Episodes

  • Ep. 10 Weapons Grade Coffee

    Ep. 10 Weapons Grade Coffee
    Jul 18 2024
    Barry explains the motivation behind his coffee journey in this episode, highlighting the secrets of great coffee culture. Lorraine sparks interest in Greenbean Coffee Roasters barista training programs. The importance of the Coffee Roastery for the perfect blend is emphasized, and the art of crafting the perfect cup of coffee is celebrated. The sense of community in local coffee shops is praised, with humorous behind-the-counter anecdotes. The team at Greenbean Coffee Roasters has enriched the episode and brought the vibrant coffee culture of Dundalk to life. Details about the location, opening hours, and barista training are shared, with an invitation to join their online community.
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    21 mins
  • Ep. 9 Late Night Coffee

    Ep. 9 Late Night Coffee
    Jun 23 2024
    Graeme and I share a long history, and I've been eager to have him on the Podcast for quite some time. His passion for family, business, and community is evident in his energy and drive. Our warm and engaging conversation touched on various topics, including his support for the Palestinian people and his entrepreneurial journey. Graeme has a sharp sense of the business and understands the hard work it takes to build something from the ground up. We reminisced about his beginnings and the journey to opening his second café, Finegan & Son, which offers a distinctly different atmosphere compared to his first. We also touched on one of my favourite aspects of his first café, Grounded, which embraced a late-night coffee culture. They used to stay open until midnight (now until 11pm), a rarity in the specialty coffee scene. Graeme’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have significantly enriched Newry and its surroundings. At one point, I considered calling this episode “Doing the Dishes,” reflecting both the ‘initiation ritual’ for his customers and Graeme’s belief in never asking someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. I enjoyed hearing Graeme speak about the freshness of the beans, the importance of good water, the passion of his staff, and the appreciation of his customers. Though Graeme didn’t choose a tune himself, I’d suggest that The Best Day Of My Life, by American Authors captures the essence of his journey. Thanks for listening to the latest episode, I really appreciate all the support shown so far. A little update on the schedule for the podcasts. Originally I was aiming to release an episode every week. At the moment, the schedule is more like every two to three weeks - but if you subscribe wherever you listen, you’ll be notified every time a new episode drops, and if you have any suggestions, or comments, or to nominate a local coffee shop or barista, just get in touch.
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    25 mins
  • Ep. 8: It's All About The Water...Lillie's

    Ep. 8: It's All About The Water...Lillie's
    May 29 2024
    While visiting nearby, I reached out to Waterlillies in Carlow, and Cian was delighted to host me in his lovely shop on Tullow Street. His coffee journey has led him through the coffee scene in Dublin, to some months in Nepal, and finally to Carlow to open Waterlillies. I really enjoyed hearing about Cian's take on coffee culture, the importance of water for the perfect cup, and how special his customers are. It's a cracking episode and an excellent example of what I want this podcast series to be about. From the owner's background, to the atmosphere of the coffee shop, customer interactions, and even hearing about the challenges or humorous mishaps paint a vivid picture of the coffee shop culture and the role of the barista within it. Coffee shops, and Waterlillies in particular, are the essence of coffee; spaces where people come together to share conversations, stories, and, of course, great coffee. If you're loving the aroma, please leave a review wherever you listen, and share the feed with friends to expand our community. You can nominate a local coffee shop or barista to take part and share their story. And if you want to support the show, you can do so on www.buymeacoffee.com/beansandmore. For extra perks and sneak peeks, follow us on Instagram, X and TikTok, and don't forget to visit www.beansandmore.coffee to catch up on all episodes. Thanks a latte for your support!
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    17 mins
  • Ep.7: Lean on Me

    Ep.7: Lean on Me
    May 3 2024
    The Caring Coins initiative in Newry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, is super! It brings together the two best parts of coffee culture - the beverage and the community. Kerrie & Yvonne, coming through their own experiences, have created a place where caring cups and comforting conversations go hand in hand. Along with their committed volunteers, they are providing a much needed space for people to come together and help each other. This is a wonderful vision, and deserves great support. If you can, drop in and support the girls. If you can follow them on their Facebook page 'Caring Coins Association'.
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    19 mins
  • Ep. 6: It Runs in Your Veins

    Ep. 6: It Runs in Your Veins
    Apr 20 2024
    It's one of the best things about starting this podcast - that I get to meet individuals who are truly passionate about what they do. Euclides is one of those. It is clear from the moment he begins that he loves coffee, and more than that, he loves serving his customers - and that can make the difference between a good cup of coffee and a really great cup of coffee. Euclides is a barista at Starbucks Drive -Through in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He had such a quirky answer to the intimation ritual, which led to the name of this episode - his ritual means customers proving that coffee runs through their veins- literally!! Music to a coffee-lover's ears.
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    16 mins
  • Ep. 5: Dirty Latte

    Ep. 5: Dirty Latte
    Apr 5 2024
    Interviewing Paul MacNamee was a real pleasure. He has a genuine love for what he does, and in particular for serving each customer with the best product in a warm and social atmosphere. Paul brings his humour and huge experience in the industry to bear in creating a perfect Tea or Coffee experience.
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    17 mins
  • Ep.4: Mocha Madness

    Ep.4: Mocha Madness
    Mar 26 2024
    Chris and Dean from Courtyard Coffee, Drogheda take a few minutes to chat about their business, crafting the perfect cup of coffee and building up the community who come to their store.
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    14 mins
  • Ep. 3: Vox Pop

    Ep. 3: Vox Pop
    Mar 17 2024
    In this episode, I visit Dundalk and Drogheda to hear the opinions of ordinary coffee drinkers about their experiences visiting coffee shops. I met some lovely people during the days of interviewing, and it’s clear that the barista plays a central role in making every coffee an experience for the customer.
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    18 mins