In this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast, I’m joined by David Keohan, widely known as Indiana Stones, a man on a singular mission to revive the lost Irish tradition of stone lifting.

For centuries, these massive boulders—scattered across the Irish landscape in fields, graveyards, and coastal villages—served as rites of passage, tests of strength for jobs like stonemasonry, and even ways to honor the dead at funeral games. David discusses how this deep-rooted cultural practice was nearly erased by history and how he used archival research to track down these "stones of strength," some of which haven't been lifted in generations. We dive into the intersection of folklore, physical strength, and the spiritual connection to the land that comes with "getting the wind under the stone."

KEY TOPICS

• The Rediscovery: How David transitioned from a world-champion kettlebell lifter to a "cultural archaeologist" of Irish stone lifting.
• The Schools’ Collection: Using 1930s folklore archives to locate forgotten stones through the stories of schoolchildren.
• The Mythology of Strength: Understanding the legends attached to stones like the Fianna stone and the "manhood stones" of the Aran Islands.
• A Cultural Revival: How stone lifting is reawakening national pride and connecting people with their ancestry today.

LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Follow David Keohan (Indiana Stones) on Instagram:
• Dúchas.ie: Explore the National Folklore Collection and the Schools' Collection David uses for his research.
• David’s Upcoming Book: The Wind Beneath the Stone: My Quest to Unearth a Piece of Ireland's Folklore (Available for pre-order/release in 2026):
  • Pre-order via Bloomsbury (Ireland & UK)
  • Pre-order via Penguin (US & Canada)
• Documentary: Made of Stone – Available on the RTÉ Player
• Film Inspiration: Fullsterkur (Icelandic Stones), Levantadores (Basque Stones), and Stoneland (Scottish Stones) by Rogue Fitness

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Irish Snug to get notified as new episodes are released. Sláinte!

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This episode of The Irish Snug is a masterclass in discipline, grit, and the deep-rooted connections within the Irish-American community. Today, Tim sits down with Paige Turilli, a five-time World Champion Irish dancer, to discuss her journey from a five-year-old beginner in Pearl River to standing on top of the world stage.

Whether you're an "Irish Dance Dad," a competitive athlete, or someone who loves a good story about heritage and hard work, this conversation offers a rare look behind the curtain of elite Irish dance.

☘️ Episode Highlights

• The FDNY Connection: Tim and Paige reminisce about their family ties within the FDNY and the bagpipe band, including a touching tribute to Paige's father—an exceptional firefighter and hero of 9/11.
• The Road to World Titles: Paige breaks down the sacrifices, injuries (including a near-torn hamstring), and the mental toughness required to win five World Championships.
• The Pivot for Growth: Why Paige made the difficult decision to switch dance schools at age 17 and how that drive for new challenges propelled her to the next level.
• Life After Competition: From balancing dance with college life at Villanova to her current role teaching "Jig and Swig" in London, Paige discusses finding joy in the "retirement" phase of her career.
• The Future of the Craft: Insights on the evolution of Irish dance—from increased athleticism to the rhythm-focused styles of the past—and Paige's aspirations to become an adjudicator.

🎙️ About Paige Turilli
Paige Turilli is one of the most decorated Irish dancers of her generation. Her resume includes:

• 5x World Champion
• 9x Oireachtas Champion
• 6x National Champion
• 2x All-Ireland Champion

🇮🇪 About The Irish Snug Podcast
Hosted by Tim Grant, The Irish Snug is a place for unscripted, deep-dive conversations about Irish culture, history, and the people who keep the traditions alive. We prioritize storytelling over soundbites, focusing on the "grey areas" of resilience, character, and the legendary Irish banter.

🇮🇪 Follow The Irish Snug Podcast:

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Gerry's Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerard_devine_poetry

Videos used in this podcast:

The Hurley Maker: https://youtu.be/sFYIz-lzmwE?si=g0eqLbIn0cqwX415

The Quarryman: https://youtu.be/z9rkr1ONVRs?si=Yp0fn5YL-izKQBDM

Website: https://www.gerarddevinepoetry.com/

Welcome back to the Irish Snug Podcast! In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Gerard Devine — a man who truly embodies the heart of the Irish spirit.

From walking the thin red line as a full-time firefighter in Dublin City to crafting poetry now taught in the very school he once attended, Gerard’s story is one of grit, resilience, creativity, and heritage. His journey spans continents, trades, and passions — from construction sites in Boston and San Francisco to the firehouses of Dublin, and from the roar of Gaelic games to the quiet reflection of poetry.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Life in the Dublin Fire Brigade and the universal brotherhood of firefighters
• Growing up in Dublin’s north inner city and the legacy of family, culture, and tradition
• Gerard’s experiences working and playing GAA football & hurling across the United States
• The deep-rooted role of Irish communities abroad, especially through GAA clubs and Irish pubs
• His late-in-life journey into poetry — sparked during recovery from a serious injury
• The story behind his powerful poems like The Quarryman, The Poet, The Firefighters Call, & The Hurley Maker.
• How his work has come full circle — now being taught in his old school
• Reflections on identity, pride, hardship, and leaving a legacy

Gerard shares unforgettable stories — from his father’s days in Guinness, to encounters with legends, to the realities of emigration and finding purpose. His poetry, like his life, is raw, honest, and deeply rooted in Irish identity.

This episode is about more than one man’s journey — it’s about tradition, resilience, and carving your mark on the world.

Whether you're a firefighter, an emigrant, a lover of Irish culture, or someone chasing meaning in your own life — this conversation will stay with you.

Subscribe, like, and share to support the podcast!

Website: https://www.theirishsnugpodcast.com/

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#IrishSnugPodcast #GerardDevine #IrishPoetry #GAA #IrishCulture

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