Erin's Isle Podcast

What draws people to Clare Island? Ciara McCalla moved there for what it offered her in natural beauty. She celebrates that energy through yoga and organic food. Beth Moran was drawn to the beauty as well, she celebrates nature with her weavings. And see how a flock on the dock of Clew Bay marks each passing year. All that plus A Broad Abroad in Episode 22 of Erin's Isle  

History is valued and protected in Ireland, and that keeps the country's heritage alive and well. Such is the case with the Heritage Park in Wexford where you can see six thousand years of Ireland's history as it was back then.  In Kinsale, the Irish Veterans Museum commemorates the Irish born who were lost fighting in wars around the world.  And at the Tap Tavern, which is also in Kinsale you are surrounded on all sides by history reaching back to the 11th century. Hear about them all in Episode 20 of Erin's Isle.  

Visit the Matchmaker Bar in the village of Lisdoonvarna and see how third-generation Willie Daly works his craft. Tour Terra Nova Gardens where Debra Begley has created a fairyland so wonderful that real fairies have moved in. Hear how it all came to be. And learn all about chocolate at the Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory in Connemara. All that and A Broad Abroad in Episode 19 of Erin's Isle.  

Scotland is so much more than plaid kilts and haggis. It's a country of museums and highlands and of castles and bustling cities. And the people there are not only friendly, they have very cool accent. As usual for me, my adventures were better because of the things I stumbled upon, than to what you find in a guide book. From the Grand Central Hotel that blew me away, to the museums chocked full of the country's colorful history it was a place `i plan to go back to someday. 

The Dingle Peninsula is known for a few things, including the beautiful landscape, Fungi the Dolphin who lives in the bay, and Murphy's ice cream which is made there. But don't miss the pubs.They have some original including one that doubles as a hardware store, one that sells leather goods including shoes, and one that sells all kinds of things and keeps ledgers on what others have sold in the past.   Take a tour of some enduring pubs run by charming people, in Episode 17 of Erin's Isle. 

When it comes to finding hidden jewels, The West of Ireland is a great place to hunt.  From the buskers  in the streets of Galway to the technicians behind the ancient harps of long ago, to the up and coming artists of the future, the west is rich in culture, heritage and art.  Learn about how the ancient Irish harps are made, the ideas behind award-winning jewelry designer Linsey DeBurca, and what sets Galway buskers apart, in this episode of Erin's Isle.     

Clare Island is off the coast of Westport on the west coast of Ireland. It's just a 20 minute ferry ride to get there. But it does feel like you are a million miles away once you land there. Life is just a lot simpler there. People are friendlier and there is a feeling of community everywhere you go.  You can meet those who make it so special, learn the history of Granuaile, the fabled Pirate Queen who lived there and walk to the Clare Island Lighthouse that now hosts guests as a manor house hotel. 

The town of Drogheda turned out in force to celebrate Irish Culture with the largest annual Celtic Music Festival in the world! Hear the musicians in competition and just performing...on stage and on the streets. Eco-artists took part creating a mural that celebrates culture from an environmentally friendly stance. Declan and Els will walk you through the process. Hear what inspires a textile designer dedicated to quality and old school beauty with a bit of a futuristic flair.  And meet the faces of future Fleadh Cheoils. It's all in Ep 14 of Erin's Isle.

When you think of ageless arts you probably think music, sculpture and theater. In Ireland, I think stone masonry, bell ringers and falconry. So that's what this is about. Learn about the art of the bell ringers at Christ Church Cathedral and the inside story on the competitive nature of the Steeple Keepers. And how you can ring the bells yourself.  Hear the story of the Claddagh Ring, how it came to be and why it's such an iconic souvenir in Galway. And fly the birds of prey. You can do that at a lot of the castles in Ireland. I'll take you to Dromoland Castle where a hawk named Bomber is anxious to meet you.  All that and A Broad Abroad in Episode 13!  

Ireland has tons of beaches and a lot of them have colorful history.  From Curracloe Beach near Wexford, which has a history in film, to Lady's Beach on Galway Bay in the west, Ireland is perfect for beach combing, strolling, and just sitting and thinking as you take in the view.  From the Wild Atlantic to the Irish Sea, you never have to go far to find the beach. All that plus a bit of insight into family vacations...at the beach in this week's Broad Abroad.  

Storytelling is an art in Ireland. From friends and family members to professionals to fabled authors.  This episode of Erin's Isle takes a look at the different levels of storytelling and at what makes it so popular all across this country. See where you can learn about Frank McCourt, where to look for stories as you travel the country and what goes into the art, from someone who does this professionally.

Butter is more important to Ireland's economy than you may realize. In fact it's so important that they have a museum dedicated to it's rich history.  In Limerick, King John's Castle stands as an historic fortress and landmark, and it's playing a substantial role in Ireland's future as well. Plus, you'll meet someone with definite opinions of King John, and someone you may recognize from the Game of Thrones. All that plus A Broad Abroad...in Episode 9 or Erin's Isle.      

Galway is home to Ireland's national Communications Museum. In this episode learn all about Ireland's involvement in global communications from a man who knows it all.  Also, find out why Americans love Ireland enough to pick up and move here. And where you can find fairies without having to look very hard.  And A Broad Abroad explains why more things seem possible as we age.   

The Blarney Stone is on most people's list when they come to Ireland. But did you know the grounds are as fascinating as the castle and the stone?  Meet the man who meets all of those after the gift of gab, and the man who runs the pub at the heart of the village.

Medical Technology plays a huge part in the economy in the west of Ireland. And Medical Technology Ireland is bringing both ends of the supply chain together to fuel it's future. Cafe 37 knows the key to serving up service and the right menus for it's patrons. Healthy is their new Sexy, and they know how to make their place Your Happy Place! Marriage Stones, an Irish tradition protected for the future. And A Broad Abroad finds that where you are is often just where you're supposed to be.  

The Galway Cathedral is historic and amazing. The man in charge there is equally as charming and strongly believes in the cathedral's importance worldwide. You'll meet him and hear the Cathedral's history through his eyes. You'll also meet a man keeping the historic art of uilliann pipes alive. Not only that, he is constantly inventing, how about a walking stick that carries your instrument, just in case you have the urge to stop for a tune? And do you always put your trust in your smart phone? In my family it's a generational debate.

In this episode of Erin's Isle we meet a dentist from Drogheda who took a very long walk to school for three very good causes. Cormac McNamara knows how to make a difference. We also meet Paul Doyle who runs Haper's Boutique B & B in Belfast. It's an amazing turn of the century guest house restored to Victorian splendor. It's a real look into what it takes to run a B&B in Ireland. And we stroll through the Botanical Gardens at Queen's College.  

What's it like to own a castle? Ken and Lizanne Alan know. They bought Dardistown Castle near Drogheda 30 years ago. They say it's a never ending home improvement project with more rules than most renovations. But it is an amazing place to live! And what was Drogheda like 90 years ago? Carmel Conroy was there and has some incredible stories of how Drogheda has changed. She should know, she's lived there all her life. And she shares her stories over tea. And A Broad Abroad goes back to school.

This is the first in a series of podcasts about Ireland. I live in Galway and want to share the charming bits of Ireland you could easily miss if no one told you to watch for them. In this episode we d why locals kick the wall on the prom in Galway. I's a lovely place to walk along the sea and it raises money for charities. We'll meet a music legend named Mary McPartlan, visit a bakery in Dublin that shows how creative those living in Ireland can be. And I begin the saga of A Broad Abroad. That's me, how I got here and why I stay. You can also follow my journey on my blog called Erin's Isle. you can find that at www.ErinMeehanBreen.com The big tourist attractions will bring you here, but it's the charm of the people that will keep you here.