Episode One - Above the Parapet

In 2015, Ireland made history by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But how did a predominantly Catholic nation decide to embrace LGBT equality and inclusion in such a profound and historical way? Over the course of four episodes, comedian and actor Shane Daniel Byrne takes us back to the beginning of this transformative journey, reflecting on his own memories and experiences as a young gay man in Dublin discovering his own sexuality. Shane explores the decades of activism, protests, and personal sacrifices that paved the way for future generations, collecting a tapestry of rich stories that shaped Ireland’s social and cultural evolution. In episode one, Shane explores the silence and stigma that once surrounded queer lives to the decline of the Catholic Church’s influence, featuring reflections from voices like former President Mary McAleese, drag royalty Panti Bliss and Irish Times journalist Una Mullally among others.

Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.

Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.

Developed and Produced by Series Producer, Paul Macgregor.

Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. 

Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. 

News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. 

Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. 

Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. 

Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrates 10 years of marriage equality. Shane will take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQ+ activism and resistance, he explores the cultural shifts that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, journalist Una Mullaly, artists Pillows Queen and Joe Caslin, alongisde TV presenter Brendan Courtney among many others. The series includes Shane’s personal reflections and live standup from his sell-out run at Vicar Street in Dublin, as he revisits a time that reshaped his life and transformed Ireland completely.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• No. of episodes: 8
• Latest episode: 2025-07-10
• Society & Culture History

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