The Ireland Podcast

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 belonging. Since launching in 2023, The Ireland Podcast has grown into an informal archive of conversations with people who have helped shape Ireland - alongside people whose lives reveal something about the island that might otherwise go unrecorded. Long-form conversations. Different perspectives. Recording the island. Produced by Salthill Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1d ago

    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 written by Paul Simon. Fowler recalls arriving at the studio terrified, repeating a rather colourful mantra to calm his nerves. After just a handful of takes, Glass appeared delighted with the performance. Then Paul Simon walked in. In this conversation with Fender Jackson on The Ireland Podcast, Fowler recalls Simon's reaction, how Philip Glass stood by his performance, and what happened after he left the studio not knowing whether his voice would make the finished record. The conversation also explores Fowler's early musical ambitions, his desire to cross genres, his performances with Philip Glass, and a memorable appearance at Lincoln Center. Fender shares his own connection to Songs from Liquid Days, including an extraordinary encounter with Laurie Anderson at her Meltdown Festival in London in 1997. This is Part 1 of a three-part conversation with Bernard Fowler. Coming next: Part 2: Public Image Ltd – recording Album and working with John Lydon, Bill Laswell and the musicians involved.Part 3: The Rolling Stones – Fowler's decades of performing and recording with the band. Subscribe to The Ireland Podcast and turn on notifications so you don't miss the remaining conversations. The Ireland Podcast is an independent, long-form series hosted by Fender Jackson, recording conversations with people whose lives and experiences help tell the story of our times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    252. Bernard Fowler: Singing for Philip Glass - and Facing Paul Simon
  2. 4d ago

    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 Jonathan completes a journey that began in Shetland on New Year's Day. It's an unscripted, sometimes funny and often moving conversation about what happens when an extraordinary adventure finally comes to an end. Jonathan reflects on the physical and psychological challenges of spending more than nine months walking across Britain and Ireland, the people he's encountered, and the mental-health crisis that inspired him to undertake the journey. He talks openly about living with bipolar II disorder, the importance of receiving appropriate treatment, and how walking has taught him to concentrate on one day at a time. There are stories from the road, including an alarming encounter with cattle, thoughts about writing another book and even the possibility of a future adventure in Asia. As they approach the finish line, an unexpected encounter with an image of Sinéad O'Connor prompts Jonathan to reflect on her life and his changing understanding of her struggles. The conversation concludes with a personal moment between two friends who have known each other for 20 years. Finding Peace of Mind Jonathan's walk has been raising awareness and funds for four mental-health charities: Aware — Republic of IrelandAWARE NI — Northern IrelandSAMH — ScotlandMind — England and Wales To learn more about Jonathan's journey, support the charities or access his free e-book: https://linktr.ee/jonathankemplondon Recorded on location in Galway, Ireland, on 18 October 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    251. Jonathan Kemp: The Final Steps of a 292-Day Walk

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

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, 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 belonging. Since launching in 2023, The Ireland Podcast has grown into an informal archive of conversations with people who have helped shape Ireland - alongside people whose lives reveal something about the island that might otherwise go unrecorded. Long-form conversations. Different perspectives. Recording the island. Produced by Salthill Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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