The Irish Snug Podcast
Pull up a stool and settle in. The Irish Snug Podcast is your dedicated corner for the stories, history, and characters that make Irish pub culture legendary. From the storied wood of Manhattan’s iconic bars to the hidden gems of the Irish countryside, we sit down with the people who keep the tradition alive. Whether it’s a deep dive into family legacies or a chat with a local regular, we’re capturing the spirit of Ireland, one pint and one story at a time. (Formerly the Pubs & Pints Podcast).
Rooted in the Irish tradition of
great storytelling, each episode invites listeners to pull
up a stool and enjoy tales that range from laugh-out-
loud funny to deeply moving.
The Irish Snug Podcast
Dan Bauso
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of the "Pubs & Pints Podcast," [00:19] host Tim Grant talks with Dan Bauso, who shares his experiences growing up in Woodside, Queens, and his family's Irish and Italian heritage.
Key discussion points include:
- Woodside, Queens: Dan describes Woodside as a historically Irish neighborhood, even being called "the most Irish neighborhood in the city" during the Kennedy administration [02:08]. He recalls the prevalence of large Irish Catholic families [02:39] and the strong sense of community, often compared to "the Shire" from Lord of the Rings due to its simple, family-oriented life [03:27].
- Irish-Italian Heritage: Dan, being half-Irish and half-Italian, discusses how his mother and aunt married Italian men and intentionally gave their children Irish first names to maintain their heritage [06:28]. His maternal grandmother was from Mayo and his grandfather from Sligo [05:51].
- Immigrant Experience: He shares stories of his grandparents' journey to America, including his grandmother's resourcefulness in administering a polio vaccine to her 13 children [09:05]. He notes that the Irish were better at preserving their history than Italian immigrants, who often focused on assimilation [15:00].
- Donovan's Pub: Dan recounts his personal connection to Donovan's, working there as a busboy and barboy [29:20] and celebrating numerous family events at the pub, from communions to wedding rehearsal dinners [29:35]. He highlights the pub's unique social scene, catering to both Irish-American and newly arrived Irish immigrants [26:38]. He also shares a memorable story about a biker pulling a knife at the bar and being quickly disarmed by plainclothes detectives [50:18].
- "Small World" Stories: The podcast touches on "small world" stories, such as his grandparents meeting at a church dance in the Bronx despite growing up an hour apart in Ireland [18:50], and a chance encounter with a friend from the airport in a remote part of Ireland [52:04].
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz8XNTLwMSo
