The Ireland Podcast

Jeffrey Donaldson was once regarded as one of the most influential and respected figures in unionism. A former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Privy Counsellor, and key negotiator during some of the most significant moments in post-Brexit politics, his conviction has sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland. In this episode, Irish News Political Correspondent John Manley traces Donaldson'...

How did Brexit move from referendum result to international treaty? In Part 2 of this three-part conversation, Professor Katy Hayward traces the negotiations that reshaped relations between Northern Ireland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Together we explore Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement, the backstop, Boris Johnson's renegotiation, the Northern Ireland Protocol, the sear...

As he approaches his 87th birthday, John Heron joins his son, Fender Jackson, for a deeply personal conversation about a lifetime of learning, community and his 42 consecutive years attending Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille. John reflects on discovering the Irish language, the friendships that have lasted decades, dancing with Mary McAleese, the vision of Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, and why he believes...

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, Professor Katy Hayward joins The Ireland Podcast to look back at one of the most consequential political events in modern British and Irish history. Rather than debating Brexit's merits, this conversation traces how it happened. Beginning with the political climate before the referendum, Professor Hayward explains the promises, pressures and decisions that le...

In the concluding part of his conversation with The Ireland Podcast, Gerry Hanley reflects on the people and experiences that have shaped his musical journey. He shares stories of Sharon Shannon, Greg Cotter and the legendary London sessions of the 1970s, discusses why great musicians sound like themselves regardless of the instrument they play, and recalls the famous story of violin virtuoso Josh...

In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, Galway accordion player Gerry Hanley reflects on a lifetime immersed in traditional music. He discusses the musicians who influenced him, the stories behind the tunes on his recent CD, sessions in Galway and London, and the role music has played throughout his life. The episode also captures a special moment as Gerry opens and plays a new accordion for the ver...

What does Irish political culture reveal about how we think? Writer, journalist and playwright Colin Murphy joins The Ireland Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, culture, history and storytelling. Drawing on his new collection Colin Murphy's Political Plays: 100 Years of Irish History , Colin reflects on the relationship between political decision-making and national narratives, t...

John Manley, Political Correspondent with The Irish News, joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss the recent racist attacks in Belfast. We explore how the unrest developed, the role of social media, loyalism, political leadership, immigration, trust in institutions, and the wider social and political context in Northern Ireland. John also reflects on the challenges facing working-class unionist commu...

Andy McKee is one of the world's best-known modern fingerstyle guitarists. His groundbreaking instrumental compositions and viral YouTube success helped introduce a new generation to acoustic guitar music. In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, Andy joins me in Galway to discuss his musical journey, the influence of Michael Hedges and Preston Reed, writing instrumental music, alternate tunings, f...

In Episode 220 of The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson visits The Tipsy Fiddler, a Celtic-themed pub in Shanghai owned by Scottish musician Alan Cowell. Having lived in China for two decades, Alan shares the story of how he arrived in Shanghai as a musician, why he opened The Tipsy Fiddler, and what keeps him there after all these years. The conversation explores life in modern Shanghai, the challe...

A short visit to The Blarney Stone in Shanghai, meeting some of the people who find themselves in an Irish pub on a Saturday night in China. In this episode, Fender chats with Irish and international voices in Shanghai - including a Dublin toy developer, an Irish pharmaceutical worker, an English model, and a local Chinese regular. Topics include toy manufacturing in China, missing Irish conversat...

A couple of months ago I spent another week in Shanghai, one of the most fascinating cities I’ve ever visited. In this episode I revisit videos I filmed during the trip and reflect on the strange mixture of colonial history, futuristic architecture, live music, electric vehicles, museums, marriage markets and everyday life that makes Shanghai feel unlike anywhere else. Along the way: I get sketche...

Xishuangbanna, in China’s Yunnan Province, is a tropical city near the borders of Laos and Myanmar, known for its temples, night markets and elephant tourism. This episode wanders through crowded markets filled with colour, karaoke, strange foods and the unforgettable smell of durian. There’s torrential rain, beautiful temples, incredible food, curious encounters with locals, and even some unexpec...

After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns to Kunming for the first time since leaving during COVID. This episode is part travelogue, part memoir and part reflection on ordinary life in modern China. Topics include: housing complexes and skyscrapers outdoor gyms Chinese parks and public life street food and night markets eBikes and urban design robots and modern technology teach...

After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns for the first time since leaving during COVID. In this personal episode of The Ireland Podcast, he reflects on life in Kunming and Shanghai, raising children in China, cultural differences, the emotional impact of the pandemic, grief, identity, Irish voices abroad, and the strange feeling of returning to a place that once felt like home...

In this special episode of The Ireland Podcast -which is really a continuation of Ep. 213 - Fender Jackson breaks down the harmony and emotional architecture of “Sensitize” by That Petrol Emotion through live piano demonstrations, storytelling and performance. Drawing connections to David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Queen and jazz harmony, the episode explores: split chords and slash chords borrowed ha...

In Part 1 of this two-part music special from The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson explores the emotional power of slash chords - also known as split chords - and how artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and David Bowie used them to create richer and more dramatic harmony. Along the way, he discusses: “God Only Knows” “The Long and Winding Road” “Life on Mars?” “Where Are We Now?” as we...

Jonathan Kemp joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss his extraordinary 4,200km Finding Peace of Mind Walk 2026 - a journey across the UK and Ireland in support of mental health awareness and recovery. Starting in the Shetland Islands on January 1st and finishing in Galway later this year, Jonathan shares the deeply personal experiences that led him to undertake the walk, including his lifelong strug...

Part 2 of conversation with Steve Mack of That Petrol Emotion. In this episode, Steve goes deep on what really makes a great record - not just what you hear, but the space between the notes. From the genius of the Stayin' Alive to the importance of restraint in music, this is a masterclass in listening differently. We also explore the evolution of That Petrol Emotion - how Brendan Kelly joined the...

A wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation with the lead singer of one of Ireland’s most seminal bands, looking back on origins, identity, and the winding path of a life in music. He reflects on early influences, the experience of being adopted, and the sense of instinct that shaped both his voice and his direction. There are vivid stories from Belfast - including the surreal reality of playing gi...

In this episode of The Ireland Podcast , writer Graham Linehan joins for a wide-ranging, long-form conversation. The discussion covers a career in comedy, including the creation of Father Ted, along with how life and work have evolved in recent years. Broader cultural and societal topics are also explored, including the role of media and institutions, and the challenges of discussing difficult iss...

Part 1 of a long-form conversation with Graham Linehan on The Ireland Podcast. The conversation moves quickly into the activism and controversies that have come to define Graham Linehan’s public life in recent years, before touching at points on his career - from Father Ted , Black Books and The IT Crowd . The discussion covers public backlash, media narratives, free speech, Gaza, comedy, the earl...

In this long-form conversation, producer and musician Bill Laswell reflects on the making of Album , the 1986 record by Public Image Ltd . Laswell discusses how the project came together in New York, recording early tracks with legendary drummer Tony Williams , and later bringing in musicians including Ginger Baker , Steve Vai , Bernie Worrell , and Ryuichi Sakamoto . He describes the recording pr...

Steve Vai returns for Part Two of this special conversation marking the 40th anniversary of Public Image Ltd’s Album . Because we don’t have a licence to play the record in the episode itself, listeners are encouraged to line up their own copy of Album and press play at the countdowns as Steve and Fender listen through the tracks in real time. Vai reflects on what he played, how the sessions unfol...

This episode forms part of a short series marking the 40th anniversary of Album by Public Image Ltd. Steve Vai’s contribution spans two episodes - this is Part 1. Steve Vai - Part 1 In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Steve Vai talks about the musical influences and ideas that shaped him long before his career took form. The discussion centres on Frank Zappa - how Vai first encountered his mu...