Connect with Séamus Doohan:

• Website: walkingdonegal.net
• Email: walkingdonegalireland@gmail.com
• Instagram/Socials: @walkingdonegal

In this episode of Pubs & Pints, host Tim sits down with Séamus Doohan, a man whose life is woven into the rugged landscape of Falcarragh, County Donegal. Séamus isn't just a local; he is a storyteller, a walking guide, a historian, and a passionate advocate for the Irish language.

We dive deep into the folklore and reality of Donegal life, from the legendary prophecies of St. Colum Cille to the heartbreaking history of the "Bridge of Tears," where generations of Irish emigrants said their final goodbyes before walking to the ports of Derry. Séamus shares how he transitioned from a "football fanatic" to a professional mountain guide, helping visitors uncover secret waterfalls, ancient ruins, and the medicinal secrets of local wildflowers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Pub Culture of Falcarragh: Comparing the social life of the 1990s to today and the magic of a "singing circle" at the Shamrock Lounge.
• The Bridge of Tears: A moving look at the path taken by those leaving Ireland for America and how Séamus helps their descendants reconnect with that emotion today.
• St. Colum Cille & Ancient Manuscripts: The history of the "Dove of the Church," the first-ever copyright battle, and the sacred Cathach manuscript.
• The Poisoned Glen & Mistranslations: How a simple linguistic error turned the "Heavenly Glen" into the "Poisoned Glen."
• The Irish Language Revival: Séamus’s journey with Gaelic and his experience guiding famous polyglots like Ari Smith (Xiaomanyc) through the Donegal Gaeltacht.
• Archaeology and Art: A look at Séamus’s latest passion—painting the shadows and light of old Irish customs.

Whether you have Donegal roots or simply love a good story told over a pint, this conversation with Séamus Doohan is a journey through the heart of the "Forgotten County."

Featured Links & Publications:

• Condé Nast Traveler: Donegal, Ireland: A Land of Myth and Music
• France TV Feature: Watch Séamus on France TV
• Walking Donegal on YouTube: Watch the Landscape
• The Irish Language Journey: Séamus and Ari Smith (Xiaomanyc)

About Pubs & Pints: Join Tim as he explores the history, the people, and the stories behind the world's most iconic Irish pubs and the characters who make them home.

#PubsAndPints #Donegal #Ireland #WalkingDonegal #IrishHistory #Gaelic #Falcarragh #IrishPodcast

Send us a text

Support the show

30 Years at Guinness, Rural Ireland, and Publican Stories with Des Roche

Description:

In this episode of the Pubs and Pints podcast, I sit down with my good friend Des Roche. Des is a true gentleman from County Galway, Ireland, with an incredible wealth of stories. He spent 30 years working for Guinness, starting as a merchandiser and moving into sales, giving him a front-row seat to the characters and culture of Irish pubs.

A few years after retiring from Guinness, Des began driving tour buses around Ireland, meeting people from all over the world, but mostly from the US. That is actually how we met—Des has been the driver for the group I travel with for our annual Ireland Pub Crawl for the past three years, and he’s become a great friend.

We crack open a cold one (tea for Des, Guinness for me!) and discuss everything from growing up in rural 1970s Ireland without running water to the specific science behind the "widget" in a can of Guinness. Des shares hilarious stories about eccentric publicans, a gripping family story involving the Black and Tans, and gives us some insider travel tips for the best chowder and scenic drives in Ireland.

In this episode, we cover:

• 0:00 - Intro & catching up.
• 06:30 - Growing up in East Galway in the 1970s & 80s.
• 15:40 - The science of Guinness: Gas mixes, clean glasses, and the perfect pour.
• 31:00 - Des’s 30-year career at Guinness & the launch of the "Widget" can.
• 37:00 - Hurling: Injuries, passion, and the pride of the club.
• 46:00 - Travel Tips: Dingle, The Healey Pass, and finding the best Seafood Chowder.
• 55:00 - Funny stories about Irish Publicans.
• 1:14:00 - A brush with history: The Black and Tans raid.
• 1:20:00 - Music memories: The Wolf Tones, Luke Kelly, and a Christy Moore anecdote.

Question of the day: I’m trying to learn the rules of Hurling so I can follow the matches better from the US. If you have any resources or tips for a beginner watching the sport, let me know in the comments!

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe for more stories from the pub!

#PubsAndPints #Guinness #IrelandTravel #Galway #IrishHistory #Podcast

Send us a text

Support the show

Join us for a powerful episode of Pubs & Pints as we welcome Matt Long—FDNY firefighter, 9/11 responder, and ultimate survivor. Matt shares the incredible story of his near-fatal accident and his miraculous journey from a 1% survival rate to running marathons. This is an episode about grit, the power of the human spirit, and finding hope in the darkest of times. 🍻🚒 #PubsAndPints #MattLong #Resilience #FDNY #Inspiration

Send us a text

Support the show