Paul McDermott

Educator – Broadcaster – Documentary Producer – Writer

Latest Blog Post:

The Fall at Sir Henry’s

A few words on The Fall taking in: The Fall at the Arcadia in 1980, The Fall at Sir Henry’s in 1997. Mark E. Smith, Dave Simpson’s The Fallen, Freakscene and Gigantic at Sir Henry’s, The Beatles, Freakscene flyers, Uaneen Fitzsimons and No Disco, The Fall at The Pavilion in 2012, and Rob Anthony’s Number One Fan comic strip.


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:

by Paul McDermott
Irish Examiner - 29 January 2025

by Paul McDermott
Irish Examiner - 15 January 2025


Featured Blog Posts:

“A Top 10 of Record Store Day releases” taking in: New Order, Joy Division, The Wicker Man, Alfred Hitchcock, Fontaines DC, Low, The The, Nick Cave, Pulp, Clint Mansell, and Chris Bell.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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”. 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”. 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.

“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.

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