

Fintan O’Toole
Author of 'We Don’t Know Ourselves' and a prominent public intellectual. He provides insights into the transformation of Irish society since the 1950s and the impact of its colonial past.
Top 5 podcasts with Fintan O’Toole
Ranked by the Snipd community

39 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 54min
246. Ireland Transformed: From Banning Condoms to Exporting Viagra
Fintan O’Toole, a prominent public intellectual and author of 'We Don’t Know Ourselves,' joins the discussion to reflect on Ireland's remarkable evolution. He dives into the grim realities of Magdalene laundries and the Catholic Church's oppressive legacy. The conversation also explores the cultural shift from conservative values to modern liberal perspectives, including women’s rights and attitudes toward sexuality. O’Toole highlights how Ireland transformed into a tech and pharma powerhouse, questioning how its colonial past shapes the country's future.

16 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 59min
Politics on Trial: Easter Rising 1916 w/Fintan O’Toole
Fintan O’Toole, an acclaimed Irish writer and historian, delves into the fallout from the Easter Rising of 1916. He discusses the ambitious goals of the uprising's leaders and the British missteps in their clandestine court-martials. O’Toole examines how these trials shaped perceptions of martyrdom, transforming fourteen executed leaders into potent symbols of Irish nationalism. He also explores Roger Casement's trial and George Bernard Shaw's unique ideas on defense, raising provocative questions about justice and traitorship amidst a chaotic political landscape.

13 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 54min
SOS Democracy with Fintan O’Toole — The US elections and the politics of self-pity
In a lively discussion, Fintan O’Toole, an Irish Times columnist and expert on political identity, joins host Anna Funder, an acclaimed Australian author, to explore the state of democracy. They tackle the rise of tribalism and how it distorts political discourse, emphasizing the dangers of self-pity narratives that leaders exploit. O’Toole connects these themes to Ireland's experience with identity politics while advocating for empathy and inclusivity in the face of today’s political challenges. It's a thought-provoking conversation on resuscitating democracy.

Nov 7, 2024 • 25min
United States of Fear
Fintan O’Toole, an accomplished Irish journalist and author, shares his insights on the striking parallels between the transformations in Ireland and the United States. He examines how nostalgia fuels political movements amid economic struggles. O’Toole discusses the culture of fear spurred by influential political figures and the growing need for unity within progressive movements. He critiques the changing nature of political discourse, focusing on the normalization of crudeness and its impact on public perception. Ultimately, he underscores the importance of identity and narrative in navigating complex political landscapes.

Dec 28, 2023 • 48min
Irlands Aufstieg, der Brexit und Donald Trump - #1057
Fintan O’Toole, ein prominenter irischer Schriftsteller, diskutiert mit Misha Glenny über den anglosächsischen Populismus und die gesellschaftlichen Veränderungen. Sie beleuchten Irlands Wandel von einer strengen katholischen Gesellschaft zu einer multikulturellen Nation. O’Toole analysiert die alarmierende Ästhetisierung der Politik und die Gefahren für die Demokratie, insbesondere im Hinblick auf die bevorstehenden US-Wahlen und Donald Trump. Darüber hinaus werden die komplexen Folgen des Brexits für Nordirland und die Herausforderungen für die Loyalisten erörtert.