The Ireland Podcast

Recorded at Oideas Gael in County Donegal, this conversation moves between English and Gaeilge as Gearóidín Bhreathnach talks about growing up surrounded by her father’s stories and her mother’s songs.She explains how sean-nós is learned through listening, how ornamentation and performance change with the singer and audience, and why the different regional styles matter. She also reflects on her awards, her work teaching and sharing Irish song, and the legacy she hopes to leave for her grandchildren.Gearóidín opens with “A Bhean Úd Thíos” and closes with “An Draighneán Donn” (“The Blackthorn Bush”), a song her mother taught her. Relevant Linkshttps://www.oideasgael.ie/

What happens when Bill Laswell sends you to London without telling you who you're going to meet - and you find yourself in Mick Jagger's living room?In the fourth and final part of his conversation with Fender Jackson on The Ireland Podcast, Bernard Fowler takes us inside his extraordinary decades with The Rolling Stones.Bernard recalls his first meeting with Mick Jagger, the unexpected appearance of Paul McCartney, and the events that led to his involvement with the band.He also reveals how Keith Richards initially resisted his arrival during the Steel Wheels sessions, famously telling Bernard, "I didn't want to like you."But this is much more than a collection of rock-and-roll anecdotes.As two musicians, Bernard and Fender explore what makes the Rolling Stones sound like the Rolling Stones - the loose, soulful backing vocals, the importance of feel over technical perfection, and why their music works precisely because it isn't polished to within an inch of its life.Bernard discusses Merry Clayton's extraordinary performance on Gimme Shelter, his approach to arranging vocal harmonies, and his work on Keith Richards' How Can I Stop, featuring Wayne Shorter on saxophone.The conversation also returns to John Lydon, Public Image Ltd and Steve Vai, before Bernard reflects on the recordings of which he is proudest - from Philip Glass's Changing Opinion to PiL's FFF.He also looks ahead to his forthcoming tango project.From Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to Philip Glass, Bill Laswell, Motörhead and Public Image Ltd, Bernard Fowler's career has taken him through some of the most remarkable recording sessions in modern music.This final instalment brings the four-part conversation to a close.The Ireland Podcast - Recording The IslandPresented by Fender Jackson.Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.Relevant Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4t0Xaku3wgseBkSZYOloxw?si=178765d80d6e4ec9

What happens when a Rolling Stones backing singer gets stranded in the Irish countryside?In Part 3 of his conversation with Fender Jackson, Bernard Fowler recounts an extraordinary adventure involving Ronnie Wood's home in County Kildare, an Irish taxi driver and a Garda who knows more than expected.Beyond the laughs, Bernard reflects on his musical education through Bill Laswell and Material, and how working with extraordinary musicians transformed his understanding of music.He also takes us inside his solo album Inside Out, including his reinterpretations of Rolling Stones songs and the deeply moving personal story behind his recording of Undercover of the Night.It's a conversation that moves from rock-and-roll comedy to musical experimentation and an unexpected moment of human connection.And there's more to come. In Part 4, Bernard reveals how he first met Mick Jagger, his early encounters with Keith Richards and his extraordinary decades with the Rolling Stones.The Ireland Podcast - Recording The IslandPresented by Fender Jackson.Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.Relevant Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/4t0Xaku3wgseBkSZYOloxw?si=178765d80d6e4ec9

How do you teach John Lydon to sing? And what happens when you impersonate Ozzy Osbourne so convincingly that people believe it's really him? In Part 2 of his conversation with Fender Jackson on The Ireland Podcast, Bernard Fowler takes us behind the scenes of some remarkable recording sessions.Public Image Ltd - Album (1986)Producer Bill Laswell asked Bernard to become John Lydon's vocal coach for PiL's Album. There was just one problem: Bernard had never coached a singer before.He recalls helping Lydon with phrasing, breathing and vocal technique, and explains why he considers John's performance on the record among his finest.Steve Vai, Ginger Baker and Tony WilliamsBernard remembers walking into the studio and hearing Steve Vai record his extraordinary guitar solo on Ease. The experience moved him profoundly.He also recalls meeting Ginger Baker, hearing how Bill Laswell found him living on an olive farm in Italy, and receiving an invitation from jazz drumming legend Tony Williams to front a proposed rock band.Lemmy, Ozzy Osbourne and Alice CooperBernard reveals how he doubled Lemmy's vocals on Motörhead's Orgasmatron, recreated Ozzy Osbourne's voice for a soundtrack recording, and performed an Ozzy-style vocal for an Alice Cooper project.His impersonation was apparently so convincing that some listeners believed Ozzy himself had recorded the duet.The conversation also explores vocal doubling, the art of singing and the musicianship behind some of rock's most distinctive recordings.And just as Bernard is about to reveal what happened to him on a memorable trip to Kildare, the story continues into Part 3.Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast so you don't miss the conclusion.The Ireland Podcast - Recording The Island.Hosted by Fender Jackson.www.theirelandpodcast.com

What happens when a young singer walks into a recording studio to work with Philip Glass, having never met the composer, heard the music or even seen the lyrics?In 1986, Bernard Fowler was invited to record Changing Opinion for Philip Glass's landmark album Songs from Liquid Days, with lyrics written by Paul Simon.Fowler recalls arriving at the studio terrified, repeating a rather colourful mantra to calm his nerves. After just a handful of takes, Glass appeared delighted with the performance.Then Paul Simon walked in.In this conversation with Fender Jackson on The Ireland Podcast, Fowler recalls Simon's reaction, how Philip Glass stood by his performance, and what happened after he left the studio not knowing whether his voice would make the finished record.The conversation also explores Fowler's early musical ambitions, his desire to cross genres, his performances with Philip Glass, and a memorable appearance at Lincoln Center.Fender shares his own connection to Songs from Liquid Days, including an extraordinary encounter with Laurie Anderson at her Meltdown Festival in London in 1997.This is Part 1 of a three-part conversation with Bernard Fowler.Coming next:Part 2: Public Image Ltd – recording Album and working with John Lydon, Bill Laswell and the musicians involved.Part 3: The Rolling Stones – Fowler's decades of performing and recording with the band.Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast and turn on notifications so you don't miss the remaining conversations.The Ireland Podcast is an independent, long-form series hosted by Fender Jackson, recording conversations with people whose lives and experiences help tell the story of our times.

After 292 days on the road, Jonathan Kemp reaches Galway, bringing his extraordinary Finding Peace of Mind Walk to an end.On Sunday 18 October 2026, Fender Jackson joins his old friend for the final stretch along Galway's Long Walk towards the Spanish Arch, recording their conversation as Jonathan completes a journey that began in Shetland on New Year's Day.It's an unscripted, sometimes funny and often moving conversation about what happens when an extraordinary adventure finally comes to an end.Jonathan reflects on the physical and psychological challenges of spending more than nine months walking across Britain and Ireland, the people he's encountered, and the mental-health crisis that inspired him to undertake the journey.He talks openly about living with bipolar II disorder, the importance of receiving appropriate treatment, and how walking has taught him to concentrate on one day at a time.There are stories from the road, including an alarming encounter with cattle, thoughts about writing another book and even the possibility of a future adventure in Asia.As they approach the finish line, an unexpected encounter with an image of Sinéad O'Connor prompts Jonathan to reflect on her life and his changing understanding of her struggles.The conversation concludes with a personal moment between two friends who have known each other for 20 years.Finding Peace of MindJonathan's walk has been raising awareness and funds for four mental-health charities:Aware — Republic of IrelandAWARE NI — Northern IrelandSAMH — ScotlandMind — England and WalesTo learn more about Jonathan's journey, support the charities or access his free e-book:https://linktr.ee/jonathankemplondonRecorded on location in Galway, Ireland, on 18 October 2026.

In Part 2 of this extended conversation, former Irish Minister for Justice Alan Shatter continues his discussion with Fender Jackson about Israel, Gaza, antisemitism and Ireland's relationship with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The conversation explores Shatter's perspective on the war in Gaza, the distinction between criticism of Israel and antisemitism, and the increasingly polarised debate surrounding Israel and Palestine in Irish public life.How should Ireland approach its relationship with Israel? What constitutes legitimate political criticism, and when does it cross into antisemitism? And how do history, identity and political loyalties shape the positions people take?Shatter offers his arguments and interpretations in his own words, in a conversation that listeners may find challenging, thought-provoking or deeply contentious.The Ireland Podcast is committed to recording a broad range of voices and perspectives across the island. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast.The Ireland Podcast - Recording the island.Also listen to:Part 1 - Episode 247: Alan Shatter: October 7, Gaza & Israel

On Sunday, 11 October 2026, Fender Jackson visited Garvaghy Road following the end of the latest Drumcree standoff. The road was completely quiet. Then, by chance, he met Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition. In this spontaneous walking interview, Mac Cionnaith explains why residents opposed the proposed Orange Order parade, discusses the human cost of the Drumcree dispute, addresses his own imprisonment and recalls alleged attempts on his life. Fender challenges him on whether a small, silent parade could have provided a compromise, the Orange Order’s responsibility for loyalist violence, and unionist concerns that the dispute offers a glimpse of life within a united Ireland. This conversation presents Breandán Mac Cionnaith’s account and perspective. TIP has invited representatives of the Orange Order and the wider unionist and loyalist communities to discuss Drumcree. That invitation remains open. Recorded on Garvaghy Road, Portadown, on 11 October 2026. 🎙️ The Ireland Podcast Recording the island. Subscribe for long-form conversations about Ireland’s people, politics, history and culture.

What is the difference between feeling low and clinical depression? When does an inner critic become destructive? How do psychologists arrive at a diagnosis? And what does good mental health treatment actually look like? In this conversation with Fender Jackson, Dr Brannick discusses depression, rumination and self-criticism, behavioural activation, diagnosis, bipolar disorder, the role - and limitations - of AI in mental health, barriers to seeking help, therapy, suicide awareness and recovery. The conversation was recorded in Dublin as Jonathan Kemp passed through the city during his 4,200km Finding Peace of Mind walk from the Shetland Islands to Galway. Jonathan is raising awareness and funds for four mental health charities: Aware, AWARE NI, SAMH and Mind. Support Jonathan's Finding Peace of Mind Walking Challenge: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Jonathansupporting4mentalhealthcharitiesAware is the national charity providing support, therapy, education and information to those affected by depression, bipolar and anxiety. They provide free accessible support to tens of thousands of people across Ireland each year. Visit aware.ie or call the Aware Support Line 1800 80 4848. Jonathan is due to complete his journey in Galway on Sunday 18 October 2026.