James has released his new novel and like the three before it is set in Spain. It is called Helios and it follows the fortune of a former Christian Brother who wants to experience life following receipt of some bad news medically.
The Turning Tide is a hymn to a sea passage of world-historical importance. Combining social and cultural history, nature-writing, travelogue and politics, Welshman Jon Gower charts a sea which has carried both Vikings and saints; invasion forces, royals and rebels; writers, musicians and fishermen.
Grow Remote is non-profit group advocating for remote workers. The General Manager John Evoy has called for a body to be set up to promote remote working in Ireland. It comes after the first meeting of an All-Party Group on Remote Working took place in Leinster House recently. Grow Remote was set up in 2018 to promote remote working in Ireland. Mr. Evoy says that remote working could solve social, economic and environmental problems if it is done correctly.
Mantillas and Head Scarves is the title of a piece writte by George Lee. The piece brought memories flooding back to a simplier time and in this piece I chat with George to tease those memories out.
As the Religious Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times from 1997, Patsy McGarry reported on some of the most troubling scandals to have rocked both Catholic and Protestant Churches in the last few decades. In Well, Holy God, he looks back not only on his time in journalism, recalling some of the most distressing stories he has had to cover, but also his own history with Catholicism and of a faith lost when the stark realities of being part of that Church became apparent to him.
David uncovers the clandestine activities of Patrick Crinnion, a Garda intelligence officer who secretly served MI6 during the early years of the Troubles. Burke reveals MI6’s shady dealings, from attempts to smear Irish politicians to plans for using criminals as assassins and the secret surveillance of a key IRA member.
Tim is the author of a book called The Atlas of Endangered Alphabets. If something is important, we write it down. Yet 85% of the world's writing systems are on the verge of vanishing - not granted official status, not taught in schools, discouraged and dismissed. When a culture is forced to abandon its traditional script, everything it has written for hundreds of years - sacred texts, poems, personal correspondence, legal documents, the collective experience, wisdom and identity of a people - is lost.
John joined an Garda Síochána but struggled to fell comfortable in his role. His life and career was changed in an instant one day as he visited HQ in the Phoenix Park. That visit started him on a very fulfilling and productive career within the force. The details are covered in his book "Identity".
Dan Lawton has written a book about the harassment by the British security forces in Northern Ireland, the wrongful arrest, the escape, re-capture and ulimate exoneration of Belfast man Keving Barry Artt. A truly unbelieveable story.
There is something special that connects Kylie, Calvin Harris, Noah Khan, Kodaline and the members of the Timahoe Male Choir. To find out what that is and to hear some of the members' stories have a listen.
Bridie Wren was born in Tarbert, Co. Kerry and went on to become the first female elected Member of Parliament in Pakistan. Patrick Lynch from the Tarbert Historical & Heritage Society tells Ger who Bridie was and a little about her time in Tarbert.
Tuamgraney native Edna O'Brien passed away on 27th July 2024. Tributes have poured in from across the artistic, political and literary world. Former Clare FM Founding CEO, Caimin Jones, grew up in Scarrif in East Clare, the Jones and O'Brien families knew each other and as a Clare FM broadcaster he got to capture her words on tape. Caimin tells Ger about some of his memories of Edna O'Brien
The O'Connell Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery, built to commemorate Irish leader Daniel O'Connell, has been relaunched following enhancement works. The structure is Ireland's tallest round tower standing at 55 metres tall and was built in 1855. Ultan Moran is Heritage Officer at Glasnvin Cemetry and he tells Ger about the historic tower.
Patricia Carey commenced her role of Special Advocate on 25 March 2024. She has been meeting and hearing from survivors and representative groups since then. Her role includes survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Industrial and Reformatory schools, and related institutions, those who were adopted, boarded out, or those whose births were illegally registered. This includes Survivors living outside Ireland.
Jim, originally from Co. Waterford, has opened a new business in Marbella. His firm takes the work out of sourcing the perfct home on the Costa del Sol. It offers security in terms of finance, legalities and location.
Saint Declan’s Way is a pilgrim walking route linking Cashel in County Tipperary and Ardmore in County Waterford. It follows the route that Declan took when going to Cashel to meet Saint Patrick in the fifth century. Grainne tells us what we can expect as we make our way along the 115km route.
Colm and Rory have been making music together as REZO. It all began during the lockdowns of the Pandemic. Colm is Dublin-based and Rory is Malaga-based. Enjoy the sounds and the chat
The news of the death of Tommy Drennan has been greeted with sadness and has resulted in many people recalling stories of his life. Tommy was a true gentleman, a wonderful entertainer, a proud Limerick man and always a joy to encounter. Here some other greats chat to, and about, Tommy. Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam Dílis
"Music and Memories Boxes" is an initiative piloted since December 2023. It is the brainchild of Margaret O'Sullivan, Executive Librarian at the Rory Gallagher Music Library in Cork City and is supported by Cork County Council. It is designed to provoke memories "because people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's have a problem staying in the present. The response has been so good there are now calls to roll this out across the country. Margaret tells Ger the story.
Peadar has written a book that tells the story of Ceoltóirí Chualann, a group of traditional musicians that was put together by his father Sean. Ceoltóiri Chualann has been called "the band that changed the course if Irish music"