The Ireland Podcast

Editors Tomás Finn and Tony Varley discuss their book, Inside Rural Ireland . They explain how rural Ireland’s success is intrinsically tied to the prosperity of the entire nation, emphasising the importance of nurturing rural communities for Ireland’s future. Tomás Finn is a Lecturer in History at the University of Galway and is currently a member of the Social Sciences Research Centre at the Uni...

Episode 128 is a continuation of the conversation with Derry man - Director of Photographer, Mark McCauley - who talks about his experience of being in the frontlines of the Bosnian War. Conversation includes: a brief overview of the Bosnian War; the inappropriate hiring of a car; driving in search of a frontline; spending a night in a house under fire; best decisions vs. least bad options; sleep;...

Episode 127 has Fender chatting with six times Grammy Winner, producer Steve Lillywhite who produced 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God' and 'Peace And Love' by The Pogues to commemorate the first anniversary of Shane MacGowan’s passing. Conversation includes: introductions; how Steve came to work with The Pogues; Frank Murray; RAK Studios; bands on the way up/down; ‘Straight To Hell' soundtrac...

Episode 126 has Fender in conversation with Director of Photography Mark McCauley. Mark details his meteoric rise from being a musician in Derry to witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall. Conversation includes: introductions; early years as a musician; The Undertones; moving to London; landing a job in the BBC; working at the BBC on programs e.g. The Old Grey Whistle Test, Top Of The Pops, Alan Be...

Episode 125 is a musical tribute to the esteemed musician Tom Giblin who passed on Saturday 19th October 2024. Tom was a regular fixture on the traditional Irish music circuit in Galway playing his acoustic guitar and singing songs, often along with his sister Mary. His passing has been a profound loss to his family and many, many friends. This episode has no ads and was given the blessing of Tom'...

Episode 124 is the third and final episode of the 2024 series celebrating the Book of Kells that was recorded on at Trinity College, Dublin on Tues 1st October 2024. Fender is given a personal tour encompassing the Book and The Long Room, culminating in the Brian Boru Harp from Visitor Officer Andrea Iadarola. Conversation includes: introductions; Anne-Marie Diffley (Visitor Services Manager at Tr...

Episode 123 has the band Scustin in the studio having the craic and performing acoustic versions of their greatest hits of the future. Conversation includes: introductions; actual jobs; ‘I’ll Never Fly With RyanAir Again’; the attraction of opposites; BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute); slowing drum rolls; origins of the band; ’Charmer’; jazz vs bossa nova; chord extensions; Prince; ‘...

Episode 122 is a conversation with Breege Rowley, a film editor who has spent the last eight years making her first documentary which charts the change of Ireland as seen through a small town in County Mayo: Swinford. Conversation includes: Narrator Nora McBurney; Swinford; North Mayo; Croagh Patrick; Westport; the genesis of the idea; 40 years of Siamsa Sraide Festival; Lisheenabrone; 5 ques...

Episode 121 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and Chief Executive of the Grand Orange Lodge Of Ireland Iain Carlisle. Conversation includes: early life; Iain’s career path which led him to his current role as Chief Executive; the tercentenary of the Battle Of The Boyne of 1990; how Iain first got involved with the Orange Order; the timeline of the Museum of Orange Heritage; Dr. Jonathan Mat...

Episode 120 is a continuation of the celebration of the Book Of Kells as Fender Jackson talks with various staff and visitors. The main body of this episode is provided by Caitlin Skahen. Recorded in Trinity College, Dublin on Tuesday 1st October 2024. Special thanks to all of the contributors: James - Red Pavillion Caitlin Skahen - Visitor Experience Officer Dave & Dawna Lowe - visitors from...

Episode 119 is the second and final part of the conversation between Genetic Genealogist from Ancestry Laura House and Fender Jackson. Conversation includes: traits; ProGenealogy – Genealogical Services; advice for anyone wanting to do some family tree research by themselves; this internet time of being a sleuth; record collections; early Status Quo and Fleetwood Mac; video interviewing one’s fami...

Episode 118 has Fender Jackson in conversation with online music sensation Gearoid McCathy just before he took to the stage in Monroe’s on 11th October 2024. Conversation include: introductions; family history; travels; Liam McCarthy; Mad For Road; family life; lisp; the turning points in Gearoid’s career; doing 23 gigs a week; being inspirational; ‘Going Out For One’; (not) monetising videos; New...

Episode 117 brings Fender Jackson face to face with Paul Connolly in this second part as he talks through his career taking him from West Belfast to working alongside Piers Morgan on Uncensored which has amassed 3.37 million subscribers (October 2024)and 863 million total views (October 2024).  Conversation includes: fun and frolics with King Charles and Queen Camilla in Clarence House; Icaru...

Episode 116 has Fender Jackson excited as he converses with the Book Of Kells Visitor Services Manager, Anne-Marie Diffley. When Fender started up The Ireland Podcast the Book Of Kells was one of the first interviews on his list; this chat does not disappoint! Conversation includes: introductions; what is the Book Of Kells; its history; who made it; the tools and techniques used to craft it; owner...

Episode 115 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and Liam Flynn of Conor McGregor's The Black Forge Inn. It provides a fantastic insight into the behind the scenes of one of the world's most famous bars from the the Front Of House Manager. As Conor says, Liam is doing the job he was born to do! Conversation includes: introductions; timeline of the history of the Black Forge Inn; McCann’s...

Episode 114 brings Jason P. Rothberg (Founder / CEO) and Gianfranco Bianchi (Founder / CCO) of Xavatar in conversation with Fender Jackson. Xavatar is an innovative product with its base currently in County Kerry. Conversation includes: introductions; past work including David Lynch Foundation; Donvan - the music and the dog; the reason why Xavatar came into existence; working with the Autism Soci...

Episode 113 brings Fender Jackson face to face with Paul Connolly in this first part as he talks through his career taking him from West Belfast to the forefront of British television.  Conversation includes: (re)introductions; early years in West Belfast; Queens University Belfast; Kevin Hylands; landing a job in London from Belfast; BBC; being assistant producer at the ‘Big Breakfast’ on Ch...

Episode 112 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and Laura House, a genetic genealogist in Ancestry. This episode brings a lot of detail to anyone interested in researching their family tree. Conversation includes: ’The Man With 1000 Kids’; the history of Ancestry; AncestryProGenealogists; the Four Courts Fire in Ireland of 1922 and advice to people who would like to trace their family tree be...

Ep. 111 has Fender Jackson in conversation with William Foote the Centre Director of The Irish Cultural Centre in London. The ICC welcomes and invites people of all backgrounds and cultures to participate in three core activities: culture, community, and education programmes. Conversation includes: introductions; an overview of the timeline of the Irish Cultural Centre; London Irish Centre in Camd...

Episode 109 has Fender Jackson talking with film composer Daniel Pemberton during a chance encounter when both of them met coincidently in the state51 factory on Brick Lane, London. Conversation includes: introductions; the Motion music reviews website set up by Dan Hill and Simon Hopkins; Daniel’s early career as a writer; buying his first Korg Wavestation; Daniel’s current situation work-wise; h...

Episode 109 has Fender Jackson in London conversing with Paul Sanders, a former employer of Fender’s, who has been at the forefront of online music since the early 1990s. This conversation tracks Paul’s journey in the digital space, how the industry has evolved, its current state of play and his advice to artists looking to make a living through online music. Conversation includes: (re)introductio...

Episode 108 has Fender Jackson in a conversation tracking Paula Quinn’s journey as a teacher from Ballymacnab, County Armagh to being an artist in Omagh, County Tyrone via around the world! Conversation includes: introductions; early career as a teacher; teaching in a private school in Melbourne Australia vs teaching in Northern Ireland; how teaching in N. Ireland has changed in the last 25 years;...

Episode 107 has Fender Jackson doing a walkabout in the Game Of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, County Down. You’ll be able to hear how Fender is amazed by this jewel in Ireland’s cinematic crown. Scroll to the bottom to see details on the prizes we’re giving away! Interviews include: Intro and competition - special thanks to Sara Dylan who plays Bernadette for the ident! Joseph Waters: Deputy D...

Episode 104 is the concluding part of a conversation between Fender Jackson and Terri Hooley of Good Vibrations shop, label and film fame. Conversation includes: grief; the fire in North Arcade; winning awards; the film ‘Good Vibrations’; Glen Patterson; Terri’s opinion of the movie; the ‘Alternative Belfast Walking Tour’; Bob Dylan; protesting; the John Lennon story; how the movie came into exist...

Episode 105 is the conclusion of the conversation between Fender Jackson and his childhood friend, the author Stuart Neville. Conversation includes: finances; TV series; Limitless; Alan Glynn; Blue Lights; audiobooks; Brian Blessed; Mark Billingham; Bono; James Fearnley; Gerard Doyle; Alan Tarkington; Caroline Lennon; Bob Odenkirk; Tina Fey; His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; Collusion; Ratli...