Best Of Belfast: Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast

Daniel Crawford is the Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Axial3D; a 3D printing company that creates medical models of a patient's organs, bones and other anatomical structures based on their 2D scan results.   The reason why this is is such a gamechanger (asides from being unbelievably cool) is because it gives clinicians — like surgeons — the chance to analyse, strategise and develop a precise...

Claire McLaughlin is a 28-year-old junior doctor from Bushmills and a professional rugby player.   After admittedly not being any good at sports as a girl (except the monkey crawl), Claire went on to excel both academically and athletically in her teens.   This ultimately led her both playing for Ireland in the Rugby World Cup AND going through medical school.   In today's episode we chat about: T...

Jon Bradford is “doer of many things (badly)” — at least that’s what he sent through when we asked him for a short bio.   However, a quick Google search will tell you that Jon is a highly experienced early-stage investor, MD of Techstars London, co-founder of Ormeau Baths, Ignite, FS6, tech.eu and has been described as “the godfather of European accelerators.”   When I asked a few people close to...

Hugh McGauran is a stroke-surviving, set-dancing, wheatgrass and ionized water salesman from Northern Ireland.   He claims that homegrown wheatgrass and ionized water has allowed him to feel the healthiest he's been in over 20 years.   (Which is impressive, considering at the time of recording he's 75!)   In today's episode we talk about: What is was like growing up in Fermanagh in the '40s His ea...

Janine Kane is the publican behind bars some of Belfast’s most beloved bars, including The Spaniard, Muriels, Pablos, Panama, The Jeggy Nettle and most recently, The Chester.     After originally training and working a nurse, Janine later fell into hospitality as a bartender before working her way up through the ranks in the local bar scene.   In today’s show, we talk about her transition into ent...

Terry Doherty is a postal worker, music-lover and storyteller from Larne, Northern Ireland.   In this easy-listening episode, he shares a treasure trove of stories he's been collecting across his life, career and hobbies.    Some of these stories include: Witnessing armed robberies in the post office Hanging out with bands in rural Ireland Sneaking into Icelandic Museums And walking his daughter t...

The King of Instagram Stories returns!   (You can check out our first interview with Dillon here to get the backstory).   In today's episode, we chat about: The power of creating something every day Creative burnout The future of online content And balancing business with play   Check it out.   https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/the-power-of-creating-daily      

Jame McClurg  leads Sky’s Startup Investment and Partnerships team.    Since joining the team when it started in 2013 he has been investing in and partnering with companies from the US, UK/Europe and Israel including Roku (Now TV) and the Drone Racing League.   Previously,  James  was an Investment Manager of a London-based venture capital fund and a Strategy and M&A consultant at Deloitte (London...

Aidan Larkin is the former Asset Recovery Director at Wilsons Auctions. (In other words, he sells the stuff seized by the police from criminals).   This position has led to earning the title of the World’s First Bitcoin Auctioneer and making an appearance on several TV documentaries about the auctioneering profession. Aidan also an Ex Criminal Tax Inspector, budding social entrepreneur, husband an...

Colin Davidson is an artist from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   Since 2010, Colin's focus has been on painting scale portraits which have received widespread recognition and many international awards.     His critically acclaimed exhibition ‘Silent Testimony’ reveals the stories of eighteen people connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles and has been displayed in Belfas...

Joined today again by Belfast's favourite barman: the one and only Gerry White.   Founder of Jawbox Gin, ex-manager of The John Hewitt and all-round Belfast legend, Gerry has stories coming out of his ears when it comes to the city we love and know so well.   In today's episode, we chat about bars that are no longer around, the new Jawbox flavours and why the hospitality industry is so important t...

Alison Clarke is the founder of ACA Models: Northern Ireland's longest-running modelling and promotion agency.   After growing up on a farm in County Tyrone, Alison gave up her University offers to study Maths and instead took a job with Ulster Bank.   Alongside working full-time at the Waring Street Bank (now The Merchant Hotel) she entered and won Miss Northern Ireland in 1982 and was a runner-u...

Zoe Salmon is back — and this time we’re kicking back in the digital green room with a light-hearted catch-up.    (With a bit of seriousness sprinkled in there for good measure).   We caught up the TV Presenting legend to see how lockdown is treating her, find out her Espresso Martini recipe and chat about how only boring people are boring.   This is a super-chilled out, easy-listening episode to...

Tony Carson is an entrepreneur and investor from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   He's one of those guys who not only has a fascinating career, but also a remarkable personal story.   Growing up in the New Lodge area of North Belfast, Tony watched his father — the late, great comedian Frank Carson — rise to fame and success.   This meant that from a young age, Tony had the opportunity to get a behind-...

Brenda McMullan is Grant-Maker from West Belfast, Northern Ireland.   After originally starting her career off in IT, Brenda is now the Executive Director of the Halifax Foundation NI — a funding body that grants over £1 million a year to local charities right here in Northern Ireland.   The foundation has responded rapidly to the COVID-19 Crisis by making funding decisions on a bi-weekly basis —...

Gary Lightbody is a singer-songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland and the lead singer of Snow Patrol.   Across their 25-year journey, Snow Patrol have sold over 17 million albums, picked up over 1 billion global streams and played on almost every stage known to man.   Their recent Reworked Album and Tour gave fans from all over the world the opportunity to experience new renditions of some of th...

Rebecca McKinney is a Radio Presenter and Fashion Stylist from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   After originally studying law, Rebecca pivoted into PR & Marketing before becoming the Resident Stylist for Victoria Square.   This ultimately led to Rebecca landing her dream job as one of the presenters of the Cool FM Breakfast Show — the biggest show in the country!   In today's episode we talk about: -...

Thanks for an awesome month of monthly episodes!   Switching to two episodes a week (Monday & Thursday) going forward.   Say hello: +447873636003 matthew@bestofbelfast.org

Gerry Flynn is a footballer and entrepreneur from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   Prior to moving to Spain 10 years ago, Gerry played professional football for Hull City before returning to the Irish League to play for Cliftonville & Coleraine where he won the Irish Cup.     He now runs a series of businesses with his wife Debbie including: Dream Spanish Homes, DSH Invest, The Celt Irish Bar, The Sha...

Sam Halliday is a musician from Bangor, Northern Ireland (and a part-time footballer for his local team).   After starting a band with some friends from school, Sam and his mates went on to form the international award-winning music sensation that is Two Door Cinema Club.   Named after a local cinema back home, the band has sold millions of albums worldwide and performed on some of the biggest sta...

Adam Cree is the Chief Revenue Officer of 3EN Cloud Ltd, located in Holywood, Co. Down.   Having spent the first part of his working life in professional sports, he made the transition to the business world despite having no qualifications or degrees.   From there, Adam has worked his way up to the leadership team of 3EN, helping them double their growth of staff and revenue in his first full year...

Paddy Raff is a comedian from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   After working in a call-centre before joining a wedding band, Paddy has exploded onto the comedy-scene much later in life than most — despite having all the responsibilities that come with being "an adult."     As more and more people started sharing his SnapChat sketches via WhatsApp and social media, it became clear that there was an aud...

Patrick Quinn is a 37-year-old International School Principal from Belfast currently living in Changshu, China.   After initially working in fashion and management, Patrick pivoted into a career in teaching because of his love for people.     In 2017 he took the massive step to move to China for a year and he's been there ever since.     In today's episode we talk about: Taking risks Trying new th...

Claire Moore hails from Jordanstown, Co. Antrim and is currently based in Hong Kong after an eight-year stint in Dublin.   She works in sports marketing and has been involved in planning major events around the globe such as The Irish Open, The World Rugby Sevens Series and The Tokyo 2020 Olympics.   But shortly after moving to Hong Kong, Claire began to experience some unusual symptoms. 10-days l...

Quarantine Phone Call.   Oliver Jeffers is a visual artist and author from Belfast, Northern Ireland.   His critically acclaimed picture books have been translated into over forty-five languages and sold 12+ million copies worldwide.     After leaving Northern Ireland in his twenties, Oliver moved to NYC where he lived/worked for 15 years before travelling the world wife his wife and two young kid...