Hello and welcome
to this week’s issue of Ireland’s Own.

In this week’s issue we take a look back on the history of Ireland’s flagship talk show, The Late Late Show, as it celebrates sixty years of being on air. On July 6th, 1962, the first ever Late Late Show was broadcast by RTÉ as a summer ‘filler-in’. Sixty years on and the show is still going strong, making it something of a phenomenon in the world of broadcasting. Here long-time fan Martin Collins looks back at the shows and the guests which made it essential viewing down through the years.

As the tennis action gets under way for another year at Wimbledon, Sheila O’Kelly pays tribute to Willoughby James Hamilton, the multi-talented sportsman who became the first Irishman to win the Wimbledon Singles title. Seán Ó Murchadha features the surname McLaughlin in his ‘What’s In Your Name’ column, while Con McGrath tells harrowing stories of the London ‘Blitz’, as experienced by some citizens of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

We continue our ‘Quiet Man’ season as Liam Ó Raghallaigh profiles Bridget ‘Beezie’ Gallagher, the quiet, unassuming woman he believes was the catalyst for the John Ford classic. Aileen Atcheson says ‘look to your pots and baskets’ in her Gardening column, while John Macklin relays the mystery of the man they couldn’t hang in his ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ series.

Cheryl Devaney recalls a shocking time in our history when children were used as chimney sweeps, while in his Rivers of Ireland series, Paul Swift takes a trip along the Bunnow/Moneen River. Liam Nolan has another musical favourite for us, this week he brings us the story of ‘Mame’.

Paddy Ryan remembers Seán O’Casey, a committed nationalist and socialist, who was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes. His plays are particularly noted for the sympathetic treatment of female characters, writes Paddy.

Eamonn Duggan continues his account of the Irish Civil War, this week focusing on the conflict in Wicklow and Wexford.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your regular favourites such as Cassidy Says, Dan Conway’s Corner, Marjorie’s Kitchen, Pete’s Pets, jokes, songs, puzzles, pen pals, Just A Memory, Catch the Criminal, Owen’s Club, Showband Scrapbook and much much more.

I hope that you enjoy this week’s issue and I will look forward to talking to you all again next wek, all being well, Until then, take care.

                                                                                                        Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own