The Ireland Podcast

Archeologist Kieran O’Connor chats with Fender Jackson in Galway on Thursday 22nd May 2025. This first part of the conversation is mostly centred around the name O’Conor/O’Connor.Conversation includes: introductions; Kieran being a collateral descendant of the last high king of Ireland; 18th Century penal laws; O’Conor Don; Irish genealogy; Charles O’Conor and The Catholic Association; the various O’Conors; Roderic O’Conor the artist; the origins of the Ó Conchubhair (O’Conor) name, Kieran’s father hunting with Basset Hounds and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://universityofgalway.academia.edu/KieranOConorhttps://pay.universityofgalway.ie/people/kierandoconor.htmlAdditional Linksen.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Conor_dynastywww.youtube.com/watch?v=O4VxyDJHJOQ

Episode 167 Galway Tour Guide, Artist and Writer Jim Ward chats with Fender Jackson on Wed 14th May 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; Galway Trails; early life; an overview of Galway in Jim’s lifetime; Dick Byrne, Tom Kenny and The Old Galway Diary podcast; Ciaran & Gerry Smith; Galway Bay Hotel; studying Engineering in UCG; ATU; Jim’s play ‘Just Guff’; starting off as a tour guide and Brian Nolan; Jim’s different tours including Irish language tours; Galway’s attraction as a tourist destination; Galway’s history of Trading with Spain and Portugal; Galway and music/culture; Galway International Arts Festival; Michael D. Higgins; Walter Macken; JFK’s visit to Galway; Galway Cathedral; Galway and Irish language; St. Nicholas Collegiate Church; the walled city; the nonacentennial anniversary; the Tribes of Galway; Battle of Knockdoe; Battle of Aughrim; Galway as a city of superlatives; Jim’s favourite place in Galway; Bertie The Heron; Galway traffic; Jim’s writings and artwork; Jim’s books ‘No Ordinary Bread’ and ‘Rednecks of Suburbia’; Jim’s memoire; Ireland’s neutrality; Jim’s views on Irish reunification; Wolfe Tone the protestant and other topics.Relevant Linkswww.galwaytrails.ieAdditional Linkscharliebyrne.ie/product/no-ordinary-bread/www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/JimWardPlaywww.instagram.com/jimwardbard/www.facebook.com/jim.ward.salthill

Episode 166 player and designer of the fretless glass-guitar Ned Evett chats with Fender Jackson on Mon 19th May 2025. This conversation takes place in advance of Ned opening forJoe Satriani and Steve Vai.Conversation includes: introductions; a performance of ‘The Electric Co’ by U2; fretless vs. fretted guitar; a performance of Ned’s track ‘Strange Kind Of Freedom’; Ned’s open E tuning (E B E G# B E); Ned’s fretless resonator guitar with a titanium neck; Paul Reed Smith and PRS guitars; Rick Vito, guitarist for Fleetwood Mac; Ned’s guitar being 25llbs/11.34kg; Ned’s clamp slider which he devised with Dunlop; a performance of ‘Search and Destroy’ by The Stooges; Ned’s ‘The Ned Special’ based on Brian May’s Red Special; Rory Gallagher’s influence on Brian May; a performance of the solo on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ’Fat Bottomed Girls’; Aluminati, Ibanez and Morning Star guitars; taking frets out; Adrian Belew; playing with finger pads vs fingernails on the left hand; Public Image Limited’s ‘Metal Box’ featuring Keith Levene on a Travis Bean metal-necked guitar; Miles Davis; a performance of ‘Dublin Blues’ by Guy Clark; E minor tuning; the Nashville number system; Sting the cat leaning more into the metaphysical stuff; Mark Knopfler; The Edge; Rory Gallagher; the importance of the support act; Bela Fleck and other topics.Ned Evett Gigs in Ireland - June 2025June 3rd, Whelan’s, Dublin Ireland, 8pm, Get TicketsJune 6th, Voodoo, Belfast Northern Ireland, Doors 7pm, Show at 8pm. Get Tickets*June 7th, Róisín Dubh (Top Bar), Galway Ireland, 8pm. Free entry.*Featuring Fender Jackson on bass and (hopefully) someone from drumadore.comRelevant Linkswww.nedevett.comAdditional Linkswww.instagram.com/nedevett

Episode 165 MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption) Co-Founder Marina Fiddler chats with Fender Jackson in Galway on Wed 14th May 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; how MADRA was founded; early life; dog wardens and rescue pounds; the amount of dogs in care; what has been learnt int he last 20 years; the demographics of people looking for dogs; the commitment involved in getting a dog; a description of the workload involved in pairing dog with new owner; matchmaking; Marina’s co-pilot Stella; Terri Hooley; scary encounters; legislation and black spots; statistics; microchipping; echo chambers; casual attitudes towards animals; cats as vermin; greyhounds as livestock; pigs; Sharon Shannon; heartwarming adoption stories; challenges facing MADRA; muzzles and a lack of education; lack of growth in the sector; liaising with other rescue organisations; the Covid effect; during at a petrol station; how to buy a puppy safely; living in a rescue bubble; the importance of doing the research; criminals moving into breeding; fostering; health and safety and insurance; how people can help; advice to people dealing with pet bereavement; plans for the future; the team and supporters; blue taggers; being global and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.madra.ieAdditional Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/madradogrescuehttps://www.facebook.com/madradogrescue

Episode 164. Fender Jackson joins James Devlin and a host of talented local artists from South Derry to showcase their music in a special live session. Recorded at An Scioból (The Barn) at The Market Inn, Draperstown, County Derry, on Saturday 10th May 2025.Special thanks to Maurice Regan and all at The Market Inn for their generous support in making this recording possible.Dedicated to all with loved ones who have passed.Running Order1. The Martians Came (Devlin)James Devlin: vocal & guitar2. Old House (Bradley)James Bradley: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitar & vocal3. Live That Track Again (Devlin)Joe Devlin: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitar, harmonica & vocal4. Cup Of Kindness (Rocks)Joe Rocks: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitar & vocal5. Greek God (McGurk)Helen McGurk: vocalJames Devlin: guitar & vocal6. Laura Loves (Convery, Harkin & McEldowney)Donal Convery: vocalVincent Harkin: guitar & vocalFrankie McEldowney: guitar & vocalJames Devlin: harmonica & vocal7. One More Great Adventure (Devlin)James Devlin: vocal & guitarDonal Convery: vocalVincent Harkin: guitar & vocalFrankie McEldowney: banjo & vocalRelevant LinksJames Devlin (aka Harbour Annie)SpotifyYouTubeJames BradleySpotifyFacebookInstagramJoe RocksSpotifyFacebookInstagramHelen McGurkBandcampDonal Convery, Vincent Harkin, Frankie McEldowneySpotifyFacebookOne More Great AdventureSpotifyFacebookAdditional Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/@marketinn

Ep.163. Dubliner Content Creator and Designer Damien Broderick shares his story with Fender Jackson from his base in Washington State, USA on Monday 12th May 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; what Damien does; why is he popular; Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR); being Irish; being anti-Only Fans i.e. Damien puts his clothes on; Damien’s company Damazö Design; Marlon Brando; not believing our own hype; early life; playing for Shelbourne, Killester Donnycarney, St. Kevin’s Belvedere football clubs; Jeff Hendrick; Damien’s love of hurling; playing for Parnells; playing hurling in Washington state; making new friends in your 30s; recession; studying photography; taking selfies and posting on Instagram; Debenhams gifting him a suit; Emma Fitzpatrick; working in retail; Pennys offering €200 for a job; studying marketing and social media management in UCD; deciding to move from influencer to creating the campaigns; dressing up to work in a box room; dressing to get into the work mindset; being offering nine months salary for a job from Churchill Downs of the Kentucky Derby in 2023; Fender’s stilt walking; building a brand and turning work down; moving onto YouTube; Damien’s team; launching a perfume company; Drake and Team Kozen; ‘Let’s Get Dressed’ videos; batch-filming; authenticity; the rewards of a 13 year old kid tagging him on social media; David Gandy; Damien’s influences; Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly; masculinity; Paul Newman and Steve McQueen; self acceptance; Prince; vision vs. delusion; Tiger Woods; tattoos; being an inspiration; The Undertones; and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://link.me/damienbroderickhttps://damazodesign.com

Episode 162. Fender Jackson joins James Devlin (Harbour Annie) and a host of talented local artists from South Derry to showcase their music in a special live session. Recorded at An Scioból (The Barn) at The Market Inn, Draperstown, County Derry, on Saturday 10th May 2025.Special thanks to Maurice Regan and all at The Market Inn for their generous support in making this recording possible.Running Order1. Underfoot (James Devlin aka Harbour Annie)James Devlin: vocal & guitarDanny Devlin & Donal Convery: guitarsHelen McGurk and Tracey Fraiser (née Diamond): backing vocals2. Fabulous (Maurice Devlin)Tracey Fraser (née Diamond): vocalJames Devlin: guitar & vocal3. In Vain (Danny Devlin)Danny Devlin: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitar & vocal4. A Village In County Tyrone (John Conway & Jack Conway)John Conway: vocal & guitar5. River Of Love (Keith Law)Keith Law: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitar & vocal6. The King Is Dead (Colin Harper)Colin Harper: vocal & guitarJames Devlin: guitarRelevant LinksJames Devlin (aka Harbour Annie)https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TTQbB50Cg6R0Ohho1816thttps://www.youtube.com/@HarbourAnnieKeith Lawhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/5aPDLRkXReVlM3tJ7y77mLhttps://www.youtube.com/@keithlawcomedyColin Harperhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4TrBR8IxRpztzcHqtG17XYhttps://www.youtube.com/@colinharper8791Additional Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/@marketinn

Episode 161 Fender Jackson travels to Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, County Derry, to speak with Marie McGuckin, Sales and Marketing Officer. Recorded on Friday 9th May 2025, the conversation explores the cultural significance of Heaney’s legacy, the role HomePlace plays in celebrating his life and work, and how the centre connects with visitors from across the globe.Conversation includes: introductions; Bellaghy; pride and home; ‘Digging’; The Turf Man sculpture; Paddy Heaney; early life; Broagh; Castledawson; who Seamus Heaney was; ‘Death Of A Naturalist’; the alumni of St Columb's College, Derry; Phil Coulter; Moss Bawn; Hugh and Suzanne Heaney; Heaney Farmhouse Brewery; ‘Mid-Term Break’; visiting schools; being able to hear Seamus reading a couple of hundred of his poems; covid; Seamus reciting ‘Clearances 3’; the replica of his attic study in Dublin; Tommy Gorman; prayers of the dying; hammer and tongs; the word hoard; amn’t I; Ulster Scots; birl; colloquialisms; the Open Ground Trail; Helen Heron; Bellaghy Bawn; Vintner’s Company; 1641 rebellion; Bono; Mary Robinson; Bill Clinton; Stephen Fry; Henry Gribben; Paul Muldoon; the old bus station in Magherafelt; ‘Two Lorries’; ‘Blackberry-Picking’; ‘The Strand at Lough Beg’; travel instructions; numbers and types of visitors; facilities for people with disabilities; opening hours; visitor feedback; ‘Stepping Stones’ by Dennis O’Driscoll; Ciaran Hinds; The Letters of Seamus Heaney; portraits of Seamus by Jeffrey Morgan, Edward McGuire and Colin Davidson; Seamus’s charisma and everyman quality; his interest in people; plans for the future; meeting room facilities; the Helicon theatre space; Moyola river, and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://seamusheaneyhome.com

Episode 160 is the second half of the chat with legendary artist Jim Fitzpatrick at his studio in Howth, County Dublin, recorded at 12 noon on Saturday, 3rd May 2025.Conversation includes: copyright; Che Guevara poster 'Viva Che!’; Marwan Barghouti; how the Che image came into existence; Gilbert Brosnan; the Franciscans; General Efrain Ríos Montt and Guatemala; Ernesto Cardenal and the Sandinistas; Castro; Santo Trafficante Jr.; Carlos Rafael Rodríguez; meeting Che Guevara in the Marine Hotel, Kilkee, Co. Clare in 1961; Che Guevara looking like Colin Farrell; Che’s Irish roots and knowledge of Irish history; Maureen O’Hara; ‘Viva Che!’ as an Irish Stamp; Montserrat; Admiral William Brown; Bernardo O'Higgins of Chile; Eliza Lynch; the Irish in Argentina; Alexis Mac Allister; Che’s admiration for Tom Barry and Dan Breen; setting up Two Bare Feet - a poster company; referencing an image in ‘Stern’ Magazine; Nixon and Kissinger; getting the complete story of Che’s execution from Mario Terán; Lamentation of Christ (Mantegna); getting the image from the provos and Jean Paul Sartre; Jim’s hidden logo in ‘Viva Che!’; making the image copyright-free for the masses; being outed as the artist; Martin Kemp, the world’s expert on Leonardo da Vinci; Salvator Mundi (Leonardo); the image being chosen for ‘Christ to Coke: How Image Becomes Icon’ book by Martin Kemp; the image being a great source of pride for Jim; Irish Argentinians; Shanty Irish; plans for the future; current work celebrating the people of 1798; the holocaust; the current Gaza conflict; Kneecap; how Jim would like to be remembered and other topics.Relevant Linkswww.jimfitzpatrick.comAdditional Linkswww.instagram.com/jimfitzpatrickwww.facebook.com/jimfitzpatrickgallery