Ireland Talks Podcast
In each episode of the podcast Kevin Byrne is joined by some well know artists, actors and sometimes not so well known guests to discuss there life experiences. If you have a story that you would like to chat to us about please get in touch by email studio@irelandtalkspodcast.ie
EPISODE 29 Damian Spain Frayne Woodcraft
Send us Fan Mail
🎙️🇮🇪 IRELAND TALKS PODCAST – EPISODE 29 🇮🇪🎙️
🌳 FROM HOBBY TO BUSINESS – MEET DAMIAN SPAIN OF FRAYNE WOODCRAFT! 🪵
In Episode 29 of the Ireland Talks Podcast, we're delighted to welcome Damian Spain from Frayne Woodcraft, a small bespoke woodturning and stick dressing business based in Kildalkey, Co. Meath.
What started as a hobby has grown into a business built on passion, creativity and traditional craftsmanship. 👏
🪵 Damian is the talented woodturner and stick dresser behind the creations, handcrafting unique pieces using mainly Irish hardwoods, along with timber sourced from sustainable f...
Episode 28 Joe Philpott Of Rubyhorse
Send us Fan Mail
Joe Philpott is a Cork-born musician, songwriter and author, best known as a member of Rubyhorse, the Irish rock band that made its mark in the United States.
In this episode of the Ireland Talks Podcast, Joe joins us to talk about his new book, All Roads Lead Where You Are. From growing up in Cork and his years with Rubyhorse to life in America and the experiences that inspired his writing, Joe reflects on the people, places and moments that have shaped his life.
...
Episode 27 The Burren – Landscape, People & Place ( Special Documentary from Ireland Talks Podcast )
Send us Fan Mail
The Burren – Landscape, People & Place
A special Ireland Talks Podcast documentary featuring Tony Kirby, Sadie Chowen, Áine Bird and Brónagh O’Rourke, sharing their stories and connection to this remarkable part of Ireland.
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
#IrelandTalksPodcast #TheBurren #CountyClare
https://burrenperfumery.com/
https://www.burrenbeefandfarm.ie/
https://burrenbeo.com/
https://www.heartofburrenwalks.com/your-guide
Support the show
Episode 26 From Bloom 2026
Send us Fan Mail
Join Kevin Byrne as he chats with:
🪨 Mark Feeley – master stonemason and stone sculptor from County Roscommon, exploring traditional craftsmanship and the art of working with natural stone.
🦉 Sean Byrne – from Kildare Wildlife Rescue, discussing the vital work of rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting Ireland’s wildlife.
🌸 Fionnuala McAuley – founder of the Institute of Flowers, sharing her passion for floristry education, creativity and raising standards within the industry.
💐 Carolyn Duggan from Flowers on the Hill, Rathmines<...
Episode 25 Jonathan Bernstein: Author of What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle
Send us Fan Mail
In this edition of the Ireland Talks Podcast, we speak with music journalist and author Jon Bernstein, whose writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, GQ, and The Village Voice.
Jon joins us to discuss What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle, a deeply researched and compassionate portrait of one of the most compelling voices in modern Americana. We talk about Justin’s music, his artistic evolution, his relationship with his father Steve Earle, and the wider myths surr...
Episode 24 Kevin Conneff formerly of the Chieftains and now member of the Dublin Trio
Send us Fan Mail
The Chieftains may be no more, but Kevin Conneff, the man whose voice and bodhrán have been a mainstay of the band’s sound, is carrying on the tradition with the customary spring in his step.
The Dublin Trio is a brand new ensemble featuring Conneff, guitarist Tony Byrne, and piper, whistle, and accordion player Joe McKenna.
All three have strong pedigrees, and this collaboration bears the hallmarks of musicians whose appetites for adventure and exploration remain as hearty as ever.
Support the show
Episode 23 Singer Songwriter Eamon Brady
Send us Fan Mail
In this addition of the Podcast, Kevin sits down with Eamon Brady — a gifted singer-songwriter, producer, sideman, and lecturer — to talk about his musical journey and the stories behind his upcoming debut album, Half-Light.
Eamon opens up about what it means to balance creativity with collaboration, how teaching shapes his songwriting, and what listeners can expect from Half-Light — an album that’s as honest as it is sonically rich.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of Ireland’s most thoughtful and multifaceted musicians.
<...
Episode 22 Sarah Doherty Of Doherty Sculpture Park
Send us Fan Mail
A New Sculpture Park For Ireland Opening 2026
The Doherty Sculpture Park promises a one-of-a-kind immersive cultural experience, featuring a world-class collection of sculptures that span from modern to contemporary art. As Ireland’s first initiative of its kind, the park will host rotating outdoor exhibitions, continually refreshing its artistic offerings. This ground-breaking model is set to enhance the country's cultural landscape and broaden the reach of arts and culture across Ireland.
Support the show
Episode 21 Daoirí Farrell
Send us Fan Mail
On this episode of Ireland Talks Podcast , I sit down with one of the most distinctive voices in Irish folk music today — Daoirí Farrell. Hailing from Dublin, Daoirí has carved out a reputation as a powerful interpreter of traditional ballads, breathing new life into old songs with honesty, heart, and an unmistakable voice. We talk about his musical journey, the influence of Irish tradition, life on the road, and the stories behind some of his most moving performances.
Whether you're a long-time fan of folk or just discovering the genr...
Episode 20 Drummer Fran Breen
Send us Fan Mail
Recored in Nashville TN August 2024
Fran Breen is a polished and veteran drummer who has played with such notables as Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith and The Waterboys plus many more
Support the show
Episode 19 Singer-Songwriter Ger Wolfe
Send us Fan Mail
Ger Wolfe is an established Irish singer songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist and a poet who composes and performs ”carefully-crafted vignettes of song to all who come to listen” (Irish Times).
Releasing nine full albums of his own original work on indie label ‘Raggedy Records’ “Word & Rhyme” (1998), followed by ‘Ragged Ground’ (2000), ‘Heaven Paints Her Holy Mantle Blue’ (2002) and ‘The Velvet Earth’ (2005). ‘No Bird Sang’ (2009), ‘Fréamh ; Root’ (2011) and ‘I Have Been Loved’ (2014), ‘Melody Bright and The Favourite Sparrow’ (a compilation) (2019) and “The Morning Star” (2021) Ger has toured extensively both solo and with his musical comrades ‘The New Skylarks’...
Episode 18 Singer Songwriter Finnian
Send us Fan Mail
Growing up in Dundalk, Ireland, Finnian has carefully honed his songwriting slowly and with care. Since 2015 His music is honest, concise and textured in a way that is grounded and speaks to his inner conviction. Never afraid to draw on his influences and using the medium of live performance in a studio context, Finnian’s nods to his musical past have been hailed as refreshing in a climate that has gradually moved away from such a perspective.
His first album Under the Influence garnered strong reviews on its release in t...
Episode 17 Robin James Hurt
Send us Fan Mail
Robin James Hurt was born in Belfast, raised in Scotland and lived in Dublin for many years. More recently he has settled on the coast of County Wexford in the south east of Ireland.
He is a consummate, captivating, highly popular live performer, playing regularly in Dublin and around Ireland at both more intimate venues and larger festivals, as well as all across Europe and beyond.
Robin’s considerable talents as a guitarist, composer and singer have brought him on a rich, varied path as a...
Episode 16 Country music star Alex Miller
Send us Fan Mail
ABOUT ALEX
Alex Miller came to the attention of global audiences during American Idol, Season 19. While still coming to terms with the changes that experience brought to his life, Alex is now embracing the lessons he learned from the show – and its superstar coaches. “One thing I really took away from it all is that I need to keep challenging myself,” the young entertainer reflects. “And I’m just beginning to put that into practice.”
Support the show
Episode 15 Phelim Drew
Send us Fan Mail
Kevin chats to Phelim Drew the celebrated Son of Ronnie Drew
Support the show
Francie Conway Part 2 Together We Are Stronger (with Guests Alexandra Lisnyak & Matt Kelleghan
Send us Fan Mail
When Irish singer-songwriter Francie Conway received a photo of a demolished Ukrainian apartment, wherein everything was destroyed except for a guitar, he was inspired to create a song that would find a seam of hope in the face of appalling devastation.
His drive to make a statement about what was happening in Ukraine was cemented by the an edition of The Late Late Show which was dedicated to funding those carrying out relief efforts, assisting people affected by the brutality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a Ukrainian guest declared, “Toge...
Episode 13 Francie Conway part 1
Send us Fan Mail
Francie Conway started his recording career with RCA Records, London with notable hits including ‘To The Edge Of Time’ & ‘One Night In Amsterdam’, with notable gigs including ‘Paleo’ festival, Nyon, Switzerland with 4,000 expected but 25,000 attending thanks to the popularity of ‘To the Edge of Time’ and with notable song covers including ‘Striking It Rich’ recorded by Stevie Wright from the legendary Australian band The Easybeats, the song became the title track for one of his albums and featured on many compilations.
Support the show
Voices from the border with Poland and Ukraine
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the podcast Kevin travels to the Medyka border in Poland where he spoke to the volunteers on the ground involved with the humanitarian Aid effort for Ukrainian refugees.
Support the show
Tomas Mulligan of the Cobblestone Pub Dublin
Send us Fan Mail
Dublin City Council refused permission for the proposed development, citing four reasons largely relating to the size and impact on historic structures.
Support the show
Episode 10 Eddie Lenihan Storyteller
Send us Fan Mail
When Eddie Lenihan appeared in Irish national television's 12-part series 'Storyteller' in 1986, most of those seeing and hearing him were doing so for the first time. However, two further series titled 'Ten Minute Tales' in 1987 and 1988 changed all that for good.
But what viewers did not know was that he had already by then 6 books behind him, as well as 5 audio tapes, besides years of folklore-gathering, particularly in his native Co. Kerry, but also in many other parts of Ireland. It is this love of mixing with, listening to older generations...
Episode 9 Singer/songwriter Steo Wall
Send us Fan Mail
In episode 9 of the podcast Kevin travels to County Clare to chat with singer/songwriter Steo Wall.
Steo Wall BIO
Steo Wall is an emerging talent on the Irish music scene, a striking wordsmith with a unique musical style. His live sets have been described as pure alchemy. Steo has an eclectic taste to his music which shines through the multi-genre array of songs at his disposal. With a mix of spoken word and folk inspired melodies all woven to an acoustic groove, Steo is bringing so...
Episode 8 Special guest Liam Ó Maonlaí
Send us Fan Mail
Kevin Chats with special guest Liam Ó Maonlaí
Beidh mé fhéin ag tabhairt aire do mo shuíomh fhéin!
I feel its time for me to keep you updated myself
I have felt the privilege of food on the table , shelter
and good health these days . As a result it has been a golden time . Nurturing a positive frame of mind and feeling excited about life and the infinite possibilities.
Tá cumhacht ionainn ach teacht uirthi.....
mo rheas is m...
Episode 7 classic winning trainer Ger Lyons
Send us Fan Mail
I had the great pleasure of chatting with Ger out at his fantastic Glenburnie Stables just outside Trim in County Meath.
Support the show
Episode 6 Singer Eleanor Shanley
Send us Fan Mail
Joining me on this episode of the Podcast is singer Eleanor Shanley from County Leitrim in the North West of Ireland, renowned for her unique interpretation of Irish and Roots songs. She has been at the top of her profession since her first appearance as the singer with traditional group De Danann, she has toured and recorded with the great Ronnie Drew, Christy More, Dolores Keane, Christy Hennessey to name but a few.
Cancion de Amor - The New Album, now on release https://www.eleanorshanley.ie/shop
Eleanor and Jo...
Episode 5 Stephen Rooney
Send us Fan Mail
Joining me on the podcast today is Stephen Rooney who recently had some wonderful adventures in the Mourne mountains, he is also an Artist painting in watercolor and oils he’s a lover of photography hiking and wildlife. He featured on BBC Chronicles of the Mournes.
Support the show
Episode 4 singer songwriter Mike Hanrahan
Send us Fan Mail
Singer songwriter Mike Hanrahan joins Kevin in this episode where he talks about music, food and about his great pal Ronnie Drew and more.
Support the show
Episode 3 Singer/song writer John Spillane
Send us Fan Mail
John Spillane chats to Kevin about where it all began and about his new album 100 white horses among other things. For more on John Spillane visit johnspillane.ie
Support the show
Episode 2 Singer/songwriter Jack O Rourke in Conversation
Send us Fan Mail
Where did it all begin, join me for episode 2 of the podcast where i chat with singer/songwriter Jack O Rourke about where his musical career began, reminiscing about his first gig and his thoughts on Vinyl too.
Support the show
Episode 1 singer songwriter Mary Coughlan in conversation
Send us Fan Mail
Today I am joined by one of Ireland’s greatest female vocalists Mary Coughlan from the county of Galway where she was recently presented with a lifetime achievement award by the mayor of Galway in recognition of her impact on the cultural life of the city.
Support the show
