Tommy Tiernan Show Features Cross-Community Activists, Snooker Legend, and Rapper
Saturday night’s Tommy Tiernan Show featured a diverse lineup of guests, including cross-community activists Anne Walker and Kathleen Gillespie, retired snooker player Steve Davis, and rapper and singer-songwriter Mike Skinner. The episode explored themes of reconciliation, personal journeys, and the pursuit of passion.
Unlikely Friendship Forged Through The Troubles
A central focus of the show was the conversation between Anne Walker and Kathleen Gillespie, two women with vastly different experiences during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Gillespie shared the harrowing story of her husband’s murder by the IRA 35 years ago . He was targeted as a civilian worker employed by the Ministry of Defence. Gillespie recounted the trauma of being held captive with her husband before his death in an explosion that also claimed the lives of five soldiers.
Walker, revealed her own involvement with the IRA, joining at the age of 18 after a childhood marked by the conflict, including the murder of her uncle during Bloody Sunday. She described her role in moving weapons, initially believing in the cause but later questioning her involvement, ultimately realizing she “couldn’t kill.” Walker and Gillespie have been friends for 15 years, using their experiences to promote cross-community understanding.
Gillespie highlighted the societal expectations that dictate animosity between them, stating, “People think that I should hate her, I should not be friends with her…They don’t understand why I could be such fine friends with her.”
Steve Davis on Snooker, Strategy, and Second Acts
The show also featured retired snooker player Steve Davis, who discussed his career and his transition to new passions. Davis reflected on his competitive mindset and strategic approach to the game, as well as his evolution from a serious player to a more lighthearted persona . He spoke about the sacrifices he made for his career and his newfound enjoyment of DJing and playing modular synthesizers with his band, The Utopia Strong.
Davis emphasized the importance of living in the moment and embracing improvisation, both in music and in life.
Mike Skinner on Touring, Vulnerability, and UFOs
Rapper and singer-songwriter Mike Skinner rounded out the guest list, discussing the realities of touring and the creative process behind his album A Grand Don’t Come For Free . Skinner highlighted the extensive preparation required for touring and reflected on the vulnerability inherent in performing and songwriting.
He also touched on his fascination with UFOs and near-death experiences, acknowledging that his beliefs are often met with skepticism.
Tiernan Reflects on the North
Tiernan himself expressed being “thrown” by the conversation with Walker and Gillespie, noting that those in the south of Ireland are not always in a position to comment on the experiences of those in the north. He admitted he had never before interviewed someone who openly identified as a former member of the IRA.
The Tommy Tiernan Show continues to provide a platform for intimate and thought-provoking conversations, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.