“How To Gael” Podcasters Embark on New Tour, Co-host’s Maternity Leave Creates Exciting Uncertainty
The dynamic duo behind the popular “How To Gael” podcast, Louise Cantillon and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, are hitting the road for their highly anticipated “No Strings Attached Podcast Tour Part 2,” powered by Three’s 5G Home Broadband. While the tour promises a fresh, engaging experience for fans, a key question remains: will their co-host, Síomha Ní Ruairc, join them on stage?
Síomha, a familiar face from Ireland AM, is currently on maternity leave, awaiting the arrival of her first child. Her co-hosts have expressed full support for her decision regarding her return to work, leaving the possibility of her joining the tour open-ended.
“It remains to be seen,” Doireann shared when asked about Síomha’s potential tour involvement. “Síomha is on maternity leave at the minute. So we are letting Síomha decide how she is going to bring herself back into work, or whatever. We’re just here to support her.” This approach highlights the genuine camaraderie and understanding between the podcast hosts.
The “How To Gael” tour isn’t just about live podcast recordings; it’s also about connecting with their audience on a deeper level and celebrating the resurgence of the Irish language. A unique segment of the tour will see the podcasters recording a live episode from the kitchen table of a lucky fan. This intimate setting will serve as the backdrop for discussions exploring the growing presence of the Irish language in everyday life and how “How To Gael” has become instrumental in reigniting a passion for Gaeilge among a new generation.
Doireann elaborated on what attendees can expect, emphasizing the podcast’s core mission: to demystify the Irish language and make it accessible to everyone. “The whole point of the podcast is that we’re trying to get rid of that whole sentiment that you have come in, that you should be afraid of something to do with Irish – I think that day is gone,” she explained. “You know, we have to shed that weird cultural hang up that we have, and there’s so many really exciting things happening.”
She further reassured potential listeners and attendees, regardless of their current Irish language proficiency. “It doesn’t matter what level you have, I guarantee you, if you have just landed in from Timbuktu, you’ll be able to follow along with what’s happening with the show, it’s dipping in and out of Irish and English. You have way more than you think you have.” The seamless integration of both languages is a hallmark of their podcast, a fact frequently highlighted by their devoted listeners. “And the feedback that we get from people all the time, whether they listen to the podcast or people to the podcast or people to go to the live shows, is they don’t even notice when we’re in one language or another,” Doireann added.
Louise echoed this sentiment, describing the tour as a vibrant celebration. “It’s a celebration. Do you know what, it’s a great time, like very much what they get when they listen to our podcast, but I suppose a little bit more up close and personal, a little bit more dana, it’s great what you can get away with when you have a live audience,” she enthused. “And as Doireann said, we love an audience, so put us on a stage, give us a microphone and a platform, and some great things can happen.”
The tour promises more than just lively conversation. Louise revealed that they have a host of exciting elements planned, including:
- Incredible Guests: Expect a lineup of special guests who will add their unique perspectives and talents to the live shows.
- Cool Locations: The tour will visit a variety of interesting venues, adding to the overall experience.
- Intimate Settings: Particularly in cities like London and Paris, the shows are designed to be smaller, fostering a more intimate connection with the audience.
“We have some incredible guests joining us along the way, as well some really cool locations and also, I think it’s some of the shows are smaller, particularly the ones in London and Paris,” Louise elaborated. “So it’s an opportunity for us to kind of get really intimate with our audience and make the shows quite interactive.” This focus on interaction ensures that the live shows will be a truly memorable and engaging experience for everyone involved. The “How To Gael” tour is shaping up to be an unmissable event for anyone interested in the Irish language, culture, and a good dose of lively entertainment.
