Podcasts about Fergal

What does it really take to build AI that can resolve customer support at scale reliably, safely, and with measurable business impact?We explore how Intercom has evolved from a traditional customer support platform into an AI-first company, with its AI assistant, Fin, now resolving 65% of customer queries without human intervention. Intercom's Chief AI Officer, Fergal Reid, discusses the company's journey from natural language understanding (NLU) systems to their current retrieval augmented generation (RAG) approach, explaining how they've optimised every component of their AI pipeline with custom-built models.The conversation covers Intercom's unique approach to AI product development, emphasising standardisation and continuous improvement rather than customisation for individual clients. Fergal explains their outcome-based pricing model, where clients pay for successful resolutions rather than conversations, and how this aligns incentives across the business.We also discuss Intercom's approach to agentic AI, which enables their systems to perform complex, multi-step tasks, such as processing refunds, by integrating with various APIs. Fergal shares insights on testing methodologies, the balance between customisation and standardisation, and the challenges of building AI products in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.Finally, Fergal shares what excites and honestly freaks him out a bit about where AI is heading next.Timestamps00:00 - Intro02:31 - Welcome to Fergal Reid05:26 - How to train an NLU solution effectively?08:56 - What gen AI changed for Intercom10:57 - How would you describe Fin?14:30 - Fin's performance increase17:18 - Intercom's custom models22:14 - Large Language Models vs Small Language Models30:40 - RAG and 'the full stop problem'40:08 - Agentic AI capabilities at Intercom50:40 - Intercom's approach to testing1:04:46 - About the most exciting things in the AI spaceShow notesLearn more about IntercomConnect with Fergal Reid on LinkedInFollow Kane Simms on LinkedInArticle - The full stop problem: RAG's biggest limitationTake our updated AI Maturity AssessmentSubscribe to VUX WorldSubscribe to The AI Ultimatum Substack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We love Fergal. We had a great chat with him about working over Christmas, and how he's singing in a choir show coming up. However, it did go downhill when we started playing Rhyme It

For an Irish travel podcaster, I have never dedicated a full episode to Ireland, so it is great to have as my guest today travel author Cian Byrne, who has just completed a new Moon Travel Guide to Ireland. This is a real insider's guide to travelling Ireland.As Cian said to me “This book is the culmination of two years of hard work and a lifetime spent in Ireland. I'm lucky enough to travel to many places in the world, but it was a real treat to be able to be a tourist in Ireland. There's plenty in the new Moon Guide to Ireland; there's lots about places everyone will know about and lots about places that often get forgotten about”. From dramatic cliffs and soaring mountains to lively cities and charming villages, local Irish author Cían Byrne reveals the magic of Ireland with Moon Ireland. You can get the guide from here https://www.moontravelguides.com/titles/cian-byrne/moon-ireland/9798886471427/ Follow Cian's travels on his Instagram @CianwritesIf 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 130 countries worldwide.Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeannette Linfoot speaks with Fergal O'Connor, the highly competitive founder and CEO of Buymedia, one of the fastest-growing companies in Ireland. In this episode, Fergal shares how Buymedia is continuing its rapid growth, recently launching into the UK market as part of its mission to transform the global advertising landscape. Fergal explains how he is democratising the advertising world for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by leveraging AI to ensure every pound of ad spend delivers real business results. He opens up about his story, his deep competitive drive, and his unexpectedly shy nature. Fergal explains why: Revenues and customers will solve most of the business problems. You can go fast by yourself, but you can't go far unless you have a high-energy team around you. Why asking “Please tell me where my baby is ugly" to find what is wrong with your product or process early will help you solve it. You shouldn't be afraid to share your ideas with mentors, as people are generally too busy with their own work to steal them . Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction: Meet Fergal O'Connor, Founder and CEO of Buymedia 0:59 Transforming the Global Advertising Landscape (Buymedia's Mission) 4:58 Democratising Ad Spend for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) 12:21 Revenues and Customers Will Solve Most Business Problems 26:11 You Need a High-Energy Team to Go Far 53:40 Why You Shouldn't Fear Sharing Ideas with Mentors 1:05:01 Conclusion and Final Resources (Visit Brave Bold Brilliant) Subscribe to Brave Bold Brilliant for weekly wisdom on leadership, legacy, and living boldly. Let's make your next move your bravest yet. CONNECT WITH JEANNETTE: Jeannette's linktree - ⁠https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot⁠ ⁠https://www.jeannettelinfootassociates.com/⁠ YOUTUBE - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@braveboldbrilliant⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeannettelinfoot⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/jeannette.linfoot/⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.linfoot/⁠ Tiktok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@brave.bold.brilliant⁠ VALUABLE RESOURCES Brave Bold Brilliant - ⁠https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/⁠ Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brave-bold-brilliant-podcast/id1524278970⁠ ABOUT THE HOST Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 30 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development. ABOUT THE GUEST Fergal O'Connor is the Founder & CEO of Buymedia, one of Ireland's fastest-growing advertising technology companies, now expanding rapidly across the UK. With over 20 years of experience in the media and marketing industry, Fergal has worked across print, radio, television, and digital, giving him a uniquely comprehensive understanding of how businesses can maximise their advertising impact. Website: https://buymedia.ai/ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buymediahq/?originalSubdomain=ie Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/buymediahq/ Podcast Description Jeannette Linfoot talks to incredible people about their experiences in business and life, gaining first hand insight into how they unleashed their potential to become Brave Bold Brilliant. From the boardroom tables of big international businesses to the exciting world of entrepreneurs it's all about stepping up to the next level while staying true to yourself.

Today, I'm joined by Conor Power — travel writer, historian, and the author of Hurling 1810, a remarkable deep dive into the origins and cultural significance of our national game. Conor's work uncovers stories, characters, and passions that shaped hurling decades before the foundation of the GAA and long before the modern rules we know today.Conor's book traces how the game evolved and its surprising early similarities to rugby and why its spirit has endured for generations. In this fiction book set in 19th century Ireland, Conor brings to life the communities, traditions, conflicts, and passions that shaped the sport long before it took its modern form. He tells us about a time when the big Anglo Irish landlords ruled with an iron fist and owned professional hurling teams to help flex their power.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 130 countries worldwide.Hurling 1810 published and available from menmabooks.eu. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to part 2 of my Cordoba Special series with tour guide Paco Gonzalez as he tells us about the best places to visit in Cordoba and he guides us through the beautiful countryside, villages, forts, palaces, olive farms and vineyards around that stunning area between Seville and Cordoba. The Cordoba Region Most tourists go to the cities like Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga but there are small villages and towns between these cities are real gems full of character including Carmona and Ecija, Alcalá de Guadaíra, Cazalla de la Sierra, Almodovar del Rio, Palma Del Rio and Montilla. CordobaThe Mesquita - Once one of main cities in the ancient Arab world with one of the most famous mosques to rival MeccaGuided tour of the Jewish Quarter, Roman bridge, Alcazar and Historic Centre of CórdobaEquestrian show at the Royal Stables Food CordobaDinner at Taberna La ViudaLunch at La Cazuela de la Esparteria StaysCordoba - Hotel Mezquita CenterCazalla de la Sierra - Casa Rural Las NavezuelasAlcalá de Guadaíra - Hotel Oromana ActivitiesPalma Del Rio - Palacio PortcarreroAlmodovar Del Rio – Old Moorish Castle to visit from Games ofThronesMontilla – Visit to local winery Alvear 1729Wine tasting at Bodegas Colonias de GaleónStargazing activity (Sierra Morena is a certified StarlightDestination)El Viso del Alcor - Olive oil tasting at BasilippoCycling along the Sierra Morena Greenway, which is part of the upgraded Camino Vertical Check out my Cordoba Special Pt 1 with Christina Ybarra of Palacio Portocarrero in Palma del Rio, Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain. How toget there Fly with Aer Lingus from Cork and Dublin to Seville 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 130 countries worldwide.The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fergal O'Keeffe, Creator, Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast and Ennis native was back on Tuesday's Morning Focus with Sally-Ann Barrett to chat to us on unusual places to stay in Ireland such as Trinity College, Ballygarry Estate and many more. Photo (c) Travel Tales With Fergal

For the 2nd time, Fergal Lawler, the drummer of the Cranberries joins us on the show.  We dive into everything from the MTV Unplugged performance which was just released on November 7th, the history of the band, memories of Dolores, and more.  Fergal is a great guy and an even better conversation.   We also dive into voting, Mike feeding a giraffe, and dive into some death chat.  Have a listen!

This is my 100th episode and I wanted to make it a very special episode, so I am delighted to have Christina Ybarra of Palacio Portocarrero in Palma del Rio, Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain. Christina's story is a story of Andalusia taking in Roman, Moorish and Christian heritage, history, archaeology, architecture, culture and art. Palma del Rio is a town with the most stunning countryside surrounded by orange groves between Seville and Cordoba once called “the garden of Andalucia” by a visiting Spanish King. The Cordoba Region Most tourists go to the cities like Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga but there are small villages and towns between these cities are real gems full of character including Carmona and Ecija, Alcalá de Guadaíra, Cazalla de la Sierra, Almodovar del Rio, Palma Del Rio and Montilla.The region is made for a road trip through fields filled with olive and orange grove and vineyards and many beautiful villages with old Moorish Alcazar forts and palaces in the Sierra Morena mountains.@prodeturprovinciasevilla ActivitiesPalacio Portcarrero Almodovar Del Rio – Old Moorish Castle to visit from Games of ThronesMontilla – Visit to local winery Alvear 1729 Wine tasting at Bodegas Colonias de Galeón Stargazing activity (Sierra Morena is a certified Starlight Destination) El Viso del Alcor - Olive oil tasting at Basilippo Cycling along the Sierra Morena Greenway, which is part of the upgraded Camino Vertical CordobaOnce one of main cities in the ancient Arab world with one of the most famous mosques to rival Mecca – The Mesquita Food CordobaDinner at Taberna La Viuda Lunch at La Cazuela de la Esparteria StaysCordoba - Hotel Mezquita Center Cazalla de la Sierra - Casa Rural Las Navezuelas Alcalá de Guadaíra - Hotel Oromana How to get there Fly with Aer Lingus from Cork and Dublin to Seville 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mark Watson, Steven Hallworth, and guest host Fergal O'Brien (stepping in for Stephen Hendry!) for the latest episode of Snooker Club. The team breaks down Jack Lisowski's incredible victory at the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open, explores the value and appeal of coaching with insights from Fergal himself, and welcomes special guest Liam Pullen, a quarter-finalist at the Xi'an Grand Prix. They also take a look at the big stories shaping the snooker season — including the race to 100 centuries, the BetVictor Bonus, and the upcoming International Championship, the final event before the first Triple Crown tournament of the season: the UK Championship in York. Plus, they respond to listener messages and share their favourite things about Halloween. Get involved! Email: snookerclub@wst.tv Or reply to our Instagram stories to interact with the hosts.

What drives a man to cycle from Roscommon to Australia across deserts, mountains and months of uncertainty — all in the name of mental health? In this episode, I sat down with Fergal Guihen, who turned an almost impossible idea into a life-changing reality, raising funds for North West STOP, a charity close to his heart. We talk about what truly happens inside your mind when you're thousands of miles from home, the power of purpose when motivation fades and how solitude can reshape your perspective on life, fear and faith. From sleeping under stars in foreign countries to fighting doubt and exhaustion, this conversation goes beyond endurance it's about humanity, resilience and finding meaning when the road gets very rough. Tune in to hear what Biking from Roscommon to Oz can teach you about your own inner journey.  I hope you enjoy the show and dont forget to subscribe to never miss future episodes.  https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/Rossie-to-Aussie  

Today I am delighted for part 3 of my Belfast special series to have Barney Gribbin - Founder & Tour Guide of the If Buildings Could Talk tour If Buildings Could Talk Tour reveals all the best kept secret stories wrapped up in the history of Belfast, so if you want a city tour that is a little off the beaten track and full of hidden stories, this is the tour for you. That's because when you join Barney on this leisurely walk you are guaranteed to see and hear things about Belfast that most visitors will never be aware of. In fact, even to people born and bred in the city, many of Barney's stories will come as a revelation.I loved the city so much that I have made this into a three part special series so after this episode make sure to also check out episode 1 with great insider tips from travel writer Erin McCafferty and Belfast hotelier Melanie Harrison.For more information on Belfast check https://visitbelfast.com and https://discovernorthernireland.comAccomodationThe Harrison, 45 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 745630965 | www.chambersofdistinction.com| Twitter & Instagram: @harrison_belfast The HarrisonActivitiesBlack Taxi Tour with Blue Badge Guide Billy Scott,Contact: +44 77 9860 2401 | www.touringaroundbelfast.com | X: @TouringBelfastTitanic Museum Belfastwww.titanicbelfast.com | Instagram @titanicbelfastFoodDeanes at Queens, 1 College Gardens, Belfast, BT9 6BQ |T: +44 28 9038 2111| https://www.michaeldeane.co.uk/deanes-at-queens/| Instagram @deanesatqueenbt9Wolff Grill, Titanic Hotel, Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT, T: +44 28 9508 2000 | www.titanichotelbelfast.com | X: @titanicbelfast | Instagram: titanichotelbelfastSaga, 43 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 7495467341 | https://sagabelfast.com | Instagram: @sagabelfasCoco, 7-11 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8AA | Tel: +44 2890311150 | www.cocobelfast.com | Instagram @cocobelfast_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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am delighted to have Irish travel writer Erin McCafferty to tell us all about the highlights of her recent trip to Belfast including the Titanic Music and a Black Cab tour with Billy Scott.Belfast feels like a young, vibrant city full of life with great food, nightlife, festivals and of course history. It feels like a city on the cusp of something special with lots of new hotels and bars opening and the Irish Fleadh coming there in 2026.I loved the city so much that I have made this into a three part special series so after this episode make sure to also check out episode 2 with great insider tips from the Harrison hotel owner Melanie Harrison and the brilliant tour guide Barney Gribbin of the famous If Buildings Could Talk Tour. For more information on Belfast check https://visitbelfast.com and https://discovernorthernireland.comAccomodationThe Harrison, 45 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 745630965 | www.chambersofdistinction.com| Twitter & Instagram: @harrison_belfast The HarrisonActivitiesBlack Taxi Tour with Blue Badge Guide Billy Scott,Contact: +44 77 9860 2401 | www.touringaroundbelfast.com | X: @TouringBelfastTitanic Museum Belfastwww.titanicbelfast.com | Instagram @titanicbelfastFoodDeanes at Queens, 1 College Gardens, Belfast, BT9 6BQ |T: +44 28 9038 2111| https://www.michaeldeane.co.uk/deanes-at-queens/| Instagram @deanesatqueenbt9Wolff Grill, Titanic Hotel, Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT, T: +44 28 9508 2000 | www.titanichotelbelfast.com | X: @titanicbelfast | Instagram: titanichotelbelfastSaga, 43 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 7495467341 | https://sagabelfast.com | Instagram: @sagabelfasCoco, 7-11 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8AA | Tel: +44 2890311150 | www.cocobelfast.com | Instagram @cocobelfast_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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am delighted to have renowned hotelier Melanie Harrison for part 2 of my Belfast Special series.Melanie's hotel is the Harrison Chambers of Distinction which is located in the heart of the vibrant Queen's Quarter of Belfast and is a restored, landmark Victorian merchants' residence dating from 1879 designed to serve the culturally curious traveller.This is a boutique hotel is curated by the charismatic and vivacious owner Michelle Harrison whose personality is reflected in the Victorian style where every room is different and often named and styled after artists reflecting the bohemian character and mischievous tongue in cheek humour of Melanie with eccentric curios and surprises and every corner and in every unique room.Belfast feels like a young, vibrant city full of life with great food, nightlife, festivals and of course history. It feels like a city on the cusp of something special with lots of new hotels and bars opening and the Irish Fleadh coming there in 2026.I loved the city so much that I have made this into a three part special series so after this episode make sure to also check out episode 1 with great insider tips from travel writer Erin McCafferty and the brilliant tour guide Barney Gribbin of the famous If Buildings Could Talk Tour. For more information on Belfast check https://visitbelfast.com and https://discovernorthernireland.comAccomodationThe Harrison, 45 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 745630965 | www.chambersofdistinction.com| Twitter & Instagram: @harrison_belfast The HarrisonActivitiesBlack Taxi Tour with Blue Badge Guide Billy Scott,Contact: +44 77 9860 2401 | www.touringaroundbelfast.com | X: @TouringBelfastTitanic Museum Belfastwww.titanicbelfast.com | Instagram @titanicbelfastFoodDeanes at Queens, 1 College Gardens, Belfast, BT9 6BQ |T: +44 28 9038 2111| https://www.michaeldeane.co.uk/deanes-at-queens/| Instagram @deanesatqueenbt9Wolff Grill, Titanic Hotel, Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT, T: +44 28 9508 2000 | www.titanichotelbelfast.com | X: @titanicbelfast | Instagram: titanichotelbelfastSaga, 43 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RX | Tel: +44 7495467341 | https://sagabelfast.com | Instagram: @sagabelfasCoco, 7-11 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8AA | Tel: +44 2890311150 | www.cocobelfast.com | Instagram @cocobelfast_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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by AGNTCY. Unlock agents at scale with an open Internet of Agents.  Visit https://agntcy.org/ and add your support. Why do so many chatbots fail in the real world, and how can AI agents actually fix customer support? In this episode of Eye on AI, host Craig Smith explores how teams move beyond scripted bots to production-grade AI agents that resolve real issues across chat, email, and voice. We look at what makes agents reliable at scale, how to configure them safely, and how to manage them like digital workers alongside your human team. Learn how leading companies approach agent onboarding and governance, which pitfalls to avoid, and which metrics matter most for success, including resolution rate, CSAT, and cost per resolution. You will also hear how to enable actions like refunds and returns through secure procedures, design human handoff that customers appreciate, and build an omnichannel rollout plan that scales responsibly. ​​Stay Updated: Craig Smith on X:https://x.com/craigss Eye on A.I. on X: https://x.com/EyeOn_AI

In Episode 98, Mike excitedly reveals something he's been teasing for several months. Listen in as he hosts his former client, dear friend from Ireland, and now partner, Fergal O'Carroll. After 35 successful years in sales and sales leadership, Fergal launched Supercharge Your Sales Velocity in 2024 with the mission of empowering sales teams to drive MORE OPPORTUNITIES, BIGGER DEALS, & FASTER WINS. Among his many passions, Fergal was an early adopter of generative AI, and he is the catalyst behind the launch of the massively upgraded offering they are announcing today, YOUR SALES STORY with an AI Assist. You may never hear Mike as passionate about a topic as he is in this episode, reminding sales leaders that their messaging, their sales story, is the team's most critical sales weapon. When your team's sales story is great, EVERYTHING is easier, you secure more meetings, face less resistance, decommoditize the conversation, justify premium pricing, and increase margins and win rates! NOTHING increases a sales team's confidence or effectiveness more (or faster) than empowering them with compelling, customer issue and customer outcome-focused, differentiated sales messaging. Enjoy Fergal and Mike's conversation, and here's to sharper messaging and MORE NEW SALES!   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: YOUR SALES STORY with AI Assist February 2026 Supercharge Your Sales Leadership Event   This episode is sponsored by Pursuit Sales Solutions. If you are looking for help adding A-player talent to your team, contact Mike's friends at pursuitsalessolutions.com/weinberg

With the final showdown of the UKOCR Race Series just around the corner, Will is joined by Becky, Dave, and Fergal to break down everything you need to know about The Storm Race.

In this special episode, Alan sits down with Fergal O'Brien to chat all things snooker. Email the show at snookerbreakfast@mail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is part 2 of Fergal Guihen's travel adventure from Roscommon, Ireland to Sydney, Australia. You can listen to Part 1 here. In Part 2 of his ride from Ireland to Australia, Fergal Guihen shares what it took to push through freezing nights in China, a terrifying attack and being suspected as being a spy in Iran, discovering Afghanistan, and tackling the Ha Giang loop in Vietnam. Fergal also speaks about how he has dealt with the loneliness he has felt many times on his journey and how doing what he says he is going to do like cycling to the top of Mt Bromo in Indonesia, has given him the confidence to continue his journey all the way to Sydney.  Follow Fergal's adventureon Instagram @rossi_to_aussie Donate to Fergal's fundraiser for suicide prevention Mayo Roscommon Hospice & NorthWest Stop: Other Guests mentioned during the episode:Samer AbouhamadCheck out Zorali for all your outdoor adventure needs! Check out Ombraz Sunglasses - I'm a fan and I think you will be too!Hawaii Travel & Vacation GuideDiscover Hawaii's Best local spots and travel tips!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showBuy me a coffee and help support the show! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

I have always loved the idea of the great American road trip, romanticised in so many films and books. So, this episode I am delighted to have photographer Ben Geier to tell us about his decade traveling America on the road, his tips for the perfect great American road trip, and the nostalgia of America's forgotten towns.Ben shares his tips for the perfect cross-country road trip, why the architecture and design work of the 50s and 60s still speaks to us today, and why America is still a magical place to get a little bit lost. There's no doubting the beauty of the design and architecture of the '50s and '60s America. From bright teal, sun-splashed and gleaming motel signs to cherry red diner seats, these two decades have held America's attention for 75 years. American photographer Ben Geier has spent the last decade traveling the United States to capture the images of his country's once vibrant and now abandoned treasures in his new book Viewing Hours. Evoking a sense of nostalgia and solitude, Geier's work highlights the modernist architecture, minimalist design, and muted colour palette of the mid-century. Check out Ben's website here https://www.bengeier.com/ Get View Hours here https://trope.com/products/viewing-hoursIf 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Fergal O'Keeffe, Creator, Travel Tales with Fergal and Ennis native to talk to us on the many things to do in Cordoba in Spain.

Today Eoghan McCabe and Fergal Reid of Intercom join The Cognitive Revolution to discuss building their AI customer service agent Fin, exploring how they achieved a 65% resolution rate through rigorous optimization and custom model training rather than relying on base model improvements, while pioneering outcome-based pricing at $0.99 per resolution. Shownotes brought to you by Notion AI Meeting Notes - try one month for free at: https://notion.com/lp/nathan Sponsors: Linear: Linear is the system for modern product development. Nearly every AI company you've heard of is using Linear to build products. Get 6 months of Linear Business for free at: https://linear.app/tcr AGNTCY: AGNTCY is dropping code, specs, and services. Visit AGNTCY.org. Visit Outshift Internet of Agents Claude: Claude is the AI collaborator that understands your entire workflow and thinks with you to tackle complex problems like coding and business strategy. Sign up and get 50% off your first 3 months of Claude Pro at https://claude.ai/tcr Shopify: Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing CHAPTERS: (00:00) About the Episode (03:43) Keeping Up With AI (09:56) Evaluating Models and Evals (13:04) Incumbents vs. Startups (18:54) Product Risk and Judgment (Part 1) (19:00) Sponsors: Linear | AGNTCY (21:34) Product Risk and Judgment (Part 2) (23:42) The Klarna Layoff Story (Part 1) (32:11) Sponsors: Claude | Shopify (36:13) The Klarna Layoff Story (Part 2) (36:14) Driving Resolution Rate (45:00) Intelligence Isn't the Bottleneck (50:10) Closing the Automation Gap (56:20) Human vs. AI Accuracy (01:01:03) The Nuance of Speed (01:04:48) Considering Paradigm Changes (01:09:31) Outcome-Based Pricing Model (01:19:12) Casual Hacking and Insights (01:26:05) AI Adoption and Ambition (01:36:00) Outro

From not knowing how to fix a puncture to leaving Ireland to cycle to Australia via  Iran, Afghanistan, China and beyond, Fergal Guihen shows how saying yes to fear can change everything.Listen if: You've ever thought, “I'd love to take off on an adventure… but I wouldn't even know where to start.”Key takeaways:Fear is the compass: When faced with two routes, Fergal picked the scarier one  and discovered for him this would lead to the richest experiences.Hospitality beats headlines: The countries that made him most nervous (Iran, Afghanistan, China) turned out to be the most generous.Commit out loud: Telling others he was going made backing out impossible. Accountability is the fuel for your adventure.Golden quote: “I'd rather try and fail than not try at all.”Links mentioned in this episode:Donate to Fergal's fundraiser for suicide prevention Mayo Roscommon Hospice & NorthWest Stop: Follow Fergal on InstagramPrevious Guests and episodes mentioned:David McCourt - Part 1 and Part 2Emily Hulbert Check out Ombraz Sunglasses - I'm a fan and I think you will be too! Check out Zorali for all your outdoor adventure needs!Support the showBuy me a coffee and help support the show! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

Send us a textThe Barn and Midwest Mixtape Podcast are proud to welcome Fergal Lawler, drummer of the iconic Irish band The Cranberries, for a special conversation celebrating the 30th Anniversary Editions of their breakthrough album, No Need to Argue.The reissue arrives in stunning fashion with a limited three-LP vinyl set featuring remixes by Iain Cook of CHVRCHES, rare live recordings, a demo of “Zombie,” and the band's unforgettable MTV: Unplugged performance. Fans have long awaited the official release of the group's legendary 1995 Unplugged set, and that wait is finally over: beginning November 7, 2025, MTV Unplugged will be available for the first time as a standalone release on vinyl, CD, and digital via Island Records/UMe. A special colored vinyl edition with alternate cover art will also be available exclusively through Complex.Originally taped on February 14, 1995 at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, the intimate nine-song performance aired two months later during the sixth season of MTV Unplugged. Following the release of their worldwide smash No Need to Argue, the setlist showcased the band's blend of vulnerability and power with songs like “Dreaming My Dreams,” “Ode To My Family,” “Empty,” “Zombie,” and the title track. They also revisited earlier hits like “Linger” and previewed unreleased gems “Free to Decide” and “I'm Still Remembering,” which would later appear on 1996's To The Faithful Departed.Perhaps most special is “Yesterday's Gone”, a song written by Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan just one day before the show and performed only during that recording. “The only time we ever played it was for MTV,” Hogan recalls.Fergal reflected on the honor of joining the legendary Unplugged series, which previously hosted R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and The Cure:“It was a really chilled, relaxed vibe with the audience sitting on the floor. To be following in the footsteps of those artists was incredible.”Backed by Electra Strings, the quartet that had also joined them on Later with Jools Holland, The Cranberries delivered a performance critics and fans alike have deemed one of the finest in the history of the series. Publications like SPIN and Mixdown have ranked it among the best Unplugged sessions ever, while fans have clamored for its release for decades.With the anniversary reissues of No Need to Argue and the long-awaited arrival of MTV Unplugged as a standalone release, 2025 promises to be a landmark year for The Cranberries' legacy.“I'm really proud that the songs we wrote didn't need all the bells and whistles you get in the studio to sound good,” Noel shared. “They worked just as well stripped down and played acousticallwww.BetterHelp.com/TheBarnhttp://www.betterhelp.com/TheBarn http://www.betterhelp.com/TheBarnThis episode is sponsored by www.betterhelp.com/TheBarn and brought to you as always by The Barn Media Group. YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheBarnPodcastNetwork SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/09neXeCS8I0U8OZJroUGd4?si=2f9b8dfa5d2c4504 APPLE https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1625411141 I HEART RADIO https://www.iheart.com/podcast/97160034/ AMAZON https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7aff7d00-c41b-4154-94cf-221a808e3595/the-barn

I have a very special episode today with travel journalist Deirdre Mullins to cover the Dalmatian coast of Croatia from Zadar to Split to Dubrovnik.We chatted about the wonders of island hopping to Korcula, Vis, Hvar and Brac with the Jadrolinija ferry company.We discuss how each island and town has its own personality that makes this a perfect country to tour by land or boat.Deirdre also tells us how Croatia has become a hugely popular destination for festivals including the Love International Festival in Tisno.We cover a lot of ground, so this is the perfect introduction to Croatia if you are trying to decide where to visit next in this wonderful country full of history, culture and the most gorgeous water to swim or just chill by. For more informationhttps://croatia.hr/en-gbhttps://visitkorcula.euhttps://visitdubrovnik.hr/https://visitsplit.com/en/1/welcome-to-splitRecommended Ferry for island hoppinghttps://www.jadrolinija.hr/en @croatiafulloflifeIf 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The vote had some controversies, PJ talks them through with the Lord Mayor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch Speaking With Clare Camogie Chair Fergal O'Brien

The first guest for Season 8 is feature and travel writer and author Erin McCafferty who talks to Fergal about her recent trip to Bath, on the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. We hear about the up and coming Jane Austen Festival and follow in the footsteps of the renowned author, who lived there for five years and whose writing was greatly influenced by Bath. Erin flew from Dublin to Bristol with Aer Lingus and she also talks about combining a trip to Bath with Bristol, with both cities just 20 minutes apart by train. Erin also talks about the history of Bristol and recommends a Banksy tour. Bath is an elegant city full of traditional heritage and has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. Bath has UNESCO World Heritage status and hosts the 24th annual Jane Austen Festival this week from the 12th to the 21stSeptember celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen this year. For more information on the festival to go https://janeausten.co.uk/For more information on Bath go to https://visitbath.co.ukErin stayed at the Eight in Bath https://visitbath.co.ukIf 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O'Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. This week, Fergal discussed his trip to Croatia and provided listeners with tips and useful information.

Dr. Fergal McNamara, co-founder of the Dublin City Clinic

Fr. Fergal and Mary reflect on the gospel according to Luke for the twenty second Sunday of Ordinary Time where Jesus says the ‘everyone who exalts himself will be humbled'. L'articolo Lectio Divina – Mary Hooton – Fr. Fergal – 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time proviene da Radio Maria.

Fergal Ó Mainín, An Spidéal ag labhairt faoi áiteacha in Éirinn le saoire a chaitheamh iontu.

Trevor from The Score on Cork's 96FM gets around! PJ hears he also spoke to Ger Nash and Fergal Dennehy ahead of the Cork Super Cup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O'Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. This week, Fergal discussed his trip to Belfast and provided listeners with tips and useful information.

Welcome to part 3 of my Loire podcast special series and I am delighted to have Serge Desazars who is the owner of the first and largest organic truffle farm in France.Truffles have a near mythical place in the lore of European food lovers and we discuss all things truffles from their history dating back to the ancient Egyptians and the Romans all the way to Napoleon. We discuss how to grow them, hunt for them, eat them and the best wines to drink with them.Serge owns the stunning Baron de la Truffe farm beside the gorgeous medieval town of Chinon and he gives great insider tips of where to visit in this lovely part of the Loire valley in France. For more details go to https://barondelatruffe.com/enThe Touraine region in the Loire Valley in France is a magical place of fairy tale chateaux, French renaissance gardens, gastronomic restaurants, historic royal towns and world renowned vineyards.Places to visit & Stayhttps://www.tastingwithnivard.co.ukhttps://www.chateau-nitray.frhttps://chateaudenoizay.comhttps://loirevalleylodges.comhttps://www.chateaudurivau.comhttps://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/enTours - https://www.labe-hotel.com/en/Chinon - https://barondelatruffe.com/enhttps://www.chateaudecandes.com/en/Vineyard lunch https://www.domainedegrosbois.com/Lunch and wine trip on the Loire - https://les-pecheries-ligeriennes.fr/restaurant-la-cabane-a-matelot.htmlThis is the final episode of Season 7 and you can listen back to nearly 100 episodes full of travel stories, location specials, activity specials and insider tips. Keep an eye on social media for details of Season 8 coming later in summer 25. 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. Fergal O'Keeffe is the host of Ireland's No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Touraine region in the Loire Valley in France is a magical place of fairy tale chateaux, French renaissance gardens, gastronomic restaurants, historic royal towns and world renowned vineyards.Welcome to part 2 of my Loire special series and I'm delighted to say I have the wonderful Geoffrey Vivard of https://www.tastingwithnivard.co.uk/The Loire is all about locally sourced food and it is famous around the world for its wines and cheeses, so we are lucky to have the previous cheesemonger for the last Queen of England and Clarence House, Geoffrey Nivard to guide us through the best cheese and wines of the Loire.I got to experience Geoffrey do a cheese and wine tasing at stunning the stunning https://www.chateau-nitray.fr on my recent trip to the Loire. Places to visit & Stayhttps://www.tastingwithnivard.co.ukhttps://www.chateau-nitray.frhttps://chateaudenoizay.comhttps://loirevalleylodges.comhttps://www.chateaudurivau.comhttps://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/enTours - https://www.labe-hotel.com/en/Chinon - https://barondelatruffe.com/enhttps://www.chateaudecandes.com/en/Vineyard lunch https://www.domainedegrosbois.com/Lunch and wine trip on the Loire - https://les-pecheries-ligeriennes.fr/restaurant-la-cabane-a-matelot.htmlIf 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 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm just back from an amazing trip to the stunning Touraine region in the Loire Valley in France.A magical place of fairy tale chateaux, French renaissance gardens, gastronomic restaurants, historic royal towns and vineyards of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.Touraine is said to be blessed by the gods, cherished by the Kings and pampered by Mother Nature. It is said to be the birthplace of the French way of life in a setting dominated by the majestic river Loire, which is listed as part of World Heritage by UNESCO.I loved the Loire so much that I am going to do a 3 part Loire series over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out next Tuesday for my interview with Geoffrey Nivard, once cheesemonger to the Queen and King of England. And the following week I will interview Serge Desazars, Baron de la Truffe, owner of the largest organic truffle farms in France.But today I am delighted to have Irish food and travel award winning ournalist Jordan Mooney to share her memories of visiting enchanting chateaux like Rivau, Azay Le Rideau, Noizay, Nitray and Cande. We talk about the great towns to visit like Tours, Chinon, the Royal city of Loches and Chedigny. And the wonderful local food and wine of the famous Touraine, Loire region in France.Places to visit & Stayhttps://www.tastingwithnivard.co.ukhttps://www.chateau-nitray.frhttps://chateaudenoizay.comhttps://loirevalleylodges.comhttps://www.chateaudurivau.comhttps://www.azay-le-rideau.fr/enTours - https://www.labe-hotel.com/en/Chinon - https://barondelatruffe.com/enhttps://www.chateaudecandes.com/en/Vineyard lunch https://www.domainedegrosbois.com/Lunch and wine trip on the Loire - https://les-pecheries-ligeriennes.fr/restaurant-la-cabane-a-matelot.htmlFollow @jordanrmooney on Insta fopr great food and travel stories.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 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O'Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. On this week's Travel Tales, Fergal told us all about the Loire Valley in France.

Roie McCann is the manager of the stunning and unique Clare Island Lighthouse accommodation so Roie is the perfect guest to give us an insider's guide to the magical Clare Island in Co. Mayo, Ireland. This is a part of the country I know very well and love so this is a great chat all about this beautiful part of Ireland.Clare Island stands guard at the entrance to Clew Bay, off Ireland's western Atlantic coast along the Wild Atlantic Way. For almost two centuries, the island's Lighthouse has been a nautical landmark perched high on the craggy cliffs, watching over Achill, Westport and beyond. Once a safe haven for sailors, this heritage property now offers a sanctuary of a different kind. This architecturally majestic, listed building has been lovingly transformed into fully catered, luxury accommodation, complemented by magnificent sea views and an inspiring, natural environment. For more information on the Clare Island Lighthouse check out https://www.clareislandlighthouse.comI love the Blue Book because they are generally family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. You really get to see Irish hospitality at its best and the properties are generally old country houses, so you get a real sense of the history of the area you are staying in. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.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 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple Sclerosis is a long-lasting chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake. MS is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently. Alan Morrissey was joined by a number of male guests who are all living with MS, to share their stories, Dean, John, and Fergal. Alan was then joined by Community Worker with MS Society, John McDonald and HSE Primary Care Social Workers, Nina Dale & Suzanne Leene. A special World MS Day webinar will explore the powerful theme of "My MS Diagnosis" on Thursday, 29th May at 7pm. This event will feature a panel of people living with MS who will share their personal diagnosis stories. Register for free in advance using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__S2Uhx_7Re-n69uF0qmmmQ Photo(C): Clare FM

In this episode, Andreas sits down with Exit of The Year Finalist Fergal Mullen, Founding Partner at Highland Europe, to explore the firm's growth-only investment strategy and what it really takes to scale durable, capital-efficient European champions.Fergal shares why Highland's equal partnership model is more than just internal structure—it's a reflection of how trust, alignment, and founder collaboration drive outcomes. From turning operational efficiency into alpha to navigating U.S. expansion and cap table cleanups, this episode lays out a blueprint for growth with discipline in a market still shaped by cycles, hype, and hard-earned fundamentals.

Check out my two part Canary Islands special focusing on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote with the Sunday World correspondent Eamon Dillon. This episode focus' on Fuerteventura and the second episode on Lanzarote. I stayed at the R2 Rio Calma Hotel https://r2hotels.com/en/hotel/r2-rio-calma-hotel-spa-conference-en/ For more information on the Canary Islands - Canary Islands Tourism Board: www.hellocanaryislands.com Fuerteventura Tourism Board: http://www.visitfuerteventura.es/Lanzarote Tourism Board: https://turismolanzarote.com/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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out my two part Canary Islands special focusing on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote with the Sunday World correspondent Eamon Dillon. This episode focus' on Lanzarote and the previous episode was all about Fuerteventura. I stayed at the Hotel AEQUORA Lanzarote Suites https://slasuites.com For more information on the Canary Islands - Canary Islands Tourism Board: www.hellocanaryislands.com Fuerteventura Tourism Board: http://www.visitfuerteventura.es/Lanzarote Tourism Board: https://turismolanzarote.com/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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to Fergal O'Keefe, host of the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast. On this week's Travel Tales, Fergal told us all about the Canary Islands, focusing in on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

I have 3 really special guests to talk about this wonderful Madeira destination special. When I was in Madeira, I kept hearing that Christmas is a magical time of year to visit, so I have Irish travel writer Deirdre Mullins who paints a really evocative image of Christmas on the island. You will also hear from travel writer Rob Rees sharing great activity and golf tips and finally Emily Blandy, of the world famous 7th generation Blandy wine family, gives us some great local insider tips for the island.Madeira is a lush green tropical mountainous island with towns built dramatically into the hills going up from the sea with breathtaking landscapes, verdant volcanic mountains, lush flower garden and banana trees in very nook and cranny. Recommended stay https://suitehoteledenmarportobay.com-hotel.com/ #visitmadeira#madeiranowordsneeded#madeirabelongstoall#madeiraisland For further information about Madeira: https://visitmadeira.comIf 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HURLING: Galway under-20 manager Fergal Healy with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan after their Leinster championship victory over Offaly

Irish travel writer Conor Power tells us all about his recent slow boat trip along the tranquil canals and rivers of Brittany. He was blown away by the prettiness of the villages and towns he sailed through - many of them never featuring in any guide book. Conor shares his route on a river/canal system that he describes as one of the prettiest that he has seen after years of doing this around France, Ireland, Italy, Holland and Canada.Get ThereConor Power was a guest of Brittany Ferries https://www.brittany-ferries.ie, with regular year-round sailings from Cork to Roscoff. A seven-night self-catered stay on board a Salsa B, which sleeps up to 12 people, in October 2024, starting and ending at Le Boat's base in Messac, costs from €137 pp / €1,649 per boat. For the same boat departing 11 April 2025, it's €245 pp/ €2,956 per boat. No boating license or experience necessary. See https://www.emeraldstar.ie for trip details around Europe. 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 130 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the BBC's special correspondent Fergal Keane travelled with the first Jordanian helicopter delivering aid inside Gaza.Adam speaks to Fergal about what it was like to be the first international correspondent to fly with the Jordanians into Israeli-held territory in southern Gaza. And, the Office for National Statistics has projected a population growth of 7.3% between 2022 and 2032; the number is almost entirely based on the net migration of an estimated 4.9 million people over the 10-year period. Adam is joined by Stephanie Hegarty, BBC population correspondent, and Professor Sarah Harper, an expert on demography and Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford, to discuss today's ONS findings and what population scientists say about how demographics are changing around the world.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Miranda Slade, Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.