The Ireland Podcast

About the Podcast The Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series creating space for unhurried conversation about life on the island of Ireland and beyond. The Conversations Hosted by Fender Jackson and produced by Salthill Media, the podcast centres on listening rather than argument. Each episode features a single guest and allows time for reflection, context, and experience to emerge naturally. Guests include artists, musicians, writers, athletes, broadcasters, historians, and cultural figures whose work or perspective offers insight into place, memory, and lived experience. There is no political or religious agenda. The podcast does not seek to persuade, promote, or argue a position. Instead, it exists as a space for careful dialogue, where complexity is allowed and difference is approached with curiosity rather than confront

The Ireland Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Fender Jackson, with 243 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Fender Jackson hosts The Ireland Podcast, a society show with 243 episodes published.

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  The Ireland Podcast

  244. Stephen Averill: The Art Behind U2 & Ireland’s Iconic Album Covers

  Sep 28, 202632 min

  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 that became inseparable from the music itself. In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson talks to Stephen about the art of the record sleeve: discovering album artwork as a young music fan, designing before computers, working with musicians and photographers, the relationship between music and image, and what makes an album cover become iconic. They also discuss Stephen’s work beyond U2, the changing Irish music scene, the creative possibilities that come from limitations, and what happens to album artwork as music moves from vinyl and CD into the digital age. Relevant Links https://www.stephenaverill.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:33 When Album Covers Became Art 04:07 How Record Sleeves Changed 06:11 Creating a Visual Identity for a Band 07:16 How Stephen Designs an Album Cover 10:00 Designing for U2 11:02 Art vs the Record Company 13:17 Can an Album Cover Sell the Music? 16:08 Working with Great Photographers 18:15 When Record Labels Change Your Artwork 20:20 How Limitations Can Improve Creativity 22:59 What Makes an Album Cover Iconic? 24:00 U2, Success & Creative Relationships 26:22 Logos, T-Shirts & Band Identity 26:49 Stephen Averill's Archive 27:44 From Advertising to Album Design 31:01 Designing for Ireland's Music Scene 32:01 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Ireland Podcast

  243. Trump, the IRA, Kneecap & a United Ireland | Malachi O’Doherty

  Sep 22, 20261h 1m

  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 recounts his reporting on IRA punishment attacks, including the extraordinary story of a young car thief he calls “Pip.” He discusses Kneecap and what he describes as Belfast “hood culture,” being branded a “West Brit,” and his confrontations with senior republican figures including Bobby Storey and Gerry Kelly. The conversation also explores healthcare, pensions and the practical questions that could determine Malachi’s vote in a border poll—as well as what might have happened had David Trimble refused to sign the Good Friday Agreement. Recorded in Belfast on 17th September 2026. Please subscribe, comment and share the conversation. Chapter Timings 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Trump and a united Ireland 05:40 Is Irish unity simply “natural”? 09:00 Growing up with the border 14:20 IRA checkpoints and “no-go areas” 15:24 IRA punishment attacks and kneecappings 18:08 The extraordinary story of “Pip” 25:28 Kneecap and Belfast “hood culture” 29:30 Does Kneecap genuinely represent the hoods? 33:16 The Kneecap film, drugs and Gerry Adams 35:37 Would Malachi vote for a united Ireland? 39:13 Pensions, healthcare and the practical questions 42:58 Being branded a “West Brit” 44:14 Bobby Storey, MI5 and intimidation 48:17 The Gerry Kelly legal action 52:32 “Give me the feeder question” 53:03 What if David Trimble had rejected the Agreement? 57:16 Politicians carrying guns 59:08 Does Malachi feel safe in Belfast? 1:00:24 Malachi’s books and current work Relevant Links https://www.irishpost.com/ https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Malachi-ODoherty/author/B001JSEA3U Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Ireland Podcast

  242. Jonathan Kemp: 5 Million Steps for Mental Health | The Dublin Chapter

  Sep 18, 202637 min

  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 up with Jonathan in Dublin. We join him as he meets the Lord Mayor of Dublin, walk with him through the city to Aware's headquarters, hear about the physical and mental challenges of the journey, and join an Aware gathering marking this extraordinary undertaking. Jonathan is now heading towards Galway for the final stage of the walk. Sunday 18 October 2026 - Galway Join Jonathan for the final steps into Galway. Monday 19 October - Special Event The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway An evening with Jonathan Kemp - stories, reflections and what comes next. Jonathan is raising awareness and funds for SAMH, Mind, AWARE NI and Aware Ireland. Support Jonathan: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Jonathansupporting4mentalhealthcharities Aware is the national organisation providing support, therapy, education and information to those affected by depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. For more information, visit Aware or call the Aware Support Line on 1800 80 48 48. AWARE-NI is the depression charity for Northern Ireland. Tel: 028 9035 7820 Email: info@aware-ni.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Ireland Podcast

  241. Ireland’s Immigration Debate: Housing, Identity & Integration | Keire Murphy

  Sep 16, 20261h 6m

  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 examine Ireland’s changing population, the relationship between immigration and housing, labour shortages, citizenship, family reunification, integration and what it means to be Irish in an increasingly diverse country. We also discuss: • Why Ireland’s migrant population has changed • Highly skilled immigration and the housing market • Ireland’s two-tier economy • The benefits and pressures created by population growth • Assimilation versus multiculturalism • Women’s rights and cultural differences • Why parts of the left have avoided difficult immigration questions • The Government’s changing approach to citizenship • How Ireland might build a more cohesive national identity Recorded on 10 September 2026. CLARIFICATION: At the time of recording, the Department of Foreign Affairs passport guidance stated that guardian consent was not required if a child was married. Irish law does not permit marriage under the age of 18. That wording has since been removed from the Department’s webpage. Sources and further information: Keire's Podcast: - Acast link: https://shows.acast.com/get-shit-done - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vP7onscXRsYFy3uBgqHXw?si=b1d8fa22c79d4990 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GetShtDonePod https://www.esri.ie/system/files/publications/RS184_0.pdf CSO — Population and Migration Estimates, April 2026: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2026/keyfindings/ Government citizenship proposals: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/government-approval-secured-for-the-priority-drafting-of-the-irish-nationality-and-citizenship-amendment-bill-2026/ Family-reunification policy changes: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/amendments-to-policy-on-non-eea-family-reunification/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Ireland Podcast

  240. Trump in Doonbeg: What Do the Locals Really Think?

  Sep 13, 202644 min

  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, businesspeople and others drawn to the village by an extraordinary weekend. The responses range from fierce opposition to strong support - while others separate their views of Trump the politician from the impact his golf resort has had on employment, tourism and life in Doonbeg. This episode is also a snapshot of the village itself: the people, the golf, the protests and the atmosphere surrounding a presidential visit to West Clare. The Ireland Podcast has no political or religious agenda. The aim is to record the island and give different voices room to be heard. Special thanks to everyone who contributed. Recorded: Doonbeg, County Clare 12 September 2026 Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast for long-form conversations and stories from across Ireland. Relevant Links https://www.mohergolf.com/ https://doonbeg.info/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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