Hello and welcome
to this week’s issue of Ireland’s Own
In this week’s issue we are delighted to present an interview with Dermot Bannon, the wonderfully innovative architect who is the mastermind behind the popular Sunday night television programme on RTÉ, ‘Room to Improve’. Dermot talks to John Scally talks about his love of his job and the health scare that changed his outlook on life and work.
In The Colourful life of Luke ‘Die Again’ Plunkett, Gary Ahern profiles the barrister who gained fame on the boisterous Dublin stage. In her ‘Literary Trail Through Ireland’, this week Mary Angland profiles Kerry-born novelist Maurice Walsh while Liam Nolan recalls the world’s first recorded single-handed crossing of the Atlantic in ‘Centennial Johnson, Iron Man of the Sea’.
Actor Eddie Byrne was born 115 years ago, writes Ivor Casey in a special piece to remember his work, while in the ‘Role of the Irish in WW2’, Mayoman Michael James O’Doherty, Archbishop of Manila in The Philippines is recalled by Con McGrath.
January is a time for a new year and new horizons, writes John Corbett with a selection of memories of January in the countryside. In ‘Tri-Colours of the World’, Francis K. Beirne looks at what other countries like Ireland have a similar tricolour as their national flag. Harry Warren presentts ‘Purgatory of the Poor’ – The Story of the Marshalseas where he recalls the era of Dublin’s notorious debtor prisons.
In his journals the author Charles Dickens featured stories about various Irish rebellions. In contrast to his support for the French and English working classes, there was not a scrap of sympathy for the Irish, writes Rosa Fox. Our new series on the Poems We Learned at School continues as Paddy Ryan remembers poems that were popular in our English Readers of yesteryear. This week he features ‘An Old Woman of the Roads’ by Pádraig Colum. This week’s original short story is ‘Daddy’s Cardigan’, by Wyn Cave.
In The Witness Statements, Eamonn Duggan resumes his analysis of Michael Brennan’s statement to the Bureau of Military History.
We have all this for you to enjoy alongside regular features Cassidy Says Stranger Than Fiction, What’s In A Name?, Dan Conway, Pete’s Pets, Marjorie’s Kitchen, Song Words, Classic Films – To Have And Have Not, Reflective Perspective, Irish Folklore with Eugene Daly, Owls And Memories by Patrick O’Sullivan, Readers’ Memories, Classic US TV Favourites – ’24’, A Little Bit of Ireland Elsewhere – Tyrone, USA. Part 2, Lilt of Irish Laughter, Pen Friends, Irish Wildlife – Comfrey and much more.
I hope that you enjoy this week’s issue and I will look forward to talking to you again next week. Until then, take care.
Best regards, Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own
