In this week's episode, Kate takes a meander through the music and magic that is part of this years St Patricks Festival. The festival has so much to offer people especially as we are marking one year since the Covid pandemic changed the very fabric of our World. 

Kate chats with Artistic Director Karen Walshe about creating the immense cultural programme which includes music from Pillow Queens, New Jackson, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Beauty Sleep, Enola Gay, Kynsy, Soule, Gemma Bradley and a tonne more. 

You will also hear a chat between journalist and wonderous human Manchan Magan about his work included in the festival; Sea Tamagotchi. An illustrated handmade book of 40 sea words has been published by Redfoxpress, and over 250 of the most evocative words he gathered are on http://www.manchan.com/sea-tamagotchi

Now for St. Patrick’s Day Manchán has created 19 short films featuring the voices of the fishermen, intercut with film footage of the Irish coastline.

Each word offers rich insights into coastal practices, navigation systems, seasonal calendars, psychological aspects of sea life, migratory routes and fishing techniques.

The words make clear how ancient languages that have been spoken for thousands of years provide keys to unlocking the secrets of nature, because they arose from cultures that had learnt over millennia to live sustainably in their environments.

The Playlist for the show is here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yLLKzWLA7OUZRZ4tKbkbT?si=wP7PA79uSG-Oh5yMmnXzaw

Please support artists by buying their music and merch if you can!