The Last Mixed Tape

For much of the twentieth century, the Catholic Church shaped almost every aspect of Irish life education, sexuality, politics, family and silence.

But long before Ireland changed politically, Irish artists began documenting the emotional cost of that world through music.

From Christy Moore’s haunting response to the death of Ann Lovett, to Sinéad O’Connor’s infamous Saturday Night Live protest, to Hozier’s Take Me To Church, the Marriage Equality referendum, the Repeal the 8th movement and Fontaines D.C.’s reflections on post-Catholic Ireland, this episode explores how Irish music became both witness and protest during one of the most dramatic cultural transformations in modern Irish history.

Part music documentary, part cultural essay traces how songs carried truths Irish society often struggled to say aloud until eventually the silence itself began to collapse.

The Last Mixed Tape is hosted by Stephen White, and is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.