The Ireland Podcast

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

Episode 159 - Fender Jackson chats with legendary artist Jim Fitzpatrick at his studio in Howth, County Dublin, recorded at 12 noon on Saturday, 3rd May 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; early life in Glasnevin and Drumcondra; pensions; Patrick Whelan; Thomas Fitzpatrick and The Lepracaun magazine; family life; Irish genetics; Ian Adamson; the genetic vs. mythological history of Ireland; the Celts originating from Scythia; Aoife McLysaght and Lara Cassidy; Ireland’s connection to Egypt; Meritaten, Scota and Akhenaten (Tutankhamun's father); Clonycavan Man; Anatolia; red headed people including Jesus and Judas Iscariot; the Irish lineage of red heads starting with Joseph of the Technicolor Dreamboat fame; the Irish Annals; the Fomorians (the first race of people in Ireland); Aillwee bear living alongside first Irish settlers; the first Irish and British settlers people were black skinned and blue eyed; the Semitic link to the Irish; Milesians, Hebrews and the Gaels; Red Sea; Irish Frankenstein, John Tenniel’s anti Irish cartoons and Thomas Nast; f**king advertising visuals; storyboard; being an honorary guest at comic and hanging out with Jack Kirby; making more money in advertising than the president; being rescued by Thin Lizzy; Capella and Tara Telephone; The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook; Alan Aldridge; Hibernia Magazine; Bernadette Devlin; Philip Lynott; Frank Murray; Dublin Arts Council; Peter Fallon & Eamon Carr; BP Fallon; Tim Booth; Brian Robertson; Scott Gorham; designing ‘Vagabonds For The Western World’; ‘Jailbreak’ and Marvel Comics; the working process for Thin Lizzy; artwork appearing in exhibitions; Mucha; copyright; soccer, and other topics.The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of The Ireland Podcast. All content is provided for informational and historical purposes only. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consider multiple sources.Relevant Linkswww.jimfitzpatrick.comAdditional Linkswww.instagram.com/jimfitzpatrickwww.facebook.com/jimfitzpatrickgallery

Episode 158. Broadcaster and founder of Ten Times Braver Orla Chennaoui chats with (her first cousin!) Fender Jackson in Draperstown (aka Ballinascreen), County Derry on Tuesday 22nd April 2025.Conversation includes: (re)introductions; early life; growing up in Draperstown aka Ballinascreen, County Derry; Fender’s cup of tea with Liam Ó Maonlaí; the Troubles as a backdrop; anxiety; ‘Addicted To Anxiety’ by Owen O’Kane; anxiety as static; ADHD as a superpower; Orla’s studies; Scot FM; Scotland and Sunday; 2-Ten FM in Reading, not enjoying performing; the young actors Eunan Doyle and James Heron; Bob Marley; not being a prophet in your own land; Robin Britton; ITV Meridian; Paddy and Stella Glasgow; reputation; STV; working at Sky including being the Ireland Correspondent, the Olympics Correspondent for the 2012 Olympics; imposter syndrome; working in a pantsuit environment; advice; the myth of the overnight success; Fr. Pat Heron gathering the last of the Gaelic language being used as a first language in the six counties; ikigai; advice Orla would give herself; presenting with freedom; getting out of one’s way; Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs; Rio Olympics; the move to the Netherlands; Orla’s family; Geraint Thomas winning the stage in the Yellow Jersey; Mr and Mrs. Rod Ellingworth; being the Cycling Presenter at Eurosport; life in Amsterdam; Ten Times Braver; Mike Garson, David Bowie’s longest server band member; the importance and exponentially of spreading happiness, and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/sportsorlahttps://tentimesbraver.com

Episode 157: pianist extraordinaire Mike Garson joins Fender Jackson from his home in Calabasas, California for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on Monday 14 April 2025.Though Mike has performed with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Duran Duran, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Pretty Reckless, and many more, this episode focuses on his deep and lasting connection with David Bowie, whose band Mike was part of for over 30 years.Conversation includes: Zoom audio check; an improvisational introduction; Fender’s kid podcastbombing; Mike’s portrait by Bowie; the Woolsey fire of 2018; Bali; Max Garson; introductions; Susan, Mike and David’s time in Ireland; Fender first meeting Mike in Belfast City Hall on 5 Dec 1995; Mike’s favourite memory of David; Mike’s Dad being a huge inspiration; working with Trent Reznor for the HBO series ‘Watchmen’; Lester Console Piano; Knabe Piano; Steinway and Yamaha; Mike’s meeting David; Mike’s audition; David’s appreciation of jazz; Mike’s analysis of his solo on ‘Aladdin Sane’; the making of album ‘1. Outside’ being David coming out of the 1980s unhappy; Reeves Gabrels; Erdal Kızılçay; Sterling Campbell; Carlos Alomar; Brian Eno; Tom Waits; Mike’s playing style; Mixolydian Mode vs. Mixed Up Mike; Farfisa solo on ‘Seven Years In Tibet’ on ‘Earthling’; an earthquake warning; ’Lady Grinning Soul’; bookending ‘Changes’ with Alicia Keys; writing credits; the Dublin Bowie Festival, Tommy Crampton and Gerry Leonard; living in Belfast in 1975; playing in BIMM and other topics.Warning! This episode contains some music theory.Relevant Linkshttps://mikegarson.comAdditional Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/1q1zDWf6QLWDYFMp7kRdjr?si=d5b996570d784f7d

Episode 156 Ireland’s first and only Chess Grand Master Alexander Barburin chats with Fender Jackson in Dublin on Sunday 13th April 2025.Episode 156 Ireland’s first and only Chess Grand Master Alexander Barburin chats with Fender Jackson in Dublin on Sunday 13th April 2025. He is editor-in-chief of the e-mail distributed chess newspaper Chess Today and is a coach and author.Conversation includes: introductions; the background of being Ireland’s only Chess Grand Master; International Masters Sam Collins, Brian Kelly, Conor Murphy; Grand master norms; ratings vs. titles; Alexander’s highest rating; rating inflation; Alexander’s move from Russia to Ireland; Eamon Keogh; Michael Crowe; Philip Short; how chess has evolved in Ireland over the years; how chess could be supported more in Ireland; the Irish Chess Union (ICU); the advantages of playing chess; dealing with setbacks; the importance of thinking you have a chance of victory before a game; playing against Viktor Korchnoi; other memorable games; the relationship between brain and body; playing techniques; establishing why a move is bad and why one made the move; analysis, chess engines and spell checks; advice on improving classical games; ‘World Chess Championship Candidates Tournament Zurich 1953’ by David Bronstein; ‘Ficheall’ by Úna O Boyle; Peter Svidler; Wesley So; Anar Rajabov; Patryk Rekuc; Hikaru Nakamura; advice for young players; advice for parents of young chess players and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.alexbaburinchess.comhttp://www.chesstoday.netAdditional Linkshttps://www.icu.iehttps://www.theirelandpodcast.com/latest-podcast/episode/a6e8bd8a/34-una-o-boyle-chess-woman-candidate-master

Episode 155 has Eoin Kinsella, Managing Editor of Dictionary of Irish Biography in conversation with Fender Jackson on the phone on 10th April 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; origins of Dictionary of Irish Biography; Royal Irish Academy; Linde Lunney; gaining traction in the 1990’s; going free online on 17th March 2021; what the DIB is; managing biases; the time between a death and an entry; Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley; Éamon de Valera; Dr. Patrick Maume; the frequency of new entries; the criteria for being included; early entries; breakdown of users; Noël Browne; gathering sources; National Archives; National Library; conflicting sources; the census; the 20 new entries; Adrian Hardiman; Peter Barry; Barry’s Tea; Alice Litster; Mother and Baby Homes; Dr. Niav Gallagher; the freedom of increasing the word count by going online; Pascal Whelan; Mary Gough; Noreen Dennehy; Maura Lynch; the similarity in the DIB and The Ireland Podcast; Ann Lovett; the Research Database; the process of a new entry; Liam Cosgrave; Fr. Pat Heron and ‘The Heron Papers’; 'Teacht den tSliabh Tráthnóna' by Aodh Ó Canainn; The Doegen Records Web Project; recording your parents and grandparents; plans for the future; being part of a network of national biographical dictionaries; new functionality; funding and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.dib.ieAdditional Linkshttps://www.dib.ie/contributor/kinsella-eoinhttps://www.ria.iehttps://www.doegen.ie

Episode 154: Sonya Lennon began her career in fashion as a stylist, then broadcaster, and designer. Now, as a passionate equality advocate, she has turned her sights on designing better workplaces and a better society. Fender Jackson chats with Sonya in her Dublin home on 1 April 2025.Conversation includes: introductions; occupations; permission; childhood in Malahide; family background; being driven; being an ENTJ personality type (Myers Briggs); benevolence bias; Sonya’s interest in communication from an early age; Loreto College burning with the tragic deaths of six elderly nuns on June 2, 1986; Sonya pioneering online shopping; brogues and legwarmers; fashion virality; the thrill of empowering people; doing a Masters in Business Equity, Diversity and Inclusion under the recognition of prior learning programme (RPL); selling and trust; becoming a stylist; to move or not to move to London; working for the RTÉ makeover show ‘Off The Rails’ in 2008; the global recession; media training for moving as a stylist into the role of TV Presenter; celebrity and pressure; reticular activation system; goals vs. direction of travel; Leading Ireland’s Future Together (LIFT); Work Equal; Lennon Courtney; Kilkenny Design; DEI in USA today; “affirmative action” and quotas; homophily and monoculture; ‘A Cry From The Far Middle’ by P. J. O’Rourke; Sonya’s time split; meditation; sea swimming; Peter Cat Recording Co.; Prince; CMAT; Madeleine Peyroux; plans for the future and other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://sonyalennon.com/Additional Linkshttps://liftireland.ie/https://workequal.ie/https://www.lennoncourtney.com/Ep. 154 Spotify Playlist