Offaly's three TDs quizzed by young podcasters

THE newly elected TDs of Offaly took time out of their busy schedules recently to visit Banagher College’s Bog Pod podcast studio, to be put through their paces by one of the school’s podcast teams.

The initiative, a partnership between Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Offaly County Council, saw the politicians quizzed about everything from their plans for the new Dáil term, to balancing family life with politics, to sustainability - and much more.

The Bog Pod studio is one of the studios now set up in LOETB schools, as part of the LOETB S.T.E.A.M. Programme, a partnership between Laois and Offaly County Councils and LOETB, to help develop 21st century skills across the schools involved, including design, coding, robotics and podcasting.

To prepare for the political podcast series, the students Freya Maher, Darragh Egan, Tim Lally and Alex Sullivan got some useful tips from vastly experienced political pundit and journalist, Gearóid Keegan, who advised the students on the key Do’s and Dont’s of political interviews.

All three politicians were up for the chat and more than happy to cover areas of interest for the young people of Offaly.

The podcast team were happy to point out that, should the government go full term, they will be eager members of the voting register next time around and will be watching closely to see if the TDs can live up to their aspirations.

Carol Nolan TD was first up in the studio with the team, where she discussed life in the Dáil and spoke about her passion for education. She talked with pride about her connections to an Offaly GAA legend and also revealed that she’d taken time out on her birthday to make the trip to Banagher for the podcast!

John Clendennen TD (pictured below with the students) was next into the studio, telling the team about the people in politics who inspired him, including his father who was a long serving member of Offaly County Council.

He also spoke about how important social media was in his campaign and lived up to his word by recording a TikTok there and then in the Bog Pod!

The other newly elected representative for Offaly, Tony McCormack TD (pictured below with the students), was next to face a grilling from the team, offering fascinating insights into his first day in the Dáil, as well as his interest in sustainability. He also revealed that he had made a goal scoring appearance at Celtic Park!

Anyone who wants to hear all the details as Offaly’s newly elected TDs were put through their paces will find the interviews on the Banagher College BogPod Spotify page: tinyurl.com/Bog-Pod