Paul McDermott

Educator – Broadcaster – Documentary Producer – Writer

Latest Blog Post:

Peace Together

A few words on Peace Together, a 1993 benefit album, taking in: Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, New Order, My Bloody Valentine, The Fatima Mansions, Cocteau Twins, Andrew Weatherall, Baywatch, President Mary Robinson and Mother Teresa.

Latest Documentary:

An Draíocht
the music of Sliabh Luachra

A Learn & Sing production for RTÉ Lyric fm.

“An Draíocht is an evocative reminder of the magical role music can play in our lives.” Mick Heaney – The Irish Times

“An Draíocht is a powerful piece on the music of Sliabh Luachra.” Declan Lynch – Sunday Independent

Podcast & Further Information

Documentaries Playlist:

Latest Podcast Episode:

Latest Articles:

Ireland in 50 Albums, No 33: …If I Die, I Die


by Virgin Prunes

by Paul McDermott
Irish Examiner - 29 January 2025

Ireland in 50 Albums, No 32: Kissing the Roof of Heaven


by Hinterland

by Paul McDermott
Irish Examiner - 15 January 2025

Featured Blog Posts:

Zerra One and The Cure

“A few words on 80s Irish band Zerra One and their 1982 tour of the UK and Europe supporting The Cure” taking in: the kindness of Robert Smith, John Peel sessions, producer Todd Rundgren, U2, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Simon Price’s Curepedia and a whole lot more.

Robbie Coltrane’s 50th birthday, Dan Aykroyd, Badly Drawn Boy & Twisted Nerve Records.

“A few words on Robbie Coltrane’s 50th birthday party, Dan Aykroyd, Badly Drawn Boy and Twisted Nerve Records” taking in: Rough Trade Records, Bends For 166 Miles, Andy Votel, Alfie, Dave Tyack’s Dakota Oak, Aidan Smith, Delia Smith, Voice of the Seven Woods, Twinkranes, John Peel, On the Nose, Brenda Blethyn, Harry Potter, Rubeus Hagrid, Elwood Blues, The Blues Brothers, Don Baker and Dan Aykroyd’s House of Blues.

Robert Forster – Interview

“From the Archives - 2017 Robert Forster interview” taking in: Grant & I, The Go-Betweens in Dublin, Cathal Coughlan & Microdisney and more.

The Go-Betweens, Leonard Cohen, U2 and Boston Celtics’ Reggie Lewis

“A few words on The Go-Betweens, Leonard Cohen, U2 and Boston Celtics’ Reggie Lewis” taking in: Leeside Music on Cork’s MacCurtain Street, price stickers, The Go-Betweens’ boxsets, J-1 visas, ‘Streets of Your Town’, Grant McLennan and my greatest vinyl find.

Top 10 Irish Albums of 2024

“Top 10 Irish Albums of 2024”. Best Irish Compilation of 2024, Best Irish Single of 2024 and two Special Mentions. Songs from all ten of these albums were featured on Songs To Learn And Sing on 103.2 Dublin City FM throughout 2024 and Episode 990 featured some of my favourite songs from these albums.

Top 10 Vinyl Finds of 2024

“Top 10 Vinyl Finds of 2024”. These were picked up in record shops in Manchester, Sydney, Tarragona, Dublin and Cork. There are a couple rare collectables here but mostly it’s just a bunch of records I couldn’t leave behind.

The Chariot Race

“The Chariot Race by Alexander von Wagner” taking in: Ben-Hur, Gladiator, MacMillan’s Class Pictures from 1932, Victorian-era paintings, The Lady of Shallot, the Empire Marketing Board, Margaret Clarke, how memory plays tricks on us and why “the pig is the great friend of the Irish peasant.”

Peel Sessions

“On the 20th anniversary of Peel’s passing, a few words on John Peel Sessions” taking in: Irish bands recording Peel Sessions, Irish Trad and Folk, Punk and beyond, Strange Fruit Records, The Smiths, The Go-Betweens, New Order, Joy Division, Microdisney, Jubilee Allstars, Billy Bragg, Stump, The Would Be’s, Finbar & Eddie Furey, LMNO Pelican, Na Filí, The Fall, Five Go Down to the Sea? and more.

The Chills’ Martin Phillipps - An Appreciation

“Martin Phillipps: An Appreciation” taking in: The Chills, ‘I Love My Leather Jacket’, ‘Heavenly Pop Hit’, music videos, American tourists, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Kelly’s of Portrush and Mount Errigal.

Top 10 Irish Songs*

“Top 10 Irish songs” taking in: “best of” lists, subjectivity, lost 80s classics, cover versions, The Royal Showband, an orange and cream 1970s Fidelity turntable and keeping music evil. Last week the Irish Independent published a “best of” list titled “The best Irish songs of all time”. Their list was subtitled “ranked: the definitive top 50”. Let’s agree on one thing straight away, “best of” lists are ridiculous, they’re also simultaneously highly entertaining and incredibly frustrating.

*Today

Steve Albini - An Appreciation

“Steve Albini - An Appreciation” taking in: Big Black, Shellac, The Wedding Present, Pixies, Nirvana, Palace, Slint, Low, Connolly’s of Leap, Nancy Spains, Sir Henry’s, Bandicoot Promotions, Zeitgeist magazine, Adrian Crowley, Nina Nastasia, Palace Music, Magnolia Electric Co, Bikini Kill, Dirty Three and The Auteurs.

Julian Cope’s Postcards

“Julian Cope’s Postcards” taking in: Krautrocksampler, Cope’s Notes, Julian Cope and Donald Ross Skinner’s Rite, Faith magazine, 1993’s The Acoustic Tour, bootleg tapes, John Cooper Clarke, The Modern Antiquarian, Royal Kilmainham Hospital, Vinyl Dublin, stone circles, Gaulstown Dolmen and The Heavy Camel Corps of the Sudan campaign of 1885.

Werner Herzog in Ireland

“Werner Herzog in Ireland” taking in: Skellig Michael and Skellig Bheag; Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry; Reek Sunday; Croagh Patrick; Popol Vuh; Joy Division; Ian Curtis; Factory Records; dead wax inscriptions; Fitzcarraldo; Aguirre; the Wrath of God; Heart of Glass; The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser; cinema lobby cards and secondhand records.

Blog Archive

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View fullsize A few words on Peace Together, a 1993 benefit album, taking in: Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, New Order, My Bloody Valentine, The Fatima Mansions, Cocteau Twins, Andrew Weatherall, Baywatch, President Mary Robinson and Mother Teresa. N
View fullsize #punkslisten if I was in Cork this coming Monday evening, I would attend the launch of this brilliant fanzine from Hope Promotions. It's fab! 6pm. UCC. Speakers for the night are: Claudia Hernadez (33RPM Records) Cormac Donovan O’Neill (Pebbl
View fullsize I've been forwarded this about 10 times in the last week. It's from a press release by a Cork band. A CORK BAND. Holy moly.😯
View fullsize "Ok, ready, let's do it..." 10 random 7" singles from the trunk this evening! And remember - "Listen to the voice of Buddha, saying stop your Sericulture" #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #vinyl #seveninchvinyl
View fullsize
View fullsize Gavin Friday - I want to Live Cassette Single from 1991, or Cassingle as they were trademarked. I kept this one because the little box was quite unique - I never saw another one like it. First single taken from Adam 'N' Eve, the brilliant second solo
View fullsize 10 random 7" singles on the turntable this afternoon. The Cult's Rain was the perfect play! 🌧 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #seveninchvinyl
View fullsize That time, The Cure caused a "riot" in Cork and the incredible story of Irish band Zerra One's 1982 tour with the band. A few words for the Examiner. Link in bio #thecure #robertsmith #curepedia
View fullsize Tay, tay, tay, tay, t-t-t-tay-tay, tay, tay Take or leave us only please believe us We are never gonna be respectable 10 recent spins. #vinylcollection #vinylrecords #vinyl
View fullsize WAVIN PIPES wishing you a happy #StPatricksDay Songs of Sadness, Airs of Progress - Wavin/Gael-Linn 1975. Promotional record for Wavin Pipes feat a compilation of Gael-Linn trad tunes. Beautiful sleeve and labels. A real curiosity featuring an adver
View fullsize For the weekend that's in it. 10 Irish 7'' singles played today. San Jose's Count Five get a shout because lead singer/guitarist John "Sean" Byrne was from Dublin. He moved to California at 14. He sadly died in 2008. #nowspinning #nowplayin
View fullsize 10 random 7" singles on a Friday evening. Alright, my name's Gary Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time! #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #vinyl #seveninchvinyl