Hello and welcome to this week’s Ireland’s Own. This week’s Cover Story sees Sheila M Johnston explore the delights of Ulster’s ‘inland sea’, the largest lake in Britain and Ireland.

Eileen Casey examines some of the famous literary works attributed to angelic guidance while Val O’Donnell writes on the enduring appeal of the Brian O’Nolan classic, The Third Policeman, that might never have been published. It was published 50 years ago.

Melanie Ward tells the story of Clough Oughter Castle, the island fort that has the distinction of being the last stronghold to surrender to Cromwell’s forces. Liam Ó Raghallaigh recounts his efforts to get his hands on All-Ireland Final tickets, including the use of his now famous ‘I won’t last another 65 Years’ Mayo banner.

In his Role of the Irish in WW2 Series, Con McGrath tells the story of Mother Columba Cadogan, the Cork heroine who protected innocent people in Vichy France. Gerry Breen recalls how an unarmed passenger ship, the SS Athenia, was the first ship sunk by Germany during World War II.

Shane Cochrane unravels the mystery of the 1906 Coalisland coal mine hauntings, and there are more tips and hints from our gardening expert, Aileen Atcheson.

Battle-scarred but Beautiful – Jim Rees pays tribute to James Gandon, recognised today as one of the leading architects to have worked in Ireland. Among his better-known works are The Customs House and King’s Inns in Dublin and Emo Court in Co. Laois.

The book under review in this month’s Book Club is ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman. Francis Kaye profiles Nicholas Rhea, the writer of the popular TV series, ‘Heartbeat’ which was set in a 1960s Yorkshire village.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your weekly favourites. Enjoy the read, take good care of yourselves as the evenings become more chilly, and I will look forward to talking to you all again next week, please God.

Best wishes,

Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own