Shift Present: The Craic Podcast

The Craic before Shift Launches

Join Us for a Pint 🍻It’s been a whirlwind few months — travel, work, more travel, and even more work — but we’re finally back behind the mic with big news: the Shift beta app is officially LIVE. If you’re on our newsletter or listening here, you now have early access to download and test it before anyone else.Between juggling late nights with the development team, chatting through Irish pub culture, sharing parenting updates, and debating what makes a “real” Irish bar, we’re buzzing with momentum. The countdown to the full November pilot is on — and so is the craic.Episode Highlights ⭐️- The Shift beta goes live — and why the last 20% is always the hardest.- How many testers do we want? (Spoiler: you might be one.)- The reality of startup culture vs. big tech life — and why “scrappy” is a compliment.- Developers who can’t sleep until the code works (our kind of people).- Parenting updates — including Liam’s insane goalkeeper stats.- Irish heritage, world history, and how we learned it differently.- The rise of Irish stories on TV, from Derry Girls to House of Guinness.- The great pub debate: what actually qualifies as an Irish pub?- Guinness Zero toppers… yes, they’re a thing, and yes, they’re magic.- Networking, travel, and flying the Shift flag at Irish business events.- Merch madness — the unexpected popularity of our “Shift Me, I’m Irish” tees.- Planning for Chicago, TradFest, and Christmas back home.Shout Outs 📢Shift Beta Access👉 https://gettheshift.app/beta [https://www.irishnetworkdc.com]Irish Tech Week👉 https://irishtechweek.com [https://www.irishnetworkdc.com]Katie Boyle (Comic)👉 https://katieboylecomic.com [https://www.irishnetworkdc.com]Irish Network DC👉 https://www.irishnetworkdc.com [https://www.irishnetworkdc.com] Milwaukee Irish Fest👉 https://irishfest.comHouse of Guinness & Derry Girls (on Netflix)👉 https://www.netflix.com [https://www.netflix.com]And of course:Shift – the App for the Global Irish👉 https://gettheshift.app [https://gettheshift.app]

Introducing Shift for Irish Investors

Shift: The App for the Global Irish is launching in November 2025. The Washington DC pilot is our first major step in the mission to connect the Irish - and the Irish-ish across the world. This is a shout out for Irish and Irish American investors who care about Irish culture and understand the true value of the Irish diaspora - the 70+ million around the world. To view the deck and learn more, please contact team@shift.irish.

The Definition of Craic!

We’re back from our summer travels, with tales from the motherland and "the good ol' craic" ;). Between Paul’s family trip, Patrick’s three-week stay back home, and a hike up Croagh Patrick, there’s no shortage of craic. We chat about fathers, family, and Irish identity, before diving into music, football (both American and Gaelic), and of course, where Shift is headed next. Pull up a chair, settle in, and enjoy!Episode Highlights ⭐️- Jet lag cures (or lack thereof).- Family trips home and the changing emotions of leaving.- Irish dads, Philadelphia, Here I Come, and emotional wisdom.- Damien Dempsey live in Dublin, and a tribute to Sinéad O’Connor.- Pub visits - from Belfast to Dublin, and up the country.- The Official Definition of the Craic, from the horse's mouth.- Climbing Croagh Patrick and dreams of Carrauntoohil.- Shift app progress – the last 20% is the hardest 80%.- Plans for NFL and college football events in Dublin.- GAA rule changes, hand-passing debates, and the beauty of hurling.- Guinness Zero toppers – the pint hack you didn’t know you needed.Shout Outs 📢- Damien Dempsey👉 https://www.damiendempsey.com- Galway Film Fleadh👉 https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com- GAA for everyone:👉 https://www.gaa.ieAnd of course:Our very own Shift app is nearly ready! Shift is the world's first Irish Social & Dating App. For culture, craic and connection.Sign up for early access at:👉 https://GetTheShift.app

Legendary Snugs & Old Man Pubs

We try something new today, and the craic is fan-feckin-tastic! This time we pull up stools and have a pint at the main bar of the Aul Shebeen. Tim pours us pints and a fellow patrons drops in as we chat. Don’t miss our must-do recommendations in Belfast and Dublin as Paul & Patrick call out their favorite pubs. This is our best chat yet. Excited to hear what you think! Episode Highlights ⭐️ * Old-man pubs rule - our Top 5 Pubs in Dublin (Patrick) and Belfast (Paul) * “My ma’s behind us!” - the story of two Dublin kids that stowawayed to JFK. * Surviving a marathon (but not planning another one!) * Friendly interruptions as we sit at the bar - always a story! * Losing Boarding passes and being saved by a fellow Dub. * Irish “Spicy” from bland curries to Zinger burgers to the now famous Spice Bag! * Tales from Irish emigration: the J1, one-way tickets, and the backpacker vibe. * Fears of crossing borders in your own country. * That perfect moment Anthony Bourdain has talked about. * The history behind one of Ireland’s greatest pubs. * What’s a “snug”: Our love for snugs and the history behind it. * Prizes for our most supportive listeners and readers. And of course: * Shift.irish [https://the.shift.irish/join] - sign-up for our mobile app [https://the.shift.irish/join] now! Shout Outs 📢 * ⁠Doc on One: Don’t go far…⁠ [https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/646486-radio-documentary-dont-go-far] * ⁠The Crown Bar ⁠ [https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/scotlandandnorthernireland/thecrownliquorsaloonbelfast#/](and four others) in Belfast. * ⁠Mulligans Pub⁠ [https://www.visitdublin.com/mulligans-pub] (and four others) in Dublin. * ⁠⁠Blakes of the Hollow⁠⁠ [https://blakesofthehollow.com/] in Enniskillen. The Location 📍 * We’re at the ⁠Aul Shebeen in Fairfax⁠ [https://theauldshebeenva.com/], VA.

Craic before the Craic (at the Four Courts)

We're back with another episode of The Craic, recorded live at the Four Courts in Arlington. We're at the Courts for the first Digital Irish event here in DC, that took place immediately after this recording. A nice chat followed by a great night. Highlights: * Irish names for the American Irish. * St. Patrick's Day post-mortem. * NYC parade rules and controversial slogans. * Feedback on Shift from the people we meet. * Narrowing in on our Shift messaging. * Visit to Irish Network USA national conference. * Cheap flights and one-way tickets. * Texas culture shock. * What's the deal with Hibernians and Knights of Columbus? * The unavoidable pride of Riverdance. * The Irish connection in the new "Sinners" film. * About the Digital Irish, and helping expand in DC. If you're Irish abroad or just love the culture, head to https://shift.irish and sign up for the weekly email that keeps you connected to the craic. Got a pub or person we should visit? Let us know at team@shift.irish.