Episodes

Ep 327 – Pairc Festival in Birmingham

Taking place at the New Irish Centre in Birmingham, Pairc Festival is a celebration of all things Irish. This week, we’re at day one of the event that took place over August bank holiday weekend. There’s a fantastic line-up of Irish acts, including Mary Coughlan, Mary Black, All Folk’d Up, Derek Ryan and the music […]

Ep 326 – Macca’s Irish Bar in Prestwich and Traditional Music in Bradford

In Part 1… We’re in Prestwich, Manchester at Macca’s Bar and Grill. This newly refurbished venue hosts live Irish music served up with great food and drink. Open 7 days a week, Macca’s is a vibrant place that welcomes anyone. Be prepared for a lively evening with hosts Mark McKee and Nicola Fletcher. In Part […]

Ep 325 – Birmingham Festival 23

This week we’re at Birmingham’s Festival 23. The weather was not kind but the music and dance put a smile on everyone’s face. This multicultural event had a whole set presented by Birmingham’s Irish community including traditional dance, Comhaltas, and community dancing. The Irish event was organised by Caroline Davis from OPUS – Outdoor Places […]

Ep 324 – Celebrating 40 Years in the Priesthood with Fr Gerard Kelly

This week, we’re in Birmingham at St Francis RC Church with Fr Gerard Kelly, celebrating 40 years since his Ordination. Before his calling, Fr Gerard had worked in construction and had been a schoolteacher. A worldly man with strong ties to County Donegal, Fr Gerard is joined by friends and family for a Jubilee Mass […]

Ep 323 – Craic by the Creek Festival of Irish & Country Music

This week, we’re at the Craic by the Creek Irish & Country Music Festival in Cheshire. This fantastic three-day event rocks away celebrating all things Irish. Whether you’re camping, glamping or sitting back in your armchair, there’s something for everyone. With a line up including Nathan Carter, Claudia Buckley and The Tumbling Paddies amongst many […]

Ep 322 – The Middlewich Paddies Farewell Performance and Premier Events Fundraising

In Part 1… We’re at the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival, meeting up with the Middlewich Paddies. They’ve been performing for 40 years and have decided to pack up their instruments and retire… probably! When they first started, there were seven of them and they called themselves The Kinderton Folk. Now there’s only three. We […]

Ep 321 – Back with Gerry Flynn Events in Ballina

We’re on our second visit to Ballina with Gerry Flynn and the team. Gerry has been organising Irish themed trips all over the world for many years. Continuing our visit to the Great National Hotel, Ballina, we meet some of the musicians and hear tales from when it all began. Lots of dancing, taught by […]

Ep 320 – Gerry Flynn Events Celebrating 300 years of the Founding of Ballina

Gerry Flynn has been arranging Irish themed trips abroad for many years. This week, we’re off to Ballina, County Mayo, for a festival of traditional song and dance. Gerry’s trips take him and his team all around the world. This week, he’s accompanied by nearly 250 partygoers at the Great National Hotel, Ballina. We talk […]

Ep 319 – Bloomsday Celebrations in Manchester and Mosaic of Bernadette Conlon from Start Charity

In Part 1… It’s Bloomsday at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester. This is the annual commemoration of the life of James Joyce, observed on the 16th June, the same single day that his controversial novel Ulysses takes place and is named after its protagonist, Leopold Bloom. Andrew Biswell, the Director of the Anthony […]

Ep 318 – Leeds Irish Health and Homes Summer Tea Dance & Canon Patrick McNally’s Diamond Jubilee

In Part 1… We’re with Leeds Irish Health and Homes at their spring/summer tea dance. It’s also a celebration for the Director of Operations, Karen Mallon, who has worked for the organisation for twenty five years. Karen talks to us about how the organisation has grown over her time there. Leeds Irish health and Homes […]