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Dion Fanning

@dionfanning.bsky.social

2.3K followers 175 following 80 posts

Journalist. Free State podcast

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

"I would say to anybody who thinks this is a good thing they should look at what Jeff Bezos did to The Washington Post" @dionfanning.bsky.social on the prospect of the Amazon founder buying into Liverpool Football Club. New episode out now freestatepodcast.com

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

‘Mo Salah wanted to stay at Liverpool’ On Free State, Melissa Reddy talks to Dion about why Mo Salah is the world’s most important footballer Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4yxo... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Mo Salah: The Most Important Footballer in the World?

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning · Episode

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Today’s podcast with the remarkable Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah @freestatepodcast.bluesky.social Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5rQW... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Radical Forgiveness: How a Palestinian and an Israeli want to bring peace to their lands

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning · Episode

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Reposted by Dion Fanning

Sally Hayden @sallyhayd.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Thank you to @dionfanning.bsky.social for inviting me on the Free State podcast to discuss 'This is Also a Love Story': shows.acast.com/free-state-w... #Spéirghorm

shows.acast.com

Love in the Time of War | Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Louth For Ever 🦋 @louthforever.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

This is a must listen from Joe & @dionfanning.bsky.social interviewing the exceptional and lucid Sinéad O’Sullivan 💡🎧. You should really listen to this. #Spéirghorm #IrishPolitics #SinnFéin podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f...

podcasts.apple.com

The Premature Birth of a Nation with Sinead O'Sullivan

Podcast Episode · Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning · 21 April · 1hr 3min

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Today’s Free State on why Ireland lose Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1bj6... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Why Ireland Lost - Living in the Age of Anxiety

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Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

For @irishexaminer.bsky.social on pain, misery and acceptance www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer...

irishexaminer.com

In Prague, we experienced a heartbreaking illustration of who we are

Our misery now has an identifiable form in the shape of a fixture on Tuesday against North Macedonia, a fixture that could be considered cruel and unusual punishment for a team that deserved a lot mor...

Reposted by Dion Fanning

ActionAid Ireland @actionaidie.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Last week we welcomed Riham Jafari from ActionAid Palestine, where she spoke about the ongoing suffering of Palestinians and continued Israeli violence. Here she shares her story on the @freestatepodcast.bsky.social with @dionfanning.bsky.social: open.spotify.com/episode/59f9...

open.spotify.com

Gaza. A fantasy ceasefire

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

On Free State this week Charles Knowles explained why we drink and why we drink too much. He talks to Dion about his own struggles and discuss the line of Kurt Vonnegut that ‘Alcoholics Anonymous is America’s greatest contribution to the 20th century’, and why modern science agrees with Vonnegut.

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

This weekend’s podcast with Professor Charles Knowles Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6pn1... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Why We Drink Too Much

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Reposted by Dion Fanning

Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Pretty timely now given Josh Simons’ resignation yesterday

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Ian Black @balmachreuchie.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

An absolute must-listen primer 👇

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Wrote about Harry Potter, Ronald Reagan and what is happening in the U.K. for The Currency Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson and how England forgot itself thecurrency.news/articles/218...

thecurrency.news

Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson and how England forgot itself - The Currency

“The people through all England are generally so discontented, by reason of the multitude of projects daily imposed on them, as I fear there is reason to fear a great part of them will be readier to j...

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

"They're actually really scared about where this thing is going to go." In Defence of the Realm: Prince Andrew, Mountbatten and the British Establishment’s protection racket

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Today’s podcast with @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the incredible story of Labour Together Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5tkr... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented - The End of Keir Starmer

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Today’s podcast on Rory O’Connor, fanaticism and Ireland’s flirtation with military dictatorship Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1rDJ... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

The Spiritual Fanatic who shaped the IRA

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Today’s podcast on why Ireland will play Israel and whether they should Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6LSG... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Thoughts and Prayers. Why Ireland WILL play Israel.

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Melania - How to Bribe a President. New episode out now - Listen on #Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/31K0... Listen on #Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Spoke to Paul Murphy for The Currency and had a conversation I didn’t expect “This isn’t what I would do in a perfect world. I wouldn’t choose to be a public figure” thecurrency.news/articles/215...

thecurrency.news

“This isn't what I would do in a perfect world. I wouldn't choose to be a public figure” - The Currency

There was one question I asked Paul Murphy during today’s podcast, which, as soon as I asked it, I wished I hadn’t. It wasn’t that he didn’t answer the question or that the interview became needlessly...

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Today’s Free State with Peter Oborne Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5OOn... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Peter Oborne - ‘Trump’s Board of Peace is a Board of War'

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

America and fascism. Today’s podcast Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0TwH... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

ICE Cold in America: The Execution of Alex Pretti

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

"I would be concerned about the litigious nature of the GAA community..." Dion and Joe got stuck into the AFCON final controversy and looked at whether video refereeing has a place in the GAA.

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Listen on #Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1yDo... Listen on #ApplePodcasts podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the musical wing of the IRA

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

If you're a weatherman you look outside the window and you say what the weather is, you don't say you know one person says it's wet and one person says it's dry - you open the window and say it's raining. New episode - "Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the musical wing of the IRA" available now

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Nigel Farage, convicts and a good society. Today’s Free State @dionfanning.bsky.social Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/3b8d... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Nigel Farage’s Reform Prison Blues

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

The latest Free State with the extraordinary men who challenged the Spiritan order Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/3Xm6... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

A Few Good Men: The past pupils who took on Blackrock College

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Why Ruben Amorim was right even as he got everything so wrong www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...

irishexaminer.com

Dion Fanning: Amorim was right, even as he showed he was not the right man for the United job

Manchester United and their managers are committed to mutually assured destruction

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Liverpool are going to have to sack the low block coach next

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Today’s Free State on not being a West Brit Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0oiu... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Rule West Britannia

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

‘There’s a reason why football is the most popular game in the world and that’s what Infantino and the people he has cosied up to have exploited’ @dionfanning.bsky.social from the latest Free State podcast

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

On today’s Free State, Kneecap’s manager Dan Lambert on why the group appeal to so many

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Today’s @freestatepodcast.bsky.social with Dan Lambert on Kneecap and why UEFA should ban Israel from football Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4jLR... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Bohemian Rhapsody. Dan Lambert, the powerhouse behind Kneecap & Bohemian FC

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

For @irishexaminer.bsky.social on why Arne Slot needs to stop sounding so helpless www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...

irishexaminer.com

Dion Fanning: Arne Slot looks helpless and a manager rarely survives that look

Slot's limitations are being revealed but Liverpool’s collapse is a collective one, even if one man is likely to pay for that system failure

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Today’s podcast on the AI bubble and if we’re all doomed Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1yrG... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Apocalypse Now - AI and the Post Human World

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

For the Currency on an extraordinary week that was a long time coming thecurrency.news/articles/208...

thecurrency.news

That’s where you’ve been - football and the story of Ireland - The Currency

“There are towns and villages in Brazil which have no church, but not one lacks a soccer field. Sunday is the day of hard labour for cardiologists across the country. On a normal Sunday, people die of...

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

‘Troy Parrott, just Troy Parrott’ Today’s podcast Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6cil... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Troy Parrott and the joy of living in the now

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Forget about the future. Live in the present or at least the recent past with Troy Parrott. Piece for @irishexaminer.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer...

irishexaminer.com

Dion Fanning: These are days that are unexplainable and enriching. They have been as good as it gets

It was the most astonishing three days in Irish football since Ireland beat England in Stuttgart on a June Sunday in 1988 and Ronnie Whelan scored the extraordinary opening goal against the Soviet Uni...

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

This is fantastic by @kenearly.bsky.social on Seamus Coleman and what might be most important in football www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...

Ken Early: This Ireland team has brought the nation together at last

The game is about lines and tactics and skill but it’s also passion, the battle of wills, and this is what people love to see

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Enjoyed talking to @iaindale.bsky.social for today’s podcast about Ireland, nationalism of many shades and Nigel Farage Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5CQX... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

‘I know a lot of people think Nigel Farage is an extremist. I don’t’

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Zohran Mamdani and the promise of real change Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/7tTb... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York. Why is corporate America so terrified of a 34 year old Muslim?

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Today’s podcast. People got angry Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6De7... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Simon Harris, Elon Musk & the Stranger Danger Delusion

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

‘Joe, it’s DJ Carey, I’ve had some bad news. You might be able to help.’ DJ Carey has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison for fraud. Joe recalls the text message he received from DJ Carey some years ago and wonders what led him down that road.

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Today’s @freestatepodcast.bsky.social Listen on Spotify spotify.link/b3pOcxOgWXb Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

Learning to cross the road. A life ruined by Opus Dei

Reposted by Dion Fanning

David Luxton Associates @dluxassociates.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Congratulations to Miguel Delaney and States of Play being shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025.

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

DJ Carey - The Rise and Fall of hurling’s first superstar Listen on Spotify: spotify.link/VeBc4GqNSXb Listen on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

DJ Carey - The rise and fall of hurling’s first superstar

Reposted by Dion Fanning

Free State @freestatepodcast.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Leo Varadkar on Keir Starmer, nationalism and a united Ireland Listen on @spotifypodcasts open.spotify.com/episode/3uCb... Listen on @applepodcasts podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com Powered by @acast

open.spotify.com

Leo Varadkar, United Irishman.

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Piece for @irishexaminer.bsky.social on Man Utd, Fergie and why pity isn’t a strong card for Eddie Howe to play www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer...

irishexaminer.com

Dion Fanning: After summer of hope, Amorim's United still at risk of becoming a zombie club

At Old Trafford today, plenty will be revealed. For Mikel Arteta, this is a season when Arsenal must have a significant triumph. Opinions on how good Arsenal were in losing will have little currency.

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Today’s Free State on the Empire of A.I. with the brilliant @karenhao.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/6IPE... podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

How AI colonised the planet. With Karen Hao

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

On today’s @freestatepodcast.bsky.social Why Test cricket is part of a broader cultural pushback and how it laid the foundations for hurling in Ireland On Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5Eyr... On Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Kerry’s animals, Armagh’s bonus year & how Kilkenny abandoned cricket for hurling

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning · Episode

Dion Fanning @dionfanning.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Today’s Free State with Fintan Drury on his new book Catastrophe Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/7q7g... Listen on Apple podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/f... Sign up for updates via freestatepodcast.com

open.spotify.com

Why Israel bombed Iran (and how they will get the west to back them again) with Fintan Drury

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning · Episode