An Irishman Abroad

This week we delve into the dark and disturbing world of the Sackler family and their grotesque role in the American opioid crisis. It goes without saying the opioid crisis has both ruined and ended the lives of millions of Americans. This week we learn how one family profited from not just feeding but creating the fire.

Marion gives a sobering account of this multi-layered scandal which saw doctors, insurance companies, politicians, sales and marketing teams play integral parts in how this devastating story played out to this very day. Later we hear her thoughts on the latest news developments including the new theories on the origins of COVID19.

To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 400 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  

Jarlath meets Joanne Hunter the manager of a brilliant independent book shop in Louisburgh in county Mayo to talk about the challenges facing these kinds of book shops during the pandemic. We hear the very unusual story of how an Irish Times article brought her to apply for the job and how Books At One has come from a cornerstone of the community. The first in a series of Selection Box episodes to be uploaded across the next few months, this conversation goes straight to the heart of why we need to support our local stores when and where we can. If you’d like to suggest an independent book store for Jarlath to devote an episode to, email us at [email protected]. For more on Books At One and their extraordinary work visit www.booksatone.ie

To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 400 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  

Rory O’Neill aka Panti Bliss sat down with Jarlath this week to talk about Ireland six years on form that momentus day when the nation said yes to marriage equality. In this wide ranging discussion Jarlath asks Rory about the rise of a certain kind of insensitivity in the country and whether it is linked to a minority who feel wronged by the changes that have occurred in recent years. To hear the full conversation including Rory speaking for the first time about the housing crisis, the challenges and stress of running his own pub and why he doesn’t necessarily agree with all the criticism Ireland takes, join up on Patreon. Become one of the many people who feel that Irishman Abroad is worth something and want it to continue….

Panti is Ireland’s foremost “gender discombobulist”, “accidental activist”, best selling author, electrifying performer and driver of change. In his mother's words, Rory O'Neill has “always been his own man.” And woman. And national treasure.

This week a man by the name of Joel Greenberg struck a plea deal with Federal Investigators that could have big ramifications for the “Congressional Kardashian” Matt Gaetz. This week Marion leads us down the murky path into exactly who Greenberg is and why some people feel that this could be just the first in a very sleazy house of cards involving the 45th President.

To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 400 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  

If you have a question for Marion please send it through to [email protected] and Jarlath will do his best to include it in the next episode.

Supplementary research provided by John Meagher.

The Irishman Abroad Liveline is now open. You can now get in touch with us and feature on our shows by sending your WhatsApp voice note to 0044 7543 122 330. Why not pose a running question to Irish Olympic Legend Sonia O'Sullivan or ask our America Correspondent Marion McKeone her thoughts on a current talking point Stateside? Of course, if you have an issue with traffic or elephants on the loose in your area, Jarlath can do his best to sort that out too.

Our charity partner is jigsawonline.ie. In these tricky times, Jigsaw provides a range of resources, advice and care for your people to help them strengthen their mental health and the skills needed to navigate life. Please visit their website and consider making a donation.

For updates on future episodes and live shows follow @jarlath on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or email the show directly on [email protected].

Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.

Tom Dunne stops by for a chat about Bob Dylan turning 80 and his own brush with death. He opens up to Jarlath for the first time about the rare heart condition that put him into coma for several days. An appreciation for life runs through his music recommendations for this week including the new Nick Cave book, albums by Paul Weller and St. Vincent and a documentary about the legendary band The Sparks.

To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 400 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

The Irishman Abroad Liveline is now open. You can now get in touch with us and feature on our shows by sending your WhatsApp voice note to 0044 7543 122 330. Why not pose a running question to Irish Olympic Legend Sonia O'Sullivan or ask our America Correspondent Marion McKeone her thoughts on a current talking point Stateside? Of course, if you have an issue with traffic or elephants on the loose in your area, Jarlath can do his best to sort that out too.

Our charity partner is jigsawonline.ie. In these tricky times, Jigsaw provides a range of resources, advice and care for your people to help them strengthen their mental health and the skills needed to navigate life. Please visit their website and consider making a donation.

For updates on future episodes and live shows follow @jarlath on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or email the show directly on [email protected].

Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.

After 17 years at the BBC Annie MacManus walks away to start a new chapter. For two decades she has devoted her life to music and shining a light on the creativity of others. Her on air and on stage shows have become the stuff of legend, helped a generation form their musical tastes and thousands of artists find their audience.  With the release of her stunning debut novel Mother Mother, Annie takes a leap of faith into the unknown to become the creator in the full glare of the spotlight. She spoke to Jarlath this week about what prompted her to start down this dramatically different path. We hear about how a ridiculously busy schedule has taken its toll on her and how spinning multiple plates made the writing process almost impossible. Later we hear about her journey into music from Queens University in Belfast and how the passion for chat and music has always been her fuel. Jarlath explores how she honed her skill as an interviewer, the Alex Turner interview that proved the power of silence and the background to her incredible Irish Times piece on immigrant ache.

To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 400 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Our charity partner is jigsawonline.ie. In these tricky times, Jigsaw provides a range of resources, advice and care for your people to help them strengthen their mental health and the skills needed to navigate life. Please visit their website and consider making a donation.

For updates on future episodes and live shows follow @jarlath on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or email the show directly on [email protected].

Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.