Fergus Finlay

Fergus Finlay, former CEO of Barnardos and columnist, dives into the transformative influence of Irish trailblazers. He and Ciara discuss what makes someone influential—ranging from moral courage to visibility. They highlight Vicky Phelan's powerful legacy and her impact on legal reforms, as well as the Collison brothers' significant contributions to the economy through Stripe. The debate stretches to Michael D. Higgins' role as a steady presence in leadership, while also noting the lasting effects of figures like Savita Halappanavar.

Fergus Finlay, former CEO of Barnardos and a prominent columnist at The Irish Examiner, shares his literary loves and reflections on reading. He opens up about the struggle of downsizing his extensive book collection and emphasizes the irreplaceable magic of physical books over e-readers. Fergus reveals how Flann O'Brien's "At Swim-Two-Birds" mirrors his youthful escapades in Dublin, while he passionately recounts reading "Final Days of Nixon" in one thrilling night. He also endorses Terry Pohn's impactful new work on disability activism.