The Ireland Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 183 Singer, Songwriter and Broadcaster Malachi Cush chats with Fender Jackson from his home in County Tyrone on Tuesday 1st July 2025.

Conversation includes: introductions; Tyrone’s chances after beating Dublin; Armagh & Kerry; the new GAA rules; Malachi’s house as a ceilidh house (a house where people gathered for an evening of craic); a performance of ‘On Raglan Road’; Luke Kelly and other influences; Phil Coulter; early life; Fame Academy; Pam Sheyne and Carrie Grant; talent shows in mid-2020’s compared to 20 years previous; playing in Thailand; a performance of ‘Under A Moon Of Gold’; grief and parental love; God’s guiding light; recording with Phil Coulter; ‘The Town I Loved So Well’; ‘A City Dreaming’; Ukraine; Elvis and Phil; ‘Blessed Be The One’ and Joanne Cash; Rosemary McConaghie and Mark Scullion; Johnny Cash; The First Nashville Cowboy Church; the uncertainty of artists today; Conor Grimes and other topics.

Relevant Links

www.malachicush.com

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Recorded in Galway on Tuesday, 20th May 2025 - pre-recorded to coincide with the lead-up to this year’s Galway Races, which begin on Monday, 28th July 2025.

In the first of a three-part special, Galway Racecourse CEO Michael Moloney joins Fender Jackson for a wide-ranging conversation that charts both his personal career path and the recent evolution of one of Ireland’s most iconic sporting venues. Michael reflects on how the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic became a catalyst for modernisation and change at Ballybrit.

Conversation includes: introductions; early life including education; working for horse racing Ireland; Plumpton Racecourse; Covid; comparison between Plumpton and Galway racecourses; the improvements made; how Michael prioritises the workload; implementing a culture of change; The Galway Plate; Knowledge Management; peer assists and other topics.

Relevant Link

www.galwayraces.com

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Episode 173 Chelsea Hoy and Mark Howard from Trinity Irish Dance Company chat with Fender Jackson from Chicago, USA on Monday 9th June 2025.

Conversation includes: introductions; formation of Trinity Irish Dance Company; Trinity breaking all of the world championship records for Irish Dance beginning the World Irish Dance Championships in 1987; appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; Riverdance; appearing in New York City’s Joyce Theater, Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre and Tokyo’s Orchard Hall; appearing in Jacob’s Pillow for the first time; being a repertoire company; Brenoshea; ‘The Sash’; Stephanie Martinez; composer Kevin Sharkey from Derry; The Undertones; Paul Marshall; ‘Brokeback Mountain’; Eva Birthistle; empowering women; building bridges to the future; Michelle Dorrance; the creative process of choreography; balancing the spectacle with high art; feeling blessed to have lived an art-driven life, and other topics.

TIDC's six performances from 10 - 13th July 2025 will mark the first time Jacob’s Pillow, a National Historic Landmark and recipient of the National Medal of Arts, has presented a full program of Irish dance on the Ted Shawn Theatre stage. You can find out more information and buy tickets in the links below.

Relevant Links

https://trinityirishdancecompany.com/

https://www.jacobspillow.org/events/trinity-irish-dance-company/

Additional Links

https://www.instagram.com/trinityirishdancecompany/

https://www.facebook.com/trinityirishdancecompany/

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Episode 83 is a forensic insight into the mysterious world of shooting movies from one of the world’s most accomplished and desired cinematographers, Armagh’s Seamus McGarvey.

Conversation includes: introductions; early years in Armagh; meeting and working with Oliver Stone; Enda Hughes and his brother Michael Colgan and their bijou cinema in Keady; their movies ‘The Eliminator’ and ‘Flying Saucer Rock’n’ Roll’ with Ardal O’Hanlon; Panavision; meeting Steven Spielberg on the set of ‘The Soloist’; Stuart Neville; ‘Butterfly Kiss’ with Michael Winterbottom; ‘The Slab Boys’ with John Byrne and Tilda Swinton; ‘The Winter Guest’ with Alan Rickman; Eduardo Serra; digital vs. film; ‘The Avengers’ by Joss Whedon; working with Derek Jarman; the comparison of making movies and a mad fecking ceilidh dance; Seamus’s close friendship with Sam Shepard; ‘The War Zone’ with Tim Roth; meeting Stephen Frears and working on ‘High Fidelity’ with John Cusack and Jack Black; luck is the residue of good decisions; the joy of working with an improvising Jack Black; D. V. DeVincentis and Steve Pink tethering the script as Jack Black improvised his way along the movie; Tenacious D; ‘The Hours’ with Stephen Daldry and Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, John C. Reilly; what he learnt from Meryl Streep; ‘The Actors’ by Conor McPherson with Dylan Moran, Michael Caine, Michael McElhatton, Aisling O'Sullivan and editor Emer Reynolds; Seamus’ favourite Irish cinematographers such as Suzie Lavelle, Piers McGrail, Robbie Ryan, Brendan Galvin, P.J. Dillon, Owen McPolin - the list goes on and on; ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ with Jeff Bridges; accident in art being central; ‘The Night of the Hunter’ by Charles Laughton starring Robert Mitchum shot by Stanley Cortez; Gilbert McCarragher and other topics.

Relevant Links

Part 1 of this conversation

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568974/

Additional Links

The Mirror | FULL MOVIE | Directed by Andrey Tarkovsky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrMINC5xjMs

Flying Saucer Rock N Roll Michael & Enda Hughes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv2vau9l3lY

Irish Cult Movie Classics: The Eliminator

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2023/1223/1415434-irish-cult-movie-classics-the-eliminator/

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Episode 82 is a conversation with An Feannadóir (Fender Jackson), his father Seán Ó hEaráin and Lillis Ó Laoire around a book written by the late Aodh Ó Canainn about Priest Heron which tracks the language shift from Gaelic to English in the south of County Derry just after the famine in the 19th Century.

Conversation includes: introductions; a background to the book; Páidí Láidir Mac Cullach; Jane McCrory; Aodh Ó Canainn; Terence ‘Terry’ Heron; Saggart (Priest) Heron; Cardinal Paul Cullen and the Romanisation of the Irish church including the introduction of ‘Father’; Kitty clerkin and Éilis Ní Chléirighean; Katie Kelly’s in Portstewart; Anne Marie Kennedy; Charlie Conville; Biddy Donnelly, matchmaking and near misses; poitín; the conditions for a language shift; the famine; John Heron in America; Nóra Ní Chathain; Peter McNamee; Seán Mac Diarmuida and Miss McGuigan; Bridie Browne; Dr Wilhelm Doegen (1877-1967) Director of the Lautabteilung, Preussische Staatsbibliothek (the Sound Department at the Prussian State Library), Berlin; Gaelic in Ulster in 1930s; the Royal Irish Academy; John Carolan; Sarah Tracey; Francie Frank; Art Hughes; Fr. Mathew Pledge and the Pioneers; Seán’s aunt Brigid and how photographs in Draperstown came into existence; Patrick J. Heron; John O'Donovan from the Ordnance Survey visiting the area before the famine; Seán’s journey to gaelic; Francie Convery; Rosguill; Oideas Gael; Gleann Cholm Cille; Tomás Ó Canainn; Diarmuid Ó Devlin; the Aodh and Tomás’ nephew Neil Martin; Burns’ shop in Draperstown; the supernatural powers of the priest; Saggart Heron’s potatoes; the songs in the book; Tory Island; King Patsy Dan Rodgers;’ Prince Paul and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.doegen.ie

http://www.oideas-gael.com/en/

https://www.ria.ie

Additional Links

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000015943

https://neilmartinmusic.com/

https://cic.ie/shop/leabhair/on-a-rock-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean/

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/languages-literatures-and-cultures/lillisolaoire/

https://www.itma.ie/ga/people/lillis-o-laoire/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7cusdCsHSY

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1130595573939102&rdid=aIIQuuzyKMnWAyov

https://cic.ie/shop/leabhair/neamhfhicsean/dha-leagan-deag-leargas-nua-ar-an-sean-nos/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSBLL5UzZWE

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Episode 81 is another failed conversation between Dr. Patrick Collins and Fender Jackson as they get sidetracked on AI and UrbanLab instead of talking about Pat’s book from Orpen Press. 

Conversation includes: (re)introductions; recap on Episode 28; augmented reality glasses by Magic Leap; AR vs. VR; Ironman; Minority Report; Google Glass; Captain America: Civil War; AI safety nets; Sam Altman and ChatGPT; the challenges the arts industry are facing with AI; Suno; Lumalabs; Sora; Moore’s Law; legislating for AI; artificially generated content on social media; the erosion of truth; Jeremy Bentham and his panopticon prison; the famine and the famine relief scheme; Central Statistics Office; the advantages of the work being undertaken by UrbanLab; Science Foundation Ireland; Prof Ulf Strohmayer; Oisin Slevin; Lua Flannery; shared experiences; good planning; ‘The Man With 1000 Kids’; the Netherlands; the 1996 IRA Manchester bombing; Ireland coming second to Viktor Orbán’s state finances; Ireland spending 8% of its budget at the local level; the proposed bypass of Galway; Pat’s work in Moycullen; the proposed greenway from Galway to Clifden; Heather Humphries; a lack of interconnectedness and being underfunded; J. P. McManus; peer assists; a new Ireland and the opportunities that could arise for the cities of the whole island as well as other topics. 

Relevant Links

www.urbanlabgalway.com

www.orpenpress.com

www.orpenpress.com/book-author/patrick-collins/

Additional Links

www.thejournal.ie/readme/local-authorities-6421796-Jul2024/

www.suno.com 

lumalabs.ai/dream-machine 

openai.com/index/sora

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLBW8L198GQ 

www.sfi.ie

www.galwaytourism.ie/connemara-greenway/#google_vignette

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Episode 80 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and his childhood hero Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers.

Conversation includes: introductions; life in Belfast in the 1970s; moving to London in 1978; being stopped by the police in London; Jake’s early musical influences; the huge influence Rory Gallagher had on Jake; Motown; Led Zeppelin; Black Sabbath; Deep Purple; The Damned; Sex Pistols; John Peel; Bob Marley; Bob Dylan; Graeme Parker; Little Richard; The Clash; Henry Cluney; Gerry McAvoy; Deep Joy; the influence of ‘Career Opportunities’; being signed to Chrysalis Records at the same time as Rory Gallagher; Rory playing on ‘Human Shield’; ‘The Eliminator’ and ‘Flying Saucer Rock 'n' Roll’ by Enda Hughes and Michael Colgan; the Bafta-winning documentary editor Jake Martin; unwanted attention; Beach Boys; Elvis Costello; Blondie; Television; ’Now Then…’; New Wave; New Romantics; working at BBC; reuniting the band in 1987 as well as other topics.

Silver Lining mash up with This Old Heart of Mine by Fender Jackson. Special thanks to Eugene Hamill who provided the horns. Eugene was recorded by Plunkett McComb in Starlite Studios Dungannon, County Tyrone. Also special thanks to Lina Goldbach who provided the violin part. Lina was working in luthier Paul Doyle’s workshop here in Galway when I went to collect one of my acoustics which required attention and she was treating a violin. Fair play to her for coming with me and recording the violin parts.

Relevant Links

www.slf.rocks

Additional Links

Goldbach Violins

https://geigenbau-goldbach.art/

Plunkett McComb on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/plunkett.mccomb

Irish Cult Movie Classics: The Eliminator

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2023/1223/1415434-irish-cult-movie-classics-the-eliminator/

Flying Saucer Rock N Roll Michael & Enda Hughes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv2vau9l3lY

ConnArtists - Barbed Wire Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fSNxjzmTN8

Wasted Life (Stiff Little Fingers) - Ken Tizzard & Music For Goats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8UyU-OYaU0

Episode 80 playlist on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6CD8yEWXOfkhOQYhw4Prna?si=f9854e93bc404fee

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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; Steve’s charity foundation; John Lennon; the average age of your average listener of The Ireland Podcast; Steve’s level of fame; being on show in public; seeing Taylor Swift in Dublin; being famous vs. being known; soccer moms; football vs. football; YouTube pricing models in 2024; Cost Per Mille; millipedes; the (non) relationship between American politics and standup; offensive material; Lenny Bruce; (not) being cancelled; Louis CK; Shane Gillis; Kathy Griffin; ‘After Life’ by Ricky Gervais; Steve’s favourite stand up comedians; Bill Hicks; George Carlin; Dick Gregory; meeting Robin Williams; ‘The Fisher King’ movie; Nigel Planner; the lonely life of a comedian; Tommy Tiernan; testing new material; why Steve is in Ireland; Irish vs. American vs. European heckling; why Steve is in Ireland and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.stevehofstetter.com

Additional Links

https://www.steelcityaf.com

https://monroes.ie/collections/live

Photo credit: Taylor Reschka

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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 Newman; ‘In Dreams’ by Roy Orbison; Johnny Cash; Thin Lizzy; the music industry today vs. 1960s; Thomas Edison; songs becoming short again; gigging in VR land; the internet as the gutenberg press; a performance of ‘Superman 2’; ‘Superman 2’ movie; Tom Waits; Harry Partch; a performance of ‘The Piano Has Been Drinking’; Marc Ribot; being left handed; Mick Flannery; Wallis Bird; Django Reinhardt; Jack’s teams; the Truman Show way of showbusiness; Soothe2 plugin; Warren Huart and Produce Like A Pro; AI; the felt presence of immediate experience; ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’; future collaborations; Sting; Joe Sumner; selling tip; regeneration; consciousness; string theory; troubadour vs. makar; Joseph Campbell; Lord Of The Rings; Alan Watts; Jack Black; Johnny Depp; Jack Nicholson; becoming yourself; Yat-Kha; Polyphonic Overtone Singing by Anna-Maria Hefele; Cool Hand Luke and other topics.

Relevant Links

www.jacklukeman.com

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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 Episode 74 being the first part.

Drumcondra Joycean Jaunters convened at the current day shrine of the Blessed Virgin in Our Lady’s Park on the banks of the Tolka, across from Fagan’s, to celebrate the day. They followed the short route taken by Stephen Dedalus to his home on Millbourne Avenue. There, under the shadow of the Drumcondra Library, they celebrated the day in the spirit of the first Bloomsday “jant” held 70 years ago in 1954, when amongst others, Patrick Kavanagh (whose first Dublin home was in Drumcondra), set out on a Ulyssesean pilgrimage.

The Ireland Podcast would like to express huge gratitude to Jerome Corby and friends for their efforts in the recording of this podcast. Jerome hosts his own podcast called ‘Country - What It Is’. Definitely worth checking out for all you lovers of American Country Music.

Contents

Paul Reardon - Welcome

Declan Roche - Introduction

Seán mac Gabhann - "Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan..."

Denis Kehoe - A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man

Jerome Corby - Oft In The Stilly Night (Thomas More)

Declan Roche - "Mr Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls..."

Paul Reardon - The original Bloomsday

Fiona Dalton - Down By The Salley Gardens (William Butler Yeats)

Jane Kelly - Penelope Unbound (Mary Morrissy)

Kieran Rogers - an appreciation of Finnegan's Wake

Clodagh Malone - Thunder words in Finnegan's Wake / A Letter from Martha to Bloom

Martin Groves - Dubliners - Gas From A Burner

Carl Lombard - Joyce, Ibsen & Hemingway

Jerome Corby - Going to Paddy Dignam's Funeral / Oh! Oh! Antonio

Declan Roche - Barney Kiernan's Pub

Antonio Argentieri - My Way

Jerome Corby interviews Carl Lombard

Relevant Links

https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/event/drumcondra-joycean-jaunt-2/

https://jamesjoyce.ie/

https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/

https://open.spotify.com/show/36vYXjUXAhoKal1SldsNDq?si=c85776a0b45b4c83

https://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/55a1bd63/74-bloomsday-2024-part-1-drumcondra-interviews

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