Episode 63 of the Temple Bar Podcast is a wild, hilarious and brutally honest conversation with Irish singer-songwriter Dale O'Hanlon, tracing a life spent on stages, ships, bars and continents across the world.

From growing up in Coolock, apprenticing under Eddie Sherlock, and winning Star Search, to busking Dublin, playing Vicar Street, surviving hellish bar residencies in Cyprus, freelancing through Spain, navigating the madness of Dubai, and accidentally ending up on a cruise ship in the Deep South of America, Dale shares the unfiltered reality of life as a working musician.

This episode dives deep into:

• Writing songs as stories, not formulas

• Why some of the best songs are written in 10 minutes

• Original music vs cover gigs and the brutal economics of both

• Irish pub culture at home and abroad

• Touring, cruise ships, residencies and burnout

• Wild gig stories from Cyprus, Spain, Dubai, Alabama and beyond

• Playing to tourists, locals and completely unhinged crowds

• The thin line between loving music and losing yourself to it

• A surreal night drinking with Conor McGregor in Dubai

• Why Dale is now back in Dublin and recording a raw, stripped-back album

Equal parts comedy, chaos and craft, this is an essential listen for musicians, creatives, gigging artists, and anyone curious about what really goes on behind the scenes of the Irish music scene and the global pub circuit.

If you love Irish podcasts, music industry stories, songwriting, travel chaos, and brutally funny honesty, this episode delivers from start to finish.

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Hello 2026, goodbye duality

Born Again | Infinite Onion, Rebirth & Why Growth Feels Like Going Backwards

It’s New Year’s Day — but are we really starting again, or just uncovering another layer?

In Episode 62 of the Temple Barred Podcast, Jim and Philip explore the idea of being “born again” — not as a once-a-year reset, but as something that happens constantly, moment by moment. Through stories of Christmas chaos, repeating patterns, dopamine, ADHD traits and self-reflection, the lads unpack why personal growth can feel frustrating, circular and unfinished — even when real progress is happening.

At the heart of the episode is the idea of the Infinite Onion:

Every time we think we’ve “figured it out,” another layer appears — and that doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It means we’re evolving.

This episode explores:

• Rebirth beyond New Year’s resolutions

• Why self-improvement feels repetitive

• Patterns, self-judgement and awareness

• Dopamine, conflict and unconscious behaviour

• Letting go instead of trying to control

• Duality, perception and the illusion of separation

• Consciousness, identity and choosing love over fear

• How algorithms, media and attention shape reality

• Finding growth in everyday moments

Honest, reflective and often hilarious, this episode is for anyone feeling stuck, tired of “reset culture,” or wondering why growth doesn’t look the way it’s supposed to.

🎧 You haven’t gone backwards.

You’re just peeling the next layer.

🎄 Christmas 2025 Special | Temple Barred Podcast 🎄

The lads sit down for a raw, funny, and deeply human Christmas special that captures everything this time of year brings — grief, gratitude, chaos, connection, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Jim and Philip reflect on the true meaning of Christmas after a year marked by loss, sharing a heartfelt tribute to a loved one gone far too soon and offering compassion to anyone finding the season difficult. From the loneliness that can creep in during the holidays to the small lights that help us through dark moments, this episode is an honest reminder that this too shall pass.

As ever, the heavy moments are balanced with classic Temple Barred storytelling:

🎤 a painfully funny tale of Philip’s “big break” acting role that lasted less than a second

🎶 life as a working musician — gigs gone wrong, sound disasters, horse arenas in Belgium, and Irish pub madness

📻 conversations on music, autotune, Spotify vs YouTube, modern fame, and why authenticity still matters

🌍 shoutouts to listeners tuning in from Germany, Canada, Vietnam, and beyond

This episode is a love letter to listeners around the world who use podcasts as company, comfort, and craic — whether you’re freezing, sweating, celebrating, or just getting through the day.

Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and spend Christmas with the Temple Barred Podcast.

✨ Themes: Christmas reflections, grief & healing, Irish humour, music industry stories, mental health, creativity, community

🎧 Perfect for: fans of long-form conversation, Irish podcasts, honest Christmas episodes, and unfiltered storytelling

Merry Christmas from Temple Barred — you’re not alone. 🎄💛