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

In this week’s cover story we feature the great Hollywood actor, Jack Lemmon. Tom McParland looks back on the life and career of legendary star, who received numerous accolades, including two Oscars, for his many roles, be they dramatic or comic, in over sixty films.

In ‘The Sweet Sound of a Stradivarius’, Eugene Doyle profiles the man who created the world-famous violin. The GAA Year of 1988 is reviewed by Aidan Grennan. In her Ireland’s Myths and Legends series, Gemma Grant begins the first of a four-part story ‘The Wooing of Becfola’.

Con McGrath returns with his ‘Role of the Irish in WW2’ series this week telling us the story of Brother Columbanus, formerly Sean Deegan of Dublin, who recalls the D-Day landings in Normandy.
The Ballad Sheet strikes up another fine tune as Eugene Dunphy explores the history of a Rebel County lament, ‘Carrigdhoun’.

In ‘Showband Siblings’ we have a very interesting piece for you to enjoy. Some showbands were family affairs with the composition of the band drawn, in some cases, entirely from one family or included a number of musical siblings. This week Francis K. Beirne recalls some of those bands.

The Ulster-American Folk Park is a fascinating open-air museum reconstructing the story of mass emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th Centuries, the Ulster American Folk Park traces the roots of those who left for the ‘New World’. Paddy Ryan recently paid a visit. Our original short story is ‘Family News’ by Wynn Cave.

In ‘The Olympic Games. A Parisian Sports Extravaganza’ – part 2, Eamonn Duggan looks at the history of the modern games.

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside regular favourites such as Cassidy Says, Stranger Than Fiction, What’s In A Name?, Dan Conway, Pete’s Pets, Marjorie’s Kitchen, songwords, Classic Films – Picnic, Reflective Perspective, Irish Folklore with Eugene Daly, Just A Memory, Classic US TV Favourites – Pearl, Waterways of Ireland – Newry Canal part two, Counties Down and Armagh, Lilt of Irish Laughter, Pen Friends, Irish Wildlife – Peacock Butterfly and much much more. Also, don’t forget that our annual writing competition is open for entries.

I hope that you enjoy this week’s issue and I will look forward to catching up with you all again next week. Until then, take care.

Best wishes, Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own