The Ireland Podcast

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's family to be a celebration of his life. It consists of three main parts:Part 1: WakeThursday 24th of October at Monroe's Tavern, Galway.Part 2: FuneralFriday 25th of October at 11:00am in St. Patrick's Church, Forster Street (H91 FP84).Part 3: A Session In Tribute To Tom GiblinFriday 25th of Monroe’s Tavern Galway. Special thanks to Tony McLaughlin for allowing the use of this audio from his video which he recorded.The final closing song is a recording of Tom himself from earlier this year. Extra special thanks to all the musicians featured.Predeceased by his parents Tom and Kathleen, brothers Gerard and Eamon (Ned).Unexpectedly at University Hospital Galway with his loving family by his side. Will be sadly missed by his wife Maureen, son Ross and daughter Kathy, his sister Mary (Dawson), brothers Sean, Tony, Kevin and Michael, brother-in-law John, sisters-in-law Deirdre, Joanne, Carmel and Brenda, grandchild Matthew, aunt Dolly, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends.May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.Relevant Linkshttps://cancerfundforchildren.comhttps://www.cancer.ieN.B. Since the making of this episode Galway also saw the sad untimely passing of other fellow musicians. Eamonn Nugent, a beloved Orthoptist and skilled bodhrán player passed away on October 30, 2024, at the age of 31, after a courageous fight with a rare brain tumour. A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University with a First-Class Honours degree, Eamonn became a respected member of the orthoptic team at Galway University Hospital, where he was promoted to Senior Orthoptist in 2020. Eamonn's life was filled with music and joy, and he leaves behind his loving wife Sarah, his sister Ciara, and his parents Theresa and Joe.Irish singer-songwriter Johnny Duhan died on November 12, 2024, at 74 after a swimming accident at Silverstrand Beach in Barna, County Galway. Best known for writing "The Voyage," popularized by Christy Moore, Duhan started his career with the band Granny’s Intentions in Limerick before becoming a celebrated solo artist in Irish folk music. Johnny is survived by his wife, Maureen, children Ronan, Niamh, Kevin, Ailbhe and Brian, grandchildren and extended family. Thoughts and prayers go out to all these people, their family and friends as well as the lady still missing at the date of publication.

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 Trinity College); starting off from the exhibition entrance; Ogham alphabet stones; the pocket gospels; the materials used to create the Book Of Kells; how the book was made; a “tour” of some of the more important pages e.g. Four Evangelists, Chi Rho page, ; the importance of animals e.g. peacock, lion, eagle, veal, salmon, mice, cat, snake etc; the interlace and spirals representing the Christian and Celtic elements; Constantine the Great; coming face to face with the Book Of Kells; the close skirmishes; the case housing the book; the current pages on display; The Long Room; how to access the books of the library; the copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic from 1916; sculptures and busts; the redevelopment project; Prof. Gordon Foster who invented the International Standard Book Number (ISBN); 'From Decadence to Despair' Oscar Wilde Exhibition; Jonathan Swift; Ada Lovelace; Rosalind Franklin; Lady Gregory; Gaia by Luke Jerram; Prof. William Rowan Hamilton and quaternions; Neil Armstrong; Mary Pollard; Brian Boru’s harp; Guinness vs. The Irish Government as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=enhttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/116. Anne-Marie Diffley: Book Of Kells120. Caitlin Skahen & Co: Book Of Kells - Part 2

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; ‘The Ick’; appropriate percussion; supporting the band; the tour; playing the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch, London on 21st November; playing Grand Social in Dublin on 12th December; identical digits; ‘The Killer’ as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/scustinhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/74wuE1uUwxuAo74wzO9nrm?si=3d2d576df8674a9a

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 questions; the t(h)rasher; funding; the timeline; Maggie Basqual; Johnny & Mary Linskeys; Maura Sweeney; the American Wake; Michael Comer; Kilconduff Cemetery; emigration; Conor Walsh; O’Connor’s Hotel; Marie Holmes Walsh, Joe Mellett; Brabazons; Mary Harkin locations sound; Richard Kendrick Camera, Midfield; Meelick; Tom Hennigan, Hennigans Heritage Centre, Killasser; The Swinford Workhouse, The Famine; Black ’47; Hedge Schools; Lavins; British Pathé; Captain Boycott; Ciara Gallogly; Noelle Rowley; New Decade Production Exec. Producer, Galway Film Fleadh; New Decade; First Element; Kathryn Noone and Swinford Comhaltas; Alannah Thornburgh; Maggie Blanc; Mayo County Library in Castlebar; Francie McNichols's; Matt Molloy; Jack Walsh Drone operator. as well as other topics.  

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 PavillionCaitlin Skahen - Visitor Experience OfficerDave & Dawna Lowe - visitors from Maryland, USAKimber & Andrew from Springfield, Missouri, USAMary - Student AmbassadorAnna - Visitor Experience OfficerHelena - Library GuardShauna Brennan - Library GuardSophie Cummins - Transition Year StudentThis episode features:Nothing Compares 2 U by Fender Jackson - Fender recorded the strings in post production after the interviews.Tommy Keane performing the uilleann pipe solo of Dirty Old Town in the key of D as he recorded it in Episode 29 as well as on the original Pogues recording.Relevant Linkshttps://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=enhttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/116. Anne-Marie Diffley: Book Of Kells124. Andrea Iadarola: Book Of Kells - Part 3Additional LinksEpisode 29. Tommy Keane: Uilleann Pipe Player

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 family - Life Recordings; Laura’s day job; positive stories; ‘Stranger In My Family’; the challenges of a genetic genealogist; plans for the future as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.ancestry.comAdditional LinksStranger In My Family on BBCRecord Your Life StoryEpisode 112. Laura House: Ancestry, Genetic Genealogist - Part 1

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; Newfoundland, Canada; Eddie Banjo; kitchen parties; D’Arcy Broderick; Black Gold; ADHD; Sonny’s Dream; Ron Hynes; Yamaha NXT5 guitar; breaking strings; Godin Guitars; gratitude; ‘Rainy Night In Soho’ and algorithms; The Dubliners and Mumford & Sons; Fiachra Trench; Christy Hennessy; singing to Jack; ‘Follow The Sun’; David Double Bass from Laois; wealth; alcohol and confidence vs. ability; bedtime shopping; Gearoid’s upcoming tour; turning down a publishing deal; Tunecore; always working; bringing all of his friends along with him; messages and scams as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/gearoidmccarthymusic

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; Icarus; renting a penthouse in Bristol; being a number on a spreadsheet; Rule Britannia and Tugs of War; leading a really good team in BBC in Belfast as an Executive Producer; living like a king in the back bedroom and George Best Airport; curfews both sides of the Irish Sea; producing 60 episodes of ‘Cash In The Attic’; becoming associate editor for ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’; what the Associate Editor does; how much does Paul talk with the presenter; Paul’s current enjoyment; cryogenics; working for someone younger than him; Piers Morgan Uncensored moving from TV to online; an overview of the TV industry today; the Baby Reindeer interview with Fiona Harvey; the secret of the success of Piers Morgan Uncensored; working with Kieron to find Fiona; advice to young people who want to go into TV today as well as other topics.Face to face recording in London at 4.08pm on Wednesday 18th September 2024.Art Collage by Arif Mahood. Design by Fender Jackson.Relevant Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/paul.connolly.3954Episode 113. Paul Connolly: TV Producer - Part 1