Episodes

Ep 396 – Drama Group in Rugby and 60th Anniversary Of Irish Community Care in Liverpool

In Part 1… We’re in Rugby with the recently formed community drama group, set up by Sean Quigley. They are performing “Sive”, a classic 1959 Irish play by John B Keane. Sive is a story of exploitation, greed, love and tragedy set in North Kerry, and centres around the arranged marriage of a young woman […]

Ep 395 – Celebrating the Songs and Poems of Percy French with the Roscommon Solstice Choir

This week we’re in Formby with the Roscommon Solstice Choir, paying tribute to the great works of Percy French. “Are Ye Right There Michael?”, “The Mountains of Mourne”, “Phil the Fluter’s Ball” and dozens of other songs and poems were all written over a hundred years ago by Percy French. Born in County Roscommon, Percy […]

Ep 394 – Return to London Town Festival 2024

This week, we’re at the Return to London Town Festival. This is the 26th celebration of Traditional Irish Music, Song and Dance. With a packed line-up of great Irish performers, there really is something for everyone’s musical tastes. We speak to the event’s founder and director Karen Ryan and find out why there is such […]

Ep 393 – New Year’s Eve Special… A look back at 2024

This week, we’re showcasing some of our favourite programmes of the last 12 months. In Part 1… We start the programme at the Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood with Lucia Butler, Chairperson of the London Wexford Association, celebrating their 70th annual dinner dance. This lively event has distinguished guests from Ireland including Martin Fraser, Irish […]

Ep 392 – Christmas Eve Special… A look-back at some of 2024’s Programmes

This week, we look back on some of our favourite programmes of 2024. In Part 1… Founded in 1889 at Ashton in Makerfield, The Brian Boru club was established by a group of Irish emigrants who left for England over 130 years ago. We spend an evening at this culturally significant club, taking in the […]

Ep 391 – Birmingham Pub Bombing Commemoration and Lost Chord UK Charity

In Part 1… We attend the 50th memorial service for the Birmingham pub Bombings. In 1974, two bombs exploded in central Birmingham killing 21 and injuring 182 others. Six Irishmen were arrested within hours, serving 16 years in prison before their convictions were overturned, this being seen as one of the worst miscarriages of justice […]

Ep 390 – Music and Entertainment in the Algarve with Gerry Flynn Events

Gerry Flynn has been arranging Irish themed holidays overseas for over 30 years and this week we join him in Portugal and meet the entertainment team. Pat Jordan is the Entertainments Manager and we chat with him at the Real Marina Hotel & Spa, a 5-star hotel at Olhão, in the Algarve. He’s been part […]

Ep 389 – Emigrant Support Programme Funding at the Irish Embassy and 50 Years of the Corby Irish Centre

In Part 1… We’re down in London at the Irish Embassy meeting Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State and Diaspora. Announcing this year’s funding for the Emigrant Support Programme, he also highlights the new structure that secures grants for three years. This allows our Irish support organisations to make bigger plans, knowing that funding is […]

Ep 388 – 70 Years of the London Cork Association’s Annual Dinner Dance

This week we’re with the London Cork Association as they celebrate their 70th annual dinner dance. An evening of traditional Irish dance, great live music from Barry Owen and a host of dignitaries from both the UK and Ireland. Larry O’Leary, the association’s chairman reflects on how well the club is doing and we meet […]

Ep 387 – Galway Association London celebrates its 61st Dinner Dance

This week we’re at the Galway Association London’s 61st Dinner Dance for a loud and lively evening of music and dance. Securing their future with the younger generation, the association dances on into the night with a soundtrack provided by the Peppered Aces. At an evening hosted by Aisling Edwards, we meet all the key […]