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🎙️🇮🇪 IRELAND TALKS PODCAST – EPISODE 29 🇮🇪🎙️

🌳 FROM HOBBY TO BUSINESS – MEET DAMIAN SPAIN OF FRAYNE WOODCRAFT! 🪵

In Episode 29 of the Ireland Talks Podcast, we're delighted to welcome Damian Spain from Frayne Woodcraft, a small bespoke woodturning and stick dressing business based in Kildalkey, Co. Meath.

What started as a hobby has grown into a business built on passion, creativity and traditional craftsmanship. 👏

🪵 Damian is the talented woodturner and stick dresser behind the creations, handcrafting unique pieces using mainly Irish hardwoods, along with timber sourced from sustainable forests.

🌳 Every piece is carefully made to bring out the natural beauty and character of the wood, using food-safe finishing oils and waxes.

♻️ Sustainability is important too, with windfallen timber and wood from garden clearances given a new lease of life.

🎧 Join us for a real conversation about turning a hobby into a business, the art of woodcraft, working with natural materials and the passion behind handmade Irish products.

🇮🇪 It's another great example of the talent, creativity and small businesses we love celebrating here in Ireland!

🌐 Check out Frayne Woodcraft:
 https://fraynewoodcraft.ie/

🎙️ Ireland Talks Podcast – Real Conversations

👇 Give Damian a bit of support, check out his incredible work and share this episode!

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Joe Philpott is a Cork-born musician, songwriter and author, best known as a member of Rubyhorse, the Irish rock band that made its mark in the United States.

In this episode of the Ireland Talks Podcast, Joe joins us to talk about his new book, All Roads Lead Where You Are. From growing up in Cork and his years with Rubyhorse to life in America and the experiences that inspired his writing, Joe reflects on the people, places and moments that have shaped his life.

It’s a warm and wide-ranging conversation about music, memories, Cork, America and life beyond the band.

https://dinglebookshop.com/products/all-roads-lead-to-where-you-are

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Roads-Lead-Where-You-ebook/dp/B0GQ4TCYP2

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The Burren – Landscape, People & Place

A special Ireland Talks Podcast documentary featuring Tony Kirby, Sadie Chowen, Áine Bird and Brónagh O’Rourke, sharing their stories and connection to this remarkable part of Ireland.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

#IrelandTalksPodcast #TheBurren #CountyClare

https://burrenperfumery.com/

https://www.burrenbeefandfarm.ie/

https://burrenbeo.com/

https://www.heartofburrenwalks.com/your-guide

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Join Kevin Byrne as he chats with:

🪨 Mark Feeley – master stonemason and stone sculptor from County Roscommon, exploring traditional craftsmanship and the art of working with natural stone.

🦉 Sean Byrne – from Kildare Wildlife Rescue, discussing the vital work of rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting Ireland’s wildlife.

🌸 Fionnuala McAuley – founder of the Institute of Flowers, sharing her passion for floristry education, creativity and raising standards within the industry.

💐 Carolyn Duggan from Flowers on the Hill, Rathmines, talking about floral design, seasonal flowers and the importance of connecting people with nature.

Listen now to the Bloom 2026 Special of Ireland Talks Podcast 

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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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