Today, 25 June, would have been Anthony Bourdain's 70th birthday, and in this special episode I'm marking it with a conversation with the writer and broadcaster Brin-Jonathon Butler about the man, the myth, and everything in between. I couldn't pick a better subject and guest for my final episode of this season.

We chat about the life and legacy of a man who changed the way so many of us think about food, travel, people and the world.

Bourdain was a complicated man. Brilliant and difficult, generous and self-destructive, fiercely curious about other people's lives while clearly wrestling with his own.

Bourdain showed a generation of travellers that the real story of a place is often told at the table. He showed us that travel was not just about where you go, what you eat, or what you see. It was about who you meet, how you listen, and what you are willing to understand.

To help explore his legacy, I am delighted to be joined by writer Brin-Jonathan Butler. Brin has written powerfully about Bourdain, including his acclaimed essay Giving Up the Ghost, which reflects not only on Bourdain's life and death, but also on identity, travel, fame, and what it means to spend your life searching for meaning in the world.

Brin has also explored the life of Anthony on many episodes of his excellent podcast Tourist Information here https://open.spotify.com/show/5y2pjNDK8xxa00TotyE5rL

We talk about why Bourdain mattered, why he still does nearly a decade after his untimely passing, and why we shouldn't shy away from his darker side if we're going to tell the full story of his legacy.

So, on Anthony Bourdain's birthday, we celebrate not just the man, but the legacy he left behind that continues to inspire travellers, writers, cooks and dreamers everywhere.

This is the final episode of Season 9 of the podcast so please follow or subscribe to this podcast and you will be first to hear about Season 10 when it comes out later this summer.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.

For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on

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Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

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My first guest in my new series “The Meals that Made Me” is Robbie McCauley, chef-proprietor of the Michelin-starred restaurant Homestead Cottage in Doolin, Co Clare in the west of Ireland.

In this episode, Robbie shares five memorable meals that shaped his life and career from a Sunday lunch in Emilia-Romagna to a night market in Bangkok, a Christmas dinner in Burgundy in France, a Michelin-starred meal in London, and a deeply personal family lunch in the Italian countryside.

In this new series I will be speaking to well-known chefs about the five meals that shaped them and stayed with them not just because of the food, but because of the place, the people and the memories around the table.

Food has the ability to bring us back somewhere. A taste, a smell, a dish or a setting can transport us instantly to another country, another time in our lives, or to someone we love.

This is a conversation about food, family, travel, ambition, memory and the emotional power of meals to bring us back to the people and places that shaped us.

For more information on the Homestead Cottage go to https://homesteadcottage.com/

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.

For more information, photos and stories you can follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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What do you get when you combine a prime Dublin city centre location, compact Scandi-inspired design, and Ireland's most ambitious sustainability credentials? The Wren Urban Nest — and this week, Fergal sits down with Phoebe Fairbairn, the General Manager behind one of Dublin's most talked-about boutique hotels.

Tucked onto the former site of Andrews Lane Theatre, the Wren's 137 rooms sit steps from Temple Bar, Grafton Street and Trinity College — making it one of the best-located stays in the capital. But it's not just the postcode that sets it apart. The Wren is Ireland's first net zero carbon hotel, achieving that status without purchasing a single carbon offset.

Phoebe shares what it's really like to run a hotel that walks the walk on sustainability, from 100% renewable energy and locally sourced everything to a kitchen that doesn't cook with gas.

She also gives Fergal the insider's guide to Dublin — the kind of tips you won't find in a tourist brochure. Whether you're planning a Dublin trip or just love a great hospitality story, this one's worth settling in for.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

For more information, phtoos and stories you can follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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On this week’s episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I’m joined by Chef Karl Wilder, co-founder of The Chef Tours, for a fascinating conversation about food tourism and the stories behind some of the world’s most iconic dishes.

The Chef Tours offers small-group food and wine experiences in Seville, Paris, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Berlin and Mexico City, with local chefs guiding guests to the hidden restaurants, secret bars and authentic flavours you won’t find on typical tourist routes.

From the origins of the kebab, nachos, burritos and margaritas to the way food opens up the history and culture of a place, Karl brings insight, passion and plenty of great stories to this flavour-filled episode.

For More Information on The Chef Tours go to https://thecheftours.com

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

For more information, phtoos and stories you can follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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My guest this week on the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast is Les Walsh, Head Concierge at the stunning Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, County Waterford.

Ardmore is a beautiful seaside village that is close to my heart, and a place I return to every summer for swims off the pier. Taking its name from the Irish Aird Mhór, meaning “great height”, Ardmore is steeped in history and local tradition, with strong links to Saint Declan, who is said to have founded a Christian community here in the early 5th century.

The Cliff House Hotel sits dramatically above the sea and is one of Ireland’s most special five-star hotels. Home to the Michelin-starred House Restaurant, and the newest member of Ireland’s Blue Book, it has helped place Ardmore firmly on the map as a luxury destination.

Les is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of professional hotel concierges, and in this episode he shares his insights into great hospitality, the magic of Ardmore, and the experiences that make this corner of Waterford so memorable including nearby Lismore, Youghal, the Mahons Falls in the Comeragh mountains and foody favourite town Dungarvan on the Greenway.

We also touch on Ardmore’s rich heritage from St Declan’s Monastery to its 12th-century Round Tower, in a conversation full of sea, stories, history and five-star hospitality

I love the Blue Book because they are often family-owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.

Check out the Cliff House Hotel here https://cliffhousehotel.ie

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me

on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

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In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I talk all about the city of Pittsburgh in the USA, ahead of Aer Lingus’ new direct Dublin–Pittsburgh service, launching on 25 May 2026.

My guest today is Aadam Soorma, Head of Marketing at Trace Brewing, for a local’s guide to a city that has transformed from steel and industry into one of America’s most creative, welcoming and community-driven destinations.

From Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene and neighbourhood culture to Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, sport, food, art and the city’s famous black-and-gold pride, Adaam shares why Pittsburgh should be firmly on Irish travellers’ radar.

For more information check out https://www.visitpittsburgh.com

For more information on the new Aer Lingus Pittsburgh route check https://www.aerlingus.com

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 European award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide.

The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me

on Instagram

@traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

#VisitPittsburgh

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In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, Fergal chats with Aaron Brennan of JustCover about what travel insurance really covers, why it matters, and how it can help when plans go wrong. 

From claims tips and medical emergencies abroad to repatriation, the EHIC, and cover for older travellers or those with pre-existing medical conditions, this episode is packed with practical advice. 

They also discuss changing travel trends, disruption in the Middle East, and JustCover’s new office opening in Carlow, creating 22 jobs. 

Whether you are planning a summer holiday, a city break, or a longer adventure, this episode is full of useful advice to help you travel with confidence. 

Visit their website here https://www.justcover.ie

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me

on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, we journey to the spectacular Causeway Coast in Antrim to explore one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting new luxury destinations: Dunluce Lodge.

Overlooking the 4th fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club and the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Lodge has swiftly earned its place among the region’s finest hotels. Opening its doors in April 2025, just in time for The Open Championship, the lodge welcomed hometown hero Rory McIlroy and his family during one of golf’s most celebrated weeks.

I sat down with General Manager Stephen Meldrum to explore the story behind this elegant 35-suite retreat with sweeping views of one of the world’s most iconic golf courses.

Stephen shares insights into the whirlwind first year—from achieving five-star status with Tourism Northern Ireland, to being named among the Irish Independent’s Top 50 Places to Stay and joining the prestigious Ireland's Blue Book. Stephen offers genuine insider insights, sharing the kind of local knowledge that only someone deeply connected to the area can provide.

This episode is about the power of Irish hospitality along a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. This is a story of vision, of place, and of the unmistakable warmth of Irish hospitality, set against a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from across the globe.

Whether you're a golf enthusiast, a lover of this stunning part of Ireland, or simply curious about Northern Ireland’s newest five-star retreat, this is a conversation not to be missed.

I love the Blue Book because they are often family-owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.

Check out the Dunluce Lodge here https://www.dunlucelodge.com

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me

on Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I’m joined by legendary Irish DJ, musician, author, photographer and rock’n’roll insider BP Fallon, known to many simply as “The Beep.”

With a career spanning decades at the very heart of music history - working with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, U2 and more - BP Fallon has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in rock’n’roll firsthand.

In this conversation, he shares his five favourite gigs from a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, offering vivid stories from stages, studios and concerts around the world.

From unforgettable performances to behind-the-scenes encounters, this episode is a front-row seat to music history as seen by the guru BP Fallon.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. This award winning podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

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After staying in a luxury treehouse in France, I began to wonder what Ireland had to offer beyond the traditional hotel experience. The answer? Quite a lot. In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I explore four truly unusual stays around the country — each offering something distinctive, memorable and a little out of the ordinary.

First, I revisit my summer stay at Trinity College Dublin Rooms. Available from May to August, the student accommodation within the historic college grounds offers a rare chance to wake up in the heart of Dublin, surrounded by tranquillity yet steps from the city’s buzz. There’s the novelty of morning coffee trucks in the square, after-hours calm once the day visitors leave, and of course the chance to explore the iconic Book of Kells and the magnificent Long Room Library. Visit https://www.tcd.ie

Next, I head to Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. An 18th-century estate with extraordinary gardens, it offers everything from off-grid bell tents to stylish eco-cabins with hot tubs. I stayed in one of the atmospheric two-bedroom gate lodges — rich, gothic interiors, antique beds and velvet armchairs. With after-hours access to the gardens, direct links to the Waterford Greenway, and easy reach of the Comeragh Mountains and Mahon Falls, it’s an ideal blend of heritage and outdoor adventure. Visit https://mountcongreve.com

From there, it’s on to the forest escape that is Cabu by the Lakes in Co. Cavan. Set on the shores of Lough Oughter, these woodland cabins range from cosy one-beds to larger barn houses with hot tubs. Think wood-burning stoves, lakeside views, outdoor saunas and cold plunges tucked among the trees. With boating, kayaking and forest walks on your doorstep - and new cabins launching in 2026 - it’s a grown-up retreat designed for switching off. Visit https://holidays.cabu.co.uk

Finally, I visited Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa in Tralee, Co. Kerry, where I stayed in one of their distinctive Iglucraft woodland cabins. These Nordic-style pods combine craftsmanship and comfort, all set against the backdrop of the Slieve Mish Mountains. Family-run for three generations, the estate is also deeply committed to sustainability, with extensive rewilding, native tree planting and scenic walking trails woven through the grounds. Visit https://www.ballygarry.com

From college cloisters to woodland hideaways, lakeside cabins to historic estates, this episode highlights four unforgettable Irish stays that prove you don’t have to leave the country to experience something truly different. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next short break, this one is for you.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.