The Ireland Podcast

The Ireland Podcast The Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series exploring life on the island of Ireland and beyond through unhurried conversation.

Hosted by Fender Jackson, it values listening over argument and dialogue. https://www.facebook.com/fenderjackson99/ The Ireland Podcast is hosted by Fender Jackson, a musician, composer, and cultural practitioner based in Galway. Born in Ulster, he has also lived in England and China. Through long-form conversation, the podcast creates an ongoing record of lives, memories, and experiences from across the island of Ireland and beyond.

23/08/2026

What does “Alternative Ulster” have to do with the uilleann pipes?
Henry Cluney, founding guitarist of Stiff Little Fingers, joins me for the first Inside The Song episode on The Ireland Podcast.
Here, we look at that instantly recognisable opening to “Alternative Ulster” - the open D drone, the guitar moving around it, and why I think there’s something distinctly pipe-like about the way it works.
Henry takes us inside the recording, breaking down the guitars, bass, drums, vocals and the story of how one of Belfast punk’s defining songs came together.
🎧 Inside The Song: Alternative Ulster | Henry Cluney
Full episode out now on The Ireland Podcast and YouTube.

20,000. 💚Three years ago, The Ireland Podcast was just an idea.This is already our biggest month ever - more than 5 mill...
22/08/2026

20,000. 💚

Three years ago, The Ireland Podcast was just an idea.

This is already our biggest month ever - more than 5 million Instagram views, more than 20,000 followers, and TIP reaching #35 on Apple Podcasts in Ireland. And August isn't even over yet.

But the numbers aren't really the point.

The idea remains the same: Recording the island.

Its people. Its music. Its history. Its culture. Its arguments. Its stories.

Thank you to everyone who has watched, listened, followed, shared, commented - and especially to the people who have trusted me with their stories.

And we're only getting started.

So, over to you:

Who should we talk to next? And why?

Tell us in the comments. 👇

21/08/2026

Mary McAleese reveals how John Hume turned down the presidency in 1997, believing his work on the Good Friday Agreement was more crucial. He chose to sacrifice his own opportunity for the sake of peace, paving the way for her presidency.

20/08/2026

Discover the ingenious melodic choice in "Falling Slowly" that elevates the song. While you might expect a rise in the chorus, Markéta Irglová's melody descends, creating a powerful emotional lift.

20/08/2026

The B Note That Changes Everything in “Falling Slowly”
One note can completely change the colour of a chord.
In Falling Slowly, listen to what happens when that B appears against the F harmony — and then how the cello joins the arrangement.
It's a tiny musical decision that creates an extraordinary amount of tension and emotion.
From Inside the Song: Falling Slowly, Episode 235 of The Ireland Podcast.

19/08/2026

Before a single note is played, “Falling Slowly” is already telling us a story.
Markéta Irglová at the grand piano. Glen Hansard with the battered guitar of a working musician.
Two completely different visual worlds — before their voices even meet.
From Episode 235 of The Ireland Podcast: Inside the Song — Falling Slowly.

From Swinford to Pittsburgh. 🇮🇪🇺🇸When filmmaker Breege Rowley joined me on The Ireland Podcast in 2024, 'All Our Yesterd...
19/08/2026

From Swinford to Pittsburgh. 🇮🇪🇺🇸

When filmmaker Breege Rowley joined me on The Ireland Podcast in 2024, 'All Our Yesterdays' wasn't yet finished (Epiosde 122). After eight years of work, she was still trying to raise the funds to complete her documentary telling 250 years of Irish history through the voices of one Mayo town.

Two years later, the film is finished, award-winning and heading across the Atlantic.

And Pittsburgh is particularly fitting. Breege's narrator, Nora McBurney, is a Pittsburgh Irish-American whose family roots lead back to Mayo - and Breege's introduction subsequently led to Nora becoming a guest on The Ireland Podcast too (Episode 197).

'All Our Yesterdays' will have its Pittsburgh premiere at the Harris Theater on 1 & 3 October, with Breege attending both screenings for Q&As.

A lovely journey for an independent Irish film - from Swinford to the Irish diaspora. ☘️

18/08/2026

Former President Mary McAleese shares a deeply emotional moment with David Trimble at a young boy's funeral. Despite past divisions, a simple hug became a powerful symbol of reconciliation.

17/08/2026

Former President Mary McAleese reflects on the criticism John Hume faced over his decision to engage with Gerry Adams during the peace process.

She says a “dreadful campaign” against Hume caused him enormous personal hurt - and believes it ultimately affected his health.

McAleese also describes Hume as a leader willing to “push out into the deep” when many around him feared where the process would lead.

From the full conversation with Mary McAleese on The Ireland Podcast.

🎧 Full episode available now.

A lovely bit of news this morning.The Ireland Podcast is currently #50 in Apple Podcasts’ Top Shows in Ireland - across...
17/08/2026

A lovely bit of news this morning.

The Ireland Podcast is currently #50 in Apple Podcasts’ Top Shows in Ireland - across all categories - and #8 in Society & Culture.

Thank you to everyone who's listened, watched, shared, followed and recommended the podcast.

It's only taken three years to become an overnight success. 😂

The Ireland Podcast - Recording the island. ☘️

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