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In this edition of the Ireland Talks Podcast, we speak with music journalist and author Jon Bernstein, whose writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, GQ, and The Village Voice.

Jon joins us to discuss What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome: The Authorized Biography of Justin Townes Earle, a deeply researched and compassionate portrait of one of the most compelling voices in modern Americana. We talk about Justin’s music, his artistic evolution, his relationship with his father Steve Earle, and the wider myths surrounding addiction, masculinity, and the troubadour life.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about songwriting, legacy, and what it means to tell an artist’s story with honesty after their passing.

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The Chieftains may be no more, but Kevin Conneff, the man whose voice and bodhrán have been a mainstay of the band’s sound, is carrying on the tradition with the customary spring in his step.

The Dublin Trio is a brand new ensemble featuring Conneff, guitarist Tony Byrne, and piper, whistle, and accordion player Joe McKenna.

All three have strong pedigrees, and this collaboration bears the hallmarks of musicians whose appetites for adventure and exploration remain as hearty as ever.

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In this addition of the Podcast, Kevin sits down with Eamon Brady — a gifted singer-songwriter, producer, sideman, and lecturer — to talk about his musical journey and the stories behind his upcoming debut album, Half-Light.

Eamon opens up about what it means to balance creativity with collaboration, how teaching shapes his songwriting, and what listeners can expect from Half-Light — an album that’s as honest as it is sonically rich.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of Ireland’s most thoughtful and multifaceted musicians.

https://www.instagram.com/eamonbrady/

https://x.com/eamonbrady

https://music.apple.com/ie/album/our-hands/1834387124?i=1834387125

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A New Sculpture Park For Ireland Opening 2026

The Doherty Sculpture Park promises a one-of-a-kind immersive cultural experience, featuring a world-class collection of sculptures that span from modern to contemporary art. As Ireland’s first initiative of its kind, the park will host rotating outdoor exhibitions, continually refreshing its artistic offerings. This ground-breaking model is set to enhance the country's cultural landscape and broaden the reach of arts and culture across Ireland.

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On this episode of Ireland Talks Podcast , I sit down with one of the most distinctive voices in Irish folk music today — Daoirí Farrell. Hailing from Dublin, Daoirí has carved out a reputation as a powerful interpreter of traditional ballads, breathing new life into old songs with honesty, heart, and an unmistakable voice. We talk about his musical journey, the influence of Irish tradition, life on the road, and the stories behind some of his most moving performances.

Whether you're a long-time fan of folk or just discovering the genre, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Tour dates in links below

https://daoiri.com/#live

https://www.instagram.com/daoirifarrellmusic/#

https://www.youtube.com/@DaoiriFarrell

https://www.facebook.com/DaoiriFarrell

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Recored in Nashville TN August 2024

Fran Breen is a polished and veteran drummer who has played with such notables as Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith and The Waterboys plus many more

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Ger Wolfe is an established Irish singer songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist and a poet who composes and performs ”carefully-crafted vignettes of song to all who come to listen” (Irish Times).

Releasing nine full albums of his own original work on indie label ‘Raggedy Records’ “Word & Rhyme” (1998), followed by ‘Ragged Ground’ (2000), ‘Heaven Paints Her Holy Mantle Blue’ (2002) and ‘The Velvet Earth’ (2005). ‘No Bird Sang’ (2009), ‘Fréamh ; Root’ (2011) and ‘I Have Been Loved’ (2014), ‘Melody Bright and The Favourite Sparrow’ (a compilation) (2019) and “The Morning Star” (2021) Ger has toured extensively both solo and with his musical comrades ‘The New Skylarks’, mainly featuring Paul Frost (double bass), Edel Sullivan (violin) and Martin Leahy (Drums) over the last 20+ years.

Primarily working in the world of folk music, he draws influence from many corners of the world, a child of the musical universe, Ger is presently working on a project of lesser-known traditional songs in Sean-nós (traditional irish old style acapella) called ‘Songs from the Ballyvourney Collection- Amhráin ó Bailiúcháin Bailemhúirne’.

The Morning Star, Ger’s newest album release, was recorded and produced by Amhlaíobh Mc Sweeney in Ger’s Studio in the fog of the Covid lockdown. Enjoying some great national radio airplay with the first single ‘Hello Gorgeous’. Ger is just about to release the second single from the album this September – “The last Rose of Summer”.

Currently touring mostly solo with the songs from this album and new work from another project of his- ‘The Bright Girl Laughing at The Sea’. A piece commissioned by the Art’s Council. Ger composed all of the new work in response to forced migration through the ages and in particular recent mass movements of people from the Middle East and surrounding countries due to war and strife.

Songs of Hope and Peace in uncertain times, Ger’s music… “shines like a bright light in the raging sea of darkness”

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Growing up in Dundalk, Ireland, Finnian has carefully honed his songwriting slowly and with care. Since 2015 His music is honest, concise and textured in a way that is grounded and speaks to his inner conviction. Never afraid to draw on his influences and using the medium of live performance in a studio context, Finnian’s nods to his musical past have been hailed as refreshing in a climate that has gradually moved away from such a perspective.

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His first album Under the Influence garnered strong reviews on its release in the summer of 2020 and his momentum has been hugely impressive. His work is something that speaks to experience rather than aspiration, with an attention to detail that comes from living and a willingness to evolve through his introspective songwriting. Backed by some of the finest local musicians, Finnian’s live shows have been praised as vibrant representations of his music while also offering the audience a window into his continued musical journey. His beginnings as a folk based songwriter have been consistently evolving. From humble beginnings on the open mic circuit, to now being backed with real musical muscle, his live experience has always been authentic and a true representation of who he is, where he has come from and most importantly, where he is going next.

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Finnian is also a member of the folk group Ceithre Cinn which consists of fellow songwriters Ciaran Lavery, Suzanne Savage and Matt McGinn.

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