PODCAST · society
The Ireland Podcast
by Fender Jackson
The Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series hosted by Fender Jackson, creating space for unhurried conversations about Ireland, its people and its place in the world. Guests come from across public, cultural and everyday life - presidents and political figures, musicians, artists, writers, athletes, broadcasters, historians and people with remarkable stories to tell. The approach is simple: ask good questions, listen, and give people enough time to answer properly. There is no political or religious agenda. Different traditions, experiences and points of view are given room to be heard, with curiosity and careful questioning at the heart of each conversation. Fender Jackson grew up in Ulster and later lived in England and China before returning to Ireland and settling in Galway. That experience of leaving, looking back and eventually coming home informs much of the podcast's interest in identity, place, memory and b
Episodes
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252. Bernard Fowler: Singing for Philip Glass - and Facing Paul Simon
What happens when a young singer walks into a recording studio to work with Philip Glass, having never met the composer, heard the music or even seen the lyrics? In 1986, Bernard Fowler was invited to record Changing Opinion for Philip Glass's landmark album Songs from Liquid Days, with lyrics...
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251. Jonathan Kemp: The Final Steps of a 292-Day Walk
After 292 days on the road, Jonathan Kemp reaches Galway, bringing his extraordinary Finding Peace of Mind Walk to an end. On Sunday 18 October 2026, Fender Jackson joins his old friend for the final stretch along Galway's Long Walk towards the Spanish Arch, recording their conversation as…
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250. Alan Shatter: Gaza, Antisemitism & Ireland’s Israel Divide | Part 2
In Part 2 of this extended conversation, former Irish Minister for Justice Alan Shatter continues his discussion with Fender Jackson about Israel, Gaza, antisemitism and Ireland's relationship with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conversation explores Shatter's perspective on the war in…
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249. Drumcree: Why We Said No | Breandán Mac Cionnaith
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, Fender Jackson visited Garvaghy Road following the end of the latest Drumcree standoff. The road was completely quiet. Then, by chance, he met Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition. In this spontaneous walking interview, Mac Cionnaith…
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248. When Is It Depression? | Dr Susan Brannick, Aware
What is the difference between feeling low and clinical depression? When does an inner critic become destructive? How do psychologists arrive at a diagnosis? And what does good mental health treatment actually look like? In this conversation with Fender Jackson, Dr Brannick discusses depression,...
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247. Alan Shatter: October 7, Gaza & Israel | Part 1
Alan Shatter is a former Irish Minister for Justice and Defence, former Fine Gael TD, solicitor and author. In Part 1 of this extended conversation with Fender Jackson, Shatter reflects on growing up Jewish in Dublin and how his experience of being Jewish in Ireland has changed over the course of...
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246. Divorce, Healing & Starting Again | Quinn (Mend & Move On)
Quinn is the creator behind Mend & Move On, an online community of almost 600,000 people built around hope, healing and starting again. In this walking conversation at the ancient Beaghmore Stone Circles in County Tyrone, Quinn speaks about the breakdown of his marriage, the difficult months that...
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245. Understanding Drumcree: John Manley
Why has the Drumcree dispute returned after almost three decades? John Manley, political correspondent with The Irish News, explains the history of the Orange Order parade, opposition from Garvaghy Road residents, the major stand-offs of the 1990s and the recent legal challenge involving the...
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244. Stephen Averill: The Art Behind U2 & Ireland’s Iconic Album Covers
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…
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243. Trump, the IRA, Kneecap & a United Ireland | Malachi O’Doherty
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...
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242. Jonathan Kemp: 5 Million Steps for Mental Health | The Dublin Chapter
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…
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241. Ireland’s Immigration Debate: Housing, Identity & Integration | Keire Murphy
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...
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240. Trump in Doonbeg: What Do the Locals Really Think?
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,...
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239. Ireland: The Outlier - Understanding Ireland’s Sympathy for Palestine
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...
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238. Dr Richard Hogan: Parenting, Smartphones, Divorce & Modern Family Life
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…
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237. Gavin Friday: Art, Music, Bowie, U2 & Becoming Yourself
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…
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236. Alternative Ulster - Henry Cluney: Inside The Song
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...
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235. Falling Slowly: Inside the Song
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...
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234. Mary McAleese: President of Ireland
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…
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233. Remembering Glen Hansard: Friends Share Stories After His Funeral
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…
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232. Remembering Glen Hansard: Voices from His Public Wake
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...
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231. Why Are So Many Irish People Pro-Palestine? | Zoe Lawlor
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…
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230. Brexit: What Happens Next? Prof. Katy Hayward
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...
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229. Jeffrey Donaldson: The Rise, Fall & Future of the DUP | John Manley
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...
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228. How Brexit Was Negotiated: Prof. Katy Hayward
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...
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227. John Heron: 43 Years in the Gaeltacht
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...
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226. How Brexit Happened: Prof. Katy Hayward
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...
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225. Gerry Hanley: Trad Musician - Part 2
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...
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224. Gerry Hanley: Trad Musician - Part 1
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…
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223. Colin Murphy: How Ireland Thinks, Speaks and Remembers
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...
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222. Racist Attacks in Belfast | John Manley
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…
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221. Andy McKee: Modern Fingerstyle Guitarist
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...
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220. The Tipsy Fiddler: Celtic Music in Shanghai
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…
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219. Irish Voices In Shanghai: The Blarney Stone
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...
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218. Fender Jackson: An Irishman in China - Shanghai
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…
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217. Xishuangbanna - Southwest China After Dark
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...
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216. Leaving China - Returning After Four Years
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: housing complexes and skyscrapers outdoor gyms Chinese parks…
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215. Fender Jackson: Leaving China
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,...
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214. Fender Jackson: Arranging “Sensitize” by That Petrol Emotion
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,...
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213. Slash Chords Explained - Bowie, Beatles & Beach Boys
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...
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212. Jonathan Kemp: Walking 4,200km for Mental Health - Leg 1
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...
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211. Steve Mack 2: That Petrol Emotion - The Band That Influenced 1,000 Others
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...
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210. Steve Mack 1: That Petrol Emotion to R.E.M. and Nirvana
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…
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209. Graham Linehan: Writer, Journalist & Activist - Part 2
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...
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208. Graham Linehan: Writer, Journalist & Activist - Part 1
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…
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207. Bill Laswell - Producer
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...
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206. Steve Vai: Guitarist - Part Two
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...
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205. Steve Vai: Guitarist - Part One
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…
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204. Jane O’Leary: Musician - Part 2
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...
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203. Jane O’Leary: Musician - Part 1
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;...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series hosted by Fender Jackson, creating space for unhurried conversations about Ireland, its people and its place in the world.
Guests come from across public, cultural and everyday life - presidents and political figures, musicians, artists, writers, athletes, broadcasters, historians and people with remarkable stories to tell.
The approach is simple: ask good questions, listen, and give people enough time to answer properly.
There is no political or religious agenda. Different traditions, experiences and points of view are given room to be heard, with curiosity and careful questioning at the heart of each conversation.
Fender Jackson grew up in Ulster and later lived in England and China before returning to Ireland and settling in Galway. That experience of leaving, looking back and eventually coming home informs much of the podcast's interest in identity, place, memory and b
HOSTED BY
Fender Jackson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Ireland Podcast have?
The Ireland Podcast currently has 252 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Ireland Podcast about?
The Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series hosted by Fender Jackson, creating space for unhurried conversations about Ireland, its people and its place in the world. Guests come from across public, cultural and everyday life - presidents and political figures, musicians, artists, writers,...
How often does The Ireland Podcast release new episodes?
The Ireland Podcast publishes regularly with 252 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Ireland Podcast?
You can listen to The Ireland Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Ireland Podcast?
The Ireland Podcast is created and hosted by Fender Jackson.
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