Hello and welcome to this week’s issue of Ireland’s Own. We are delighted to feature Seán Bán Breathnach as our cover story this week. From ‘SBB Ina Shuí’ to Scaoil Amach an Bobailín to delivering the best in Irish sports coverage on Radio na Gaeltachta, Connacht man Seán has been a much-loved mainstay of Irish broadcasting for the past fifty years. He shares some career highlights with Kay Doyle.

Maureen Sparling recalls the tribute of renowned Limerick poet Michael Hogan to Edward Walsh, the Derry native domiciled in Cork, while Mary Sheerin pays tribute to children’s author and illustrator Judith Kerr, famous for The Tiger who Came to Tea.

In his Role of the Irish in WW2 series, Con McGrath recalls Vivien Leigh’s Wartime Endeavours.
John Corbett returns with a selection of memories and events associated with the month of July.

In our Castles of Ireland series, this week the focus is on Blarney Castle, Co. Cork. Catherine Schubert – ‘a brave and notable pioneer’ is profiled by Helen Morgan. Our original short story is ‘My Mother’s Hands’ by Paula Williams.

Gerry Moran takes a humourous look at the weekly trip to the supermarket in his piece ‘Real Men Shop’. 

Our IRELAND IN 1919 series continues. Entitled ‘How the Funding of Dáil Éireann Incensed the British’, in this week’s article Eamonn Duggan looks at the efforts of the fledging state to stand on its own two feet financially and the obstacles put in its way by the British authorities.

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

                                                                                                         Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own