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Abstract

In the Irish context, the radio talk show has long constituted a distinctive cultural institution, evolving from early programmes such as Dear Frankie, The Gay Byrne Show, The Ryan Line, and Liveline into a significant public forum for the expression of personal narratives, collective opinion, and emotional resonance (O’Sullivan, 2005). Over time, this genre has undergone a notable transformation—from functioning as a secular analogue to the Catholic confessional to becoming an increasingly therapeutic outlet for listeners. This evolution is emblematic of wider sociocultural shifts in Ireland, particularly the waning influence of institutional religion (Inglis, 2000) and the disintegration of traditional community structures. Within this framework, talk radio has emerged as both a reflective surface and an active mediator of these transformations, articulating the affective and social undercurrents of contemporary Irish life. In contrast to its American counterpart—often marked by ideological polarisation and adversarial rhetoric (Amarasinghe, 2022)—the Irish talk radio format tends to prioritise inclusivity, dialogic exchange, and emotional authenticity. It privileges lived experience and empathetic engagement over political partisanship or combative debate. This distinctiveness was particularly pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Irish talk radio occupied a unique cultural and communicative space. Through its accessibility, immediacy, and affective intimacy, it provided an essential forum for navigating collective uncertainty, mitigating isolation, and sustaining localised forms of solidarity (McMahon, 2021). At a time when conventional modes of communal interaction and spiritual practice continue to erode (Amárach, 2023), talk radio has assumed a critical role in the cultural and emotional landscape of post-Catholic Ireland.

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