Shows
The Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 12- The Power of Storytelling in Sales with Angel EvensonIn this insightful conversation, Fergal sits down with Angel Evenson, a consultant, coach, children's author, and actor. They discuss the pivotal career moments that shaped her life and business.Angel opens up about the identity crisis that comes with redundancy, the burnout she saw in herself and now sees in founders, and the surprising role storytelling and theatre have played in her growth.They explore what it really takes to step away from founder-led sales, why some leaders stay stuck in the hustle, and how to take back your time.They explore the...2025-05-1438 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 11- The Hidden Costs of Poor Productivity with Olivia LockwoodWelcome back to Season 2 of the Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast!Fergal is kicking off Season 2 with an incredible guest, Olivia Lockwood, founder of Open Up Coaching, who shares her career journey from starting out as cabin crew to becoming a world-class sales coach helping Fortune 500 teams unlock millions in revenue.Olivia opens up about the power of deal coaching clinics, what most salespeople get wrong about productivity, and how to shift focus entirely onto the customer.She breaks down her COM-B framework, explains why passive conversations kill deals, and reveals the neuroscience...2025-05-0752 min
Travel Tales with FergalAuthor Barbara Boyle on moving to Piedmont, ItalyMy guest today is debut American novelist Barbara Boyle who tells us all about her new book Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.The author writes in her debut novel about her journey from a busy American life to an idyllic one in northern Italy where she started a new life in Monforte d'Alba, a picturesque town in Piemonte restoring a centuries-old farmhouse. So if you, like me, loved “A Year in Provence” then this book about travel, moving abroad, cultural immersion, food and personal transformation is for you. We chat about the dream...2025-03-0441 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 10- The Secret to Building a Powerful Network with Stephen OommenSales is more than just a numbers game. It’s all about understanding how to communicate effectively and build real relationships with people.In this episode, Fergal is joined by Stephen Oommen, a former executive managing billion-dollar revenue streams at Fortune 500 companies.He’s also an entrepreneur who built his consulting and asset management business to 450 team members.Stephen discusses the idea that sales is a noble profession and the difference between the art and science of sales.Stephen explains why traditional cold calling isn’t the best approach and how networ...2025-02-2645 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 9- Achieving Client Objectives with the Right StrategyCreating objectives isn’t enough. You need to have a clear strategy to execute and achieve these objectives!In this episode, Fergal breaks down the dangers of sleepwalking into situations that could put your growth at risk and explains the importance of having a strategy in place.Fergal explains how you can create a strategy and how often defining what you DON’T want your strategy to be will actually lead to a strategy itself.Using examples, Fergal will show you how eliminating unnecessary distractions can help you build a winning strategy and will...2025-02-1917 min
Travel Tales with FergalWinter Activities in Gstaad & Interlaken in SwitzerlandWelcome to my winter activities in Gstaad and Interlaken special with the Irish travel journalist Ed Finn. I always say the Swiss Alps are not just for skiers to enjoy. This stunning country has much to offer with snow covered mountainous landscapes, picturesque old world villages, delicious cuisine and activities like show-shoeing, hiking, kayaking and raclette rafting at nighttime and all of these activities are there to be enjoyed by non-skiers and skiers alike. Listen to Ed Finn as he transports us to the wonderful towns of Gstaad and Interlaken in Switzerland and regales us with...2025-02-1832 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 8- The Mindset Shift You Need to Succeed in Sales Management with Tony CrossIn this episode of Supercharge Your Sales Velocity, Fergal speaks with Tony Cross, co-founder and CEO of Growth Matters International. With over a decade of experience training 1,000+ sales managers across 35 countries, Tony shares why top-performing salespeople can fail in management—and what they need to do differently to succeed.Tony breaks down the Assess, Accelerate, Align, Activate framework, explaining how sales managers can start leading with confidence.They talk about the key mindset shift that is needed when stepping into a sales management position, and he also explains the big difference between coaching and mentoring....2025-02-1237 min
Travel Tales with FergalSkiing in Gstaad, SwitzerlandListen to Rob “Robsski” Rees tell us all about skiing in the wonderful Swiss ski resort of Gstaad. Gstaad is long associated with the glitz, glamour of 5 star hotels like the fairytale Disney like castle Gstaad Palace and celebrities like Hemingway, Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and most famously Julie Andrews.The town has an understated classy charm but the real treasure is its stunning, magical Alpine landscape and nature and some of the best skiing in the Alps.Check out part 2 next week when Irish broadcaster of the year Ed Finn tells us a...2025-02-1123 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 7- The Truth About Moving into a Sales Leadership Role With Brett JamesOn today’s episode, Fergal is joined by Brett James, VP of Sales at SalesManago.
Brett shares his journey from individual contributor to sales leadership and discusses some of the lessons that he has learned along the way.
Fergal and Brett discuss:
The daily habits and mindset that drive sales success
Why great salespeople don’t always make great leaders—and how to make the transition successfully
The biggest hiring mistakes sales leaders make and how to avoid them
How coaching builds high-performing teams
Strategies for increasing win rates, reducing sales cycles, and driving pipeli...2025-02-0537 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp.6- How to Set Effective Objectives for Your Key Account PlanAlthough the words are sometimes used interchangeably, goals and objectives are not the same thing.
In this episode, Fergal looks at the difference between goals and objectives and why it matters.
He discusses the common mistakes people make when setting objectives and how to avoid these mistakes.
Using real-life examples, Fergal will show you some effective (and ineffective) objectives and how to align client initiatives with your objectives so you can build stronger client relationships and bigger sales wins.
Timestamps:
00:00 Recap of Episodes 2–4
02:45 The Difference Between Goals an...2025-01-2922 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 5- Finding Your Sales Superpower With Kristie K. JonesIn this episode of the Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast, Fergal talks with Kristie K. Jones, a sales consultant, coach, speaker, and author of Selling Your Way In.
Kristie discusses her journey from growing up in a sales-focused family to building her own consultancy business.
Drawing from her book, Kristie provides advice on finding the right sales role, industry, and environment to succeed.
They also discuss the ongoing role of discovery in sales conversations and the impact of remote and hybrid work on the sales profession.
This episode is packed with...2025-01-2250 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 5- Finding Your Sales Superpower With Kristie K. JonesIn this episode of the Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast, Fergal talks with Kristie K. Jones, a sales consultant, coach, speaker, and author of Selling Your Way In.
Kristie discusses her journey from growing up in a sales-focused family to building her own consultancy business.
Drawing from her book, Kristie provides advice on finding the right sales role, industry, and environment to succeed.
They also discuss the ongoing role of discovery in sales conversations and the impact of remote and hybrid work on the sales profession.
This episode is packed with...2025-01-2250 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 4 - Creating a Joint Vision Statement to Drive Sales GrowthIf you want to stand out from your competitors, then creating a joint vision statement is going to do this for you.
In this episode of The Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast, Fergal looks at the importance of understanding your client’s initiatives and aligning them with a joint vision statement.
By focusing on creating alignment, he outlines how you can build stronger client relationships, differentiate yourself from competitors, and generate new sales opportunities.
From this episode, you’ll learn:
Why understanding client initiatives is important for building trust and delivering value.
How...2025-01-1522 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 3- I Love It When A Plan Comes Together! Delivering Client Value With Key Account PlanningAn account plan requires coordination, creativity, and adaptability. In today’s episode, Fergal is going to chat about how a culture of key account planning can deliver truly exceptional client value and how that translates into growth for your business.
In this episode, Fergal looks at:
The five stages of key account planning maturity
Why collaboration with your clients in developing a joint plan leads to sustainable success
How to create a relationship map and engagement plan to prioritise your key accounts effectively
How to conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in...2025-01-0834 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Maldives with Conor PowerI’m delighted to say that Irish travel journalist Conor Power returns to tell us all about his recent trip to the Maldives – a place he calls “paradise". Conor paints a magical picture for us on what it is like staying in those over tropical water villas in two hotels – the Kandima Maldives https://kandima.com and Nova Maldives https://nova-maldives.com. You can see pictures of these exquisite resorts on my @traveltaleswithfergal Instagram page.This is the 5th year and 7th season of this podcast and for any new listeners, I would point you to over 80 great...2025-01-0737 min
Travel Tales with FergalSky Amade Hochkonig and Gastein, Austria with Cian ByrneAs the 2025 Austria Alpine ski season begins, I interview travel ski journalist Cian Byrne about our recent December trip to the towns of Maria Alm in the Hochkonig region and Bad Gastein in the Gastein region, which are both part of the huge 760km ski area of Ski Amade near Salzburg. Visit https://www.skiamade.com/en for tips, trips and deals.If you haven’t already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode. Fergal O’Keef...2024-12-2438 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 2- 11 Practical Strategies for Predictable, Scalable Revenue GrowthIn today’s episode, Fergal is giving you 11 practical strategies that you can implement to boost your sales velocity and achieve predictable revenue growth.
Fergal gives a recap of the sales velocity metric, breaking it down into the four key components:
Opportunity volume
Deal size
Win rate
Sales cycle length
He also looks at how to apply a key account planning framework to gain more opportunities and create long-term client relationships.
Fergal shares actionable strategies for defining an ideal client profile, creating targeted buyer persona messaging, and streamlining your sales processes.
Th...2024-12-1126 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastEp. 1- Is Your Business Ready For Predictable Growth?Welcome to the very first episode of the Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast!
In this episode, Fergal shares the story of his first business venture from the 80s, his career journey to date, and what inspired him to finally launch his own business after decades in the industry.
He discusses the advancements in AI and how sellers should utilise this technology so that they don’t get left behind.
With a 6-point checklist that Fergal created, you’ll be able to see if your business is ready for predictable growth.
Finally, Ferga...2024-12-0420 minThe Supercharge Your Sales Velocity PodcastWelcome to The Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast (Trailer)Welcome to The Supercharge Your Sales Velocity Podcast with Fergal O’Carroll.
THE podcast for sellers and sales leaders, empowering you to drive more opportunities, bigger deals, and faster wins.
Subscribe now as Fergal shares practical strategies and proven tactics to win new sales, enhance client retention, stand out from the competition, and deliver the revenue growth you crave!
Connect with Fergal:
Website: www.sysvelocity.com
Contact: Get In Touch
LinkedIn: Fergal O’Carroll
2024-11-2800 min
Travel Tales with FergalMeath Special with Tadhg Carolan of Tankardstown HouseWelcome to my Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historic and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Today I am chatting to Tadhg Carolan from Tankardstown House, a Meath native and board member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-houseTankardstown Estate comprises an 18th Century Manor House, adjoining Orangery and a...2024-11-2622 min
Travel Tales with FergalMeath Special with Suzanne Mullen of The Station House HotelWelcome to my Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historical and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Today am chatting to Suzanne Mullen from the Station House Hotel, the newest member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-house The Station House Hotel is an award winning boutique hotel located in the h...2024-11-2631 min
Travel Tales with FergalZaragoza, Spain with Ed FinnI’m delighted to say my guest is the esteemed Irish travel journalist from print, radio and television Ed Finn and we discuss our recent trip to Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon in Spain.Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain. Zaragoza has impressive sites like the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, the Cathedral of the Saviour, known as the SEO and the Aljafería Palace, the northernmost Spanish-Moorish palace in Europe.Zaragoza is home to Aragon's Mudejar architectural treasures, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, including the...2024-10-2933 min
Travel Tales with FergalExtremadura, Spain with Conor PowerMy guest travel writer Conor Power shares his experiences from our recent trip to the wonderful region of Extremadura in south west Spain on the border of Portugal. We chat about the Ribera del Guadiana Wine and Cava Route, in the region of Extremadura and its wine-growing tradition and exquisite regional gastronomy, historical Roman and Moor heritage, archaeological sites, monasteries and castles.This area is where the Spanish go on holidays for a cultural and food fix. It is in a way an idealised version of Spain with open planes of fields of vines and olive...2024-10-0139 min
Travel Tales with FergalUS Election Special with Daniel Gilmore and Sean O'NeillIn celebration of the 4th anniversary of this podcast, we have a US Election Special with Daniel Gilmore, a Republican and Sean O’Neill, a Democrat who discuss the current state of America in the lead up to one of the most anticipated elections in US history. They give a topical, informative and entertaining insight into the Trump v Harris campaigns, exactly 4 years after their last two episodes before and after the 2020 election.If you haven’t already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will...2024-09-2438 min
Travel Tales with FergalPorto and Northern Portugal Destination SpecialPorto is gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s coolest cities both as a holiday destination and as a gateway to northern Portugal.I explore this great city and the Minho region above Porto with lush green hills and Vino Vert vineyards and the stunning medieval towns of Braga and Ponte de Lima. I also talk about the areas below Porto including the Douro Valley, the Arouca region and the River Paiva which is great for rafting. Check out my Instagram for more detailed info on the trip.If yo...2024-09-0320 min
Travel Tales with FergalProvence, France Destination SpecialWe have just returned from a family holiday to Provence in France and I am in love with all things French. I discuss this magical part of France with my favourite returning guest and wife Eimer. We talk about the glitzy beach town of Cassis on the coast,following in the footsteps of author Peter Mayle around the medieval hill towns of the Luberon and the city of Aix en Provence. We also cover the Alpilles region around St Remy and Beaucaire and the wonderful ancient Roman cities of Arles and Avignon. We talk about the...2024-08-2040 min
Travel Tales with FergalDonegal Destination Special Castle Grove Country HouseWelcome to my Donegal destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches 2,500 kilometres along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork. The Blue Book is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Today we are focusing on Donegal, which is the start of the Wild Atlantic Way, with an interview with Karoline Sweeney from the Castle Grove Country House. Castle Grove is a family-run Georgian house, built in 1695 and set is its own 250-acre estate. Castle Grove Count...2024-07-1632 min
Travel Tales with FergalKerry Destination Special Carrig Country House Part 2Welcome to part 2 of my Kerry destination specials, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches 2,500 kilometres along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork. The Blue Book is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Today we are focusing on Kerry, probably Ireland’s most famous tourist region, with an interview with Frank Slattery from Carrig Country House. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend you listen to part 1 with Patrick Hanley from the Lansdowne Kenmare. I love the Bl...2024-06-2525 min
Travel Tales with FergalKerry Destination Special The Lansdowne Kenmare Part 1Today we continue our series in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches over 2,500 kms along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork. The Blue Book is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.You should check out my previous two Blue Book episodes on Connemara. But today we are focusing on Kerry, probably Ireland’s most famous tourist region, with two great interviews with Patrick Hanley from the Lansdowne Kenmare in part 1 and Frank Slattery from Carrig Country House in part 2.I...2024-06-2531 min
GAA Minor MomentsTony Griffin; An All-Star, an Author and a Performance SpecialistOur guest for Season 3 Episode 7 of the GAA Minor Moments podcast with Electric Ireland is Former Clare hurling All-Star Tony Griffin.Griffin reminisces fondly on his minor days sharing memories and advice to those coming up the ranks now, emphasising that minor is the start point in many players careers – and to keep persevering if selection doesn’t go your way.Throughout the episode, Griffin revisits his time playing for Clare and some of the great stories and managers he came across along the way. He delves into life after hurling, where he work...2024-06-1159 min
GAA Minor MomentsRichie Hogan: The Highlights of Minor Hurling and Seven All IrelandsOur guest for Season 3 Episode 6 of the GAA Minor Moments podcast with Electric Ireland is Kilkenny hurling legend Richie Hogan who was Hurler of the Year in 2014, winner of seven All-Ireland titles, 11 Leinster championships, five Allianz Hurling League medals, and four All-Stars. Richie proudly reflects back to his Minor hurling days which he shows huge pride for throughout the episode. After missing out on the opportunity to take home a Minor Hurling All-Ireland medal, Richie expressed the disappointment he felt from this. During the episode, Richie and Fergal delve into the len...2024-06-0446 min
Travel Tales with FergalKevin Flanagan Travel Podcaster and Sunday Independent Travel WriterMy wonderful guest is Kevin Flanagan, from the brilliant travel podcast The Top Travel destinations with Kevin Flanagan, which I highly recommend. Kevin is a travel writer for the Sunday Independent, a best selling author and documentary maker, actor and ballet dancer so a true renaissance man.But what really shines throughout this episode as we meander around the world is Kevin’s passion for travel. When I travel it is much more than the geographic location that brings place to life – it’s the history of a place, the culture, the food, the drink, the fun and...2024-05-2740 min
Travel Tales with FergalConnemara Destination Special Part 2 Currarevagh HouseThe 2nd Connemara Destination episode is an interview with Henry Hodgson from Currarevagh House, whose family were founding members of Ireland’s Blue Book collection, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Currarevagh House is an early Victorian Country House, set in 180 acres of private parkland and woodland bordering on Lough Corrib. Visit here https://currarevagh.comThe Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches from Donegal to Cork, over 2,500 winding kms of glorious scenery, beaches, villages and hotels, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and we will be interviewing famous hoteliers along this world famous route over th...2024-05-1426 min
Travel Tales with FergalConnemara Destination Special Part 1 Cashel House HotelThe Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches from Donegal to Cork, over 2,500 winding kms of glorious scenery, beaches, villages and hotels, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and we will be interviewing famous hoteliers along this world famous route over the coming months. The first two Connemara Destination episodes focus on Connemara with interviews with two hoteliers Brian McEvilly from the Cashel House Hotel and Henry Hodgson from Currarevagh House who are both founding members of Ireland’s Blue Book collection, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.I love the Blue Book because the...2024-05-1433 min
GAA Minor MomentsEimear Ryan: Writing, Playing and Tackling LimitationsOur guest for Season 3 Episode 2 of the GAA Minor Moments podcast with Electric Ireland is former Tipperary camogie player and author, Eimear Ryan.Eimear chats with host Fergal O’Keefe about the early years of her camogie career and growing up playing her GAA in Moneygall with the boy’s team. They dive into these memories, which Eimear also shares in her award-winning book ‘The Grass Ceiling’.Reflecting back to her minor years, Eimear reminisces on the lifts to and from training being a real highlight. She offers the advice to young girls playing...2024-04-2341 min
Travel Tales with FergalTomas Mac an t-Saoir Adventurer Cycling the WorldOur guest Tomas Mac an t-Saoir has spent the past eight years – on and off – cycling around the world taking in parts of the United States, journeying from the top of Africa from Egypt to South Africa and tackling the breadth of Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. For his most recent adventure, he pedalled from India to the UAE, passing the Himalayan peaks of Pakistan through the Taliban strongholds and deserts of Afghanistan onto Iran and the UAE. He gives a great insight into parts of the world visited by only the most inquisitive adventurers and he does...2024-04-2346 min
GAA Minor MomentsAnn Downey: Coaching, All-Irelands and Developing the GameOur guest for the first episode of Season 3 of the GAA Minor Moments podcast with Electric Ireland is Kilkenny Camogie legend, Ann Downey.Ann chats with host Fergal about her coaching career to date and where Camogie has brought her, including an Ashbourne Cup title with WIT in 2015 and an All-Ireland Senior Camogie title with Kilkenny Camogie in 2016, 22 years after Ann herself took home the 1994 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Title.Ann goes on to speak about her upbringing in a rural, GAA-mad household alongside her twin sister and fellow Kilkenny Camogie legend, Angela Downey...2024-04-1643 min
Travel Tales with FergalDermot Cosgrove French Legionnaire, Conflict Security Consultant and AdventurerIrishman Dermot Cosgrove lived the life of an old school adventurer by leaving home as a teenager to join the mythical French Foreign Legion before the Gulf War. Dermot served in some of the most dangerous conflict zones during the 90's in the Middle East and Africa. He has since worked as a security consultant in many conflict zones around the world. He takes us through his life from the arduous training as a legionnaire to being in the middle of firefights in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a true adventurer and anyone who grew up reading about...2024-03-051h 01
Travel Tales with FergalLegendary Irish Adventurer Damian BrowneI am delighted to say that my first guest of Season 6 is the legendary Irish adventurer Damian Browne, who was my very first guest on Season 1. Damian talks about his New York to Galway row and the subsequent documentary Man v Ocean which Damien is currently touring as a one man play around Ireland. Please subscribe or follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode this year and you won't want to miss the great guests and destination specials I have lined up for Season 6.Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Trav...2024-01-3043 min
Travel Tales with FergalReview of 2023Check out my review of 2023 with my travel buddy Eimer. If you haven’t already I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode.Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in over 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter...2023-12-3015 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Turkish RivieraI am interviewed today my Eimer my travel buddy all about our trip to the Turkish Turquoise or Lycian Coast. The blue-green hues of the sparkling sea of the Turkish Riviera has deservedly earned its moniker “the Turquoise Coast”. In fact, the word turquoise comes from the French word for Turkish. Turkey offers unique attractions where east meets west and the ancient meets modern. Everywhere you go along the Turquoise Coast you practically bump in ancient ruins and for me the highlight is the Turkish people themselves who have perfected the art of good hospitality. We chat about Kalkan, Kas...2023-12-2830 min
Travel Tales with FergalFavourite Travel booksAs we close out the year I chat about my fvourite travel books and as often happens on my travel slot on Clare FM I went off on many tangents. Keep an eye out next week for my espidoe on the Turkish Riviera and the annual end of yerar review.If you haven’t already I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with F...2023-12-2219 min
Galway City Your CouncilBrian SheridanIn the final episode of the first series of 'Galway City - Your Council', Fergal meets Brian Sheridan, the Harbour Master in the Port of Galway, to find out more about the role of a Harbour Master, and the importance of the Port to Galway City now, and in the past and the future plans for the port of Galway. This is the last episode in the first series of Galway City - Your Council podcast. We hope you've enjoyed listening to some of the people working in your local authority. Listen back to any of t...2023-10-1733 min
Galway City Your CouncilPaula KearneyOur guest this week is Paula Kearney, Galway City Council’s first Biodiversity Officer. In a professional career which spans over 20 years, Paula has provided strategic advice and managed multi-disciplinary inputs for Environmental Impact Assessments on a wide-range of projects including wind farms, greenways, roads, water treatment and flood relief schemes.In her current role as the Biodiversity Officer, Paula facilitates and co-ordinates the implementation of the Galway City Council Biodiversity Action Plan, with priority given to developing biodiversity awareness, and supporting a positive attitude to biodiversity, among a variety of stakeholders including the public, Galway Ci...2023-10-0337 min
Galway City Your CouncilHelen KilroyOur guest this week is Helen Kilroy is the Head of Finance and Director of Services for ICT. Helen is a Chartered Accountant, having worked in practice in a number of senior roles in EY, Deloitte and BDO, before joining the local authority sector. Helen is responsible for the Council budget of €113m and is working with the senior management team to drive corporate governance, digital transformation and income maximisation. Helen talks to Fergal about her interesting journey from studying physics in Oxford to studying accountancy and she shares details on the w...2023-09-2621 min
Galway City Your CouncilMary LyonsThis week in Galway City – Your Council, Fergal meets Mary Lyons, who retired from Galway City Council in 2012. Mary worked in the home as a housewife for 30 years, before returning to paid work in Galway City Council at the age of 52. On her return, Mary realised how invaluable her skills running the home, raising 5 children, being a foster parent to over 30 foster children, and being involved in various committees, were in the workplace. Her life experience meant she found herself well placed to deal with people’s concerns when they were in touc...2023-08-1523 min
Travel Tales with FergalLongford SpecialMy guest today is Longford native Senator Micheál Garrigy, Seanad Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media and previously the Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council. He is also chairperson of the County Longford Tourism Committee so the perfect guest to tell us now all about what Longford has to offer for tourists with its rich history, literature & culture.There are many more attractions and activities in Longford for tourists including the Royal Canal Greenway from Clondra to Dublin, which is the longest linear greenway in Ireland. The National Famine Way from Strokestown is also a...2023-07-1135 min
Galway City Your CouncilFergal McGrathOur guest is Fergal McGrath, Manager of the Town Hall and the black Box Theatres, which are Galway City's Municipal Theatres. Fergal has worked in the cultural sector for over 30 years and is closely associated with the growth and development of a number of leading Irish companies and organisations including Galway Arts Festival, the establishment of Baboró Children’s Arts Festival, and the world renowned Druid Theatre Company. Fergal talks about the evolution of the Galway arts sector over the last 50 years and his role on the development of that sector in Galway. The Galway City – Your C...2023-07-1133 min
GAA Minor MomentsKieran Donaghy: Basketball, friendship, and size thirteen bootsOur final guest for Season 2 is former Kerry football legend and current Armagh senior football coach, Kieran Donaghy. Kieran chats to host Fergal about his four-day Minor career, playing with an underage Colm Cooper, and the difficulties of having size thirteen feet. They also look ahead to the upcoming Minor football final and speak on the recent success of Ulster football. As a lifelong competitive basketball player, Donaghy also speaks about the transferability of skills between basketball and football, and how more Senior football teams are using a basketball playbook....2023-07-0440 min
GAA Minor MomentsJohn McNamara: Championship minutes, expressing yourself and being presentOur guest this week is current Tipperary Minor football manager, John McNamara. John chats to host Fergal about how critical the Minor grade is for developing successful Senior teams, the importance of getting high-intensity championship minutes, and the difficulty with competing during the Covid-19 pandemic. McNamara also outlines his own coaching philosophy which is centred around the player as a person, and creating an enjoyable atmosphere for young athletes so they can bring self-confidence through to every aspect of their lives. Every Tuesday well known Irish stars wil...2023-06-2741 min
GAA Minor MomentsNiall Breslin: Mindset, the Haka, and achieving flow stateOur guest is former Westmeath footballer and Leinster rugby player, current musician, podcaster, and producer; Niall (Bressie) Breslin. Niall chats to host Fergal about his childhood love of football, and how this progressed to a professional rugby contract, and later to a very successful career in the music industry. Breslin also discusses at length the mental aspect of sport, how important it is for coaches to have empathy, and his long list of legendary coaches. Every Tuesday well known Irish stars will share memories from their early spo...2023-06-2048 min
GAA Minor MomentsMichael Murphy: Defending, the long ball and International Rules.Our guest is former Donegal footballer, Michael Murphy. Michael chats to host Fergal about the tactics involved in the Donegal victory of 2012, defending and counter attacking in the modern game of football, and his own time as a Minor footballer. Travelling to Australia and featuring in the International Rules also made up a part of Michael Murphy’s development as a player, where he experienced a high-risk style of offensive play and a culture focused around skill development. Every Tuesday well known Irish stars will share memories from...2023-06-1351 min
GAA Minor MomentsAlan Kerins: Volunteering, Jack Charlton and playing with a smileOur guest is former Galway dual player, Alan Kerins. Alan chats to host Fergal about the difficulties of being a dual player, success at both club and county and how an intercounty career can be much more enjoyable when you play with a smile. Alan also discusses his extensive volunteer work in Africa, which includes raising funds for tree planting and bringing over 50 GAA players to host the first ever intercounty GAA game in the country. Alan touches on the long-standing relationship between his family and former Rep...2023-06-0645 min
GAA Minor MomentsAnthony Daly: Life, Punditry, and the Next GenerationOur guest is Clare Hurling Star, Anthony Daly.Anthony chats to host Fergal about the connections he has made from his playing days with Clare, the positive times and life experiences he has had since he started his Minor Hurling career in the 1980s. Daly fondly looks at the current Clare Hurling teams as he watches sons and other relatives of his own teammates from his time as captain in the 1990s make their own mark in the yellow and blue jersey. The Clarecastle clubman also chats about his time as a p...2023-05-3050 min
GAA Minor MomentsUrsula Jacob: Wexford Roots, Major Friendships & All-Ireland Glory Our guest is Wexford Camogie legend Ursula Jacob who is widely regarded as one of the finest Camogie players of all time. Ursula chats to host Fergal about her rise to stardom in Wexford, and the key role played by her sports-mad family in supporting her journey at juvenile level before breaking on to the Wexford Senior Camogie Team. Despite losing to Galway in the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship Final in 2000, Jacob claims that bonds forged between the squad that year propelled them on to the heights that they reached in th...2023-04-2542 min
GAA Minor MomentsOrla O’Dwyer: Excelling & key influences Tipp/Brisbane LionsThe Electric Ireland GAA Minor Moments podcast is back! The first guest of Season Two is Tipperary Camogie star Orla O’Dywer, who is currently playing with Brisbane Lions in the Women’s AFL. In this episode, Orla chats to host Fergal O’Keeffe on her life in Australia, and looks back at her roots in Tipperary and the role her parents and coaches played in supporting her development at a young age. O’Dwyer won an All-Ireland Minor Camogie Medal with the Premier County in 2016, which preceded her rise to fame as a dual-star with Tipper...2023-04-1844 min
Travel Tales with FergalAdelboden Switzerland - Ski Special 2023This episode is a Ski Special from Adelboden in Switzerland. Switzerland is the quintessential postcard image of a ski country that most people have of picturesque traditional villages in pine forest filled valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks.Adelboden is a very traditional town with farming still the main source of income and this gives it the feel of a real lived in town rather than a tourist ski resort. I got the same line from any locals I talked to who said it is even more beautiful in the summer and a great place for hiking...2023-03-0717 min
Travel Tales with FergalRomantic Irish GetawaysThis episode is all about Irish romantic getaways and I picked three very special venues from Ireland’s Blue Book that are all the epitome of romance with two castles with four poster beds and a Georgian town house. They are Barberstown Castle in Kildare, Tubbrid Castle in Kilkenny and 1 Pery Square in Limerick.My first guest is Ted Robinson from Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co Kildare. This 13th century castle is famous as being the home of Eric Clapton from 1979 to 1985 when music royalty like Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan stayed. For rom...2023-02-0741 min
Travel Tales with FergalReview of the Year 2022I am interviewed today by my wife and travel buddy Eimer for my Season 4 finale. We do a review of my travels this year and look forward to next year. I want to thank all my listeners in over 100 countries worldwide and I look forward to sharing more travel adventures, destination specials and interviews with great guests in 2023. Take care and safe travels.If you haven’t already I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode every Tu...2022-12-2722 min
Travel Tales with FergalCounty Clare Destination Special Pt 2 Welcome to part two of my County Clare destination specials. When you ask a Clare person for recommendations and tips it is always a long list. That is why I had to do two County Clare destinations specials to help do justice this this stunning county on the west coast of Ireland. In part two today you will first hear Clare county councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, the Mayor of Ennis, who tells us all about my hometown and the official “friendliest and tidiest town in Ireland”. Then you will get to hear from the wonderful Mike G...2022-12-1358 min
Travel Tales with FergalCounty Clare Destination Special Pt 1I grew up in Ennis in Co. Clare and I have always noticed when anyone asks me “where am I from” and I reply “Clare’, that it brings a smile to their face which in turn fills me with pride. I don’t think I have ever met a Clare person that doesn’t love Clare. When you ask a Clare person for recommendations and tips it is always a long list. That is why I recorded two County Clare destinations specials to help do justice to this stunning county on the west coast of Ireland.2022-12-1349 min
Travel Tales with FergalWest Cork Destination SpecialToday’s episode is a West Cork Destination Special and I love doing destination specials in Ireland as the real passion Irish people have for their home areas always shines through. I interviewed two hoteliers from the Clonakilty area to give us an overview of the area with local tips and recommendations. My first interviewee is Michael O’Neill from Fernhill House and Gardens Hotel, who is a 4th generation hotelier. Then you will hear from Kela Hodgins of Donowen House both close to Clonakilty in West Cork.Both Kela and Michael are part...2022-12-0641 min
Travel Tales with FergalGranada, Andalucía, Spain Destination SpecialAs you can imagine I have many places on my travel bucket list, and I got to finally visit Granada in Andalucía in southern Spain this month, which was at the very top of that list. The city did not disappoint, and I had very high expectations. I really wanted to go to Granada to see the final capital of Moorish Spain and learn about history from the Moorish perspective and their influence on European food, architecture, culture and science. The most obvious example of this Moorish influence is the Alh...2022-11-2922 min
Travel Tales with FergalMunster Vales Destination SpecialMy very special guest today is Triona O’Mahoney from Munster Vales, which is the tourist brand of the five mountain ranges between the Comeragh, Knockmealdown, Galtee, Ballyhoura and Nagles mountain ranges. These five mountain ranges incorporate nine heritage sites and 1,100km of over 90 marked walking trails and provide a mix of outdoor recreational activities including walking, cycling and angling amongst historic inland, coastal and rural towns and villages.Triona O’Mahony is the tourism marketing officer of the Munster Vales which was set up through the hard work of local community groups, county councils and Gove...2022-11-0830 min
Travel Tales with FergalHalkidiki, Porto Koufo, Sithonia, Mount Athos Greece SpecialThis is a Greece special episode focusing on my recent trip to the Halkidiki region in northern Greece. The Halkidiki region is made up of three peninsulas or fingers with something for all types of travellers. The first finger is called Kassandra and is the most developed for tourism with glitzy hotels and huge nightclubs that would give Ibiza a run for its money. The middle finger is Sithonia which is less developed with some of the best secluded beaches in Greece and the third finger is Mount Athos which is an independent theocracy called the h...2022-08-3032 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Centre of Portugal Destination SpecialI have a Center of Portugal Destination Special for final episode of Season 3 of Travel Tales with Fergal.I visited the centre of Portugal in September and what really shone through for me was the natural friendliness of the inhabitants of this stunning mountainous region between Lisbon and Porto.The landscape of the centre of Portugal continuously changes from the endless Atlantic surf beaches on the coast all the way up to the Serra da Estrela mountain range. The area contains over 40 mountain villages all with their own unique personalities, 4 natural parks and 5...2022-02-1543 min
Travel Tales with FergalThom BreathnachI have a great guest today for people who are interested in adventurous travel off the beaten track. My guest is Thom Breathnach who is the travel editor of the Irish Examiner. So it was fascinating to see what 5 places would Thom pick from his travels all around the world. Thom shares great tales to American, Iran, South Africa and Switzerland and many more places in between.Thom is very much into conservation and loves travelling into the wilds of nature. He wanted his first trip post pandemic to be a special one so I loved...2022-02-0853 min
Travel Tales with FergalComedian Des BishopI have a very special guest today - the brilliant Irish American comedian Des Bishop who shares with us the five places that have most influenced him on his travels.Des Bishop’s latest stand up show is called Mia Mamma and it is a comic and dramatic exploration of his mother Eileen’s passing in 2019. The show explores sadness and grief through humour and is full of love, affection and hope. The show is also an elegy to the Irish mammy – that most celebrated and most important member of every family.Des is tou...2022-02-011h 01
Travel Tales with FergalDamian Browne's Everest ClimbI spent 20 wonderful days on the Annapurna Circuit through trekking from village to village through mist-covered valleys, remote villages and sacred monasteries in the Nepalese Himalayas in 2000. That experience has given me a deep appreciation of Nepal, the Sherpas and the climbers who attempt the greatest mountain of them all - Everest.Since then, I have always been fascinated with stories of Everest’s often deadly history. So I was riveted last May when following the literal ups and downs of my podcast guest today as he attempted to climb Everest during the peak of the pa...2022-01-251h 06
Travel Tales with FergalRemembering Anthony BourdainI have a very special episode today celebrating the life of the world renowned travel and food writer and broadcaster Anthony Bourdain with interviews with Patrick Radden Keefe from the New Yorker who wrote the definitive profile of him, Laurie Woolever who was his assistant for many years and who has just released a brilliant an oral biography on Tony and Paddy Daly who was his producer for many shows in Ireland.Anthony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential and the host-writer of the seminal food and travel series Parts Unknown, introduced us to entire cultures, places and...2022-01-181h 31
Travel Tales with FergalPatrick MonahanMy guest today is Patrick Monahan who one of my favourite UK comedians. Patrick was the first person I actually interviewed for this podcast and I have been saving this episode for the right time and January, when you need a pick me up, is the perfect time.Patrick is half Irish/half Iranian and that mix has produced a big bundle of energy and positivity so I think you will enjoy this episode as Patrick has performed all over the world and is full of fun travel stories. I have some great e...2022-01-1145 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Magic of the CaminoI walked on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain this year for this Camino Special Podcast series. Along the way I interviewed many interesting people including fellow walkers, pilgrims, guides and historians.The Camino is over 800kms from the Spanish border in the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and it typically takes a walker between 30 to 35 to complete.The Camino is a truly magical pilgrimage and I hope these 3 episodes convey in some small way why the Camino is so special to me and to so many people around the world.2021-12-1456 min
Travel Tales with FergalGuide and History to the CaminoI walked the Camino for this special 3 part Camino podcast series this year where I interviewed many interesting people including fellow walkers, pilgrims, guides and historians.The Camino is over 800kms from the Spanish border in the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and it typically takes a walker between 30 to 35 to complete.In part 2 today I talk to Catharine Murphy who has walked the Camino many times and she gives us a great guide to the many ways to do the Camino. We then hear from my guides Fran and Ursula...2021-12-0749 min
Travel Tales with FergalCamino SpecialI was fortunate to walk on the Camino in Spain in September for this special episode.The full Camino is over 800kms from the Spanish border in the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and it typically takes a walker between 30 to 35 days, walking around 25 km a day, to do the full Camino.The Camino is a truly magical experience that I would recommend to everyone but especially lovers of walking and history enthusiasts. The Camino brings you through four very different regions of Spain with four very distinct landscapes, culture, architecture, people, cuisine, weather...2021-11-301h 01
Travel Tales with FergalKarl SpainI have had a number of comedians over the last 3 seasons and I’m delighted to say that my special guest today Is Karl Spain, who is have my favourite Irish stand up comedian.I have run a comedy club in Clonmel, Tipperary for over 15 years and Karl Spain was the MC at my very first show and I’m delighted to say he will be headlining my next show, which is a Christmas special on the 9th of December in Bakers Bar in Clonmel.As you will hear now Karl isn’t just a grea...2021-11-2441 min
Travel Tales with FergalSean O'NeillAs part of my Expat Lives series, I have interviewed Irish expats about their lives abroad but my guest today is a little different, as it is an Irish American living in Ireland. Sean O’Neill originally hails from Boston, Massachusetts via Cairo and Ennis, Co Clare. Sean is in a unique position to share with us an Irish immigrant’s perspective of moving to America and then an American’s view of living and working in Ireland, as the director of corporate communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, who develop our national road and light rail ne...2021-11-1659 min
Travel Tales with FergalKeith BarryKeith Barry is the world’s leading TV hypnotist, mentalist and brain hacker. With skills that have been showcased in over forty international television shows, he has mastered the ability to hack into people’s minds and rewire their subconscious. Keith's Ted Talk is one of the most viewed of all time with over 30 million views.Keith has just released his first book Brain Hacks where he reveals a variety of techniques that help develop mental toughness subconsciously. We have a great chat about the places that most influenced his career including LA and Las Vegas and h...2021-11-0946 min
Travel Tales with FergalSharon JordanMy guest today is Sharon Jordan, MD of Irish Travel Trade Network (ITTN). ITTN specialises in delivering topical travel news to both consumers and the trade in Ireland. Sharon has worked for over 30 years in the international travel industry so we get an insider view on the travel trends for 2022 and an insight into how the travel industry is recovering post pandemic. If you have haven’t already Id ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode every Tues...2021-11-0228 min
Travel Tales with FergalSeason 3 PreviewI’m delighted to announce that Season 3 of Travel Tales with Fergal returns on Tuesday 19th October and then every Tuesday after that. I have some brilliant guests lined up for Season 3 that I can’t wait to share with you. This podcast has a very simple premise where I chat to a special guest every week where I ask for 5 trips or places that most influenced them. We talk about their travels, adventures and experiences living abroad. My guests come from all walks of life with one thing in c...2021-10-0508 min
Clonmel Junction Arts Festival PodcastTravel Tales with Fergal Podcast Live with author Louise NealonFor our final episode of the Junction Podcast we have the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast interview with debut author Louise Nealon which was recorded live in the amazing new Junction Dome during the festival. Louise Nealon chats with Fergal O'Keeffe about her experiences in the last year from getting an agent, to writing her book Snowflake, to getting Snowflake published and then going straight to No.1 in the Irish bestseller charts. This interview will be of interest to anyone who loves writing as we delve into the writing process and her inspirations to...2021-08-0557 min
Travel Tales with FergalDavid Teevan - Clonmel Junction Arts Festival FounderMy guest on this Bonus Festival Special is David Teevan, who is the founder of the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. David shares great tales of his favourite travels to festivals in Malawi, Zambia Iran, Canada, the Edinburgh Festival, Womad in Reading and Womex in Seville and Copenhagen. I will be doing my first Travel Tales with Fergal Live Podcast on the 6th July with novelist Louise Nealon in the festival DOME and you can get free tickets to see online from https://www.junctionfestival.com/product/travel-tales-with-fergal. In th...2021-06-2952 min
Travel Tales with FergalHappy Place SpecialThe one question I asked every guest is to "take four deep breaths and think of their happy place" and I have a collection here of my guests favourite places. My guests pick places all over the world with Verbier and the Maldives getting two mentions each. We hear about secluded beaches in Bali and Brazil, the trekking trials of the Camino in Spain, the mountains of Patagonia, the Zambezi in African and lots of love for Ireland including Inis Oirr, Lough Gur and Dalkey to name just a few of the wonderful happy places in this special episode...2021-05-2532 min
Travel Tales with FergalLucy WhiteI have kept a special guest for the last episode of Season 2. My guest is the travel editor and writer Lucy White. Lucy was the last editor of that Irish institution of travel publications Cara Magazine. As a renowned travel editor Lucy has some fascinating places and stories to share with us. We also chat about how different it is for women when travelling compared to men, and the responsibilities of the travel editor. Ill have my favourite episode of each season out next week – the Happy Place Special bonus episode. I have some great gue...2021-05-1846 min
Travel Tales with FergalRandy Lewis - Randaddy's My guest this week is one for foodies and all lovers of ethnic street foods, as my guest is Randy Lewis from the famous Randaddys restaurant on the seafront in Lahinch, Co. Clare. Randy has travelled and worked all over the world. He shares great insights into the food business and shares great tales from many travels in Asia, Africa, the Americas and especially about his time working in India. It’s a real India special this week. We also talk about Randy’s upcoming video series coming and Id recommend you to subs...2021-05-1141 min
Travel Tales with FergalPhil Martin - CEO of Blanco NinoOur guest this week is Phil Martin, CEO of Blanco Nino, who has just launched a range of gourmet tortilla chip flavours in Ireland. Phil shares tales of his travels all over Mexico and his love for Mexican food. We also have a great chat about walking the Camino in Spain.This is a fascinating and insightful episode for all lovers of Mexican street food. Tipperary is justifiably renowned worldwide for its food producers. Phil tells why he chose Clonmel as the location for Ireland’s only authentic Mexican tortilleria using source ingredients from heritage producers in M...2021-05-0448 min
Travel Tales with FergalAnnie Kennedy My guest Annie Kennedy this week is part of the Expat Lives series. Ireland has a tradition of university graduates emigrating for work all over the world and seeking out new adventures. Annie left Ireland straight after studying in DCU and worked abroad ever sinceAnnie has had an eventful and high octane career working in sports marketing for UEFA, FIFA, Eurosport, F1 and Shell on the Ferrari F1 team and more recently on the commercial side for shell in Africa.Annie shares great tales of working of on some of the most...2021-04-2758 min
Travel Tales with FergalManchan MaganMy guest this week must be my most well-travelled guest so far. The renowned Irish adventurer, writer and documentary maker Manchan Magan.If every episode has a personality, then Manchan’s is pure joy and love for the remotest places and peoples on a planet. A planet that needs sustainable help.After over 30 years of unrivalled adventures to parts of the world unseen by most people, Manchan shared great travel tales about Africa, South American, Asia and the Middle East to name a few. Manchan also tells me about his de...2021-04-2052 min
Travel Tales with FergalMidterm Break I don’t have a guest for you this week as I’m on my midterm break. I have some great episodes already recorded and ready to go starting in two weeks with that great Irish author and adventurer Manchan Magan. Then we have comedians, foodies, and great expats lives all coming up. I've already released 11 episodes this season and 16 in season 1 - so that is 27 episodes of some great interviews to catch up on. See you very soon. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is a weekly interv...2021-04-0602 min
Travel Tales with FergalLouise NealonMy guest Louise Nealon's debut novel Snowflake is coming out on the 13th of May. This much anticipated book has already been optioned by Element Pictures who are behind Sally Rooney's Normal People and Conversations with Friends. Louise is already being acclaimed as a voice for her generation.Louise's writing is truthful, moving and very, very funny. I think she has the magic ingredient and is going to be a star. We had a lovely chat about the places and trips that most influenced her including J1ing in New York and San Diego, interrailing throughout...2021-03-3056 min
Travel Tales with FergalRory O'Neill - Panti BlissOur guest this week is Rory O’Neill, who is known as the drag queen Panti Bliss. Rory became a cultural lighting rod during the successful Irish marriage equality referendum in 2015 and is now famous all over the world as an Irish gay icon.He talks on the podcast about the five trips and places that influenced him the most. He shares great stories of spending teenage summers in the south of France. Coming out in London in the 80’s and living through the Aids epidemic. He talks about travelling overland on the Trans Siberian Express and...2021-03-2355 min
Travel Tales with FergalAlan McGee - Creation StoriesI interview the music industry legend Alan McGee this week. Alan is one of the most influential figures in the history of British music. After setting up Creation Records in the 1980’s, his label was behind era-defining albums from Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis.Alan is most famous for discovering and signing Oasis. His life has been turned into a movie called Creation Stories by the Trainspotting team of Danny Boyle and Irvine Welsh and the premier is Saturday, 20th March on Sky Movies. Alan speaks on the podcast ab...2021-03-1632 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Two BohemiansThe Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast features the travel influencer couple the Two Bohemians, who have nearly 70,000 followers on Instagram, who are working as digital nomads in Tulum, Mexico. They give a fascinating insight into life as full time travel influencers. They tell us how they make money by being influencers on social media, the secrets of the trade and what it was really like travelling the last year during the pandemic. Mexico has become a mecca for travel influencers, jet-setting celebrities and hippies as they flock to Tulum on the Caribbean coast. This beach resort...2021-03-0949 min
Travel Tales with FergalSean Villanueva O'DriscollMy guest this week is the world renowned climber Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll who has put the last 13 months in lockdown in Patagonia to record making use. In what is already considered one of Patagonia's most iconic climbs ever, Sean completed the first solo traverse of the Fitz Roy Massif in Argentina in February this year.Fellow Patagonia solo-climbing aficionado, Colin Haley said of the feat, "There is no doubt that this is the most impressive solo ascent ever done in Patagonia, and I can't help but wonder if it isn't simply the most impressive ascent ev...2021-03-0246 min
Travel Tales with FergalBrendan Dwyer - SpainListen to part 2 of our chat with hotelier Brendan Dwyer who is the GM of the La Finca Resort in Alicante and who lives in Cartagena with his Spanish wife Maria, Director of Tourism for the Region of Murcia and two children. Brendan's love of travelling and passion for the hospitality sector really shines through in this episode. Brendan has worked as a hotelier for over 20 years including Vice President of Global Sales EMEA for Hyatt Hotels. and he gives a great insight into life as an Irish expat in Spain and especially not able to t...2021-02-2546 min
Travel Tales with FergalBrendan Dwyer - GM, La Finca Resort, SpainWe have our first guest on Travel Insiders this year with Irish Expat Brendan Dwyer who lives in Murcia and works as GM in the 5 star award winning La Finca Resort in Alicante, Spain. Brendan has worked for over 20 years in some of the most iconic hotels and brands including Vice President Global Sales EMEA for Hyatt Hotels. Brendan really captures the manic world of the global hotel business as he gives an energetic, charismatic tour of working all over the world including London, New York, Cairo, Istanbul, Madrid and Murcia to name just a few. 2021-02-2346 min
Travel Tales with FergalDavid McWilliamsDavid McWilliams is a world renowned economist, author, journalist, documentary-maker and broadcaster and is ranked the 10th most influential economist in the world. David believes passionately that economics should be easily understandable and widely available whilst also making it topical, fun and entertaining. David has worked and travelled all over the world and we cover a lot of ground as you can imagine. David gives fascinating socio economic, cultural and historical insights into the Caribbean. He talks about his time in America and Russia as a student. He goes in-depth about the character of Russians a...2021-02-1641 min
Travel Tales with FergalThe Joy of Après SkiWhether it is a Gluhwein or hot chocolate to warm the hands and heart after coming down off the mountain, there is nothing like that contented feeling when sharing stories of that day's exploits and the giddy expectation for the night ahead. The fun from Après Ski after a long day on the slopes is one of the great joys of a ski holiday. This episode is an appreciation of all things Après from the great craic to the fun bars and fantastic restaurants to the great resorts for Après. Thi...2021-02-1124 min
Travel Tales with FergalPaul WallaceOur guest this week is the Irish and Lions rugby legend Paul Wallace. He talks about the Six Nations, the mystique of Lions rugby tours, whether this year’ tour to South Africa should go ahead and his favourite countries to tour including Japan, Australia, New Zealand and that famous 1997 Lions tour to South Africa.Paul talks about life touring as a professional rugby player and how South Africa played a pivotal role in his career. He got his first cap playing alongside his brother Richard against Japan at the World Cup in South Africa in 1995. ...2021-02-0950 min
Travel Tales with FergalExpat Lives Richard Fitzpatrick BarcelonaThe Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast finishes Season 1 with a fascinating interview with Richard Fitzpatrick, a Barcelona-based Irish journalist. We talk about "Expat life" in Barcelona. Richard shares stories about his 2nd book "El Clásico: Barcelona v Real Madrid, Football’s Greatest Rivalry" including trips to Messi's home town in Argentina and Ronaldo's home town in Madeira, Portugal. Richard's partner, Michelle is from Venezuela and he gives great insights into that troubled but beautiful country. Richard is a print and radio journalist with a focus on sport, in particular La Liga. Richard works for news org...2020-12-1548 min
Travel Tales with FergalSports Broadcaster Con MurphyTravel Tales with Fergal is a weekly interview series where Irishman Fergal O'Keeffe chats to a special guest about their travels, adventures and experiences living abroad. We talk about travel, culture, people, food, politics, history, tourism and expat lives.I hope this podcast series will fuel your armchair travelling imagination. Our guest this week is the sports broadcaster Con Murphy, who has a true love of travel and his profession. Con worked as one of the main sports presenters with RTÉ from 1992 until 2012. In that time he anchored RTÉ Radio's coverage of the Summer Ol...2020-10-2742 min