Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare commissioned for Zeitgeist Irland 24, that presents the current generation of Irish artists that are part of the year's cultural programme of contemporary arts. Conceived of by Hoare as 'audio portraits', the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 1, Neil Hoare talks with A.S. Fanning, a Dublin-born singer-songwriter based in Berlin for several years, and known for his introspective lyrics and deep baritone voice. His music blends folk-rock with gothic and psychedelic elements. His 2023 album Mushroom Cloud explores themes of isolation and uncertainty during the pandemic, layered with rich orchestration. Fanning’s poetic style draws on Irish literary traditions, offering a melancholic, reflective quality to his songs. His earlier works include You Should Go Mad (2020) and Second Life (2016)

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. This experience led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits, Hoares first exploration into the world of Podcasting.

Hoaretraits Ep. 1: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist A.S. Fanning

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 2, Neil Hoare talks with Naoise Dolan. Dublin born author Naoise Dolan has published two novels, the Sunday Times bestseller Exciting Times and her latest, The Happy Couple. Now residing in Berlin, Dolan's work is known for its wit, humour, and thoughtful exploration of class and queerness. Alongside her fiction, Dolan also writes essays and reviews for publications like The Guardian and Vogue.  Dolan has been shortlisted and longlisted for several awards, including the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Dylan Thomas Prize. A German translation of The Happy Couple (,Das glückliche Paar') was released this year. 

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 2: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Naoise Dolan

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 3, Neil Hoare talks with Robert Mirolo, an Irish illustrator and musician based in Berlin. His work is characterized by bold, abstract shapes and symbolic imagery, appearing in concert posters, album covers, and various publications. Mirolo’s visual style combines playful abstraction with deeper explorations of identity and culture. In addition to his illustration work, he is a member of the experimental psych-rock band SSMMÜTT, which mixes improvisation and high-energy performances. Mirolo is also a member of the bands Onion Boys and Lemongrab. Onion Boys brought their unique brand of theatrical punk and rock ‘n’ roll on tour through Germany in Spring 2024 as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 3: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Robert Mirolo

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 5, Neil Hoare talks with Francis Heery. Heery is a composer and sound artist from Co. Galway. Drawing inspiration from science-fiction, and occultism, his work often combines modular synths, acoustic instruments, and Software for immersive, site-specific performances. He holds a Ph.D. in Composition and an M.Phil. in Music and Media Technologies, with his music featured at festivals and conferences in Europe and the U.S. As the artistic director of 'Topographies', a mini-festival held at Berlin’s PAS venue presented by Contemporary Music Centre Ireland and supported by the Zeitgeist Irland 24 initiative, Heery brought together Irish composers and performers for concerts, live discussions, and networking events. In addition to his compositions, Heery produces experimental electronica as The Cube of Unknowing, exploring new sonic landscapes through improvisation and sound design.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 5: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Francis Heery

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 6, Neil talks with Sheena McGrandles, a Northern Irish dancer and choreographer based in Berlin. McGrandles is known for her innovative, multi-narrative works that blend movement with humour and hyper-realism. With a background from the Laban Centre in London and HZT/UdK Berlin, she explores radical temporality, using detailed, slowed-down movement to create immersive, thought-provoking landscapes. Her work, often collaborative and politically engaged, examines themes like family, societal roles, and bodily autonomy. As part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, Sheena showcased her work 'DAWN: A Musical on Reproduction' in Theater im Depot (Dortmund) and premiered a new work 'MINT: A Folk Opera' in HAU (Berlin).

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 6: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Sheena McGrandles

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 7, Neil talks with Dee Mulrooney, an Irish artist, performer, illustrator, teacher, activist, and mother. Known for her alter ego, Growler—an 82-year-old shamanic vulva from inner-city Dublin—she transforms women’s pain through raw, evocative storytelling, singing, and poetry. Growler, known for her humor and sharp wit, reflects Dee’s commitment to addressing complex social issues with emotional resonance. Dee will perform 'Where ye From?' on November 8th and 'Tales from the Holywell' on November 9th, both at the English Theatre Berlin. She will be joined by musicians Wallis Bird and Damien Dempsey for the latter event, which is part of the Zeitgeist Irland 24 programme. Growler also took part in Zeitgeist Irland 24 earlier in the year as one of the artists in the Irish Theatre Berlin festival, which ran May to June at the English Theatre Berlin, and at Findrinny Festival of New Irish Songs & Sounds in PAS cultural space in September.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 7: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Dee Mulrooney

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 8, Neil talks with Lyónn Wolf, a Berlin- and Dublin-based artist whose work reimagines space, identity, and community through immersive installations, performances, and DIY publishing. Using thrifted and recycled materials, Wolf critiques societal norms around family, queerness, and working-class life from an anti-capitalist perspective. Domestic Optimism III – A Lesbian Squat Isn’t Just for Porno’s, the latest in their Domestic Optimism series, reinterprets architecture and social housing with a queer, working-class gaze. This Berlin edition includes a sound work that re-envisions Dublin’s Ballymun Towers as symbols of working-class heritage and as utopian spaces for queer life, reflecting Wolf’s radical urban vision, and was exhibited in October in Scriptings artspace as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 8: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Lyónn Wolf

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 9, Neil talks to Mary Kelly. Kelly is a Berlin-based Irish actor, playwright, and theatre-maker whose work explores themes of identity, family, and the human condition, deeply rooted in her Irish heritage. Her plays have been produced internationally and published by Nick Hern Books (London) and Stinging Fly Press (Dublin). She has performed extensively in Ireland, Germany, and beyond, with recent credits including 'Happy Days' at English Theatre Berlin, directed by Samuel Beckett’s associate Walter D. Asmus as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, and a production at The Gate Theatre Dublin. Currently directing In 'My Cult Era', premiering at Schwartze Villa Steglitz on November 24th, Mary will begin a three-month residency as Artist in Residence at the Paul Drude Scientific Research Institute this December.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 9: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Mary Kelly

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 10, Neil talks to musician Damien Dempsey. Born in Dublin, Damien Dempsey has become one of Ireland’s most beloved musical voices, renowned for blending folk, rock, and traditional Irish elements. His lyrics, rich with storytelling, explore themes of inequality, addiction, and mental health. His songs have become anthems of resilience, reflecting both the struggles and the indomitable spirit of Ireland’s working class, with his latest album, Hold Your Joy (2024) a testament to mindfulness and gratitude. Whether through his music or his social advocacy, Dempsey proclaims his attempts to inspire, uplift, and unite. Damien Dempsey performed in Berlin in November at the event 'Songs from the Holywell' alongside Growler and Wallis Bird, a part of Zeitgeist Irland 24.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 10: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Damien Dempsey

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 11, Neil talks to musician, producer, performer and DJ Kev Sheridan. Currently residing in Berlin and mostly releasing on maeve, the record label run by Mano Le Tough, Baikal and The Drifter,
Sheridan is classically trained on piano and a proficient drummer, and has played in a variety of bands over the years which helps to explain his diverse musical palette. In 2024, As part of the Zeitgeist Irland 24 initiative, Kev curated ‘Sound of Vision’ at The Ballery Gallery in Berlin, a collaborative exhibition that brought his interest in music and visual art into a shared space, exploring the connections between the two artforms. 

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 11:  Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Kev Sheridan

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 12, Neil talks with Jennifer O Donnell of plattenbaustudio, founded in Berlin in 2018 along with partner Jonathan Janssens as an architecture and drawing studio blending design, research, and observation. Focused on the relationship between people and space, the studio designs for real-world use, guided by a commitment to context and user-centered architecture. Their work spans architectural projects, contemporary drawing, and research, using drawings as tools to explore and communicate complex built environments. plattenbau studio values collaboration, partnering with clients, designers, and universities through workshops, teaching, and research. Rooted in curiosity, their projects emphasize place-specific, playful, and responsive designs that balance practicality with creativity. In the framework of Zeitgeist Irland 24, the studio collaborated with designer ROJI to create the exhibition ‘Table Service’ in Cologne in August, as a parallel to the studio’s concurrent ‘Urban Mirror’ commission by Cork City Council. Cork and Cologne are twinned cites and the exhibition in Germany was facilitated by Städtepartnerschaft Köln-Cork.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits

Hoaretraits Ep. 12: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Jennifer O'Donnell (plattenbaustudio)

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 13, Neil talks with Joey Gavin, an Irish musician and songwriter whose work blends folk sensibilities with experimental sounds. Known for his poetic lyricism and lived in compositions, Gavin's music often strikes a balance between introspection and storytelling. His songwriting delves into themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of human connection. Whether performing intimate acoustic sets or larger, full-band arrangements, his performances are marked by an authenticity that draws audiences in. In addition to his music, Gavin’s creative approach often intersects with visual art and photography, demonstrating his commitment to exploring new ways of connecting with his audience. At the end of the conversation Gavin plays Catching up with the pack, a song from Porcupine, a collaborative EP with fellow Irish talent, Mark Loughrey. Joey Gavin organised ‘Findrinny, Festival of New Irish Songs and Sounds’ at PAS in Berlin in September 2024 as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, featuring acts Junior Brother, Growler, Sonny Casey, Dylan Kerr, Mark Loghrey, and the Kilfenora Road Show, and with DJ sets from Donal Dineen.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 13: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Joey Gavin

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 14, Neil talks with Mariechen Danz, an Irish-German multidisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses sculpture, installation, drawing, and performance. Born in Dublin, she studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, earned her Meisterschülerin at the Universität der Künste in Berlin in 2005, and completed an MFA at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California, in 2008. Danz's work interrogates knowledge systems, language, and the human body as both a vessel and a limitation in the search for understanding. Her art has been showcased internationally, including at the 57th Venice Biennale,  Centre Pompidou, and the New Museum in New York. Danz has also been recognized with awards such as the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Scholarship in 2014 and a Villa Romana Fellowship in 2013. Additional to a recent solo exhibition ‘Stubborn Shadows / Scáthanna Seasta’ at Project Arts Centre in Dublin, Danz participated this year in the Zeitgeist Irland 24 initiative with her exhibition ‘edge out’ in Berlinische Galerie, which runs until March 2025, further underscoring her commitment to exploring intersections of identity, heritage, and cultural exchange.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 14: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Mariechen Danz

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 15, Neil talks with Wallis Bird, an Irish singer-songwriter renowned for her bold, genre-blurring music and magnetic live performances. Hailing from Wexford and now based in Germany, she’s built a thriving international career. Her distinctive guitar style, shaped by a childhood accident, and her knack for heartfelt songwriting have captivated audiences worldwide. Over her career, Bird has released several acclaimed albums, including Home(2016), Woman (2019), and her latest, Hands (2022), which explores themes of resilience, identity, and connection. Beyond her solo work, Bird is an avid collaborator, recently contributing to Visions of Venus, a cross-genre creative project that celebrates diversity and artistic expression. As part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, Bird appeared on stage at Fluxbau in February for a special Tracks & Talk event presented by Tip Berlin. 

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.

Hoaretraits Ep. 15: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Wallis Bird

Hoaretraits is a series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 - the year's cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as 'audio portraits', the podcasts explore themes of creativity, imagination and craft in conversation a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

Zeitgeist Irland 24 is a celebration of the richness and diversity of contemporary Irish culture. 
Weaving the collective story and experiences of the Irish, Zeitgeist Irland 24 brings a new generation of Irish artists to German audiences, continuing to build on our global reputation for cultural excellence.

Zeitgeist Irland 24

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