Erin's Isle Podcast

The Kilbaha Gallery on the Loop Head peninsula is a showcase for painting, sketches, sculptures and history.   Not only do they focus on Irish artists, it is the home of famous Irish bronze artists James and Seamus Connolly. Hear the story of their foundry, their aftwork and their love of what they do, in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Kenmare Lace played a big part in sough County Kerry's history. And the Lace design center in that village is working to educate people about the different types of lacemaking in Ireland, and to keep the art alive. Kenmare is also known for a three thousasnd year old stone circle many say has magic powers. Hear about both in this episode of Erin's Isle. 

The Dursey Island Cable Car travels a short distance from the tip of the Beara Peninsula to the island and back. And it is a lifeline for those who live and work on the island. And it is an adventure for those visiting. Take a ride on the Dursey Island Cable Car in this edition of Erin's Isle.

Experience a truly Scottish find. MacGregor's Bar in Inverness is the real deal. It celebrates Scotland through food, libations, atmosphere and music.  Owner Bruce MacGregor, is also a member of a famed Scottish band, Blazing Fiddles. But his bar is about keeping Scottish music alive with all other bands in the area. Hear the magic for yourself in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Inverness is home to the largest second hand book store in Scotland. You'll hear all about what you can find there and the man who is behind that bookseller's business in this episode of Erin's Isle. Plus you'll meet one of the change ringers at St. Andrews Cathedral. She stumbled into it and says it's changed her life. All that and more in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Inverness is a city in the north of Scotland, steeped in tradition from music to food to attire. It's one of those places where kilts are not just worn for the tourists...but for everyday wear. And in a little shop called Chisolm's Highland Dress you'll find tradition wrapped in tarten and adorned with a sporran. Heather has been making kilts there for 60 years.   "A kilt is 8 yards of fabric and it takes time to get the pleating right," she says. "It's an art and it is founded on tadition. And even though we have become a society of 'wants', meaning you want this plaid or that instead of the one assigned your clan, we believe in the old ways of doing things. That means doing things right every time." And she means it.  Hear her take on kilts and traditions in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Ireland is known for its dairy products, but Johnn Lynch in Macroom, west of Cork City, is putting dairy in the spotlight himself with water buffalo. That's right, he has established a substantial water buffalo industry. And his Water Buffalo Mozerella and other products are becomeing a national hit. 

Newgrange is a passage tomb located in Ireland's Ancient East. It is one of many monuments there. But what was it actually used for?  Anthony Murphy has studied and written extensively about Ireland's Ancient East. From the henges to the tombs and from the dolmens to the standing stones, he has written 7 books about them. Hear his views in this episode of Erin's Isle. 

Ireland is a land of wool. And in this episode of Erin's Isle, visit O'Maille's on High Street in Galway to see the variety of stitches, patterns, and wools the Irish are known for. Anne O'Maille has been knitting for 7 decades and is always happy share secrets with her customers.  

UCD's Scholars Choir has been an award-winning internet-famous, crowd-pleasing act for years. It began 23 years ago with  Artistic Director Desmond Earley and continues with him in charge. But even with a guest director the group is unbelievable. These singers are mostly scholars in other disciplines across the UCD campus. Only a handful are music majors. But their sound is intoxicating whether they are singing a capella, with an orchestra or with other famous Irish performers.  Hear their magic in this episode of Erin's Isle.

While Ireland brings visions of whiskey and Guinness to mind, Listoke, north of Dublin has opened Ireland's first all gin distillery and giin school. You can learn all about the business and all about distilling your own, in a 3 hour session at the school. They provide the botanicals and the stills, the rules and the recipes. You go home with an education and a bottle of gin distilled to your own specific tastes. Learn all about it this edition of Erin's isle

Michael Kelly is a fiddler who can play anything from rock and roll to bluegrass to jazz. But these days he focuses in on the musice that is in his heart; Irish Music. And while in Reno recently he enchanted the crowd with drinking songs, ballads and instrumental that make you dream of the Emerald Isle.  Hear his story and his music on this episode of Erin's Isle.  

When you visit the city of Cork, don't miss the hidden gems: the butter, the bells and burros.  That's right there is a museum there dedicted to butter, you can ring the Shandon bells if you are willing to climb the tower, and not far from Cork the Donkey Sanctuary houses and cares for hundreds of donkeys turned out on their own when agriculture in Ireland was motorized with tractors. Hear all about it in this episode of Erin's Isle. 

Meet the coooper master for Jameson Whiskey and hear how he views his all-important job, how important the casks are to Jameson and how he drinks his whiskey...on Erin's Isle.

The bodies of men who lived in the Iron Age have been pulled from the bogs in Ireland and are on display at the National Museum in Ireland. Hear the stories of how they came to be there, what happened to them and what we can all learn from such old bodies in this edition of Erin's Isle.

     Connemara is known for it's rustic landscapes.  So you may not realize it is also home to a few refined businesses. Like a chocolate factory and a perfumery.     Hear all about both businesses and the adventure getting there in Episode #304 of Erin's Isle.

Sean Smyth is one of about a dozen Irish harpmakers and his instruments are in demand. He makes each one to order from his workshop in the back of HollyTree Cottage not far from the Village of Naul. Hear what he puts into his harps and what harpis Fiona Gryson gets out of them, on Erin's Isle.

How did 100 women from all walks of life become a community voice in Drogheda? They got together to sing and found friendship, escapism, friendship and harmony with life.  Hear how a passtime the all love became the basis for a community service group, as they raise money for charities with their concerts.

Gaeltachts are Irish communities where Irish is designated as the primary language. Anyone can drop in, and, yest they will explain things in English if you can't understand them. But it's a way of encouraging the native language and keeping it alive. Donegal is a great Gaeltacht. Not only do you hear Irish all around you, you can see the Irish in action and you can see the pink skies of Donegal long into the night. 

Just because you aren't in Ireland doesn't mean you can't celebrate with traditional music.    Chances are there's a session in your own town. You just have to look for it.  This is one I found in Reno, Nevada