The Ireland Podcast

Stephen Averill has spent nearly five decades shaping how some of Ireland’s most important music looks.From his beginnings with The Radiators From Space to a remarkable creative relationship with U2 spanning Boy, War, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby and beyond, Stephen has helped create images that became inseparable from the music itself.In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson talks to Stephen about the art of the record sleeve: discovering album artwork as a young music fan, designing before computers, working with musicians and photographers, the relationship between music and image, and what makes an album cover become iconic.They also discuss Stephen’s work beyond U2, the changing Irish music scene, the creative possibilities that come from limitations, and what happens to album artwork as music moves from vinyl and CD into the digital age.Relevant Linkshttps://www.stephenaverill.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction01:33 When Album Covers Became Art04:07 How Record Sleeves Changed06:11 Creating a Visual Identity for a Band07:16 How Stephen Designs an Album Cover10:00 Designing for U211:02 Art vs the Record Company13:17 Can an Album Cover Sell the Music?16:08 Working with Great Photographers18:15 When Record Labels Change Your Artwork20:20 How Limitations Can Improve Creativity22:59 What Makes an Album Cover Iconic?24:00 U2, Success & Creative Relationships26:22 Logos, T-Shirts & Band Identity26:49 Stephen Averill's Archive27:44 From Advertising to Album Design31:01 Designing for Ireland's Music Scene32:01 Outro

Writer and commentator Malachi O’Doherty joins Fender Jackson in Belfast for a wide-ranging conversation about Donald Trump’s intervention on Irish unity, Northern Ireland’s changing relationship with the border and whether either part of the island is prepared for constitutional change.Malachi recounts his reporting on IRA punishment attacks, including the extraordinary story of a young car thief he calls “Pip.” He discusses Kneecap and what he describes as Belfast “hood culture,” being branded a “West Brit,” and his confrontations with senior republican figures including Bobby Storey and Gerry Kelly.The conversation also explores healthcare, pensions and the practical questions that could determine Malachi’s vote in a border poll—as well as what might have happened had David Trimble refused to sign the Good Friday Agreement.Recorded in Belfast on 17th September 2026.Please subscribe, comment and share the conversation.Chapter Timings00:00 Introduction01:28 Trump and a united Ireland05:40 Is Irish unity simply “natural”?09:00 Growing up with the border14:20 IRA checkpoints and “no-go areas”15:24 IRA punishment attacks and kneecappings18:08 The extraordinary story of “Pip”24:18 Kneecap and Belfast “hood culture” 28:20 Does Kneecap genuinely represent the hoods? 32:06 The Kneecap film, drugs and Gerry Adams 34:27 Would Malachi vote for a united Ireland? 38:03 Pensions, healthcare and the practical questions 41:48 Being branded a “West Brit” 43:04 Bobby Storey, MI5 and intimidation 47:07 The Gerry Kelly legal action 51:22 “Give me the feeder question” 51:53 What if David Trimble had rejected the Agreement? 56:06 Politicians carrying guns 57:58 Does Malachi feel safe in Belfast? 59:14 Malachi’s books and current workRelevant Links https://www.irishpost.com/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Malachi-ODoherty/author/B001JSEA3U

Since setting out from the Shetland Islands on 1 January 2026, Jonathan has been walking around 4,200km through Britain and Ireland to raise awareness and funds for four mental health charities.In this second chapter of The Ireland Podcast's ongoing record of his journey, Fender Jackson catches up with Jonathan in Dublin.We join him as he meets the Lord Mayor of Dublin, walk with him through the city to Aware's headquarters, hear about the physical and mental challenges of the journey, and join an Aware gathering marking this extraordinary undertaking.Jonathan is now heading towards Galway for the final stage of the walk.Sunday 18 October 2026 - GalwayJoin Jonathan for the final steps into Galway.Monday 19 October - Special EventThe Ardilaun Hotel, GalwayAn evening with Jonathan Kemp - stories, reflections and what comes next.Jonathan is raising awareness and funds for SAMH, Mind, AWARE NI and Aware Ireland.Support Jonathan:https://www.gofundme.com/f/Jonathansupporting4mentalhealthcharitiesAware is the national organisation providing support, therapy, education and information to those affected by depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. For more information, visit Aware or call the Aware Support Line on 1800 80 48 48.AWARE-NI is the depression charity for Northern Ireland. Tel: 028 9035 7820 Email: info@aware-ni.org

Keire Murphy is a policy researcher, migration expert and public commentator. After spending four years conducting migration research at the Economic and Social Research Institute, she recently began working independently as a researcher, writer and podcaster.In this long-form conversation, we examine Ireland’s changing population, the relationship between immigration and housing, labour shortages, citizenship, family reunification, integration and what it means to be Irish in an increasingly diverse country.We also discuss:• Why Ireland’s migrant population has changed• Highly skilled immigration and the housing market• Ireland’s two-tier economy• The benefits and pressures created by population growth• Assimilation versus multiculturalism• Women’s rights and cultural differences• Why parts of the left have avoided difficult immigration questions• The Government’s changing approach to citizenship• How Ireland might build a more cohesive national identityRecorded on 10 September 2026.CLARIFICATION: At the time of recording, the Department of Foreign Affairs passport guidance stated that guardian consent was not required if a child was married. Irish law does not permit marriage under the age of 18. That wording has since been removed from the Department’s webpage.Sources and further information:Keire's Podcast:- Acast link: https://shows.acast.com/get-shit-done- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vP7onscXRsYFy3uBgqHXw?si=b1d8fa22c79d4990- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GetShtDonePodhttps://www.esri.ie/system/files/publications/RS184_0.pdfCSO — Population and Migration Estimates, April 2026:https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2026/keyfindings/Government citizenship proposals:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/government-approval-secured-for-the-priority-drafting-of-the-irish-nationality-and-citizenship-amendment-bill-2026/Family-reunification policy changes:https://www.irishimmigration.ie/amendments-to-policy-on-non-eea-family-reunification/

Fender Jackson travelled to Doonbeg on Saturday, 12 September 2026, as President Trump arrived in Ireland for the Irish Open.Rather than trying to answer the question from a studio, The Ireland Podcast took to the streets to speak to the people who were there: locals, protesters, visitors, businesspeople and others drawn to the village by an extraordinary weekend.The responses range from fierce opposition to strong support - while others separate their views of Trump the politician from the impact his golf resort has had on employment, tourism and life in Doonbeg.This episode is also a snapshot of the village itself: the people, the golf, the protests and the atmosphere surrounding a presidential visit to West Clare.The Ireland Podcast has no political or religious agenda. The aim is to record the island and give different voices room to be heard.Special thanks to everyone who contributed.Recorded: Doonbeg, County Clare12 September 2026Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast for long-form conversations and stories from across Ireland.Relevant Linkshttps://www.mohergolf.com/https://doonbeg.info/

Why is Ireland an outlier when it comes to public attitudes towards Israel and Palestine?Fender Jackson speaks with political scientists Dr Liam Kneafsey of Trinity College Dublin and Dr Miceal Canavan of Queen’s University Belfast about their new research examining why Irish public opinion differs so markedly from that of many other Western countries.Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,547 people in the Republic of Ireland, their research explores the role of Ireland’s history, memories of colonialism and oppression, support for Irish unity, political ideology, media consumption and attitudes towards Jewish and Muslim people.The conversation also asks a deeper question: is it history itself that shapes our attitudes - or the stories we tell ourselves about our history?The Ireland Podcast has no political or religious agenda. The purpose of this conversation is to examine the research, its findings and possible alternative explanations.Dr Miceal Canavan is a Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at Queens University Belfast. His research examines political attitudes and behaviour, including how history and identity shape the way people understand contemporary political conflicts. Alongside Liam Kneafsey, he is co-author of the 2026 study The Long Shadow of the Past: How Irish History Shapes Attitudes Towards the Israel–Palestine Conflict, based on a representative survey of 1,547 people in the Republic of Ireland. Dr Liam Kneafsey is Assistant Professor in Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. His research interests include Irish politics, political behaviour, political psychology, political communication, conflict and peace. He is the co-author, with Miceal Canavan, of The Long Shadow of the Past, which investigates why Irish public opinion on Israel and Palestine differs so markedly from that found elsewhere in Western Europe. Relevant Links https://www.tcd.ie/research/profiles/?profile=lkneafse

How do we raise children in a world increasingly dominated by smartphones and social media? And what happens to family relationships when parents separate, siblings fall out, or boys struggle to understand what masculinity means?Dr Richard Hogan is a family psychotherapist, author, Irish Examiner columnist and media contributor.In this conversation with Fender Jackson, Richard discusses parenting teenagers in the smartphone age, setting boundaries around technology, keeping phones out of bedrooms, sleep, boys and masculinity, positive male role models, single parenting, divorce and co-parenting, and the complicated relationships we have with our siblings.Richard also reflects on growing up with dyslexia and separated parents, while a shared fascination with John Lennon leads to a discussion about childhood, creativity and the experiences that shape us.Among the questions explored:What does a healthy relationship with smartphones look like for teenagers?Should children be allowed phones in their bedrooms?How can parents reclaim boundaries once they've been lost?Are the ways we talk about masculinity helping or alienating boys?What do children actually need when their parents separate?Does divorce necessarily have to be traumatic?Why can sibling relationships be so difficult — and can they be repaired?Richard is the author of Parenting the Screenager and has a new book, Friends, Enemies and Lovers, due in January.The Ireland Podcast - Recording the island.If you know someone who might value this conversation, please feel free to pass it on.Relevant Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/officialrichardhogan/https://www.theirelandpodcast.com/support

Gavin Friday invites Fender Jackson to his home in Dublin for a wide-ranging conversation about music, art, performance and becoming yourself.From growing up as an outsider in 1960s and 70s Dublin and discovering David Bowie, to the formation of the Virgin Prunes, his friendship and creative work with U2, and a solo career that has continually crossed the boundaries between music, theatre, cabaret and visual art, Gavin reflects on the experiences that shaped him.The conversation explores creativity and instinct, the influence of Bowie, punk and cabaret, working with Gavin Bryars, the strange alchemy of live performance, the realities of taking a show on the road and the people behind the scenes who make it possible.Gavin also speaks candidly about childhood, Catholic Ireland, his relationship with his father, his mother's Alzheimer's disease, ageing, loss and why he has never been particularly interested in following the expected path.Recorded at Gavin Friday's home in Dublin at 11.26am on Tuesday 4th August 2026.Relevant Linkshttps://www.gavinfriday.com/

Henry Cluney, founding member and guitarist of Stiff Little Fingers and currently with XSLF, joins Fender Jackson for a deep dive into “Alternative Ulster”.Together they listen through the recording and explore Henry's recollections of how the song was written, arranged and recorded - from its instantly recognisable guitar intro and droning open D string to the bass, drums, vocals and production.Henry recalls the beginnings of Stiff Little Fingers, working with Jake Burns, Ali McMordie and Brian Faloon, manager Gordon Ogilvie, and the circumstances that led to “Alternative Ulster” being recorded.The conversation also goes beyond the song itself: punk in Belfast during the Troubles, Island Records, The Undertones, songwriting, the changing relationships within Stiff Little Fingers and Henry’s reflections on the band today.Part interview, part musical analysis, this is an attempt to understand not simply the story behind “Alternative Ulster”, but why the record sounds the way it does - and why, nearly five decades later, that opening remains instantly recognisable.Part interview, part musical analysis, this is an attempt to understand not simply the story behind “Alternative Ulster”, but why the record sounds the way it does - and why, nearly five decades later, that opening remains instantly recognisable.Relevant Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/XSLFBELFASTNORTHENIRELAND/Editor’s Note: During the conversation, Henry Cluney discusses his recollection of the writing of “Alternative Ulster” and Gordon Ogilvie’s contribution to the lyrics. The original 1978 Rough Trade release credits the song to “Fingers/Ogilvie”. Jake Burns has subsequently said publicly that he wrote the song largely himself, with Gordon Ogilvie contributing one line. These differing accounts are noted here for context.