John Duddy was once the most famous Irishman living in New York when he made the brave move there to become a professional boxer. The rest is history. This week John explained to Jarlath how he was so engulfed in his craft that he was unaware of his fame in New York (10:00) and the call from Robert De Niro that changed everything for him (41:00). John outlines how Conor McGregor abused boxing for his own needs (1:16:00) while also explaining that his love for the sport suffered following a fallout with his management (14:00). 

From working alongside De Niro (51:00) to the emotional account of how he broke the news to his wife that he was retiring from boxing (22:00) and the art of acting in a boxing scene (57:00), this is a fascinating conversation with a true legend of Irish sport. 

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Author and national treasure Roddy Doyle joins Jarlath in front of a packed Tivoli Theatre at the Dublin Podcast Festival to discuss the fascinating story of his life and work. Roddy explains how the head Brother in his school had no faith in his potential (7:00) while also outlining, in riveting detail, some memories of his earlier years (9:00).

Roddy also gives his views on Ireland's preoccupation with private ownership and the homelessness epidemic (48:00) and also offers his refreshing attitude to criticism (37:00). From the one book of his which he would describe as “shite” (16:00) to discussing Roy Keane's fondness for spinning around in a swivel chair (40:00), why The Commitments would not have been as good if mobile phones existed at the time (57:00) and much more, this is a truly enjoyable conversation with one of Ireland’s literary legends.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Having lost his sight in one eye at the age of 5, Mark Pollock’s life certainly started out up against it. When he became totally blind at the age of 22, no one would have expected Mark to then go on a quest to become the first blind man to race to the South Pole. When a fall from a second story window at the age of 34 left him paralysed, the level of determination and courage that has become synonymous with Mark’s name is enough to inspire any person from any walk of life.

This week we hear Mark’s incredible story from the extreme measures that he took to feel normal once again having become blind (12:00) to the wonderful tale of love and commitment between himself and his wife (30:00). From his outlining of the fascinating work that he does as the chief tester for robotic leg systems in the search for a cure for paralysis (51:00) to his experiences of being excluded for being in a wheelchair (47:00), this conversation is a sobering insight into what is possible with a positive mental attitude.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

The legalisation of abortion in Ireland is by far one of the most prominent conversations in Irish society at the moment. In this episode, Jarlath is joined by some of the most active and outspoken voices who are taking a stand and are working to repeal the 8th amendment.

Amnesty International’s Colm O’Gorman explains to us where things are currently standing with the Repeal the 8th campaign while also giving a clear break-down of the outcome of the recent Citizen’s Assembly (2:00). Author Louise O’Neill returns to the show to discuss the need to destigmatise the conversation around abortion (44:00), comedian and writer Tara Flynn elaborates on the need for broad access to abortion (23:00), while Dr. Ciara Kelly outlines how the way we treat women in Ireland falls short of what it should be and how the distrust of women is at the heart of the need to repeal the 8th amendment (32:00).

Finally, Jarlath speaks with Mara Clarke from the Abortion Support Network who gives a sobering insight into the realities of the Irish women who are in desperate need for safe and legal access to abortion (1:07:00).

To learn more about Mara Clarke's Abortion Support Network click here https://www.asn.org.uk/

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Ian Lloyd Anderson's talent is undeniable. Best known for his standout roles on stage and screen (Love/Hate, Game of Thrones), this week, Ian joined Jarlath to discuss his work opposite Emmet Kirwan in the forthcoming movie adaption of Dublin Oldschool (4:00/52:00). Ian explains how his acting journey began in a school play he was forced into doing (10:00), his battle with weight loss (18:00) and being jealous of Peter Coonan on the set of Love/Hate (39:00). Ian tells the story of the birth of his daughter while he was working abroad (48:00) and how he still struggles to back himself in his career (22:00).

From the tough measures he would take to tackle homelessness in Ireland (1:00:00) to the beauty of anonymity in acting (27:00), the proudest moment of his career (41:00) and much, much more, this is a fascinating conversation with one of Ireland’s fastest rising stars.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

This week Irish comedy legend, Kevin Gildea, joins Jarlath to discuss the life and career behind one of the most influential voices in alternative Irish comedy. Kevin and Jarlath discuss the nature of the modern audience’s relationship with offence (7:00), how he balances his work as a professional critic with his career as a stand up comedian and writer (50:00) and the time he spent as DCU Student’s Union president who slept a lot (33:00).

From the hilarious stories from his days as a schoolboy (15:00) to explaining the founding of the Comedy Cellar alongside Barry Murphy and Ardal O’Hanlon (34:00) and the Edinburgh show in which he performed from a bed (45:00), this is a fascinating and hilarious conversation with a true hero of Irish comedy.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Having first appeared on the podcast over three years ago, celebrity cook, author and TV presenter, Donal Skehan, returns to the show this week from his home in LA where he now presents on the Food Network. Donal tells us the incredible journey that he has been on in recent years, which amounted to him working so hard that he was hospitalised with exhaustion (5:00). Donal opens up about battling loneliness (35:00), how he and his wife carefully control what of their private life is let into the public domain (39:00) and how he dealt with rejection when trying to break onto American screens (24:00).

From his pastry fail live on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen (18:00), to scolding himself in front of a live audience (22:00), how he cannot make macarons (54:00), learning to spot the Hollywood bullshit (29:00) and much more, this is a great conversation with one of Ireland’s most well known personalities who is currently on the cusp of making it big in America.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

This week, star of Supernatural, Inside I'm Dancing and Being Erica, Adam Fergus, joined Jarlath to discuss his journey from Laytown to Hollywood. Adam tells the hilarious stories of how his acting career all began in his parent's garage by putting on shows for the neighbours (5:00), how he blagged his way through economics in UCD (19:00) and how his mother packed his bags for Canada when Being Erica came calling (45:00).

Adam discusses the nature of 'pilot season' in Hollywood and how the skill of auditioning well is more valuable than acting well (52:00). From being dubbed the 'bad apple' in Dundalk Grammar School (7:00) to revealing what he wished he had learned five years ago (1:01:00) and much more, this episode is a fascinating and very enjoyable conversation with one of Ireland's fastest rising stars in Hollywood.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Dr. Ciara Kelly is best known for her role as a medical consultant on the hit TV show Operation Transformation and on her own radio show Alive and Kicking. As a passionate activist for women’s rights, Ciara explains that how we treat women in Ireland falls short of what it should be and how a distrust of women is at the heart of the cause for the Repeal the 8th campaign (24:00). Ciara also discusses the polarising character of the man who gave her the break she needed early in her media career, George Hook. She describes the time she reduced him to tears live on air (19:00).

From the producers’ handling of the thousands of people who are turned away from Operation Transformation each year (39:00) to drinking being the achilles heel in Irish society (46:00), how we got sex education wrong in Ireland (6:00) and much, much more, this is a fascinating conversation with one of Ireland’s most outspoken medical professionals.

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.

Comedians/actors/writers/chancers Joe Wilkinson and Kevin McGahern join Jarlath for a fun chat in front of a live audience at the 2017 Vodafone Comedy Carnival in Dublin. Kevin and Joe discuss the jobs that they gave up to pursue careers in comedy and the hard and rewarding work that subsequently followed. While Joe explains the generosity of Channel 4 in his outrageous appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (39:00), Kevin explains the difficulties he encountered during his time presenting RTÉ’s Republic of Telly (43:00).

Joe and Jarlath get nostalgic over how they first met on NBC’s Last Comic Standing (14:00), Kevin speaks about his upcoming feature film No Party for Billy Burns (52:00) and both explain their fascination with playing weirdos (25:00)! This is a hilarious conversation between three comics who know the true meaning of struggle. 

To access the entire archive of episodes in the series, download the Irishman Abroad android and iPhone apps for free in the app stores today (links below).

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irishman-abroad-by-jarlath/id1101165812?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=irishman.jarlath.com.anirishmanabroad&hl=en

The Irishman Abroad podcast is crowd funded and is only made possible by the listeners’ generosity. We sincerely appreciate your continued support. Donate the gift of £20 today via PayPal (jarlo11@yahoo.com) and by way of thanks, we will send you a beautiful Irishman Abroad bag wherever you are in the world.

An Irishman Abroad is brought to you by Currency Fair. Currency Fair is the official partner of the podcast. To get great exchange rates and to avoid ridiculous bank and broker charges when transferring money to anywhere in the world go to currencyfair.com. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter, visiting www.jigser.com or email the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

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.