The Ireland Podcast

Episode 79 is Fender Jackson interviewing Steve Hofstetter, a comedian and author known for his quick wit, sharp humour, and extensive presence on social media platforms where he has a combined total of about 3 million followers and over 1 billion views! Conversation includes: introductions; Steve’s Nobel Prize nomination; words that are and are prohibited from being used on The Ireland Podcast; S...

Episode 78 is the second part of a two part conversation between Jack L aka Jack Lukeman and Fender Jackson as he completes his 'Echo On' tour in Town Hall Theatre, Galway. Conversation includes: a performance of ‘Echo On’ on the banjo; Jack’s small accordion; the seed of a new hit; how Jack writes music; Prince vs. U2; advice to other songwriters; ‘Amsterdam’ by Jacques Brel; ‘Guilty’ by Randy Ne...

Episode 77 is also dedicated to Gerry Enright, Kerryman, lover of life, literature and Dublin, with us from March 19, 1960 to July 8, 2019. Episode 77 is the final instalment of Bloomsweek 2024 (or should that be Bloomsfortnight?) and features performances from the annual Drumcondra Joycean Jaunt on the 120th anniversary of Bloomsday. It is the second part of the Bloomsday 2024 recordings with Epi...

Episode 76 is the result of a recommendation from Paul Muldoon that Fender Jackson interviews University of Limerick's Orla Muldoon - no relation - and this is exactly what occurred. Warning: Conversation includes some themes that some listeners may find upsetting including death, suicide and abuse, however overall this is a very positive conversation with a lot of reassurance and advice. Topics c...

Episode 75 is the first part of a conversation between Jack L aka Jack Lukeman and Fender Jackson as he completes his 'Echo On' tour in Town Hall Theatre, Galway. Conversation includes introductions: Dolphin Music Group; music and business; being an independent; Randy Newman; Jacques Brel; The 27 Club; podcasting; songwriting; the positivity of music; happenings; performance of ‘Battle Of The...

Episode 74 is dedicated to Gerry Enright, Kerryman, lover of life, literature and Dublin, with us from March 19, 1960 to July 8, 2019. Episode 74 features guest interviewer Jerome Corby as he chats with attendants of the annual Drumcondra Joycean Jaunt on the 120th anniversary of Bloomsday. Drumcondra Joycean Jaunters convened at the current day shrine of the Blessed Virgin in Our Lady’s Park on t...

Episode 73 is a continuation of Bloomsweek as Fender Jackson interrogates an unsuspecting Jo Hamill just as she completes the installation of her ‘Gutter Words: Art Exhibition’ in the James Joyce Centre in this unusually short publication.  Jo is an artist, graphic designer and the Head of Art & Design in the Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University. Conversation includes introduc...

Episode 72 takes us to the James Joyce Centre at 35 North Great George’s Street, Dublin where Fender Jackson is given a tour by Dr. Josh Q. Newman. The centre was built in 1784 for Valentine Brown, 1st Earl of Kenmare, who used it as his townhouse. Conversation includes: introductions; front of the James Joyce Centre; Lucia Joyce; David Nolan; artist and walkabout tour guide Jim Ward; Andy Pr...

Episode 71 continues with the celebrations of Bloomsweek with another upcycling of an episode recorded in 2023 for The Galway Podcast - this time with Professor Brian Arkins. Brian is a Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of Galway. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College and at University College Dublin, where he obtained an M.A. in Classics and a Ph. D in Latin. He is the author o...

Episode 70 is a continuation of the celebration of Bloomsweek with an upcycled conversation recorded in 2023 for The Galway Podcast between Fender Jackson and Aedín Moloney about her one woman production of ' Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom' .  Aedín discusses her take on the (in)famous soliloquy and why she believes it is actually very misunderstood and arguably quite asexual. Aedín gives an...

Episode 69 marks the first of a series promoting the life and works of James Joyce with Fender Jackson interviewing Dr. Josh Q. Newman from the James Joyce Centre in Dublin. Conversation includes: introductions; early attraction to Joyce’s work; Josh’s career path; the historiography of Joyce’s work including the nationalist movements at the time; Darina Gallagher; The Maginni Room and Denis J. Ma...

Episode 68 champions Niall Teague and his wonderful music as he teams up with his musical partner Padraic Joyce for the third Galway Folk Festival. Conversation includes: introductions; booking and playing a gig in Taibhdhearc; performance of ‘Achill Island’; drones and social media; Achill Island; Keem Bay; Keel Beach; midges; The Ponderosa; Maghera and all the McKennas; Ormeau Road and Belfast;...

Episode 67 features Seán Keane in conversation with Fender Jackson in the run up to the third Galway Folk Festival running from 5th to 9th June 2024. Conversation includes: introductions; other jobs; McConnells; Geordie Hanna; early fleadhs; McConnells; the musicality of the Keane Family; Seosamh Ó hÉanaí; Seosamh Mac Donncha; Geordie Hanna; Len Graham; Cathal McConnell; Northern vs. Connemara vs....

Episode 66 is a conversation with musician and researcher, Anna Falkenau. Anna takes us through her personal journey from East Germany to the West of Ireland with a few musical performances along the way. The latter half of the interview focuses on her research into Traditional Irish Music - a must listen for anyone interested in the arc of the popularity of this jewell in Ireland’s crown. Convers...

Episode 65 is the second part of a series which is celebrating Gerry's magnificent work with arguably the greatest guitarist every to have lived. Gerry McAvoy is a bass guitarist best known for his long tenure with Rory Gallagher's band, with whom he played from 1971 until 1991. Gerry now plays with Band Of Friends. This weekend he is at the 20th anniversary of the Rory Gallagher International Tri...

Episode 64 of The Ireland Podcast concludes the movie treatment interview with Fender Jackson steering Tony Scullion through his journey to All-Ireland success playing for Derry in 1993. Warning: Contains Spoilers! Conversation includes county games; 1985 Ulster Final against Monaghan in the packed house in Clones; 1987 Ulster Final against Armagh and getting man of the match; the 1987 All Ireland...

Episode 63 of The Ireland Podcast features Tony Scullion, a renowned former Derry Gaelic footballer. In this episode, Scullion shares his experiences growing up in rural Derry during the Troubles, his illustrious football career, including the 1993 All-Ireland win with Derry, and the personal challenges he faced throughout his life. The podcast offers an in-depth look into Scullion's journey, high...

Gerry McAvoy is a bass guitarist best known for his long tenure with Rory Gallagher's band, with whom he played from 1971 until 1991. Conversation includes: introductions; learning the bass; meeting Rory for the first time; early gigging days with Deep Joy; getting the call to try out for recording; the recording sessions of Rory Gallagher (1971), Deuce (1971), recording Live in Europe using a mob...

Episode 61 is an overview of the Irish property market with Lorcan Sirr, a senior lecturer of housing in the Technical University of Dublin as well as a housing policy analyst. Conversation includes: introductions; Henry Sirr and Robert Emmet; personal career path; the returning diaspora; Aidan Regan; Mary Harny ‘Boston or Berlin’; an overview of the rental and buying sector; long term l...

Episode 60 continues with the conversation and more songs from An tOllamh (Professor) Liam Lillis Ó Laoire, two time winner of the premier sean-nós singing competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Conversation includes: training and competitions; Art Mac Cumhaigh; the only two aislingí poems from Ulster ‘Úirchill a' Chreagáin’ and 'Aige Cuan Bhinn Éadair' or 'Aisling Airt Mhic Cumhaigh'; one of...

Episode 59 brings you conversation and performances from An tOllamh (Professor) Liam Lillis Ó Laoire, two time winner of the premier sean-nós singing competition at Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Conversation includes: introductions (and reintroductions); Pádraig Ó Héalaí; Gleann Cholmcille (Glencolumbkille, Donegal); Jack Doherty (Derry); Oideas Gael; Liam Ó Cuinneagáin; an t’ollamh Seosamh Watson; Gael...

Whilst performing in Town Hall Theatre, Galway as part of 'Muldoon’s Picnic' with Poetry Ireland Paul Muldoon came to the studio to share his thoughts on poetry, poets and other matters. 'Muldoon's Picnic' is produced by Poetry Ireland and supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Conversation includes: introductions; Paul’s definition of a poet; R...

Episode 57 is the second part of a two part celebration of the life of Jarír al-Majar (Gerry Mulholland). It is a snapshot of memories recorded by some of the friends and family of Gerard Mulholland at the Rahoon Cemetery and Sliding Rock bar, Galway on Monday, 15 May from 12.19 p.m. to 5.19 p.m. - one year ago today exactly. These memories are presented in the chronological order i...

Episode 56 is a special recording session with gorgeous music from The Henry Girls. The Henry Girls consist of three sisters - Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin - who hail from Malin in the most northern part of our beautiful island in County Donegal. Conversation includes: introductions; a performance of ‘A Time To Grow’; writing harmonies; early musical life; ‘Oh Happy Day’ from Sister Act’; Go...

Episode 55 is the first part of a two part celebration marking the first anniversary of the passing of the remarkable Jarír al-Majar (Gerry Mulholland). It is a snapshot of memories recorded by some of the friends and family of Gerard Mulholland at the O'Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Galway on Saturday, 13 May from 4.18 p.m. to 7.37p.m. One year ago today exactly. These m...