Ireland on the Fly

This week we’re turning our attention to first editions of Irish angling books.

The Ireland on the Fly Book Club is an important part of what we do here on the podcast and Muiris Huston, the medical contributor to the Irish times, is also a fly angler and fly fishing book collector and he joins us on the show to discuss the books everyone should have on their shelves.

If you are interested in collecting, here are some websites that Muiris recommends:

https://anglingauctions.com

www.mcgahernbooks.ca

www.groverarebooks.co.uk 

https://www.herewardbooks.co.uk/

And here is the RTE Archives story from 1968 about mayfly season on the Corrib that we were discussing:

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2023/0516/1383887-the-season-of-the-mayfly/

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
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He’s the Swedish salmon maestro who fished 250 days a season in his younger years, but he’s more than an expert salmon angler, he’s an ardent conservationist who says he will never stop fighting for the wild salmon.

Mikael Frödin joins us on the latest episode of The Last Salmon with revealing insights into the perilous state of the salmon which he believes could be gone within two decades if current fish farming practises are not stopped.

He also talks about his memorable days of 30lbs fish and the heartbreak of the biggest one that got away.

He’s the ultimate salmon angler who we can all learn from – from fly fishing on the water to saving the fish itself.

Image: Frodinflies.com

#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
 
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram atInstagram.com/TheLastSalmon

 
The Last Salmon is a new podcast hosted by renowned actor, Jim Murray, and award-winning producer, Daire Whelan, which offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

It might be hard to believe, but mayfly season is starting soon and it’s expected on Lough Derg from around April 20th onwards. 

This week’s guest is Shane Creamer from the Garrykennedy Angling Club and he gives us some great and honest insights into fishing Derg during mayfly and the rest of the season.

And here's the link to the 2004 article on the thriving hatchery at Mountshannon that is discussed during the episode:
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/new-ross-news/fishing-revival-on-lough-derg/27439705.html 

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We take a brief departure from all things Atlantic salmon to focus on their second home - the ocean.

Charles Clover is one of the pre-eminent environmental journalists of our time, author of the eye-opening and best-selling, ‘The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat’ and most recently, ‘Rewilding the Sea: How to Save our Oceans’.

He is also co-founder of The Blue Marine Foundation, one of the leading global, marine conservation NGOs and he joins us to explain what’s happening out in the oceans and how the establishment of Marine Protected Areas around the world are helping preserve the oceans one area at a time.

#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
 
 For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon

 
The Last Salmon is a new podcast hosted by renowned actor, Jim Murray, and award-winning producer, Daire Whelan, which offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

This week we speak to Nicholas Grubb who grew up in south Tipperary beside the Suir and the Tar and he tells us about the incredible catches of fish that were to be had growing up.

It’s a throwback to another age and his great grandfather Samuel also had a reported 62lber which would have been an Irish record but it was never measured or verified at the time.

Nicholas also previously wrote an article for Salmon Watch Ireland discussing some of the reasons why he thinks salmon numbers have plummeted since the 1960s.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
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Scotland.  It’s the traditional heart and home of fly fishing for salmon.  The Spey, Dee, Tay and Tweed are rivers synonymous the world over when it comes to salmon fishing.

But, long gone are the days when salmon catches were guaranteed and getting onto certain beats were next to impossible. 

In the midst of the Atlantic salmon crisis, Daire and Jim speak to Robert Mitchell and Colin Bull, two Scotsmen immersed in salmon throughout their lives.

Robert Mitchell, has been a salmon fishing ghillie on the River Spey for over thirty years.  He remembers the heyday and he also talks in stark terms about the fear that every ghillie has of there being no salmon left.

Colin Bull is Principal Investigator with the Missing Salmon Alliance and a specialist in salmon ecology at Stirling University and he says that with targeted conservation measures the salmon can be saved and we can and should be hopeful.

#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
 
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon

 
The Last Salmon is a new podcast hosted by renowned actor, Jim Murray, and award-winning producer, Daire Whelan, which offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

This week we’re joined by Julie Gerry, former winner of the World Cup on Mask – and the only woman to have won it to date, she’s captain of the Irish Ladies Fly Fishing team, and now also Youth Officer with the Irish Trout Fly Fishers Association.

Julie tells us how, despite the success of Irish fly fishing teams, it is still a struggle to get more youths and women into the sport, and how maybe we should be looking to copy the successful programme in Northern Ireland based on the Foyle River Catchment Outdoor Group  or FROG CIC as it’s known.

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Alexandra Morton is a warrior and a shining light who has fought and won her battle against fish farms.  She has committed her life to saving the wild salmon in her local area of Broughton Archipelago on Canada’s pristine British Columbia coastline.  

She joins Jim and Daire on the latest episode of The Last Salmon to talk about her life of activism, why everyone needs to join in the fight to save the salmon and how success like hers can be achieved.

#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
 
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram atInstagram.com/TheLastSalmon

 
The Last Salmon is a new podcast hosted by renowned actor, Jim Murray, and award-winning producer, Daire Whelan, which offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

This week’s guest on Ireland on the Fly is a fly tyer and fly angler well known to many from fairs around Ireland and abroad and it was only when he moved to Ireland over twenty years ago that he discovered fly fishing and quickly embraced the sport, especially fly tying.

Having been originally from the Caribbean it’s no surprise that saltwater fly fishing remains his first love, but John also has more than a few interesting tales to tell, including the time he was a bodyguard to Mike Tyson – stories you don’t normally expect on a fly fishing podcast….

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Paul Whitehouse, the comedic legend, and John Bailey, the wizard behind the scenes of Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing, join us on The Last Salmon podcast.

With their outspoken views about scientists and what actually should be done to help their beloved fish, Paul and John bring a lifetime of fishing experience – as well as their wit and humour - to this week’s episode, including the welcome return of Rowley Birkin (KC) to the conversation.

#thelastsalmon #FighttosavetheWildSalmon
 
For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon

 
The Last Salmon is a new podcast hosted by renowned actor, Jim Murray, and award-winning producer, Daire Whelan, which offers hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

This week on Ireland on the Fly we’re turning our attention to the famous River Slaney.  

The river that was once the doyen of spring salmon rivers in Ireland has suffered more than most in recent times but there are still anglers and custodians of the Slaney that are fighting to keep it going and recover. 

And to hear more about their work as well as those halcyon days, we’re joined by Richard Burgess, former chairman of the Slaney River Trust.

Plus, Tom was a recent guest speaker at the illustrious Fly Fishers’ Club in London and he gives some insights into its hallowed halls and collections.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
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The Last Salmon is a new podcast series hosted by Ireland on the Fly's, Daire Whelan, and actor and activist angler, Jim Murray offering hope and solutions to the tragic story that is unfolding for an iconic species in crisis - the wild Atlantic salmon.

On this, the first episode of Season 1, Daire and Jim find out how the massive escape of farmed salmon in Iceland’s waters in the autumn of 2023, led to huge public protests at the damage being done to the wild salmon and their country’s pristine, natural waters.

Actor, angler and passionate conservationist, Jasper Pääkkönen, and Iceland’s Programme Director of The North Atlantic Salmon Fund, Elvar Fridriksson, explain what happened, why and how it spurred a country into activism and action.

The tipping point for Iceland in their fight to save the wild salmon is hanging in the balance and the world is watching.

#thelastsalmon #Fighttosavethewildsalmon

For regular updates follow the show on Instagram at Instagram.com/TheLastSalmon

This week’s Ireland on the Fly is another book club episode with returning author, Dan O’Donovan, whom we spoke to previously about his book, The Salmon of the River Lee.

Dan has also written a very popular monograph on Sidney Spencer, who was a renowned angler and author on lough-fishing for salmon and sea-trout in the north-west of Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland, and we speak to Dan about Sidney Spencer’s life and legacy and his love of fly fishing in Ireland.

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Some of you may recall the devastating fish kill that occurred last May on the Ballymacraven River in Ennistymon, Co. Clare. It is estimated that in excess of 2000 fish were killed in this incident. 

This culminated in a court case on February the 16th, taken by the I.F.I. where Uisce Éireann admitted liability for this event and were fined over €15,000. 

Tom spoke to Jane Gilleran who is an Environmental Fisheries Officer with the I.F.I. and represented them in these proceedings to find out about the background to the case and what is being done to prevent similar fish kills in the future.

 Don’t forget you can call 0818 34 74 24 to report illegal fishing, water pollution or invasive species.

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John Lalor, the well-known Tipperary salmon and trout angler, is on this week's podcast to talk about his fishing life on the River Suir and beyond.

John’s new book, ‘Fish Scéalta: Game Fishing from Alaska to Lapland and the Swedish Arctic’ covers his remarkable fishing life beyond Tipperary covering many of the bucket list destinations we can only dream about – as well as some of his other favourite fishing locations in Ireland.

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Jimmy Tyrrell, the well-known fly tyer based outside Abbeyleix in Laois, joins us on this week’s Ireland on the Fly.

Jimmy talks about his fly fishing and fly tying journey from tying flies he could fish with on his local rivers to supplying shops and customers as far afield as Australia.  

And for those of you who want to know the perfect way to mix your dubbing, it involves a Chinese takeaway carton and an air canister so listen out for Jimmy’s fly tying tips and for more from Jimmy, check out his website at:

https://irishflycraft.com/ 

Plus, Tom has an update on the opening few days on Corrib and explains how he’s hoping to someday target ferox trout on the fly.

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For this week’s episode we’re joined by Dave O’Donovan, the Cork-based international angler who loves nothing better than fishing his local Awbeg and Funcheon rivers.

With most of the rivers in Cork and Kerry open for trout from February 15th, we spoke to Dave about fishing in the early season and why wet fly tactics are a particular favourite.

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With the opening of the Blackwater on February 1st, we caught up with Conor Arnold, the guide and casting instructor who we spoke to previously on the show, to find out how opening day went on the river and what we can expect over the next few weeks.

Conor also has some good advice on how to tempt the early season springers, plus he tells us how he fared on his recent trip to Patagonia where double figure sea trout and hundreds of brownies made up his week’s fishing down there.

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Neil O’Shea, the long-standing ghillie on Lough Currane whose family have been guiding on the lake for nearly 150 years joins us on this week's Ireland on the Fly and what Neil doesn’t know about Currane probably isn’t worth knowing…..

We speak to Neil about the opening few weeks on Currane, the good and the bad days for the lough, why you’ve a good chance of a springer in the coming months and how double figure sea trout can still be got – if you time it right…..

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For this week’s episode we’re joined by Eamonn Conway, a well known angler from Dundalk, who in 2016 took the leap and decided to set up his own fly fishing company called Táin Fly Fishing.

Its range includes fly rods, reels, lines and leaders and Eamonn talks to us about the challenges of setting up and running a fly fishing company and why he wants Táin to be like the Tayto of fly fishing in Ireland.

Eamonn also talks about fishing the rivers around his native Dundalk and has some tips for how his set up can lead to better catches.

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For this week’s episode we speak to an Irish fly angler who is now not only living and fishing in Sweden but also represents his adopted country at World Championship level.

Wicklow’s Graham Reynolds tells us about the incredible fishing that’s to be had in Sweden and how, despite his early struggles in the competition scene over there, he kept at it and in a few years it led to him fishing at the Worlds and captaining Sweden in 2024.

Plus he also tells us about the incredible landscape and fishing to be had in the country known as the Land of the Thousand Lakes – but his most memorable fish on the fly still came from Irish waters.
 
 

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After a long hiatus we have another book club episode this week and this time we’re focusing on O’Gorman and the Practice of Angling from 1845.

Who was O’Gorman you may be asking?  In many ways he was the Izaak Walton of Irish fly fishing (albeit a lot better at writing!) whose book in the 1800s gives a glimpse of the halcyon days of Irish fishing.

This week’s guest is Patrick Gageby, barrister and fly fisherman who co-wrote the introduction to a re-issued version in 1993.  We discuss O'Gorman's life, the anecdotes and fishing covered in the book and why it's a forgotten but still important canon in the earliest writings on fly fishing in Ireland.

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We’re back for another year, another season and more interviews and conversations in 2024, and to kick things off we’re joined on this week’s episode by Shane Gallagher of the Drowes Fishery where the season traditionally starts on January 1st.

Shane has all the latest from the opening few days, including news of the first salmon of the season from the Leannan River which was a fresh fish off Watts Pool caught by local angler James Kenny on a pink Flying C.  The salmon was measured at 69cm and estimated to weigh 8lbs.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  
 
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Revisiting an episode from January 2023.....

For so many of us, fly fishing is also about the people, places and experiences we have, especially whilst discovering new places.

And so, for this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, we speak to Cork fly angler, Ronan Collins, whom Daire first met in Greenland last year.

Ronan has fished in many far flung places around the world and is a particularly keen salmon angler with incredible stories from Russia and elsewhere, plus he also introduced Daire to the wonders of yacht-rock, but more on that later in the show…

Speaking to Ronan and hearing his stories about fly fishing around Ireland and the world is a reminder that it’s about fly fishing and about so much more.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

It’s only a few days to Christmas and if you’re looking back on the year that was or looking ahead to the season to come, we’ve put together a special second volume of our Most Memorable Fish on the Fly series.

Sit back, listen and enjoy as some of our guests from the past year bring us on a journey across lakes, rivers and oceans to tell us the story of the fish that means so much to them…..

Our thanks to all of our guests for joining us on the show throughout the year, and to you our listeners who listen, follow and get in touch.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and join us again in 2024 when we’ll be bringing you more guests, more interviews, more insights and maybe even a road trip or two along the way if we’re lucky…..

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You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

If you're a fan of fly fishing writing and magazines then you've most likely heard of The Drake - an American quarterly that's been running for 25 years featuring some of the best writers covering the why rather than the how of fly fishing.

It's got a unique voice run by its founder, publisher and editor, Tom Bie, who is also a regular visitor to these shores, sampling the brown trout and salmon fishing to be had.

Soon after Tom visited Ireland earlier this year, we caught up with him to get his impressions of the fishing and how some of it compares to the waters he fishes in the States.....plus of course, we had to ask him about Drake mag and its 25 years of success……

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We hear plenty of stories of sea trout on the west coast of Ireland, but what about sea trout in the salt on the east coast where the fish are bigger, and if recent catches are anything to go by, fish numbers are improving as well?

Mick McShane is a well known fly angler from Dundalk who will throw a fly at pretty much anything that swims, but he has a special grá for the sea trout around Carlingford Lough and he joins us on this week’s episode to explain the rise in popularity of fly fishing for sea trout in the salt – inspired in no small part by the Danes.

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You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

As we head into December and are stuck in winter – although fear not, the opening of the Drowes is only a few weeks away – you’re also probably stuck at the vice dreaming of the fly to tie to catch your first salmon of the season in 2024.

So, for this week’s episode we wanted to concentrate on salmon flies and fly tying and we’re joined by Tony McCann from Belfast who, although only taking up salmon fly tying four years ago is an accomplished salmon fly tier appearing at fairs in Ireland and the UK.

His flies are catching salmon on rivers in Ireland and abroad and he joins us to tell us how he developed his fly tying skills so quickly and why his flies are doing so well.

For more from Tony visit https://www.instagram.com/irishsalmonflies/

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

You might remember we covered the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships back in September with daily updates from Ireland team captain, Dec Conlon, and one of the star Irish performers from the tournament was a young angler by the name of Sean Dempsey.

Sean joins us on this week’s show and having fished three Worlds already in his 20s, he gives us some real insights into the elite level of fly fishing, and what he’s learned from the leading countries such as France, Spain and the Czechs.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

*** 

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….
 
Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week. 

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection. 

 From Dozens of exciting new dubbings, chenilles, yarns & wools, to perfectly prepared and packaged marabou, zonkers, deer belly and Bucktail – the range is going down a storm. 

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

‘What country were the 2023 World Fly Fishing Championships held in?’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will announce the winner on next week’s show

If you’re not into rugby, stick with us as we do also cover fly fishing on this week’s episode with Mike Cosgrave, the former coach and centre for Connacht who is also a passionate fly angler and who fished Corrib and Mask as a kid growing up.

While he still fishes the Western Loughs, Mike’s other great love is Montana.  He has fished the fly fishing spiritual home of America over a dozen times and has some incredible stories about hiking into the wilderness, catching trout to 10lbs and even fishing the famous Blackfoot river from A River Runs Through It.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….
 
Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week. 

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection. 

Anyone wanting to see them in person and handle them could do well to get along to the Irish Fly Fair in Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh, of which Fulling Mill is one of the sponsors. 

Held over the weekend of 18th, 19th November they can not only see these materials being put to masterful use by the likes of Jackie Mahon, but they can stock up from Fulling Mill dealers, like Rodgers Tackle, who will be laden with new stock.
 
From dozens of exciting new dubbings, chenilles, yarns & wools, to perfectly prepared and packaged marabou, zonkers, deer belly and Bucktail – the range is going down a storm. This week’s top mover is their New Eco Warrior Dub – be sure to check it out.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

‘How many times did Mike Cosgrave touch the ball when playing rugby against the All Blacks?’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will announce the winner on next week’s show.

Last year we covered the impact of salmon farming on the famous Loch Maree in Scotland, but what about its impact on the wild salmon and sea trout here in Ireland and just why is the government looking to help the industry develop further in the face of its damaging ecological effects?

For this week’s episode we’re joined by John Murphy from Salmon Watch Ireland, to tell us more about the work the organisation does as well as some recent cases they have been fighting.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….
 
Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week. 
With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection. 

Anyone wanting to see them in person and handle them could do well to get along to the Irish Fly Fair in Enniskillen Co, of which Fulling Mill is one of the sponsors. 

Held over the weekend of 18th, 19th November they can not only see these materials being put to masterful use by the likes of Jackie Mahon, but they can stock up from Fulling Mill dealers, like Rodgers Tackle, who will be laden with new stock.
 
From Dozens of exciting new dubbings, chenilles, yarns & wools, to perfectly prepared and packaged marabou, zonkers, deer belly and Bucktail – the range is going down a storm. This week’s top mover is their New Eco Warrior Dub – be sure to check it out.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answering the following question:

‘Which county is holding this year’s Irish Fly Fair’?

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will announce the winner on next week’s show.

We’ve all seen the pictures of far flung fly fishing destinations with anglers holding huge fish and a guide beside them looking just as happy to have seen such a monster fish landed, and I’m sure you’ve probably thought, now that’s a job I wouldn’t mind doing.

Working, living and fishing in some of the most incredible fly fishing destinations in the world, how could you not love it?

But what’s it really like?  Beyond the Instagram pictures of giant fish and smiling guests, it’s also a nomadic life cut off from society for most of the year and certainly not a life for everyone.

Matthew Solon is a Clare man who has followed this path guiding on the Ponoi, in Patagonia, the Seychelles and Iceland and he joins us on this week’s show with some tall tales and insights into the guiding life.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

 ***
Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….
 
Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week. 

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection. 

Anyone wanting to see them in person and handle them could do well to get along to the Irish Fly Fair in Enniskillen Co, proudly sponsored by Fulling Mill. 

Held over the weekend of 18th, 19th November they can not only see these materials being put to masterful use by the likes of Jackie Mahon, but they can stock up from Fulling Mill dealers, like Rodgers Tackle, who will be laden with new stock.
 
From Dozens of exciting new dubbings, chenilles, yarns & wools, to perfectly prepared and packaged marabou, zonkers, deer belly and Bucktail – the range is going down a storm. This week’s top mover is their New Eco Warrior Dub – be sure to check it out.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answering the following question:

‘Which hotel will play host to this year’s Irish Fly fair?’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will announce the winner on next week’s show

For those of you kicking your fly tying season into gear over the coming weeks and months we’ve a special guest on this week’s show.

Davie McPhail, the legendary Scottish fly tier, joins us to discuss his career in fly fishing, how he got started in fly tying, his huge online following via YouTube, and he gives us some tips and advice for improving your fly tying…..

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

 ***
Fulling Mill Competition
 
If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week.

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection.

The selection of dubbing materials is comprehensive to cover whatever you want to dress, from tiny dries to Saltwater Streamers, it is all there and some great UV mixes as well.

From the individually preened marabou feathers to the top-secret treatment applied to their NEW Ultra Dry Yarn, the whole range is packed with stand out new products, all generously served up for your benefit in a neat array of colours and sizes.

From Zonkers to CDC, Bucktail to Deer Belly, they’ve done a fantastic job, just be sure to check it out for yourselves.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:
How many subscribers does Davie McPhail have on his YouTube channel?

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we’ll announce the winner on next week’s show.

For Ts&Cs, go to IrelandontheFly.com

With the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having lately – although this is probably going to be the new norm anyway – it’s also a good time to be casting a fly in the salt with bass fishing particularly good at this time of year.

But how has the 2023 saltwater season been overall?  Were the bass biting and what about other species like pollack and mullet?  Guide and instructor, Jason O’Riordan, joins us on this week’s episode to give us some insights into how his season went and why his success targeting mullet has been a stand-out highlight for him on the Copper Coast.

 Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
   
You can also get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

 ***
 Fulling Mill Competition
 

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

 Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week.

 With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection.

 The selection of dubbing materials is comprehensive to cover whatever you want to dress, from tiny dries to Saltwater Streamers, it is all there and some great UV mixes as well.

 From the individually preened marabou feathers to the top-secret treatment applied to their NEW Ultra Dry Yarn, the whole range is packed with stand out new products, all generously served up for your benefit in a neat array of colours and sizes.

 From Zonkers to CDC, Bucktail to Deer Belly, they’ve done a fantastic job, just be sure to check it out for yourselves.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

Name the species of fish that was Jason’s most memorable fish on the fly this season for him?

 Email your answer toinfo@irelandonthefly.comand we’ll announce the winner on next week’s show.

 Click here for Ts&Cs.

You may have seen the disgraceful stories in recent weeks about the terrible pollution of Lough Neagh that has been occurring unabated and which has been poisonous for humans and animals, since May.

Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in Ireland or the UK and due to an overload of nutrients, with agriculture mainly responsible, scientists are saying it could take 20-30 years for the lake to recover.

On this week’s episode we find out how this was allowed to happen, how it can be stopped and what it has meant for local anglers as well as local communities around the lake.

We’re joined by Dr. Les Gornall who did his Phd with Prof. R.B. Wood  on Lough Neagh and by Seamus Donnelly who is Secretary of the Moyola Angling Club, and while Lough Neagh would not be known for its angling, Seamus has caught fish on it fly fishing from a drifting boat.

Seamus tells us of his experience of the thick algae bloom that is suffocating the water while Les gives the scientific background as to why this is happening and how it can be stopped.

Lough Neagh will be an open sewer if nothing is done, Les tells us in stark terms.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***
Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week.

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection.

The selection of dubbing materials is comprehensive to cover whatever you want to dress, from tiny dries to Saltwater Streamers, it is all there and some great UV mixes as well.

From the individually preened marabou feathers to the top-secret treatment applied to their NEW Ultra Dry Yarn, the whole range is packed with stand out new products, all generously served up for your benefit in a neat array of colours and sizes.

From Zonkers to CDC, Bucktail to Deer Belly, they’ve done a fantastic job, just be sure to check it out for yourselves.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

Name one of the feeder rivers on Lough Neagh?

Email your answer toinfo@irelandonthefly.comand we’ll announce the winner on next week’s show.

Click here for Ts&Cs.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading out during the last 12 days of fly fishing in October on Currane, Ennell, Leane, Owel or Sheelin, tight lines to you and don’t forget to listen back to our recent episode with Denis Goulding who has some great advice for fishing the midland lakes at this time of year.

But for those of us forced to hang up the trout and salmon rods, you may be thinking of some pike on the fly action to keep you from the DTs and so for this week’s episode, we speak to pike on the fly guide, Stuart Wylie, to find out more and to help get you started as we head into the winter period.

You can find out more from Stuart on Instagram.com/pikeontheflyguide and pikeontheflyguide@gmail.com

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***
Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week.

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection.

The selection of dubbing materials is comprehensive to cover whatever you want to dress, from tiny dries to Saltwater Streamers, it is all there and some great UV mixes as well.

From the individually preened marabou feathers to the top-secret treatment applied to their NEW Ultra Dry Yarn, the whole range is packed with stand out new products, all generously served up for your benefit in a neat array of colours and sizes.

From Zonkers to CDC, Bucktail to Deer Belly, they’ve done a fantastic job, just be sure to check it out for yourselves.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

What lough system does Stuart Wylie guide on?

Email your answer toinfo@irelandonthefly.comand we’ll announce the winner on next week’s show.

Click here for Ts&Cs.

Before we say goodbye to the 2023 salmon season this week – and many anglers will like to say good riddance we’re sure – we wanted to find out how Ireland’s most iconic salmon river, the Moy, has fared, and what good news, if any, can be gleaned from that part of the country?

Garrett Ruigrok, who we spoke to back in May, is a casting instructor and guide, as well as a committee member of the East Mayo Anglers Association and he joins us on this week’s Ireland on the Fly to tell us more about the 2023 season on the Moy.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***
Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly have teamed up with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week.

With more than 1,400 products to choose from, each perfectly packed by hand, their new range of fly tying materials warrants closer inspection. From the individually preened marabou feathers to the top-secret treatment applied to their NEW Ultra Dry Yarn, the whole range is packed with stand out new products, all generously served up for your benefit in a neat array of colours and sizes.

From Zonkers to CDC, Bucktail to Deer Belly, they’ve done a fantastic job, just be sure to check it out for yourselves.

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

“Where was Garrett Ruigrok’s most memorable fish of 2023 caught?”

Email your answer toinfo@irelandonthefly.com  and we will pick a weekly winner for the next twelve weeks….

Click here for Ts&Cs.

September 30th might be the end of the season for most of our loughs and rivers around the country, but don’t forget there’s another twelve days before it closes on Currane and the midland lakes.

And so for this week’s episode of Ireland on the Fly, we’re joined by international angler, Denis Goulding, for his tips and advice on where to fish if you are looking to extend your season into October. 

Plus he gives us a report on how Ireland fared at the recent Home International on the lake of Menteith in Scotland.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly are partnering with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week for the next twelve weeks……

Known for producing world class fishing flies—including ranges from the likes of Davie McPhail, Jackie Mahon, Ronan Creane and our very own Tom Doc—Fulling Mill has been perfecting the art of fly tying for decades.

And they are now launching their NEW range of Fly Tying Material including Marabou, Bucktail and Zonker Strips to Dubbings, Chenille, Yarn & Wool, it’s a complete offering….and each item is processed and packed by hand, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition….

With fly tying season around the corner, what are you waiting for?

Their products are available online and in-store from your local Fulling Mill dealer, so check it out at FullingMill.co.uk….

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

‘Galway man, Ronan Creane, guides in what country?’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will pick a weekly winner for the next twelve weeks….

For full Ts&Cs click here.

It was the fifth and final day at the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia to decide who went home as Individual and Team World Champions and Dec Conlon, Ireland Team Captain, joins us for the final update.

Dec Conlon, Ireland Team Captain at the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia, joins us again for the latest update on Day 4 with the Irish team faring much better and moving up the table while France cemented their position at the top.

Heading into the final day tomorrow, it will be all to play for in the race for the individual medals and can Ireland improve on their 14th position?

Dec Conlon, Ireland Team Captain at the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia, joins us for an update on Day 3, to take us through how each section fared with the Irish anglers and leading contenders at the top of the table.

Dec Conlon, Ireland Team Captain at the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia, joins us for an update on Day 2, where it was a mixed set of results for the Irish in changing conditions.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re into the last few weeks of the brown trout season – and in many ways it feels like the season has slipped away from us this last while – but to make the most of your time remaining on the rivers and loughs, we’ve got some tips and advice for you for September.

Friend of the show, Keith McDonnell, from Impact Fly Fishing, joins us with some expert late season advice and discusses his preference for when he fishes dries v streamers.

Plus Keith also tells us about a recent trip to Iceland that saw him land three double-figure sea trout.

For more pictures and news from Keith’s trip visit StreamerFishing.com

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly are partnering with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week for the next twelve weeks……

Known for producing world class fishing flies—including ranges from the likes of Davie McPhail, Jackie Mahon, Ronan Creane and our very own Tom Doc—Fulling Mill has been perfecting the art of fly tying for decades.

And they are now launching their NEW range of Fly Tying Material including Marabou, Bucktail and Zonker Strips to Dubbings, Chenille, Yarn & Wool, it’s a complete offering….and each item is processed and packed by hand, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition….

With fly tying season around the corner, what are you waiting for?

Their products are available online and in-store from your local Fulling Mill dealer, so check it out at FullingMill.co.uk….

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

‘Name one of the Irish Fulling Mill Signature Tiers…..’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will pick a weekly winner for the next twelve weeks….

For full Ts&Cs click here.

With the FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships being held in Slovakia this week, we’re bringing you the updates from each day’s fishing from Ireland Team Captain, Dec Conlon.  

Dec will tell us how the fishing has been for the Irish as well as the rest as the leading countries and he gives us the update for Day 1.

This Saturday, September 9th, is International Women’s Fly Fishing Day, a worldwide initiative to encourage more women to take up fly fishing and for fly anglers around the world to show support for women fly anglers as well.

Wherever you are in the world, women are asked to post photos on social media at 11am showing themselves enjoying fly fishing and already in its fourth year, it’s hoped it’s a day that will grow and grow.

But did you know that an Irish female fly angler is one of those behind the project?  Maddy Kelly is an Irish international angler who teamed up with Pamela Dunlap from West Virginia to form a truly international initiative and we spoke to them about the day and how the obstacles to women in fly fishing are finally breaking down.

To find out more, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/573597536965118 

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

***

Fulling Mill Competition

If you’re a fly tyer or want to get into fly tying then this is for you….

Ireland on the Fly are partnering with Fulling Mill to give away a box of fly tying materials – with free shipping – to one lucky listener each week for the next twelve weeks……

Known for producing world class fishing flies—including ranges from the likes of Davie McPhail, Jackie Mahon, Ronan Creane and our very own Tom Doc—Fulling Mill has been perfecting the art of fly tying for decades.

And they are now launching their NEW range of Fly Tying Material including Marabou, Bucktail and Zonker Strips to Dubbings, Chenille, Yarn & Wool, it’s a complete offering….and each item is processed and packed by hand, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition….

With fly tying season around the corner, what are you waiting for?

Their products are available online and in-store from your local Fulling Mill dealer, so check it out at FullingMill.co.uk….

So, to be in with a chance of winning the £50 worth of materials, just answer the following question:

‘Name one of the Irish Fulling Mill Signature Tiers…..’

Email your answer to info@irelandonthefly.com and we will pick a weekly winner for the next twelve weeks….

For full Ts&Cs click here.

There’s no two ways about it, but 2023 has been a tough year for salmon anglers. 

Between trying to deal with extremes of wet and heat, and then when conditions did come good, the numbers of fish arriving were far below expectations.

It’s easy to blame climate change and what’s going on out in the oceans, but what about some of the impactful actions we can take closer to home and what kind of positive effects can it have?

Conor Arnold previously told us about increased salmon numbers in the Baltic, so, can anything be done here in Ireland?

Mark McAndrew is a passionate fly angler and conservationist who, in his own time, has decided to see what he can do and how he can help through the Liffey Salmon project and he joins us on this week’s Ireland on the Fly to discuss the attempts to restore the salmon back to the River Liffey.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Continuing our focus on competitive fly fishing, on this week’s Ireland on the Fly we’re joined by Dec Conlon, the captain of the 2023 Irish fly fishing team that is travelling over to Slovakia for this year’s FIPS Mouche World Championships from 12th-18th September.

Dec gives a very honest assessment as to why Irish teams haven’t featured in the medals at the Worlds and what can be done to fix it, plus he has some brilliant stories and insights from the Championships and what it’s really like……

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also sign up for our newsletter onwww.IrelandontheFly.comand get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Winning any kind of gold on the international scene fly fishing for Ireland is quite an achievement, but the Ireland Youths have done it three years in a row now, capturing their third consecutive title this month against England, Scotland and Wales.

It’s also the first time this has been achieved and so for this week’s episode we catch up with their captain, Eanna O’Leary, and coach, Denis Goulding, to find out the secret to their success.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes onApple PodcastsorSpotify. 
   
You can also sign up for our newsletter onwww.IrelandontheFly.comand get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Despite the current doom and gloom, the one thing you can’t fault salmon anglers for –and especially younger salmon anglers – is their enthusiasm for the sport.

Johnny Casey and Yamil Turcuman were two recent guests whose love of salmon was infectious and likewise, this week’s guest, Cian O’Boyle, who fishes on the Moy and Owenmore regularly throughout the season and is no stranger to landing salmon judging by his videos on social media, joins us on this week’s show.

Cian tells us about his fishing exploits as well as some of his tips for consistent catches, plus he has some thoughts on getting young people into the sport as well.

A youths event worth highlighting is taking place on 16th August and it is being run by the East Mayo Anglers Association who want all interested boys and girls to come along to try out salmon and trout fishing.  Find out more at eastmayoanglers.com.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 
   
 You can also sign up for our newsletter onwww.IrelandontheFly.comand get regular updates onInstagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week we’re turning our attention back to salmon.  It’s been a very tough year to say the least, not helped by the weather conditions, and a dramatic fall-off in the numbers of returning salmon, so will the grilse run give us hope for what’s left of the summer or are we just clutching at straws?

Conor Arnold is a guide and casting instructor on the Blackwater and he paints a stark picture of this season in sobering terms.

However, he’s also trying to do something about it and he explains what he hopes to gain from meeting politicians and ministers and why he’s not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Plus he gives some insights from what can be learned in Denmark and Sweden who have been pro-active and helped increase salmon numbers there.

For fly fishing and casting instruction, you can contact Conor on ConorArnold.com.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  
    
 You can also sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week on Ireland on the Fly, we’re speaking to Dan O’Neill who guides on the River Nore to tell us more about the fabulous brown trout fishing to be had on the river, plus Dan gives us some insights into what it’s like trying to make a career out of fly fishing in this country.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  
   
 You can also sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

With Tom recently returned from his busman’s holiday on the Orkneys, what better time to record another bucket list episode, this time focusing on the brown trout fishing to be had in the northern Scottish islands.

On this episode you’ll hear from some of the guides and boatmen that Tom met and fished with during his stay and relive the frenetic action that he saw on the lakes each day.

Plus, find out more about the landscape and history of the Orkneys and why Tom describes it as brown trout heaven.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  
  
You can also sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week we’re focusing on salmon and speak to two young anglers who travel around Ireland and abroad in pursuit of their favourite fish.

Johnny Casey and Yamil Turcuman not only catch salmon regularly but are also willing to try new methods to do so and will be revealing some of the secrets of their success on the show.

Plus, Tom is back from the Orkneys and gives a taste of what the fishing was like on the island.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  
 
Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week it’s the second part of our fascinating Book Club interview with Kirk Wallace Johnson, the author of the best-selling, The Feather Thief, about the heist of bird feathers from the British Natural History Museum by an obsessive American fly tier.

Johnson comes across the story whilst fly fishing in Texas and looking for a new direction in his life after suffering from PTSD due to time spent in Iraq with USAID.

He details how he followed the story bit by bit, uncovering the sometimes nefarious online world of classic fly tiers, which ultimately led to him confronting Edwin Rist, the man behind the heist.

Continuing our conversation, Kirk explains why he chose not to reveal the name that Rist now goes by………

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

We’ve a special book club episode this week for you – and indeed over the next two weeks – as we speak to Kirk Wallace Johnson, author of the acclaimed, best seller, The Feather Thief.

For those of you not aware of the story or the book, all I can say is go read it – and I’m sure after listening to the interview with Kirk you’ll be even more interested in it as it’s a story about a crime heist involving the fly tying world, and specifically those tiers wanting to get their hands on extremely rare feathers from the 19th century.

As for the Irish angle?  Well, there is of course the Irish influence on fly tying in the 1800s, and in the context of the crime investigation, it was an undercover PSNI officer who first became aware of the stolen swag that was being offered to the fly tying world.

Prior to becoming obsessed with the story and writing the book, Kirk Wallace Johnson had discovered fly fishing as a therapeutic sport that helped him recover from PTSD after time spent in Iraq.

And it was while standing in a river in the US that he first heard about the fly tying robbery of the British Natural Museum and the thread of the Feather Thief began to unwind…..

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Last week saw the release of the EPA’s Water Quality report which provides an update on the water quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal, and groundwaters for 2022.

The main headline from it was the fact that there has been no improvement in water quality of rivers or lakes with nitrogen levels increasing in rivers overall and to find out more we spoke to Mary Gurrie, Programme Manager with the EPA who gave us more details from the report.

There has been a steady decline since 2012 she told us, which has been somewhat arrested in the last two years, however, farming and waste water are the key issues in the problem of water quality which must be addressed in the coming years.

You can read the EPA report at:

https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/freshwater--marine/water-quality-in-2022-indicator-report.php

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week we’re discussing Lough Arrow, which if the mayfly season is anything to go by, is on the up in terms of numbers and size of trout being caught there.

So, what’s behind the great catches so far this year, what can anglers expect for the rest of the season and is Arrow going to rival Sheelin in the long term as a high-profile fly fishing lough's destination?

Jackie Mahon, the fly tier and guide on the lough explains why he saw the good, the bad and the ugly on Arrow so far this year.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

For this week’s episode we’re joined by Paddy Gargan, the recently retired IFI fisheries scientist who has a wealth of knowledge about fish conservation, habitat restoration and stock numbers.

Paddy talks to us about the huge changes he has seen during his career as well as his own love of sea trout fishing and he lets us know about a book he is currently working on detailing the sea trout fisheries of Connemara.

Paddy is also asking for help from people who have any archive material relating to sea trout in Connemara – be it photos, catch records, stories, maps, anything that will help him in researching and writing the book.

If you have something that you think might be of help you can send it on to him at paddyggargan@gmail.com.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week’s episode sees us go to the eastern part of the country to find out about the ongoing fight to protect and save the historic River Boyne.

Pat O’Toole is from the Trim Athboy & District Angling Association and he joins us to highlight how local clubs have been tirelessly working to reverse the damage done by drainage and pollution down through the decades and why the fight still continues to this day.  To find out more visit SavetheBoyne.org.

Pat also talks about the large numbers of brown trout and the importance of the salmon run on the river, especially for springers, with his own personal best of 23lbs caught in 2015.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

It really feels as if the season is now kicking into gear – from the mayfly season on the Irish loughs to the coming grilse run – and for this week’s episode we focus on the salmon on the River Moy.

It’s Ireland’s iconic salmon river, as well as being its most prolific, with the Ridge Pool in Ballina standing out as a special and unique place to land a salmon on the fly.

To find out more about fishing the river, how the spring run went and what to expect for the coming grilse fishing, we’re joined by Garrett Ruigrok who is a casting instructor and guide who guides in Ireland, Scotland and around the world and is also a committee member of the East Mayo Anglers Association.

To find out more about fishing the Moy go to:

https://eastmayoanglers.com/

https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/northwest/river_moy_system/moy_fishery/ 

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

Continuing our mayfly episodes, on this week’s Ireland on the Fly we hear how the season is going so far on Lough Sheelin and we’re joined by Eamonn Ross from the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association to talk tactics, nymphs v dries and the incredible spectacle that is the spent gnat on the lake.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

If you’re a loughs angler, there’s probably only one thing on your mind for the next few weeks – the mayfly fishing - be it on Derg, Corrib, Mask, Sheelin or elsewhere.

Later this month we’ll hear how Sheelin is doing and we will also be reviewing the mayfly season on all the major Irish waters, but for this week we’re focusing on Lough Corrib and to tell us how it’s been faring so far with tips on set up, tactics and flies, we’re joined by friend of the show and well-known Corrib angler, Mike Keady.

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  

Plus you can sign up for our newsletter on IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

For our latest bucket list episode we catch up with Galway man, Ronan Creane, whose love of fly fishing and big brown trout led him to New Zealand where he hasn’t left and is now firmly established as a full time guide during the season.

So just what is the life of a guide really like on some of the finest brown trout waters in the world and does he miss the Irish fishing at all?

Ronan discusses the sight fishing on the rivers, the need for speed in one’s casting and why the lakes are an untapped resource that deserve more time from any visiting angler.

Also on the episode, Tom talks about the expectations of the coming week for the mayfly on Lough Corrib, why the jungle drums are starting to beat and we will be hearing those immortal four words, ‘the mayfly is up’ very shortly.

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To find out more about Ronan Creane’s guiding service go to: https://www.ronansflyfishingmissions.com

You can read Ronan’s blog at:

https://www.sexyloops.com/blog/author/ronan/

And Ronan’s NZ flies can be purchased at:

https://www.fullingmill.co.uk/Products-UK/Ronan-Creane-UK

For this week's Ireland on the Fly we’re joined by Darius Simkus, who only started fly fishing after he moved to Ireland from Lithuania and within a few years he was fishing for Ireland, winning national titles and is the 2023 captain of the ITFFA Irish rivers team.

Darius tells us why competition fishing is so important to him, how he learned so much through self-belief and learning on the water himself, plus he has some useful tactics and tips for river fishing at this time of year and discusses the difficulties and intricacies of fly fishing on rivers v loughs.

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While we may be still a few weeks off the summer runs of salmon and sea trout, in advance of that, we thought it would be worth finding out more about catching sea trout on the fly in both daytime and night time conditions from one of the leading experts, Steffan Jones.

Steffan is based in Wales but has fished for – and caught – big numbers of sea trout all over the world and he has some great insights and tips on the set-up, tactics and flies for catching the elusive white trout.

Steffan will also be appearing at the Irish Spring Angling Fair at Ardaire Springs on 29th and 30th of April which is well worth checking out and for more information visit IrishSpringAnglingFair.com

You can also check out Steffan’s guiding business at fishtravel.co.uk.

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This week we wanted to find out about the Salmon Summit that was held recently in Iceland.

It’s an annual get-together of NGOs, scientists, policy-makers, researchers and scientists run by the North Atlantic Salmon Fund to discuss the current state of salmon stocks and possible solutions to help the future of the fish.

So, what did they discuss and what of note came out of the summit?  We speak to Elvar Fridriksson, NASF's program director in Iceland, to find out more, including the alternative, sustainable options for land-based fish farming that now exist.

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It’s a very special guest for this week’s episode of Ireland on the Fly.  He was an inspiration for us  as well as thousands of other fly anglers around the world, and with every new release, his musings, essays and reflections on a life lived through fly fishing have kept us entertained down through the years.

For the latest Ireland on the Fly Book Club episode it’s an honour to be speaking to John Gierach, the prolific and best-selling fly fishing writer, whose first collection Trout Bum, in 1986, opened the door to so much.

John explains why he sees himself as a writer first and angler second, discusses the hard work and process behind his writing success and also delves into why he headed west to Colorado to begin a life lived based solely around fly fishing.

John’s latest book, All the Time in the World, is out now.

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We’re turning our attention to fly tying for this week’s episode and our guest is a bit of a legend in Irish fly tying circles it has to be said and yet his flies might never have graced our waters and caught so many fish if it wasn’t for a sliding doors moment in the life of Frankie McPhillips when he was looking for work…..

Frankie describes a different time in the 1970s and 1980s when good, quality flies were hard to come by and how after 45 years he’s still as much in demand.  Don’t forget to visit www.frankiemcphillips.com to see the flies for yourself.

Looking back on his fly fishing life, Frankie talks about friendship and fishing with Ted Malone who was still casting and catching on Lough Corrib up until the age of 96. 

Frankie has also written a poem called, ‘Under Tattenweir Bridge’ which he reads out for us on the podcast.

‘I cast my fly under Tattenweir Bridge

And as it floats back to me,

overhead, I hear a forty tonner roar

carting packed pallets of “best before”

to vast warehouses of plenty

I cast my fly under Tattenweir Bridge

and as it floats back to me

I hear the sighs of famine men

lift stone after cut stone

clacked into place

to form the perfect arch…

I wonder, to stave the hunger

did they ever take a rising trout in May

or grape the November salmon on his lie

I cast my fly under Tattenweir Bridge

And as it floats back to me

I see you, crouched in the long bank grass

flint spear by your side

no catch and release then

for salmon, trout or thirsty deer…

river food, brought back to rath or home

beside the standing stones

of Ballyreagh or Topped

As darkness falls under Tattenweir Bridge

The little trout swim side by side

hunger squawks in the redwood nest,

the heron begins his river glide.’

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With all this rain the last while I’m sure many of you are still itching to get out fishing and for this week’s episode we’ve got some great insights and advice on where to fish for those early season salmon along the Atlantic seaboard from Markus Muller.

When the rains do finally subside and the waters come back into contention Markus pinpoints some of the most likely places where you have a high chance of landing a salmon.  

Plus he also has some interesting points about the 2022 season and trends to look out for the 2023 season and beyond.

You can read more from the IFI’s document here:

https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/sites/default/files/2023-03/the-status-of-irish-salmon-stocks-in-2022-with-catch-advice-for-2023.pdf

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It’s St. Patrick’s week and for so many fly anglers this really is the start of the brown trout season in Ireland, especially on the rivers, including the River Suir, which has been called the finest brown trout river in Europe.

So for this week’s episode we wanted to find out how and where it fishes best and we speak to George McGrath of Gundog & Fly YouTube fame, who has also spent a lifetime fishing the Suir.

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Continuing our focus on spring salmon fishing, this week’s Ireland on the Fly podcast turns its attention to the Upper Caragh Fishery in county Kerry and we speak to Mike O’Shea the fishery manager to find out about the salmon run on the system from springers right through to the summer grilse and back-end of the season.

Mike also discusses the introduction of the hatchery, how that has been a success with 30% of the salmon caught coming from it and why he believes an enlightened, supplemental approach is key to its development. 

Based in the spectacular Reeks district between Killorglin and Glenbeigh, even if you don’t catch a fish, just going there alone is worth it for the scenery….well maybe the first time, but after that you do want to be landing a salmon or two and if you’re hoping for a springer, the Upper Caragh could be the place for that.

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For this week’s episode we speak to Sean McManmon, a hugely experienced fly angler, and someone known as Mr Salmon in some circles in Ireland.

After decades working in the K Club he has guided US Presidents, rock stars, supermodels and golfing greats such as Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara.

From tales of giving the Secret Service the slip to catching 19 salmon in a day, Sean has a lifetime of memories, insights and most importantly, great stories and sums up exactly what fly fishing is all about in a life well-lived.

If we get to fish half as much as Sean has and seen half as much as he has seen, well, I think we’ll be happy with our fly fishing lives....

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It's a first for us this week on Ireland on the Fly as we find out about catching mullet on the fly in early season.

It’s a fish known as the Irish bonefish and not one that has been targeted a great deal but maybe that’s about to change.

After all, if you’re like our guest, West Cork guide and angler, David Norman, you could be landing five mullet on the fly in a single session in February on your five weight.

If you’re interested, then stay tuned as David explains how and where to target the mullet in Irish waters.

We also speak to David about his plans for the coming season with high hopes for double-figure pollock and bass and to find out more, you can contact David at https://www.anglingadventureswestcork.ie.

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We’re into February, spring is in the air and slowly the season is starting to kick into gear.  Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we get updates on the salmon rivers and loughs around Ireland and we’ll be bringing you more tips and information for getting the most out of your fly fishing as the season progresses.

For our latest episode we’re continuing our fly fishing book club and this time we speak to Dan O’Donovan, the author of Salmon of the River Lee as well as a monograph on Sidney Spencer.

Dan’s book on the Lee is a fascinating social and cultural insight into the communities around Cork’s famous river and we delve into the heyday of the Lee before its damming in 1957 and the effects that has had on the fishing, the people and the subsequent decline in fish numbers as well.

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With the start of the season on Corrib only around the corner – it opens next week on February 15th - we catch up with Mike Keady, the Corrib expert and Irish international angler, to get his insights into getting the most out of spring fishing on the lough, with a focus on the duck fly hatch which is when the first real numbers of fish are caught on the fly.

Mike explains how and where to find the duck fly holes, the ideal conditions needed and how it just sometimes all comes together when the fishing gods conspire.

The duck fly hatch is only for a few weeks though so you need to be able to time it right.

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Although the salmon season has only just got under way, some of you may be looking to make plans for your spring fishing and one fishery that has always caught my eye that I’m hoping to fish is Carrowmore Lake in the far corner of Mayo on the Erris peninsula.

Renowned as a spring salmon lough it usually features with some of the earliest salmon caught in Ireland each year but as we find out, Carrowmore is an awful lot more as well.

And so for this fishery focus episode we speak to Brian Hope, a member of the local Bangor Erris Angling Club to give us the finer points on making the most out of your fishing on the lough.

For more information visit https://bangorerrisangling.com

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While the salmon season has officially begun, we’re still in the thick of it so to speak with the long nights still hanging over us and many of you are getting busy at the vice in anticipation of your own local waters opening in the coming weeks.

So for this week’s episode we catch up with former international angler and renowned fly tyer, Ryan Houston, to find out about his fly fishing career, his fly tying obsession and to also get some fly tying secrets from one of the best on the island.

Ryan also has a growing YouTube channel with hundreds of fly tying videos to learn from at:
https://www.youtube.com/@RyanHoustonflytying

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A recurring theme of some of our podcasts recently has been looking at the disastrous effects fish farming has had on wild salmon and sea trout and we have been examining Scotland in particular as a case study where the politicians have – just like Ireland – pursued a policy of increasing fish farming whilst blithely ignoring the accepted scientific evidence about the dangers to wild salmon and sea trout.

And so, for this week’s episode we’re speaking to Wild Fish’s Rachel Mulrenan, who is the Deputy Director, Scotland, for the wild fish conservation group.

Rachel gives us some really interesting insights into the rise of intensive fish farming in Scotland and why isolated and disparate local communities on the west coast were the ones initially targeted.

We also discuss the closing of one fish farm at Loch Ewe and what that really means and why, despite politicians backing the science around climate change, when it comes to fish farming, they still choose to bury their heads in the sand…..

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For so many of us, fly fishing is also about the people, places and experiences we have, especially whilst discovering new places.

And so, for this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, we speak to Cork fly angler, Ronan Collins, whom Daire first met in Greenland last year.

Ronan has fished in many far flung places around the world and is a particularly keen salmon angler with incredible stories from Russia and elsewhere, plus he also introduced Daire to the wonders of yacht-rock, but more on that later in the show…

Speaking to Ronan and hearing his stories about fly fishing around Ireland and the world is a reminder that it’s about fly fishing and about so much more.

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It’s January 2023 and a Happy New Year to all our listeners and to those of you especially who have been in touch with ideas, suggestions and for the competition as well.

We’ll be running a lot more comps with prizes of books, flies and fly boxes throughout the year so stay tuned for that.

And the winner of Mark Wormald’s The Catch: Fishing for Ted Hughes was Kevin Tripper so congratulations Kevin.

But back to this week’s episode and we hear from Shane Gallagher of the Drowes Fishery to hear how the opening few days of the salmon season went.

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Christmas 2022 has been and gone, the presents opened and too much eating and drinking gone on I’m sure and you’re probably counting down the days to the salmon season starting, or getting back out onto the water before the hectic work-life schedule starts all over again.

And so, for our last episode of the year we’ve put together a collection of some of our guests’ most memorable fish on the fly stories.  

With everything from small fish to giant fish and fishing with family and friends, they give a snapshot into just why we love to fly fish…..

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As it's the run-up to Christmas, we’ve got another instalment of our book club this week on the show and we’re discussing Ted Hughes and the influence of Ireland and Irish fly fishing on his poetry with Mark Wormald, a Cambridge lecturer and fly angler, who has written a superb book called The Catch: Fishing for Ted Hughes.
 
Mark stands where the poet stood, forty years ago, because fishing was Ted Hughes's way of breathing - and because the poet's writing has made Mark understand that it has always been his way of breathing, too. 

Using Hughes's poetry collection River and his fishing diaries as a guide, Mark returns again and again to the rivers and lakes in Britain and Ireland where the poet fished.

We also have a signed copy of Mark’s book to give away and to be in with a chance of winning The Catch, tell us the name of one of Ted Hughes’s poems and email the answer to info@lastcastmedia.com. 

We’ll contact the winner then over Christmas and have the book posted out to him/her.
 

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If you’re into saltwater fly fishing, by all accounts, 2022 seems to have been the year of the pollock with large numbers and large sizes of the fish being caught right throughout the season.

Are we seeing more pollock being caught because more anglers are targeting them on the fly?  And, what’s happened to the bass?

To find out more, for this week’s episode, we’re joined by Richie Ryan of Corkbass.com who is a guide specialising in catching pollock on the fly.

Richie told us of incredible days with 30-40 pollock being caught, how and when to target them and why, for him, bass is now playing second fiddle to pollock when it comes to saltwater fly fishing.

You can contact Richie by visiting Corkbass.com

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Another fish to target over winter is pike, with pike on the fly becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.

For this week’s episode we wanted to find out more about the set-up, the flies, the tactics and why fly fishing for pike isn’t just for Christmas either and we spoke to Markus Muller, an advisor to IFI and pike fly fishing aficionado, as well as Bodo Funke, the well-known pike guide based in Roscommon.

If you’re interested in finding out more or wanted to organise a day out fly fishing for pike, you can contact Bodo at anglingservicesireland.com

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You might be wondering why we’re talking about salmon for this latest episode in December, but as we get closer to the start of the season on January 1st, the IFI are busy finalising the data from the salmon tags for the 2022 season to make the final decision on what rivers will be open next year.

So, we decided to speak to Kevin Crowley from the IFI to find out more about the data they have, to give us some insights into the salmon numbers from this year and how the whole process works.

Kevin also has some interesting insights into policy and strategy around the salmon and it’s worth a listen.

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Although it’s winter time it doesn’t mean you have to hang up your rods in the close season with a number of stocked fisheries around the country a great place to still catch fish - even if it is sometimes in near freezing temperatures.

But with stockies, it’s not just about chuck it out and pull em in as you’ll find out on our latest episode with Denis Goulding, a well-known Irish international angler who has fished for them for over thirty years and who also runs the winter bank league.

Denis gives us a bit of a masterclass in how to fish for rainbows and it’s well worth a listen.

As he says, just get out there, relax and go fishing on these fisheries over winter time, ‘they’re ready and waiting for you.’

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On last week’s episode we spoke to Eoghain Maclean, a ghillie on Scotland’s famed Loch Maree which has collapsed as a fishery since the arrival of fish farms.

We wanted a ghillie’s perspective on it to sound a warning as to what could happen to other fisheries in Ireland being similarly affected.

And now, as a follow-up, we have a bonus episode from Wild Fish, the UK fish conservation group, which made a video on the demise of Loch Maree.

You’ll hear from Jeremy Paxman, Eoghain Macclean and fishery scientists about the effects of sea lice on salmon and sea trout and how this has impacted what was once a jewel in the crown of Scotland’s lochs.

It has also happened before in Ireland with the sea trout fisheries in Connemara, and it can happen here again.

The audio is courtesy of www.wildfish.org and you can watch the video on their YouTube channel.

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As fly anglers we have become all too aware of the environmental dangers and unwanted consequences of fish farming and what was once touted as an answer to more productive fish production has now been proved to be anything but.

Scotland is a case in point - the west coast of Scotland in particular, where salmon and sea trout runs have practically disappeared – much like what we’ve also seen with sea trout in Connemara.

Loch Maree was once the jewel in the crown for Scottish loch fishing but since the 1980s and the arrival of fish farms nearby, its fish numbers have been decimated.

So, for this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly we wanted to highlight how quickly a fishery can collapse, the effects on the fishing, the environment and the economy, whilst also finding out about some possible green shoots that are now emerging. 

Eoghain Maclean has been a ghillie on Loch Maree all his life and has been outspoken about the damage that has been done to the loch from fish farming and so he joined us to give us his perspective on the changes that he has seen in his lifetime.

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We wanted to start a bit of a book club here on the Ireland on the Fly podcast to discuss the best Irish fly fishing books and so, for this the 50th show, we’re beginning with an episode on Kingsmill Moore’s A Man May Fish, the seminal work on fly fishing in Ireland.

To help us give context and background to Kingsmill Moore, we spoke to Patrick Gageby, a barrister and fly angler who also co-wrote the foreword to an edition of O’Gorman’s The Practice of Angling in Ireland.

Patrick reveals some fascinating first-hand insights about Kingsmill Moore and the places he fished as well as how Moore’s background and legal career helped influence his writing of the book.

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It’s officially winter and that means, for many fly anglers, the longer nights will see the vice dusted down and plans made for new flies to be tied for next season.

On this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, we hear from one of Ireland’s finest fly tyers, Jackie Mahon, to get some of the secrets to his fly tying success – and he tells us the extent he will go to for just the right shade of magenta!

Visit Jackiemahonfliesandguiding.com for more on Jackie’s guiding and flies to order.

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The 2022 salmon and trout season has come to a close and so, for this episode of Ireland on the Fly, we’re doing a review of the brown trout lakes around the country to find out how the fishing has been, what the conditions were like and, most importantly, what the catch numbers were on the different waters.

Paul Bourke is a name many of you might be familiar with through his forty plus years with Inland Fisheries Ireland as well as his monthly updates to Trout & Salmon magazine and we thought who better to give us the round-up of the Irish fly fishing season on the lakes just gone.

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Keith McDonnell is well known in this country for being one of the early advocates of streamer fishing and his many incredible catches are a testament to his skills and use of the tactic.

And having seen his pictures of 20lbs sea trout from a recent trip to Iceland we had to get him on the show to talk about the trip and the experience and to also find out how the 2022 season went for him overall…..

For more about the fishing near Reykjavik that Keith mentions, visit the website at svfr.is and can you can also visit StreamerFishing.com for more tips and advice on streamer fly fishing.

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With International Women's Fly Fishing Day held recently, for this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, we wanted to speak to young Irish female fly anglers to find out about their love of fly fishing, how they got into it and what can be done to encourage more inclusivity in the sport.

Almha McDonnell and Rebecca Moffitt McGinn have progressed from the Irish youths teams to currently fishing on the senior Irish Ladies fly fishing team and have a wealth of knowledge and insights about the sport and are still just in their 20s.

They tell us about the importance of clubs in encouraging their early interest and how they quickly progressed onto youths and then senior international teams and how they hope they are recognised not just as female fly anglers but fly anglers instead.

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We’re into the last few weeks of the salmon and trout season and for this week’s Ireland on the Fly, we’re joined by Peter Driver, founder of Piscari Fly in Kilkenny, and a highly accomplished trout angler who just recently captured the National River Championship.

Peter talks to us about the importance of mindset and mentality in enabling him to capture the national title, plus he talks tactics for September river fishing and how the 2022 season went for him.

Peter is also returning with his popular, weekly winter fly-tying on Facebook from 8th October so keep an eye out for those video demonstrations.

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For this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, we're focusing on, what some might say is a bit of an esoteric branch of the sport – tenkara - and the art of fishing on mountain streams with minimum line and no reel that first developed in Japan.  

So, what is it, how does one do it and most importantly, how relevant is it to Irish waters?

David Anchell is a passionate fly angler in south Tipperary and knowing he was a keen advocate of tenkara, we decided to find out more from him and why it works so well on Irish mountain streams.

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This latest episode is a little bit different and a bit more far flung as I’ve recently returned from a week’s fly fishing for sea-run Arctic char in Greenland and what an experience it was.  

You’re going to hear from the local Inuit, the Danish chef, the German camp manager and the Welsh guide to get an insight into what made the trip so special and what it’s like catching char in one of the remote fly fishing destinations in the world.

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One key aspect of the Ireland on the Fly podcast is to also bring you information and insights into the different fisheries around the country and so, every few weeks we will be bringing you episodes focusing on fisheries from those who know them best.

These fishery focus episodes will help anglers who are maybe thinking of visiting a new river or lough, to find out when it fishes well and where to get good information also 

And if you want your fishery to be featured on future episodes then you can get in touch with us on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly

This episode is on the River Bandon in Cork and we speak to Jason Nash, who grew up fishing the river along with his father and grandfather and where he is now a guide and fisheries consultant as well.

Keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly

River Suir angler George McGrath got in touch about an issue that has energised him and many of you in the Irish fly fishing community in recent weeks in relation to weed growth in Irish rivers and lakes that has been as bad in living memory.

So, what’s going on?  Who’s responsible and more importantly, what can be done about it?

George McGrath joins us to tell us what he has seen and fisheries scientist, Ken Whelan, gives his scientific explanation as to what is most likely the reason, plus who to contact and what pro-active measures can be taken to ensure that this problem does not go unaddressed.

If you have seen similar weed growth and conditions that George McGrath has described, then get in touch with LAWaters.ie to start the investigation.

Keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.

This week’s guest is Garrett Fallon - someone who grew up in Ireland fishing the Boyne, Corrib, Deel and other rivers and lakes around the country but since the 1990s he has been in England working in publishing and design. 

The last few years however has seen him combine his love of fishing, writing and publishing to create the very popular fishing quarterly magazine, Fallon’s Angler, which is dedicated to longform writing about every type of angling with the likes of Chris Yates and Kevin Parr featuring in each issue.

Garrett is also the son of Niall Fallon, an Irish Times journalist who wrote the well-respected Fly Fishing for Irish Trout in 1983 and we speak to Garrett about his father’s influence growing up, his own memories of fishing in Ireland and why Fallon's Angler has helped him find the soul of angling along the way.

Keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly.