The Ireland Podcast

15/11/2025

Pondering in Dromoland Castle, County Clare.

12/11/2025

Born in Ennis, County Clare, Fr. Bernárd’s journey began in the traditional Ireland of the 1940s, shaped by school, family, and faith. But his path soon led him far from the familiar - from the seminary in Dromantine, Newry, to ordination in Newry Cathedral, and then on to the missionaries in Africa and the turbulent streets of New York in the 1970s, where he found both his calling and his true self.

https://youtu.be/CezB4pVwrsY

In a conversation with Fender Jackson, they talk about forgiveness, angels, and the arrogance of certainty. Fr. Bernárd explores his belief that Catholicism is the last pagan religion in the West, and his sharp critique of Bible bingo interpretations of Leviticus.

Fr. Bernárd speaks candidly about discovering he was gay, ministering to the AIDS community at the height of the crisis, and facing the crushing pressures of faith, sexuality, and truth - including false allegations, expulsion from New York, and eventually becoming the first Catholic priest in the world to have a same-sex marriage.

It’s a story of defiance, compassion, and perhaps, time travel - an extraordinary conversation with one of Ireland’s most fearless and fascinating priests.

Links
https://www.frbernardlynch.com
https://linktr.ee/theirelandpodcast
https://www.theirelandpodcast.com

*xuality

Born in Ennis, County Clare, Fr. Bernárd’s journey began in the traditional Ireland of the 1940s, shaped by school, family, and faith. But his path soon led ...

11/11/2025

Thoughts from a Northerner having moved to the South of Ireland on the inauguration day of the 10th President Of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.

11/11/2025

Today, Ireland inaugurates Catherine Connolly from Galway as its 10th President of Ireland.
In her first address she pledged to ensure every voice is heard, to champion our language and culture, and to serve with dignity, determination and courage.

11/11/2025

When the S*x Pistols exploded onto the scene, punk was turning music upside down - and Rory Gallagher took notice.

According to Gerry McAvoy, after seeing the Pistols play their final gig, Rory was struck by the raw energy of it all. Out of that moment came the decision to bin the record he’d just finished and replace it with Photo-Finish - a leaner, grittier album stripped of excess. And Shadow Play? Gerry says that was Rory’s punk song.

🎙️ Hear Gerry tell the full story in Episode 198 of The Ireland Podcast.

View on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/v0cwc132hrQ

Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast:
https://linktr.ee/theirelandpodcast

*xPistols

10/11/2025

Bass legend Gerry McAvoy explains the connection between Rory Gallagher’s 'Photo-Finish’ and the S*x Pistols’ final gig.

See the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0cwc132hrQ

Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast here: https://linktr.ee/theirelandpodcast

*xPistols -Finish

07/11/2025

Learn ‘Teenage Kicks’ on by .official on guitar in just 1 minute!

No messin', let’s go!
🎸🎉

07/11/2025

Quick chords, strumming tips, and tricks to get you playing instantly. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to jam fast!

The song is Teenage Kicks by 🎸

06/11/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0cwc132hrQ

Bass legend Gerry McAvoy of Band Of Friends takes us through a track-by-track journey of 'Photo-Finish', Rory Gallagher’s powerhouse 1978 album. In this wide-ranging conversation, Gerry shares insights into the sessions, the scrapped album, and the raw energy that defined Rory’s late-’70s sound.

Along the way, we talk S*x Pistols, click tracks and metronomes, Ted McKenna’s drumming, Status Quo, and the aftermath of the accident. Gerry also reflects on Carol Kaye’s influence, cropdusting adventures, and how tracks like “Only the Lonely”, “Memphis Hip Shake” (The Cult), and “Donegal Express” (Shane MacGowan) connect through spirit and groove.

Plus: tales from playing with Joe Bonamassa and plenty more behind-the-scenes stories from a life in rock ’n’ roll.

Relevant Links
http://www.bandoffriends.eu/
https://songwhip.com/bandoffriends
https://www.rorygallagher.com/
https://linktr.ee/theirelandpodcast

Additional Links
Fuel To The Fire (Instrumental) - Band Of Friends:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOHhi7rEH1E

Carol Kaye grooving the metronome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5xnVbjRS-s&t=42s

Bass legend Gerry McAvoy takes us through a track-by-track journey of Photo-Finish, Rory Gallagher’s powerhouse 1978 album. In this wide-ranging conversation...

04/11/2025

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and her enduring popularity in Ireland. Follow The Ireland Podcast for more!

03/11/2025

When it doesn't exist, build it.