Blindboy, a popular Irish podcaster, is breaking down barriers by discussing topics that are often overlooked in Irish news media and society. In one episode, titled “Intrapersonally Speaking,” Blindboy revealed that he had been diagnosed with autism, inspiring others to be open about their own mental health struggles. His fans appreciate his candidness and often reach out to him on social media about issues related to mental health.
In addition to discussing mental health, Blindboy also addresses the economic climate in Ireland, which he believes has infantilized his generation. Ireland is facing a severe housing shortage, with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar acknowledging that the country has 250,000 too few homes. Blindboy believes that Ireland’s millennials are the most affected by the crisis, and he sees a generational divide in the way that the Irish news media talks about Northern Irish politics.
Blindboy highlights the growing interest in Northern Irish politics among young people in the Republic through popular Instagram accounts like Tanistry, which posts plainly illustrated slides explaining historical events such as the Good Friday Agreement and the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972. Through his podcast and social media presence, Blindboy is making important topics more digestible and accessible for his audience.
