The Ireland Podcast

Episode 103 is very much a continuation on from Episode 100 and 101 with Fender chatting with his childhood friend, fellow musician and award winning writer Stuart Neville.Conversation includes: (re)introductions; early years; first friends from across the political divide; the commonality of music; Iggy Pop; Van Halen vs. Velvet Underground; musical blindspots; rock songs with recorders; playing in bands in Armagh; Stuart as a music producer; Milltown Cemetery attack; Corporals killings; needing to get away, and then back again; the romanticisation of the Troubles vs. the actual misery; Greysteel massacre; Stuart’s venture into writing; ‘The Twelve’ aka ‘The Ghosts Of Belfast’; rewrites; literary agent Nat Sobel; James Ellroy; perfect being the enemy of the good; the expectations put upon the genre writer; Colin Bateman; Geoff Mulligan; Soho Press; The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, who optioned Stuart’s book; winning the LA Times Book Prize; becoming a full time writer; Steve Kavanagh and other topics.Face to face recording in Armagh City, County Armagh at 12.45pm on Tuesday 3rd September 2024.Relevant Linkshttps://www.stuartneville.comAdditional LinksStuart on The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonSpotify Playlist to accompany this episode

Episode 102 is the strengthening of bridges that unites these groups of islands through a cross-community conversation between Linda Ervine agus An Feannadóir (and Fender Jackson). NB The first couple of minutes of this episode are in Gaelic and then it switches to English.Conversation includes: introductions in Gaelic and then in English; early years; the backdrop of the Troubles; living in Belvoir; Linda’s left wing father; The Price sisters on hunger strike; travelling; The Tommy Tiernan Show; first Gaelic lessons; An Droichead; identifying Catholics and Protestants; making headlines; ‘Presbyterians and the Irish Language’; ‘Hidden Ulster: Protestants and the Irish Language’; Gaelic links to the Orange Order, Presbyterian Church and Church of Ireland; Hidden History of Protestants & The Irish Language; maintaining a positive attitude in spite of all obstacles; every word spoken in Irish being a brick in the bridge that unites us as a group of islands; John Hume; being British and Irish; Carmel Hanna; Heather Wilson and Stephen McCarthy; the boredom of the Troubles; Acht na Gaeilge; nursery school; what Linda and Turas does; teaching English vs. Irish; An Cultúrlann; Jim Allister; “curry my yoghurt”; philanthropists and heroes, as well as other topics.Thank you to Malachi O'Doherty, Lillis O'Laoire, Irish With Mollie agus Seán Ó hEaráin for their quesions.Face to face recording in Skainos Centre, Newtownards Road, Belfast at 3.15pm on Wednesday 4th September 2024.Relevant Linkshttps://turasbelfast.comBuy something from the Turas shopAdditional Linkshttps://presbyterianhistoryireland.com/history/presbyterians-and-the-irish-language/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Ulster-Protestants-Irish-Language/dp/1873687354Hidden History of Protestants & The Irish Language

Episode 101 is the second part of an interview with Fender Jackson by his old friend and former fellow bandmate, the esteemed Dr. James Morrow reflecting back on 100 episodes of The Ireland Podcast.Conversation includes: Adam Clayton; Bono; Mick Jagger; Irish diaspora artists; Kate Bush; John Lydon; Kevin Rowland; Boy George; Wuthering Heights; In Dreams by Roy Orbison; David Bowie; Sense Of Doubt; Brian Eno; Oblique Strategies; John Cale; Robert Fripp; Reeves Gabrels; Mike Garson; Tony Scullion; Garron; Paul Brady; Paul Charles; Game Of Thrones; the imposter syndrome; Noel Edmonds; leaving the bins out; the relaxed, long-form interview; Tony Hancock; no video as well as other topics.Relevant Linkswww.theirelandpodcast.comAdditional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/7n9YLV83HBp3cpC7bs4v5pFace to face recording in Armagh City, County Armagh at approximately 8.18pm on Monday 2nd September 2024.

Episode 100 is the first part of an interview with Fender Jackson by his old friend and former fellow bandmate, the esteemed Dr. James Morrow reflecting back on 99 episodes of The Ireland Podcast.Conversation includes: (re)introductions; the history of The Ireland Podcast; the journey of most podcast episodes; the first interviewee; the origin story of The Ireland Podcast; the dying embers of Gaelic as a first language in the Sperrin Mountains; Fender interviewing family members about 25 years ago; PlayLouder.com; John Cale; Seán Gallagher from Derry; Seán Óg McKiernan; listener feedback; Liz Hackett watching Rugby in Australia; Gerry Mulholland, aka Jarir Al-Majar; Sam Henry the musicologist; imposter syndrome; Elvis Costello; David Bowie; Fender Jackson; The Pixies; the duty of the archivist; deciding who to interview; Nirvana; editing as well as other topics.Relevant Linkswww.theirelandpodcast.comAdditional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/7n9YLV83HBp3cpC7bs4v5pFace to face recording in Armagh City, County Armagh at approximately 8.18pm on Monday 2nd September 2024.

Episode 99 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and IMRA member David Kelleher who is a family man, an ultra marathon runner and a poet amongst other things.Conversation includes: introductions; Rosslare Strand, County Wexford; David’s family; being a twin; Rosslare being the coccyx of the dog that is Ireland and having a blue flag beach that often rates as one of the top 10 beaches of Ireland; Sellafield; coastal erosion; ferries and Rosslare Port;  David’s career; ultra-running; rugby; marathons; Forth Mountain; Born to Run - Christopher McDougall; Irish Mountain Running Association; Comeragh Mountains, Clonmel; racing against the Hoka sponsored Andrew Douglas and other elites; representing Ireland; Jordan Peterson; philosophy; memento morti; the stoic fork; Marcus Aurelius' Meditations; mindset and idiocy; negative affirmations; chasing after the carrot and not being afraid of the stick; ‘The Rise’; Charles Mingus; John Prine; how David writes his poetry; running without headphones; ultra running being a mental sport; the abyss after 26.2 miles; going beyond the limits; saunas and bs; where you can buy David’s book; Lou Ferrigno, Stan Lee and Comic Con; North Slob; Renaissance Person and other topics.Relevant LinksStop, Breathe, Read: Powerful Poems that explore the simplicity of resolveAdditional Linkshttps://www.imra.ie/https://wicklow.ecotrail.com/https://beachawards.ie/blue-flag/sites-2-2/Episode 9. Paul Mulligan & Jim Rooney: Evoking The Ghost Of John PrineEpisode 42. Dr. Kevin Lynch: Costal Geomorphologist

Episode 98 brings Fender Jackson face to face with Martin Sharkey who is the Finance Director of Belleek Pottery and the Belleek Pottery Group.Conversation includes: Belleek village; the origin story of Belleek; bringing the skills over from England; the link to the famine; David McBirney; first products; transition from earthen ware to parian ware; the checkered history; George G. Moore; Roger Troughton; Powerscreen; Galway Crystal, Aynsley China and Donegal Parian China; George and Angela Moore Charitable Trust; the types of employees; the challenges of Belleek being so remote; current stores; Debenhams; Theresa May; Brexit; the security involved with high profile guests; the most westerly part of the UK; King/Prince Charles; Aonghus O’Flaherty in Tig Choili’s, Galway; the non sectarian appeal of Belleek; being a border town; attracting tourists; being on The Wild Atlantic Way; Patricia McCauley; 11% of Americans being of Irish descent; Tiger Woods; JP McManus; Rory McElroy; Lough Erne Golf Course; Ronald Reagan; Bill Clinton; Mary McAleese; Yeats; Galway; Killarney; Titanic; the different bus routes; ideal amount of time for your duration; personalising your own piece; (not) selling seconds; 7-8% of loss rate; 4 different quality checks; timing your piece by the stamps; having a smashing time; items and fashion; new designs; luminaries; (not) automating the production processes; the fine line of making profit; the Covid effect; the costs of the current shops; parking in town; the shrinking middle market; the complication of big ticket items; (not) fixing broken items; the reduced carbon footprint; the renovation; the big warehouse and other topics. Face to face recording in Belleek Pottery, Belleek, County Fermanagh at approximately 2.04pm on Thursday 22nd August 2024.Relevant Linkswww.belleek.com

Episode 97 is the final episode of a three part series consisting of a conversation between Terry Woods and Fender Jackson. Conversation includes: why The Pogues split up the first time, why they reformed and why they split the final time; Anthony Addis graduating from accountant to manager; watching the mosh pit; along of Shane; Andrew Rankin; Mulligans Pub of Poolbeg Street; Paul Scully; Skid Row; ‘Big Ian’ Turner the lighting guy; Mark Addis; Alan Buddy Goulding; Joss; the spell of The Pogues; Joe Strummer; Spider Stacey; Shane’s funeral; a summary analysis of Terry’s career; hay barns and handball alleys; Des Kelly from The Capitol Showband; Shane’s genius; Terry’s first gig with The Pogues; Lemmy; ‘Eat The Rich’; ‘Straight To Hell’; ‘In The Name Of The Father’; living in County Cavan; global audiences; middle Americas audiences; Shane MacGowan; Terry’s favourite Pogues’ song; censorship; re-writing history; Ronan Keating; making videos; zen; Terry’s advice to his younger self; ‘At Swim-Two-Birds’ by Myles na gCopaleen and other topics.Relevant Linkswww.theirelandpodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thepoguesofficial/Additional Links93. Terry Woods: Sweeney's Men, Steeleye Span & More - Part 195. Terry Woods: The Pogues - Part 2https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Here-Comes-Everybody-Audiobook/B00XYKQ4XAhttps://www.dunboynecastlehotel.com/Face to face recording in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel, County Meath at 2.50pm on Thursday 8th August 2024.

Episode 96 has the Ombudsman for Children in Ireland Dr Niall Muldoon conversing with Fender Jackson. Niall has held this position since February 2015, and his work focuses on promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of children in Ireland. This interview is the latest link in ‘Muldoon’s Chain’. This interview is the latest link in ‘Muldoon’s Chain’, a series initiated through a conversation with Paul Muldoon on The Ireland Podcast.Conversation includes: interactions; Niall’s journey to his current role; interview tips; Chris Hadfield; the fixed maximum time of two terms (12 years); the genesis of the ombudsman for children’s office; what Niall’s day-to-day job is; the role of the office of the Children’s Ombudsman; the three sections of taking complaints, raising awareness of children’s rights and of the office and advising government on policy and legislation; the growing team; Chris Quinn; cross border work between both commissioners and their teams; advice to a members of family in a difficult situation; alcoholism and stopping drinking; reasons why people stay in domestic violent situations; Derek Ryan; benefits and challenges of the job; scoliosis; Minister Donnelly; housing; repetition of the same mistakes; sports coaching; compartmentalising; reaching one’s potential; Mike Tyson; kids’ concerns; the privilege of a politician who has the power to affect change for the people of Ireland; advice to Irish American billionaires; Grandpa Hanky’s Pancakes and other topics.Face to face recording in The Ireland Podcast studio in Salthill, Galway at approximately 7pm on Thursday 25th July 2024.Relevant Linkshttps://www.oco.ieAdditional Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/derekryanmusicofficial/58. Paul Muldoon: Poet76. Prof. Orla Muldoon: Professor Of Psychology

Episode 95 is a continuation of the conversation between Terry Woods and Fender Jackson as Terry talks about his career in The Pogues. Conversation includes: Frank Murray; James Fearnley’s excellent book ‘Here Comes Everybody’; Paul McGuinness and U2; Terry seeing The Pogues for the first time in Cibeal Festival; Shane MacGowan’s songwriting genius; Frank Murray getting the push; songwriting credits; how the Pogues albums were recorded; Terry finding his musical space in The Pogues; the instrument Terry “should” have played; Bob Dylan; Dallas; Birmingham Six and Guilford Four; the missing verse of Streets Of Sorrow; The Popes; alcohol; Philip Lynott; ‘Young Ned Of The Hill’; Féile (The Trip To Tipp); Darryl Hunt; Ron Kavana; ‘Thousands Are Sailing’; Philip Chevron; reforming and other topics.“The race is done, the journey’s overAs on this West Cork road I lie.With summer twilight fading quicklyI won’t see another day.”˜ 'Streets Of Sorrow' by Terry WoodsRelevant Linkswww.theirelandpodcast.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thepoguesofficial/Additional Linkshttps://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Here-Comes-Everybody-Audiobook/B00XYKQ4XAhttps://www.dunboynecastlehotel.com/Face to face recording in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel, County Meath at 2.50pm on Thursday 8th August 2024. The final Part 3 should be published on Monday 26th August.Subscribe using your favourite podcast player to ensure you don’t miss an episode of The Ireland Podcast.