The Ireland Podcast

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 towa...

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...

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...

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 conversa...

Falling Slowly sounds simple. But underneath Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s Oscar-winning song are some beautiful musical choices.

In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, musician and host Fender Jackson goes inside the song - listening to the original recording and using guitar and piano to explore why it works.

We look at the opening chords, the suspended harmony, the melody and its relationship to the words, Glen and Markéta’s vocal harmonies, the unusual notes that create tension, and the way strings, bass and arrangement gradually transform the song.

A...

Mary McAleese served as President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. Born in Belfast, she became the first President of Ireland from Northern Ireland and held office through some of the most significant years of the peace process.

In this conversation, recorded at Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal, Mary reflects on her life, her presidency and the people and events she witnessed at close quarters.

She discusses John Hume and Gerry Adams and the conversations that helped shape the peace process; David and Daphne Trimble; Ian Paisley; the Omagh bombing; and the...

Who was Glen Hansard away from the stage?

Following Glen Hansard's funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, this episode captures the thoughts and memories of friends, collaborators and fellow musicians on the day they gathered to say goodbye.

Created as both a tribute and a historical record, these conversations preserve first-hand reflections while they were still fresh. Together, they form a mosaic of Glen Hansard's life - revealing not only the celebrated musician, but the generous, humble and deeply human person remembered by those who knew him best.

Contributors...

On Monday 3 August 2026, hundreds of people gathered at the Baroque Chapel, Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Royal Hospital Kilmainham, to pay their final respects to Glen Hansard.

Rather than recounting Glen's remarkable career, this episode documents something more immediate: the memories of the people who came to say goodbye.

Friends, fellow musicians and admirers reflect on the man they knew, his generosity, his humility, his artistry and the lasting impact he had on their lives. Together, their stories paint a deeply personal portrait of one of Ireland's most beloved musicians.

Why has Ireland become one of the world's strongest supporters of Palestine?

In this episode, Zoe Lawlor, Chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), discusses why so many Irish people identify with the Palestinian cause, Ireland's policy of military neutrality, accusations of antisemitism, Zionism, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and whether peace between Israelis and Palestinians remains possible.

The Ireland Podcast has no political or religious agenda. Its purpose is to provide a platform for respectful, long-form conversations that help listeners better understand different perspectives on Ireland and the issues...

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, what has actually changed?

In this final episode of our three-part series, Professor Katy Hayward looks beyond the politics of 2016 to examine Brexit's long-term consequences for Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

We discuss:

• Has Brexit been an economic success or failure for Northern Ireland?

• Has Brexit made a united Ireland more likely?

• Who, if anyone, has benefited?

• Has Brexit strengthened or weakened the Union?

• How has it changed relations between Britain, Ireland and the European U...

Jeffrey Donaldson was once regarded as one of the most influential and respected figures in unionism. A former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Privy Counsellor, and key negotiator during some of the most significant moments in post-Brexit politics, his conviction has sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland.

In this episode, Irish News Political Correspondent John Manley traces Donaldson's political journey, from his early years in the Ulster Unionist Party and move to the DUP, through the Good Friday Agreement, St Andrews Agreement, Brexit, and the Northern Ireland Protocol, before examining the political fallout following his conviction.<...

How did Brexit move from referendum result to international treaty?

In Part 2 of this three-part conversation, Professor Katy Hayward traces the negotiations that reshaped relations between Northern Ireland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Together we explore Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement, the backstop, Boris Johnson's renegotiation, the Northern Ireland Protocol, the search for technological solutions, and why the Irish border became the central challenge of Brexit.

Professor Hayward also discusses the competing priorities of London, Dublin, Brussels and Belfast, and explains why some of the proposed solutions were...

As he approaches his 87th birthday, John Heron joins his son, Fender Jackson, for a deeply personal conversation about a lifetime of learning, community and his 42 consecutive years attending Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille.

John reflects on discovering the Irish language, the friendships that have lasted decades, dancing with Mary McAleese, the vision of Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, and why he believes anyone who spends a fortnight in Donegal with Oideas Gael will leave speaking Irish.

Best known to many as co-founder of Heron Bros, this conversation instead reveals the man behind the bu...

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, Professor Katy Hayward joins The Ireland Podcast to look back at one of the most consequential political events in modern British and Irish history.

Rather than debating Brexit's merits, this conversation traces how it happened. Beginning with the political climate before the referendum, Professor Hayward explains the promises, pressures and decisions that led to the vote, before examining why the Irish border became central to the negotiations that followed.

In this first part of a multi-part conversation, we explore the years leading up to the referendum and...

In the concluding part of his conversation with The Ireland Podcast, Gerry Hanley reflects on the people and experiences that have shaped his musical journey. He shares stories of Sharon Shannon, Greg Cotter and the legendary London sessions of the 1970s, discusses why great musicians sound like themselves regardless of the instrument they play, and recalls the famous story of violin virtuoso Joshua Bell performing incognito as a busker in a Washington Metro station.

The episode also features Gerry's 1983 recording with Roudledum alongside tracks from his recent CD, bringing to a close a warm and thoughtful...

In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, Galway accordion player Gerry Hanley reflects on a lifetime immersed in traditional music. He discusses the musicians who influenced him, the stories behind the tunes on his recent CD, sessions in Galway and London, and the role music has played throughout his life. The episode also captures a special moment as Gerry opens and plays a new accordion for the very first time!

The episode features tracks from Gerry's CD, including

What does Irish political culture reveal about how we think?

Writer, journalist and playwright Colin Murphy joins The Ireland Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, culture, history and storytelling.

Drawing on his new collection Colin Murphy's Political Plays: 100 Years of Irish History, Colin reflects on the relationship between political decision-making and national narratives, the influence of culture on public life, and why understanding politics requires more than understanding policy.

The conversation explores Ireland's distinct political culture, the role of ambiguity in Irish literature, the impact of travel and lived...

John Manley, Political Correspondent with The Irish News, joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss the recent racist attacks in Belfast.

We explore how the unrest developed, the role of social media, loyalism, political leadership, immigration, trust in institutions, and the wider social and political context in Northern Ireland.

John also reflects on the challenges facing working-class unionist communities, the changing media landscape, and what gives him hope for the future.

Recorded in Belfast on 15 June 2026.

Relevant Links

https://www.irishnews.com

Hosted on...

Andy McKee is one of the world's best-known modern fingerstyle guitarists. His groundbreaking instrumental compositions and viral YouTube success helped introduce a new generation to acoustic guitar music.

In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, Andy joins me in Galway to discuss his musical journey, the influence of Michael Hedges and Preston Reed, writing instrumental music, alternate tunings, fan-fret guitars and the enduring appeal of acoustic guitar.

Andy also reflects on being invited to Paisley Park by Prince, the impact of YouTube on his career, his love of Irish-made guitars, and why Ireland always...

In Episode 220 of The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson visits The Tipsy Fiddler, a Celtic-themed pub in Shanghai owned by Scottish musician Alan Cowell.

Having lived in China for two decades, Alan shares the story of how he arrived in Shanghai as a musician, why he opened The Tipsy Fiddler, and what keeps him there after all these years.

The conversation explores life in modern Shanghai, the challenges of running a pub after Covid, and the surprising popularity of Irish and Scottish traditional music among Chinese musicians. Along the way, Alan discusses music sessions...

A short visit to The Blarney Stone in Shanghai, meeting some of the people who find themselves in an Irish pub on a Saturday night in China.

In this episode, Fender chats with Irish and international voices in Shanghai - including a Dublin toy developer, an Irish pharmaceutical worker, an English model, and a local Chinese regular.

Topics include toy manufacturing in China, missing Irish conversation abroad, Shanghai life, Guinness, modelling, jazz clubs, Irish pubs overseas, and why places like The Blarney Stone matter when you are far from home.

...

A couple of months ago I spent another week in Shanghai, one of the most fascinating cities I’ve ever visited. In this episode I revisit videos I filmed during the trip and reflect on the strange mixture of colonial history, futuristic architecture, live music, electric vehicles, museums, marriage markets and everyday life that makes Shanghai feel unlike anywhere else.

Along the way:

Xishuangbanna, in China’s Yunnan Province, is a tropical city near the borders of Laos and Myanmar, known for its temples, night markets and elephant tourism.

This episode wanders through crowded markets filled with colour, karaoke, strange foods and the unforgettable smell of durian. There’s torrential rain, beautiful temples, incredible food, curious encounters with locals, and even some unexpected hotel entertainment.

A loose, atmospheric travel diary from southwest China after dark.

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After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns to Kunming for the first time since leaving during COVID.

This episode is part travelogue, part memoir and part reflection on ordinary life in modern China.

Topics include:

Along the way, Fender reflects on memory, identity, creativity and the strange feeling of returning to a...

After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns for the first time since leaving during COVID.

In this personal episode of The Ireland Podcast, he reflects on life in Kunming and Shanghai, raising children in China, cultural differences, the emotional impact of the pandemic, grief, identity, Irish voices abroad, and the strange feeling of returning to a place that once felt like home.

This episode also sets up a new series of travelogue and vlog-style episodes recorded during a recent return trip through Kunming, Xishuangbanna and Shanghai - including street food...

In this special episode of The Ireland Podcast -which is really a continuation of Ep. 213 - Fender Jackson breaks down the harmony and emotional architecture of “Sensitize” by That Petrol Emotion through live piano demonstrations, storytelling and performance.

Drawing connections to David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Queen and jazz harmony, the episode explores:

The episode concludes with a live...

In Part 1 of this two-part music special from The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson explores the emotional power of slash chords - also known as split chords - and how artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and David Bowie used them to create richer and more dramatic harmony.

Along the way, he discusses:

as well as:

Featuring live piano demonstrations throughout the ep...

Jonathan Kemp joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss his extraordinary 4,200km Finding Peace of Mind Walk 2026 - a journey across the UK and Ireland in support of mental health awareness and recovery.

Starting in the Shetland Islands on January 1st and finishing in Galway later this year, Jonathan shares the deeply personal experiences that led him to undertake the walk, including his lifelong struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, dyslexia, addiction, and suicidal ideation during COVID.

Jonathan speaks openly about diagnosis, medication, recovery, neurodiversity, addiction, and the importance of seeking help. He also reflects...

Part 2 of conversation with Steve Mack of That Petrol Emotion.

In this episode, Steve goes deep on what really makes a great record - not just what you hear, but the space between the notes. From the genius of the Stayin' Alive to the importance of restraint in music, this is a masterclass in listening differently.

We also explore the evolution of That Petrol Emotion - how Brendan Kelly joined the band, the albums that defined their sound, and ultimately how the band began to come apart after years of getting close without...

A wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation with the lead singer of one of Ireland’s most seminal bands, looking back on origins, identity, and the winding path of a life in music. He reflects on early influences, the experience of being adopted, and the sense of instinct that shaped both his voice and his direction.

There are vivid stories from Belfast - including the surreal reality of playing gigs while staying in the Europa Hotel, known as the most bombed hotel in Europe - alongside moments that capture both the humour and tension of the time. Throughout, he...

In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, writer Graham Linehan joins for a wide-ranging, long-form conversation.

The discussion covers a career in comedy, including the creation of Father Ted, along with how life and work have evolved in recent years. Broader cultural and societal topics are also explored, including the role of media and institutions, and the challenges of discussing difficult issues in today’s climate.

This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.

The Ireland Podcast aims to create space for open, respectful dialogue and to present a range of pe...

Part 1 of a long-form conversation with Graham Linehan on The Ireland Podcast.

The conversation moves quickly into the activism and controversies that have come to define Graham Linehan’s public life in recent years, before touching at points on his career - from Father Ted, Black Books and The IT Crowd.

The discussion covers public backlash, media narratives, free speech, Gaza, comedy, the early internet, and the personal and professional consequences of speaking out.

A wide-ranging and, at times, unpredictable conversation on one of the most contested areas in public li...

In this long-form conversation, producer and musician Bill Laswell reflects on the making of Album, the 1986 record by Public Image Ltd.

Laswell discusses how the project came together in New York, recording early tracks with legendary drummer Tony Williams, and later bringing in musicians including Ginger Baker, Steve Vai, Bernie Worrell, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

He describes the recording process, the use of first takes, and the production philosophy behind the album’s distinctive sound. The conversation also explores how the music was constructed, the role of improvisation in the studio, and how different mu...

Steve Vai returns for Part Two of this special conversation marking the 40th anniversary of Public Image Ltd’s Album.

Because we don’t have a licence to play the record in the episode itself, listeners are encouraged to line up their own copy of Album and press play at the countdowns as Steve and Fender listen through the tracks in real time.

Vai reflects on what he played, how the sessions unfolded from inside the control room, and why Album remains one of the most enjoyable and creatively free guest projects he ever...

This episode forms part of a short series marking the 40th anniversary of Album by Public Image Ltd. Steve Vai’s contribution spans two episodes - this is Part 1.

Steve Vai - Part 1

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Steve Vai talks about the musical influences and ideas that shaped him long before his career took form.

The discussion centres on Frank Zappa - how Vai first encountered his music, the discipline of transcribing it in detail, and what working with Zappa taught him about composition, attention, and intent. Fr...

The concluding part of an interview with Jane O’Leary, her first since being honoured with the prestigious National Concert Hall Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more than 50 years, Jane O’Leary has been breaking new musical ground in Ireland. We catch up with her to learn more about her life and musical style.

Conversation includes: setting up the Concorde Contemporary Music Group; punk music; the evolution of contemporary music since the the late 70s; composer Ed Bennett; Rick Beato; the simplification and lack of bridges of popular music today; Nick Cave; AI; composing with...

For more than 50 years, Jane O’Leary has been breaking new musical ground in Ireland. We catch up with her to learn more about her life and musical style.

Conversation includes: Jane the musician (listening, performing and composing); Milton Babbitt; early life in Connecticut; getting into music; studying in Vassar College, New York State; the importance of good teachers; being the second woman to get a Phd in composition from Princeton and being one of Ireland’s first female composers; meeting Patrick O’Leary in Princeton (where he was studying on a Fulbright grant); moving to Galway...

Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart chat with Fender Jackson after their gig in Róisín Dubh, Galway on Wed 3rd December 2025.

Conversation includes: interviews with the band; Keith Levene’s guitar and guitar playing; the Soundman; the complications of performing this album; Dave Kane; Ruby Wood; the evolution of the tracks; Siouxsie & The Banshees; making ‘Metal Box - Rebuilt In Dub'; Yamaha 2100 guitar; John McGeoch; Steve Jones & Johnny Thunders; New York Dolls; punk guitars and amps; this show vs. legacy tours; Paul Schütze; Fangoria; Ken Boothe; Horace Andy; Neville Murray; Nathan Maverick; ‘Trout Mask...

Conversation includes: the (non-existent) comedy scene in Ireland in the 1970s and 80s; leprosy and space-travel; Ardal O’Hanlon; The Bogey Boys; Billy Roche; Young Ones; Tommy Tiernan; pioneering the comedy scene; Myles na Gopaleen; Hal Roche; setting up the Comedy Cellar above The International Bar on Wicklow Street, Dublin in the late 1980s with Mr Trellis, Barry Murphy, Kevin Gildea, Dermot Carmody; Dylan Moran; Jason Byrne and Dara Ó Briain; teabags and fireplaces; ‘The Young Ones’ on BBC 2; WC Fields and Laurel & Hardy; Peter Sellers and Woody Allen; Monty Python; Paul Whitehouse & The Fast Show; The Goons; Brendan Balfe; Shelley...

In this special milestone episode of The Ireland Podcast, Fender sits down with his own children for a heartfelt discussion about interviewing his parents. Together, they explore why capturing family stories matters, how to approach these conversations with sensitivity, and what it means to preserve memories for the next generation.

Fender also offers thoughtful advice for anyone considering interviewing their own loved ones - parents, grandparents, or elders in their community. And for listeners whose family members have already passed, he gently suggests seeking out those who knew them, ensuring their voices and stories are not...