An Irishman Abroad

Des Bishop (Live from the Vodafone Comedy Carnival, Galway): Episode 58

Des Bishop is one of Ireland's most successful comedians. This week he sits down with Jarlath in front of a packed house at The Roisín Dubh in Galway to talk about the bizarre chain of events that brought him to emigrate to Ireland at the tender age of 14. 

From his brush with the mafia, to the bullying he suffered as a child, to his substance abuse, subsequent recovery and discovery of stand up, this is a roller coaster of a tale that he has never properly told. Dealing with serious self-doubt, acting alongside Cillian Murphy, his cheat code for comedy and how he learned Mandarin in the space of a year, there is something in this one for everyone.

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com

Duke Special: Episode 57

Duke Special is one Ireland's most loved musicians and in this week's episode it is not hard to see why. The man behind Duke Special, Peter Wilson, opens up to Jarlath about his insecurities and the reason why he chooses to perform as Duke Special, how he felt completely out of his depth performing on Later with Jools Holland and how not being a megastar has allowed his artistic creativity to run completely free.

Peter talks about moving to Swindon aged 18 before returning home to Belfast out of guilt, the experiences he had as an apprentice pianist, his love for timelessness and things that are forgotten as well as revealing how he almost tried to join East 17. 

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com

George Kane (Director): Episode 56

George Kane is a multi-award winning writer, director and editor and this episode of An Irishman Abroad is very special as George does not usually do interviews, in fact, this is his first. George sits down with Jarlath in his home to talk about the work he put into his first pilot which brought him to the attention of Channel 4, the processes involved in creating Headwreckers which later evolved to become The Savage Eye and the importance of kindness before giving some fantastic advice to those who are budding professionals in his field.

George also speaks of the fascinating creative journey that he embarked upon alongside comedy troop Dead Cat Bounce in the making of Discoverdale which was filmed across Europe and was subsequently awarded many prizes at International film festivals.

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com

Johnny Vegas: Episode 55

In this week's episode, the man behind Johnny Vegas, Michael Pennington, talks to Jarlath about growing up with a father who was desperately in search of his Irish roots, the origins of his renowned comedy character and how the events he experienced while training to become a priest cost him his faith. Michael also discusses being tormented by hypochondria for years, how he has dealt with the duality of his character and his current battle with the notion of performing as Michael Pennington.

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com

Enda Brady: Episode 54

Enda Brady is a Sky News reporter who many listeners will know as soon as they hear his voice but very few will know the story of how he arrived at where he is today. In this week's episode Enda talks to Jarlath about being the first reporting team on the scene of the Woolwich murder, interviewing Michael Jackson and Tiger Woods and having Boyzone requesting him to interview them following the death of Stephen Gately. Enda also gives his thoughts on paparazzi journalism and the place of the media in worldwide events as well as talking about his experiences working in Basra during the invasion of Iraq.

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

Darren O'Dea: Episode 53

It's not often that a footballer is held at gunpoint along with his team mates on the way to a match but Darren O'Dea has recently experienced just that. As a result of the civil war in the Ukraine he has made the brave decision to give up his lucrative contract, put his professional future in the balance and return for the sake of his family. 

In this week's episode he talks to Jarlath about his career that has seen him win Young International Player of the Year for Ireland as well as playing for clubs in England, Scotland, Canada and the Ukraine. Darren talks about signing for Celtic as a teenager, fainting during his medical at Donetsk, taking up the highest salary cap in the history of the MLS, the genius of Brendan Rodgers, the importance of having strong support in one's life, the search for a new club and the intense pressure of professional football in Scotland. 

Deirdre O'Kane: Episode 52

While Deirdre O'Kane is one of Ireland's most well known comics, acting has always been her first love. Having moved to London eight years ago and having also considering a move to LA much of Deirdre's story will not be known to the general public.

In this episode the star of Moone Boy, Intermission and Paths to Freedom talks about the incredible process she underwent which led her to making the film Noble which is now set for worldwide cinematic release, the importance of faith in her life, why she still doesn't feel successful, why she laughs more in Ireland and how to make use of rejection in one's life.

This episode is sponsored by Currency Fair and The Email Laundry. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

Niall Quinn: Episode 51

One of Ireland's most highly acclaimed sportspeople Niall Quinn talks about his route to success as a footballer before making it successful in both business and media. Niall talks about the GAA constructing a rule to prevent him playing with too many clubs as a youngster, being told so abruptly that he would never make it as a footballer at fifteen which made him temporarily turn his back on the sport before becoming one of Ireland's footballing legends.

Niall played more sport before the age of sixteen than most families have combined and his journey to get to the heights of success that he has is a fascinating one. In this rare long form interview with Niall he reveals which Irish bank is partly responsible for saving Sunderland when he took over as chairman before giving a fascinating insight into the pressures of running a club which is in despair. He also gives opinion on the circumstances of Saipan in 2002 and his relationship with Roy Keane whom he later hired as manager for Sunderland.

This episode is sponsored by GAA GO, Currency Fair and The Email Laundry. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

Best of... (Episodes 1-49): Episode 50

It is An Irishman Abroad's 50th episode and this week we have put together a very special show of some of the most memorable moments from the past year. Below is a guide to the clips played in this episode. Sit back and enjoy.

If you are unable to view the full information on your listening device then please find the info in full at soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad

Left open-mouthed:
Ken Doherty, Andy Lee, Derval O'Rourke, Mick Finnegan

Importance of love:
Tom Vaughan Lawlor, Brendan Dempsey, Robert Sheehan

Laugh out loud moments:
Dara O'Briain and Ed Byrne, Tom Dunne, Graham Linehan, Ken Doherty

Hitting rock bottom:
Jack Reynor, Graham Linehan, Richard Hughes, Jane Ní Dhulchaointaigh, Chris O'Dowd, Ronnie Whelan

Telling a good story:
Andrew Maxwell, Aidan Gillen, Barry Glendenning, Chris O'Dowd

Dealing with criticism:
Paul Kimmage, Tony McCoy, Tom Vaughan Lawlor, Robert Sheehan

Being a chancer:
Kian Egan, Michael Smiley, Ken Doherty, Angela Scanlon, Chris O'Dowd, Owen O'Neill

Influential people in their story:
Lisa Hannigan, Graham Linehan, Sharon Horgan

Mental Health:
Niall Breslin (Bressie), Mick Finnegan

Advice:
Lenny Abrahamson, Boy George, Tony McCoy

This episode is sponsored by GAA GO, Bonkers.ie, Currency Fair and The Email Laundry. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact the show directly on irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com.

Boy George: Episode 49

One of the world's most successful pop artists and DJ's joins Jarlath this week to talk about growing up Irish in London, how his upbringing influenced his aversion to authority and how prison opened up his eyes to those around him. With a Grammy Award to his name and over thirty million records sold George's story of reaching superstardom includes the Culture Club's breakup and reformation, how Buddhist chants help him with his aspirations, why he believes one can invest in happiness and how life has been for him since he became sober six years ago. This episode is sponsored by GAAGO, Bonkers.ie, Currency Fair and The Email Laundry. Get updates on future episodes and live shows by following @jarlath on Twitter or contact 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 credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.