By Ireland Talks Podcast
In each episode of the podcast Kevin Byrne is joined by some well know artists, actors and sometimes not so well known guests to discuss there life experiences. If you have a story that you would l
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The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.
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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.
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.
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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Robin James Hurt was born in Belfast, raised in Scotland and lived in Dublin for many years. More recently he has settled on the coast of County Wexford in the south east of Ireland.
He is a consummate, captivating, highly popular live performer, playing regularly in Dublin and around Ireland at both more intimate venues and larger festivals, as well as all across Europe and beyond.
Robin’s considerable talents as a guitarist, composer and singer have brought him on a rich, varied path as a solo act and also with other artists, such as the late great Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners, Sinead O’Connor, Finbar Furey, Hazel O’Connor and Camille O’Sullivan; and bands such as Bohínta, Gael Slí, The West Seventies, Bagatelle and many others
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ABOUT ALEX
Alex Miller came to the attention of global audiences during American Idol, Season 19. While still coming to terms with the changes that experience brought to his life, Alex is now embracing the lessons he learned from the show – and its superstar coaches. “One thing I really took away from it all is that I need to keep challenging myself,” the young entertainer reflects. “And I’m just beginning to put that into practice.”
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Kevin chats to Phelim Drew the celebrated Son of Ronnie Drew
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When Irish singer-songwriter Francie Conway received a photo of a demolished Ukrainian apartment, wherein everything was destroyed except for a guitar, he was inspired to create a song that would find a seam of hope in the face of appalling devastation.
His drive to make a statement about what was happening in Ukraine was cemented by the an edition of The Late Late Show which was dedicated to funding those carrying out relief efforts, assisting people affected by the brutality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a Ukrainian guest declared, “Together, we are stronger.” Francie had a title for his song.
HOTPRESS
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Francie Conway started his recording career with RCA Records, London with notable hits including ‘To The Edge Of Time’ & ‘One Night In Amsterdam’, with notable gigs including ‘Paleo’ festival, Nyon, Switzerland with 4,000 expected but 25,000 attending thanks to the popularity of ‘To the Edge of Time’ and with notable song covers including ‘Striking It Rich’ recorded by Stevie Wright from the legendary Australian band The Easybeats, the song became the title track for one of his albums and featured on many compilations.
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In this episode of the podcast Kevin travels to the Medyka border in Poland where he spoke to the volunteers on the ground involved with the humanitarian Aid effort for Ukrainian refugees.
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Dublin City Council refused permission for the proposed development, citing four reasons largely relating to the size and impact on historic structures.
The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.