Hello and welcome to this week’s issue of Ireland’s Own. This year marks the centenary of the death of William Percy French, who was one of Ireland’s foremost songwriters. He was also a legendary entertainer, a talented author, an editor, concert performer, sketch writer, poet, banjo player and an accomplished landscape painter, writes Gerry Breen.

The Wreck of RMS Tayleur is narrated by Paula Redmond while George Petrie, the ‘Father of Irish Cultural Heritage’, is profiled by Jim Rees.

In his piece ‘Busy Doing Nothing’ – MJ Wells urges us to make time for others and in ‘The Irish in Coventry’ Steve Coyne recalls the contribution made to the city of Coventry by a succession of Irish sportspeople.

In his Role of the Irish in WW2 series, Con McGrath focuses on the life of General Anthony McAuliffe, the Hero of Bastogne in Belgium, who sent the Nazis a fabled ‘one’ word reply, to their demands for surrender.

In our Ireland’s Favourite Cars Series we feature the Opel Rekord and Kadett. David Mullen, takes an admiring look at Opel’s rise in Ireland from minnow to major player. Gemma Grant continues her Castles of Ireland series – this week it’s Bellingham Castle, Co. Louth.

In A Winter Wasp, Mae Leonard recalls an unwelcome visitor to her home, while our original short story is The Restless Sea, by Tom Mangan.

In our new series ‘Wonders of the World’s Museums’ Cathal Coyle tells the story of The Dead Sea Scrolls
and in Eamonn Duggan’s The Witness Statements, the focus is on Vincent Byrne, ‘Committed to the Republic and the Squad’.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your weekly favourites including Cassidy Says, Dan Conway’s Corner, Pete’s Pets, songs, jokes, puzzles, memories and much much more. Enjoy the read, please stay safe and warm from the winter weather and I will look forward to talking to you all again next week.

                                                                                                         Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own