The Ireland Podcast

Episode 148 Comedian, actor and writer John Colleary from Sligo chats with Fender Jackson in Galway.Warning: this episode contains music.Conversation includes: introductions; the Colleary name; Sligo; the family; myna bird; David McSavage; Paul Chowdhry; The Life and Death of Peter Sellers; winging it; Andy Warhol; the teacher impersonation; the west of Ireland; not taking credit; south Dublin; coloured coded velcro; joining the guards; garda skills; working with Ken Loach; Jimmy’s Hall; Jimmy Gralton; The Savage Eye; Irish people not taking their jobs seriously; Borat; real encounters with the gardaí; the importance of laughter in Irish employment; Colin Geddes; dickie bows; David McSavage vs. Tommy Tiernan; Time Travellers; Pat O’Donnell; Instagram; Steve Lillywhite; Daniel O’Donnell; future plans including upcoming gigs and other topics.Upcoming Shows TF Royal, Castlebar, Co. Mayo - Fri, 4 Apr 20253Olympia Theatre, Dublin, D2 - Thu, 15 May 2025, 19:00Bantry, C, IELive By The Bay at The Maritime West Cork - Sat, 18 Oct 2025, 20:30Gleneagle INEC Arena, Co. Kerry, KY - Sat, 1 Nov 2025, 19:30Relevant Linkshttps://www.johncolleary.iehttps://www.instagram.com/colleary.john/https://www.facebook.com/lesley.shortall.9Additional Linkshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPISMWa0SMUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBzXYjkl8khttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=205857359164834

Episode 147 concludes the conversation between Artist Gerard Byrne and Fender Jackson.Conversation includes: moving from to Berlin via Dublin; George Gallery; financial snakes and ladders; being visited by his grandmother in a dream; exhibiting and running The Harrison Gallery; Gorry Gallery; becoming homeless; destiny; humanity; John Stafford; rags to riches; Dalkey; Finnegan’s; moving to London; buying his gallery; imposter syndrome; Gilbert & George; The Oriel Gallery; acquiring a gallery in Clerkenwell, London; Irish vs. English buyers; advice to other budding artists; Graham Little; the story of the picture and the cooker as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://gerardbyrneartist.com/https://www.instagram.com/gerard_byrne_artist/Additional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VwrZL8Iohhq5MOVIrpt2Z?si=8577af745cb74a8dhttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/667016f3/145-gerard-byrne-artist-part-onehttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/89db230a/146-gerard-byrne-artist-part-two

Episode 146 continues with Artist Gerard Byrne’s chat with Fender Jackson. More great paranormal stories in this episode!Conversation includes: travelling to Berlin via Australia; life in East Berlin; destiny; 99 Bar; the birth of the artist; creating a gallery in East Berlin; antiestablishmentarianism; art as freedom; the opening of the exhibition; East Berlin finance books; getting t(h)in/slimmer and living off the charity of others; acquiring frames; oppressive East German art; emotions through art; receiving messages from the deceased; painting a higgledy piggledy house; giving 100% to the art; taking up massage classes; a message to Fender from his late mother; the burden of sharing vs. not sharing information; Fender’s special vase as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://gerardbyrneartist.com/https://www.instagram.com/gerard_byrne_artist/Additional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VwrZL8Iohhq5MOVIrpt2Z?si=8577af745cb74a8dhttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/667016f3/145-gerard-byrne-artist-part-onehttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/be7f6790/147-gerard-byrne-artist-part-three

Episode 145 Artist Gerard Byrne chats with Fender Jackson. Some great ghost stories in this episode!Conversation includes: introductions; early life; education; becoming an electrician; being part of a ghost story off the coast of Kerry during a storm; life after death and spirits; being part of a ghost story on Rathlin Island; being part of a James Bond story in Burma in the 1980’s; Argo film; living as an artist in the Liberties, Dublin as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://gerardbyrneartist.com/https://www.instagram.com/gerard_byrne_artist/Additional Linkshttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/89db230a/146-gerard-byrne-artist-part-twohttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/be7f6790/147-gerard-byrne-artist-part-threehttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VwrZL8Iohhq5MOVIrpt2Z?si=8577af745cb74a8d

Episode144. Singer, songwriter and musician Shobsy chats with Fender Jackson.Conversation includes: introductions; mononyms; influences; Riverdance; U2 and The Edge; State Lights; Bono; the three voices (falsetto, middle and speaking voices); studying songwriting in BIMM; Alan Cullivan; learning classical guitar; piano; songwriting tips; ‘Entertainment’; Andy Warhol; Paul Muldoon, the troubadour and makar; ‘Champagne’; Splice; Sabrina Carpenter ‘Espresso’; Prince at the Purple Rain premiere in 1984; Dublin vs. London; Batman; Bowie Alumni & RTÉ Concert Orchestra performance as part of the Dublin Bowie Festival; Gerry Leonard; Duke Special; rehearsals; ‘Bewlay Brothers’; ‘Fame’; John Lennon; Soda Blonde; Dana Masters; Gail Ann Dorsey; ‘Loving The Alien’; Sat Bisla and Muse Expo; SXSW; News Expo; Whelans; music business insights; ‘Smalltown Boy’ on The Late, Late Show; Jimmy Somerville; Joe Regan; Donagh Seaver O’Leary; Rob Kennedy and other topics. The show finishes with Shobsy singing his song 'Animated' whilst playing piano.You can catch Shobsy in Whelans, 25 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2 on 22nd March 2025.Special thanks to all at O'Regan's, 26-27 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2 where this episode was recorded.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/shobsymusichttps://www.instagram.com/shobsymusic/Additional LinksSpotify Playlist for Ep. 144

Episode 143 features singer and philanthropist Daniel O'Donnell in conversation with Fender Jackson.Conversation includes: introductions; early years; Margo; the big break; Mick Clerkin and Ritz Records; Sean Reilly; Pirate Radio; advice to other singers; having your heart in what you do; Big Tom; Philomena Begley; Larry Cunningham; Brian Coll; Gene Stuart; Susan McCann; Michael English; Jimmy Buckley; Nathan Carter; Derek Ryan; Claudia Buckley; Cliona Hagan; Olivia Douglas; Prince; dealing with emotions whilst singing; Christmas Day 1915; ballads; his MBE; Daniel’s mother; Derek Hill the painter; the Queen Mother; Strictly Come Dancing; The Grand Ole Opry; Daniel’s love of the Gaelic language; Mrs. Logue; Daniel’s sister Kathleen and her husband John Doogan; Sharon Shannon; Daniel’s choice of five guests to a mystery meal; how Daniel chooses which songs to record; themed albums; Daniel’s favourite three movies; Daniel’s advice to songwriters; Ciaran Mitchel; David Arkins; Daniel in the studio; Daniel’s discography; Daniel’s charity work; Romanian Challenge Appeal; Chat GPT; Taylor Swift; Fr. Ted; Daniel’s musical tastes; Hugo Duncan; Daniel’s love of meeting people; grief and other topics.This episode is dedicated to Frankie Bosco O’Donnell. May he RIP.The Viennese Waltz: Produced, arranged and composed by Fender Jackson.Vocals, Piano, Double Bass, Guitar, Shaker, Toy Glockenspiel (computer), Tuba (computer), Strings (computer): Fender JacksonTrumpet 1: Michael DooleyTrumpet 2: Michael DooleyTrombone: Tom WelshRelevant Linkshttps://danielodonnell.org/

Episode 143. Photographer Peter Rowen sits with Fender Jackson. (Peter also happens to be the boy model from the U2 artwork).Conversation includes: introductions; getting into photographer; Peter’s brother Johnny Rowen; nephew Moses Rowen (Ep. 132/133); Eugene Langan and Arnold Bell; setting up own his own in 1995; Kevin Kelly; Irish Times; moving into wedding photography; the honour of working on a wedding; the advantages of hiring a professional wedding photographer; Dublin Airport Authority; Design and Crafts Council Of Ireland; shooting for films; mirrorless cameras; self-promotion; wealth; David McSavage; Peter McGough and David McDermott; Gavin Friday; Peter’s brother Guggi; Cedarwood Road; shooting U2 in Slane Castle; being the model for U2’s artwork; soup; Bono nearly crashing the car; Daniel Johnston; awards; Graphis Photography Annual; Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association (IPPVA); Wedding Photojournalist Association; what makes a good photo; Robert F. Sargent, photographer of the Normandy landings; taking vs. receiving a photograph; Christopher Walken; Annie Leibovitz; AlPacino and Christopher Nolan; Anton Corbijn; Richard Avedon; John O’Donnell; Trinity Access; Peter’s plans for the future and other topics.Special thanks to Wau Fusion, Ratoath, Co. Meath for laying on a room for us!Relevant Linkshttps://www.peterrowen.com/https://www.peterrowenweddings.com/Additional Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/peterrowenphotographer/https://www.instagram.com/peter.rowen.weddings/

Ep. 141 Fender Jackson continues to find out the craic from the artist John O'Donnell.Conversation includes: being seen as an extravagance in South Africa; creating one’s own reality; establishing price points; establishing himself as an artist; Chris de Burgh and Iggy Pop; relocating back to Ireland; qualifying for a pension in Ireland; emigrating to Ireland; Instagram; John’s style of work; being true to the art; Gavin Friday; Dorchadas; Angeline Ball; Liam Ó Maonlaí; Caroline Corr; Andrea Corr; Glen Hansard; Mary Coughlan; Guggi; Imelda May; ‘A Community of Hope: Artists for Dublin Simon Gormley’s Gallery, Dublin’; Gilbert O’Sullivan; Tommy Tiernan; Paul Brady; Hothouse Flowers; an upcoming exhibition for Reds Gallery, Dawson St; Sandyford 'Sentinel' building; the Christmas Eve Busk; Hozier; Dublin Simon Community; Peter Rowen; Adams Auctioneers; Self Aid; Cathy Belton; Amy De Bhrún; art as a vocation; four of John’s chosen pieces; “Butterfly” Oil on board 12 x 16 Santuary Exhibition. New York 1999; “Steps” Oil on board 2000, Sanctuary Exhibition New York; ’Olympia Theatre’ Dublin 1991; “Time Square “ Oil on canvas, New York 1999/2000; Bowie sacking Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars; Olympia Theatre, Dublin and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.johnodonnellartist.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnodonnell_artist/Additional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/74TTW7d5J9yALvNA1ewMWK?si=6de8d9bd0d264fe2https://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/94cb9d48/139-john-odonnell-artist-part-1

Episode 140 brings Fender Jackson face to face with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Bertie was one of the key people who helped bring about the Good Friday Agreement and therefore ending the 30 year conflict known as The Troubles. Bertie gives his overview of his involvement as well as his assessment of where things are at currently in the North and beyond.Conversation includes: introductions; an overview of the North of Ireland from the 1950s; the Civil Rights movement; Charlie Haughey and Albert Reynolds; John Major; the 1993 Downing Street Declaration; the 1994 ceasefire; 1995 talks; 1996 ceasefire ending; Tony Blair and Bertie being elected in 1997; September 1997 ceasefire; 1998 Good Friday Agreement; the priority of the GFA being to end the mayhem; Omagh; the satisfaction vs. the disappointment of the process; how Bertie got into the world of politics; being on the debating committee at school on October 5th 1968; the Civil Rights movements in USA, France and Prague; being in a house full of politics and sport; maintaining an interest in the politics of the North; Sunningdale Agreement of 1974; Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985; Brookes/Mayhew Talks; the Three Strands being the internal situation of Northern Ireland, the North/South Ministerial Council and the Irish/British relationship; Brexit; Hilary Benn; negotiating with Tony Blair before either got in power; Bertie’s assessment of the current standing of the 3 Strands; Kenneth Clarke; the Tory Party not really getting the situation of the North; political inertia; reaching out to the Unionist Parties; Conway Mills and Glengall St; Ken Maginnis; Reg Empey; John Taylor; David Trimble; David Irvine; Gary McMichael; Martin McGuinness; Gerry Adams; Blair’s childhood trips to Donegal; trips to Downing St and Chequers; Bertie’s parents; the Shannon Free Zone; George Mitchell; Bertie’s very personal grief in the most critical week; Griffith Avenue; the celebrations on Good Friday; whether or not there could be a return to violence; Shared Island Initiative; his assessment of the current situation in the north; advice to people with troubled relationships; Gaza; Sudan and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.bertieahernoffice.comhttps://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/as-i-remember-it-bertie-ahern-the-good-friday-agreement