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
Des Roche - 30 Years at Guinness, Rural Ireland, and Publican Stories
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30 Years at Guinness, Rural Ireland, and Publican Stories with Des Roche
Description:
In this episode of the Pubs and Pints podcast, I sit down with my good friend Des Roche. Des is a true gentleman from County Galway, Ireland, with an incredible wealth of stories. He spent 30 years working for Guinness, starting as a merchandiser and moving into sales, giving him a front-row seat to the characters and culture of Irish pubs.
A few years after retiring from Guinness, Des began driving tour buses around Ireland, meeting people from all over the world, but mostly from the US. That is actually how we met—Des has been the driver for the group I travel with for our annual Ireland Pub Crawl for the past three years, and he’s become a great friend.
We crack open a cold one (tea for Des, Guinness for me!) and discuss everything from growing up in rural 1970s Ireland without running water to the specific science behind the "widget" in a can of Guinness. Des shares hilarious stories about eccentric publicans, a gripping family story involving the Black and Tans, and gives us some insider travel tips for the best chowder and scenic drives in Ireland.
In this episode, we cover:
- 0:00 - Intro & catching up.
- 06:30 - Growing up in East Galway in the 1970s & 80s.
- 15:40 - The science of Guinness: Gas mixes, clean glasses, and the perfect pour.
- 31:00 - Des’s 30-year career at Guinness & the launch of the "Widget" can.
- 37:00 - Hurling: Injuries, passion, and the pride of the club.
- 46:00 - Travel Tips: Dingle, The Healey Pass, and finding the best Seafood Chowder.
- 55:00 - Funny stories about Irish Publicans.
- 1:14:00 - A brush with history: The Black and Tans raid.
- 1:20:00 - Music memories: The Wolf Tones, Luke Kelly, and a Christy Moore anecdote.
Question of the day: I’m trying to learn the rules of Hurling so I can follow the matches better from the US. If you have any resources or tips for a beginner watching the sport, let me know in the comments!
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