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The production of Frank McGuinness's "Factory Girls" leads to Bridget Christianson sharing HER memories of working at a shirt factory in Ireland as a young woman.  Originally aired live October 5, 2024

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Chat  w/Sinn Fein's Dáire Hughes
He explains his role, the state of Armagh & we learn about strides forward to unify Ireland under one flag

Dáire's biography
Dáire Hughes is from the Meadow in Newry and is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast. Dáire is a former trade union representative and spent years working in the community voluntary sector locally. He joined Newry and Mourne District Council, representing South Armagh, and served as it’s last and youngest Mayor. Dáire was the political manager of the Sinn Féin team in the European Parliament and played a leading role in the campaign against the disastrous Tory Brexit, making sure there was no hard border and that the Good Friday Agreement was protected. Dáire is currently Sinn Féin Deputy General Secretary and has a keen understanding of issues facing workers and families across Ireland. If elected, Dáire will provide new leadership for Newry and Armagh to deliver positive change and will work hard for all in our community.
Dáire Hughes is from the Meadow in Newry and is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast. Dáire is a former trade union representative and spent years working in the community voluntary sector locally. He joined Newry and Mourne District Council, representing South Armagh, and served as it’s last and youngest Mayor. Dáire was the political manager of the Sinn Féin team in the European Parliament and played a leading role in the campaign against the disastrous Tory Brexit, making sure there was no hard border and that the Good Friday Agreement was protected. Dáire is currently Sinn Féin Deputy General Secretary and has a keen understanding of issues facing workers and families across Ireland. If elected, Dáire will provide new leadership for Newry and Armagh to deliver positive change and will work hard for all in our community.

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YES! This interview started live on-air and continued after.  Unedited-you get to hear ALL THE THINGS we discuss.  Tangents galore!
Josephine Craven brought Mary up to the show to talk about her play "Clifden's Daughter"  which had it's first public performance at iBAM.
Mary Santarelli is a writer.  She's a creative that has explored many avenues & byways of this profession.  You will learn about her, her journey & her work.  She's so generous.  I hope you enjoy a bit of eavesdropping.  This convo is EXACTLY what it sound like-a chat among old & new friends

Mary Santarelli bio-
 Wisconsin based writer, I hold a B.A. in English Communications and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Screen & Stage) from Queens University-Charlotte. Industry awards for past screenplays include second place—Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum Contest; first place—Chicago ScriptWorks Contest (staged at the Bailiwick Theatre); “Best Comedy” category—Chicago Screenwriters Network Contest; Festival of Shorts Finalist—King’s Theatre, Nova Scotia. A full-length stage play was recently published with Scripts for the Stage UK in London

Josephine Craven-
Irish Native Josephine Craven of LISTEN TO LIT has been producing Bloomsday events since 1998. 
Accomplished Actor, producer, director and playwright, Josephine is an endless source of boundless creativity.  Her one woman show about Jane Wilde (aka Speranza) shone a light on this largely forgotten amazing woman.  She is the mother of Oscar Wilde.
Josephine is a talented Voice Over artist and books narrated with her beautiful books will be available on your favorite app soon.

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Super vintage!  The radio show was a little over 2 yrs old.  Mike O'Connor(the OG) w/a little help from Joe(last name unknown)  on this Friday night from the WOPA studios.  Featuring music by Brendan Furey(pipes), Connie Foley,  and more classic musicians.  Mike also gives his report & opinion on the recent visit to the US by then Taoiseach of Ireland Jack Lynch.  

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Michael Londra-how to describe?  This world famous Tenor was principle singer for the original Broadway production of "Riverdance" .  He has gone on to produce musicals, created a hugely popular PBS show-Ireland with Michael, and continues to tour several weeks a year w/a stage production of his tv program.
Listen to hear about Michael's latest plans for his next project.  Very exciting!
We chat about this, that and everything!  Listen in and be charmed by this amazing person.
 
A portion of this interview was originally broadcast on live radio in March 2024.

https://www.michaellondra.com/
https://www.michaellondra.com/tv-show
BOOK: Ireland with Michael-A Travel Companion Book
ALBUMS:
Danny Boy-The Songs of Ireland
Beyond the Star
Snowbound

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Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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Siobhainn sits down with celebrated multi-faceted author Colm Tóibín and learns about his creative process, fun asides, and even a bit of a song.  He is a novelist, short story writer, journalist, and non-fiction writer.  In short, a fascinating person.
Colm Tóibín's novels include the following, in no particular order:

• The South
• The Heather Blazing
• The Story of the Night
• The Blackwater Lightship 
• The Master
• The Testament of Mary
• Brooklyn
• Nora Webster
• The Magician
• Long Island
• House of Names

Learn more about Colm here: https://colmtoibin.com/

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Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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Interesting few minutes of discussion of speculation on what will happen to border, etc. after Brexit

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Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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Siobhainn & Breege-crazy crazy day.
My guests this morning generously stayed on for the crazy ride of doing a live broadcast over YouTube.  Ba-na-nas!
Great chat from Maida McQuinn Sugrue(Grandma, Tell Me a Story-https://www.amazon.com/Gramma-Tell-Story-Maida-McQuinn-Sugrue/dp/1956823182),  author Richie Piggott (Cry of a People Gone-available through RichiePiggott.com), Paul Dowling-Exec Dir of Irish Community Services, and John Deavitt of Gaelic Park

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Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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Ursula Bielski, featured guest speaker at iBAM, sits down for a chat and exchange of ghost stories and happenings.   
She is a wonderful story teller and a marvelous, generous guest.
Ursula has written 12 books, including "Chicago haunts; Ghostlore of the Windy City",
"More Chicago Haunts-Scenes from Myth and Memory",  "Haunts of the White City",
"Haunted Bachelors Grove",  "Graveyards of Chicago",  "Creepy Chicago" and more.
Find all her books on Amazon or your favorite bookseller.
Here's her YouTube channel for more w/Ursula!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFryB_yN2Q

Tune in LIVE each week, we broadcast around the world!
Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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Richie Piggott is a scientist, Irish trad music enthusiast, historian.....and more.  Siobhainn met Richie at iBAM(Irish Books, Arts, and Music) for a chat-winding around and about, as these things do.  
Hear how he tracked down musicians that are featured in his beautiful coffee table book, his luck interviewing, and his experiences focusing on finding the joy of Irish trad music.
Listen to Richies's story, how he ended up in Chicago, his journey towards writing this important historical book, & some stories within.
Find his gorgeous book here-  https://www.richiepiggott.com/

Tune in LIVE each week, we broadcast around the world!
Saturdays, 11-1pm Central Standard Time.
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