The Recluse’s Cookbook is a monthly podcast where I, your humble recluse, engage in one-on-one conversations with persons of substance. People who may not get the column inches in the media but their work or lives events are remarkable.
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Welcome back top episode 9 of The Recluse's Cookbook.
This week my guest is the Sunday Times and New York times best selling author Brian McGiloway. Fans of crime fiction will need no introduction to this guest. His books have been read and loved by many since his first novel in 2007. Since then readers are eager to read his latest book whether they are from the Inspector Devlin or Lucy Black series.
Brian took time out of writing his latest book to talk to me about craft of writing, how he got into crime fiction and he gives some stellar advice he has for people who wish to put pen to paper.
For more information on Brian please check out the links below:
Official website: Brian McGilloway
Instagram: @brian.mcgilloway
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Welcome to the Recluse's Cookbook!
We are 3/4's of our way through this series and I promise we are not going to let up with hosting incredible guests.
This time I have the wonderful Liam O'Mochain on. Liam is an independent film maker all the way from the west of Ireland. Over the past 30 years he has produced his own films each of them with their own style making him one of Ireland's most distinctive film makers.
When we spoke Liam was gearing up for the U.K. release of his his latest feature "Abode". We discuss, film making, distribution and content creation in this episode that you don't want to miss.
To find out more about Liam and "Abode" you can check out the following links:
Facebook: @Abodethefilm
X/Twitter: @Abodethefilm
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Welcome back to the Recluse’s Cookbook.
This time joining me on the podcast is theatre and film maker Luke Corcoran.
Luke is based in Waterford, and he is currently helming a number of projects in the city. He is the founder of a new theatre company which specializes in training actors in the Meisner technique and producing new plays in the forum of pub theatre,
In this interview Luke talks about his beginnings as an artist in theatre and film. He discusses the compatibility of his martial arts background and how it’s disciplines and principles helped him when embarking on his new path in the arts. We also discuss acting styles and pub theatre and it’s benefits to the community at large.
For more about Luke please see the links below:
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Welcome to episode 6.
I had the pleasure of talking to my next guest Oliver Webb Carter the day after his new wonderful podcast ”The History Book Club” went live. Oliver has had an interesting career that has seen him working in several different areas before finding himself engaged in his true passion, all things history.
He was an editor and interviewer with the Aspects of history website and during his tenure he delivered many fine interviews and articles on based on the subject of history. Since then he has moved on to produce his own podcasts “The History Book Club” and he is currently writing a book on one of ultimate turnabouts in the conflicts that has become known as the troubles.
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Welcome back!
Joining me for episode 5 is Tipperary native Eve O'Mahony. Eve is an actor, writer and independent theatre producer. Currently she is touring her acclaimed one woman show "The Last Witch Brigit Cleary" around the country.
Eve talks about this case and it's modern effect on the community it took place. She also discusses the motivation to adapt this harrowing story for the stage and the process it went through to do so. Also, Eve tells us about the life of a modern day actor and writer and explains the great importance of having adequate funding available for artists to help the grow an the public to find and appreciate their art.
To find out more about Eve and her work please check out the links below:
Official Website: The Last Witch Brigit Cleary
Instagram: @eveomahony22
Image article: Eve O'Mahoney
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Happy New year!!!
Welcome back to episode 4.
My guest on this episode is former F.B.I agent and author Kenneth Strange Jnr.
When Kenneth Strange Jnr made a life changing decision to join the F.B.I at the age of 30, he couldn't have known the journey it would bring him on. From the drug cartels on the border, to chasing down global fraud and tackling international terrorism these are are the components that make up his latest book “A cops son: One G-Man’s fight against Jihad, Global fraud and the cartels”.
In this episode we discuss his career in the F.B. I.
You can find out more about Kenneth Strange Jnr at the following links:
Official website: kennethstrange.com
Amazon page: Amazon store
Instagram: kennethstrange5
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Welcome back to the 2nd part of the interview with Austin Stack.
In the previous part of this episode, Austin took us through the events leading up to and the night his father was shot.
In the concluding part of this interview, Austin tells us about how the wheels began turning and the campaign for justice for his father began and the almost unbelievable journey it has since taken.
If you want to find out more about the Stack families quest for justice then you can do so at the links below.
You can buy "Justice for my father" here: Justice for my father
Tik Tok: @austinstack68
Instagram: @austinstack68
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Welcome to the 3rd episode of the Series.
My guest on this episode is Ret assistant prison governor and author Austin Stack. This episode is slightly different though For the first time in the history of the series I will split the interview into two halves.
Austin is the eldest son of Brian Stack. Brian Stack was the chief prison officer at Portlaoise prison and in 1983 he was shot and wounded as he left a boxing event at the National Stadium on Dublin's South Circular Road. 18 months later he passed away as a result of the shooting.
The first part of this interview will detail the events leading up to and the night of the shooting of Brian Stack. The second part of the interview will pick up from there and chronicle the Stack families quest for Justice for their murdered husband and father.
If you wish to find out more please check the links below.
You can buy "Justice for my father" here: Justice for my father
Tik Tok: @austinstack68
Instagram: @austinstack68
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Welcome to episode 2 of “The Recluse’s Cookbook”.
Toby Harnden has been to and written about things and places that only most of us have ever dreamed about. In a journalistic career that has spanned over three decades he has covered virtually everything that can be covered.
Yet, Toby Harnden managed to achieve something that very few thought was possible. In 1999 he published his first book which is a remarkable account of one of the toughest, most dangerous and virtually impenetrable groups of the troubles, The South Armagh Brigade of the provisional I.R.A. Toby’s book “Bandit country: The IRA and South Armagh” was an instantly a best seller and critically acclaimed. Since then he has written two more books this time covering events in Afghanistan. Dead Men Risen in 2011 and First Casualty in 2021.
In this episode Toby speaks to me about his career and takes us through the landmarks in it. To find out more about Toby please check out the links below.
Official website: Toby Harnden
Bandit Country: Bandit country: The IRA and South Armagh
Twitter/X: Toby Harnden
Instagram: Toby Harnden
Dead Men Risen: Dead Men Risen
First casualty: First casualty
Monday Nov 10, 2025
Monday Nov 10, 2025
Welcome back to the 3rd series of the Recluse's Cookbook podcast.
Kicking of this series is Oisin Feeney from The Troubles podcast. The Troubles podcast is one of Ireland's most popular history podcasts. Since it first broadcast in 2000 it has spawned 6 critically acclaimed series and won awards as well.
Oisin tells us how the podcast came about in the first place. He discusses the aspects he finds difficult when dealing with a such a sensitive topic
Please check out the following links below:
The Troubles Podcast - YouTube
The Troubles Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
The Troubles Podcast (@thetroublespodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
Oisin's Tour company: The Grand Experience
My other podcast project:
The Cliff's Edge Podcast
The Cliff's Edge Podcast - Hosted by Ciaran McConnell
My episode The Cliff's Edge Podcast