing to this year's event and what other Irish sellers to look out for. Some of their gift recommendations include Bernie Murphy socks, Conscious Convert bedding and children's toys from The Wonky Wollens.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Italy’s new femicide law, the introduction of women-only carriages on french trains and the inquest into the death of teenager Niamh McNally at University Hospital Limerick in 2024.

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In today’s episode, former senator and government minister Katherine Zappone joins Kathy Sheridan to discuss her new memoir Love in a Time of Politics. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zappone charts her journey through Irish politics, from a fresh-faced senator appointed by then taoiseach Enda Kenny, right through to her tenure as minister for children and youth affairs. She speaks about the campaigns she’s most proud of and the scandals she’d rather forget. The 71-year-old also reflects on her relationship with her beloved wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan who died in 2017 and the grief that followed her devastating loss. She tells Sheridan how she eventually found love again with her South African partner Jennifer and what the future now holds for the pair.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Trump's unhinged behaviour aboard Air Force One and how and why the global skincare industry is targeting products towards children as young as four.

Did you know The Irish Times Women’s Podcast is turning ten years old? To celebrate a decade of conversation, craic and captivating stories, we are hosting our ten year birthday bash at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday, December 2nd. For more information and to get tickets to the event, see here.

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With a career spanning theatre, film and television, Irish actor Fiona Shaw has been a household name in Ireland for decades. The Cork native is known for her award-winning stage work, as well as her iconic roles in the Harry Potter films, Killing Eve, and Bad Sisters.

Shaw’s latest project, Park Avenue, opened in Irish cinemas this week. Earlier this year, while in Dublin for the International Film Festival, she joined Kathy Sheridan in studio to talk about the film, in which she plays the glamorous and wealthy widow Kit.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Shaw reflects on her early career and explains what led her to setting up a women’s group while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. She also tells Sheridan about her friendship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, why she turned down a move to Hollywood in the 1990s, and how she met her Sri Lankan wife, Sonali Deraniyagala.

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