The Ireland Podcast

Episode 124 is the third and final episode of the 2024 series celebrating the Book of Kells that was recorded on at Trinity College, Dublin on Tues 1st October 2024. Fender is given a personal tour encompassing the Book and The Long Room, culminating in the Brian Boru Harp from Visitor Officer Andrea Iadarola.Conversation includes: introductions; Anne-Marie Diffley (Visitor Services Manager at Trinity College); starting off from the exhibition entrance; Ogham alphabet stones; the pocket gospels; the materials used to create the Book Of Kells; how the book was made; a “tour” of some of the more important pages e.g. Four Evangelists, Chi Rho page, ; the importance of animals e.g. peacock, lion, eagle, veal, salmon, mice, cat, snake etc; the interlace and spirals representing the Christian and Celtic elements; Constantine the Great; coming face to face with the Book Of Kells; the close skirmishes; the case housing the book; the current pages on display; The Long Room; how to access the books of the library; the copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic from 1916; sculptures and busts; the redevelopment project; Prof. Gordon Foster who invented the International Standard Book Number (ISBN); 'From Decadence to Despair' Oscar Wilde Exhibition; Jonathan Swift; Ada Lovelace; Rosalind Franklin; Lady Gregory; Gaia by Luke Jerram; Prof. William Rowan Hamilton and quaternions; Neil Armstrong; Mary Pollard; Brian Boru’s harp; Guinness vs. The Irish Government as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=enhttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/116. Anne-Marie Diffley: Book Of Kells120. Caitlin Skahen & Co: Book Of Kells - Part 2 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 123 has the band Scustin in the studio having the craic and performing acoustic versions of their greatest hits of the future.Conversation includes: introductions; actual jobs; ‘I’ll Never Fly With RyanAir Again’; the attraction of opposites; BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute); slowing drum rolls; origins of the band; ’Charmer’; jazz vs bossa nova; chord extensions; Prince; ‘The Ick’; appropriate percussion; supporting the band; the tour; playing the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch, London on 21st November; playing Grand Social in Dublin on 12th December; identical digits; ‘The Killer’ as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/scustinhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/74wuE1uUwxuAo74wzO9nrm?si=3d2d576df8674a9a Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 122 is a conversation with Breege Rowley, a film editor who has spent the last eight years making her first documentary which charts the change of Ireland as seen through a small town in County Mayo: Swinford.Conversation includes: Narrator Nora McBurney; Swinford; North Mayo; Croagh Patrick; Westport; the genesis of the idea; 40 years of Siamsa Sraide Festival; Lisheenabrone; 5 questions; the t(h)rasher; funding; the timeline; Maggie Basqual; Johnny & Mary Linskeys; Maura Sweeney; the American Wake; Michael Comer; Kilconduff Cemetery; emigration; Conor Walsh; O’Connor’s Hotel; Marie Holmes Walsh, Joe Mellett; Brabazons; Mary Harkin locations sound; Richard Kendrick Camera, Midfield; Meelick; Tom Hennigan, Hennigans Heritage Centre, Killasser; The Swinford Workhouse, The Famine; Black ’47; Hedge Schools; Lavins; British Pathé; Captain Boycott; Ciara Gallogly; Noelle Rowley; New Decade Production Exec. Producer, Galway Film Fleadh; New Decade; First Element; Kathryn Noone and Swinford Comhaltas; Alannah Thornburgh; Maggie Blanc; Mayo County Library in Castlebar; Francie McNichols's; Matt Molloy; Jack Walsh Drone operator. as well as other topics.   Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 121 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and Chief Executive of the Grand Orange Lodge Of Ireland Iain Carlisle.Conversation includes: early life; Iain’s career path which led him to his current role as Chief Executive; the tercentenary of the Battle Of The Boyne of 1990; how Iain first got involved with the Orange Order; the timeline of the Museum of Orange Heritage; Dr. Jonathan Mattison, Museum Curator; the museum being a two site project with Sloan's House in Loughgall; key artefacts of the museum; the connections between the Orange Order and the Great War (World War I); museum visitors; the Lodge’s key interests; how Covid led to the organisation assisting all of the communities; selling the idea of Northern Ireland remaining in the United Kingdom; being a broad church politically; Brexit; the loyalty to the monarch; the changes of Ireland and UK; the different Protestant denominations; being the voice for all Lodges; balancing the values with cross community dialogue; identity; marching and 12th July; triumphalism; the things that flowed from the Battle Of The Boyne; the Boyne Obelisk; an overview of the Orange Order today; liberty; rebranding vs. telling the story better and being true to core principles as well as other topics.Relevant Linkhttps://www.goli.org.uk Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 120 is a continuation of the celebration of the Book Of Kells as Fender Jackson talks with various staff and visitors. The main body of this episode is provided by Caitlin Skahen. Recorded in Trinity College, Dublin on Tuesday 1st October 2024.Special thanks to all of the contributors:James - Red PavillionCaitlin Skahen - Visitor Experience OfficerDave & Dawna Lowe - visitors from Maryland, USAKimber & Andrew from Springfield, Missouri, USAMary - Student AmbassadorAnna - Visitor Experience OfficerHelena - Library GuardShauna Brennan - Library GuardSophie Cummins - Transition Year StudentThis episode features:Nothing Compares 2 U by Fender Jackson - Fender recorded the strings in post production after the interviews.Tommy Keane performing the uilleann pipe solo of Dirty Old Town in the key of D as he recorded it in Episode 29 as well as on the original Pogues recording.Relevant Linkshttps://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=enhttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/116. Anne-Marie Diffley: Book Of Kells124. Andrea Iadarola: Book Of Kells - Part 3Additional LinksEpisode 29. Tommy Keane: Uilleann Pipe Player Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 119 is the second and final part of the conversation between Genetic Genealogist from Ancestry Laura House and Fender Jackson.Conversation includes: traits; ProGenealogy – Genealogical Services; advice for anyone wanting to do some family tree research by themselves; this internet time of being a sleuth; record collections; early Status Quo and Fleetwood Mac; video interviewing one’s family - Life Recordings; Laura’s day job; positive stories; ‘Stranger In My Family’; the challenges of a genetic genealogist; plans for the future as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://www.ancestry.comAdditional LinksStranger In My Family on BBCRecord Your Life StoryEpisode 112. Laura House: Ancestry, Genetic Genealogist - Part 1 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 118 has Fender Jackson in conversation with online music sensation Gearoid McCathy just before he took to the stage in Monroe’s on 11th October 2024.Conversation include: introductions; family history; travels; Liam McCarthy; Mad For Road; family life; lisp; the turning points in Gearoid’s career; doing 23 gigs a week; being inspirational; ‘Going Out For One’; (not) monetising videos; Newfoundland, Canada; Eddie Banjo; kitchen parties; D’Arcy Broderick; Black Gold; ADHD; Sonny’s Dream; Ron Hynes; Yamaha NXT5 guitar; breaking strings; Godin Guitars; gratitude; ‘Rainy Night In Soho’ and algorithms; The Dubliners and Mumford & Sons; Fiachra Trench; Christy Hennessy; singing to Jack; ‘Follow The Sun’; David Double Bass from Laois; wealth; alcohol and confidence vs. ability; bedtime shopping; Gearoid’s upcoming tour; turning down a publishing deal; Tunecore; always working; bringing all of his friends along with him; messages and scams as well as other topics.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/gearoidmccarthymusic Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 117 brings Fender Jackson face to face with Paul Connolly in this second part as he talks through his career taking him from West Belfast to working alongside Piers Morgan on Uncensored which has amassed 3.37 million subscribers (October 2024)and 863 million total views (October 2024). Conversation includes: fun and frolics with King Charles and Queen Camilla in Clarence House; Icarus; renting a penthouse in Bristol; being a number on a spreadsheet; Rule Britannia and Tugs of War; leading a really good team in BBC in Belfast as an Executive Producer; living like a king in the back bedroom and George Best Airport; curfews both sides of the Irish Sea; producing 60 episodes of ‘Cash In The Attic’; becoming associate editor for ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’; what the Associate Editor does; how much does Paul talk with the presenter; Paul’s current enjoyment; cryogenics; working for someone younger than him; Piers Morgan Uncensored moving from TV to online; an overview of the TV industry today; the Baby Reindeer interview with Fiona Harvey; the secret of the success of Piers Morgan Uncensored; working with Kieron to find Fiona; advice to young people who want to go into TV today as well as other topics.Face to face recording in London at 4.08pm on Wednesday 18th September 2024.Art Collage by Arif Mahood. Design by Fender Jackson.Relevant Linkshttps://www.facebook.com/paul.connolly.3954Episode 113. Paul Connolly: TV Producer - Part 1 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 116 has Fender Jackson excited as he converses with the Book Of Kells Visitor Services Manager, Anne-Marie Diffley. When Fender started up The Ireland Podcast the Book Of Kells was one of the first interviews on his list; this chat does not disappoint!Conversation includes: introductions; what is the Book Of Kells; its history; who made it; the tools and techniques used to craft it; ownership; Iona; Henry Jones; Saint Columbcille; the reasons for its enduring popularity; being the jewell of Ireland; the impact of the book; preservation and conservation practices; the Old Library Redevelopment Project; decanting books; the Book Of Kells Experience; visitor numbers; suggested time for visitors; Trinity Trails; the 1916 Proclamation; the Brian Born Harp; Gaia by Luke Jerram; women in Trinity; Linda Doyle, Trinity’s first female Provost; Helen Shenton, Trinity’s first female librarian; facilities for disabled visitors; feedback from visitors; the most popular questions asked; the library building; foreign dignitaries; Queen Elizabeth II; Siobhan Armstrong; Mrs Obama; Joe Biden; Al Pacino; Bruce Springsteen; film shoots; Educating Rita and the Samual Beckett Theatre; Ek Tha Tiger as well as other topics.Face to face recording in Trinity College, Dublin at 11.38am on Tues 1st October 2024.This episode closes with Mrs. Costelloe by Turlough O'Carolan as performed by Elaine Hogan. Special thanks to Elaine for providing this beautiful piece.Relevant Linkshttps://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=enhttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/120. Caitlin Skahen & Co: Book Of Kells - Part 2124. Andrea Iadarola: Book Of Kells - Part 3Additional Linkshttps://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells/gaia/https://www.visittrinity.ie/trinity-trails-tour/https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/https://elainehoganharp.com/ Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 115 is a conversation between Fender Jackson and Liam Flynn of Conor McGregor's The Black Forge Inn. It provides a fantastic insight into the behind the scenes of one of the world's most famous bars from the the Front Of House Manager. As Conor says, Liam is doing the job he was born to do!Conversation includes: introductions; timeline of the history of the Black Forge Inn; McCann’s Bar; the Michael Nolan, the Nolan family and The Bentley; how the name came about; what a forge is; Alex Higgins; original design of the pub; watching Conor McGregor turning from a young local lad into the global megastar he is; Albert Quinn; doing posters to promote Conor’s fights; Crumlin & Drimnagh; Philip Sutcliffe and Crumlin Boxing Club; Conor’s interaction with the clientele; the redesign by Millimetre Design; why Liam sold the bar to Conor; tourists flocking to Drimnagh and the Black Forge Inn; the pictures in the bar; Conor’s loyalty to the staff; Conor the barman; Conor’s 145 Belt; Ed Raethorne the executive chef; the pressures faced by the hospitality trade and a message to policy makers; Proper 12; Conor the businessman; Forged Irish Stout; pep talks; Conor’s generosity; Table 15; The Billionaire Room; The Marble Arch in Drimnagh; The Waterside in Howth; the types of clients in The Black Forge Inn; Conor and America; VIP guests; Kevin Hart; James Arthur; Ian Wright; Katie Price; the similarities between Dana White and Conor; Victoria Maguire; the journey involved in recuperating costs; the appreciation of Conor in the area and beyond; Liam’s plans for the future; the plans for the future of The Black Forge; Liam’s message to the staff; Liam’s message to Conor; Liam’s verdict on whether or not Conor will return to the ring; how Liam would like to be remembered as well as other topics.Relevant Linkhttps://www.theblackforgeinn.com/ Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.