Michelle and Seamus Hennessy   @shay_hennessy Seamus Hennessy from Co Cork met Michelle while she was studying in Ireland. The couple were in Newfoundland for Christmas vacation and Seamus and Michelle relate the story of their meeting and the onset and diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and their subsequent journey. MYALGIA = Muscle painENCEPHALOMYELITIS = Inflammation of the brain & spinal cordM.E./C.F.S. is an complex and debilitating physiological illness involving neurological and endocrinal dysfunction and immune system dysregulation which is not improved by bed rest and can worsen with physical or mental exertion. Those affected also complain of many other related symptoms such as fever, sore throats, painful glands, muscle weakness, headaches, joint pains, sleep disturbance, confusion, irritability, poor concentration, and others.

Noreen Maher  @hiberniarootsHibernia Roots Genealogy Services was established by Noreen Maher MGSI. Noreen is an experienced qualified Genealogist. She holds a Diploma in Family History (Genealogy) and a Certificate in Oral History. Noreen is also listed as a researcher with the National Archives of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland.She has written a number of articles in journals and magazines. As well as carrying out research, Noreen runs "Tracing your Irish Ancestors" courses and gives talks to groups and clubs.Apart from researching her own family tree back to the early 1700's, (Noreen's roots are in Tipperary and Kilkenny and her husband's ancestors were from Carlow, Wicklow, Louth and Dublin) Noreen has carried out research for clients on family members who were involved in the Irish War of Independence, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, WW1 British Army, involved in the Boer War after emigrating to New Zealand, and ancestors who emigrated to the United States, Canada and New Zealand. So, with her broad experience she is well-equipped to advise you and research on your behalf.

Limerick Music Throughout the Decades: A musical journey through timePaddy Brennan of Limerick Rock n Roll Club has released his much-awaited book ‘Limerick Music throughout the Decades’, which explores the history of music in Limerick from the 1800s to 2018.Limerick Music Throughout the Decades celebrates and showcases Limerick’s musical history, featuring articles on important local musical figures and bands and is a record of Limerick’s fine musical heritage.When asked what inspired him to compile the book Mr. Brennan said, “The idea for the book came after  I released a 62 song collection of songs by Limerick artists a few years ago. I felt that all this music and the stories behind its creation needed to be put down in print. It took three years of research to compile the entire book.”A collage of remarkable musicians that have entertained us all throughout decades.The book has a total of 556 pages that speak of the Limerick music memorabilia and also contains rare photographs from the same period, with over 1400 photos in colour and black and white.The book consists of an extensive section devoted to the works of The Cranberries. The pages also include articles and photographs on classical and opera music from the 1800’s.The book focuses a great deal on the era of the Showbands, and Ceili bands that used to perform in the dance halls across Limerick City and County. It features stories of the recording studios, the venues and even talks about the time when pirate radio stations were the most popular thing in Limerick in the 1980’s.

The Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Friendship Group promotes exchanges between Irish and Canadian parliamentarians, proposes initiatives likely to lead to a better mutual understanding of national and international problems and works to develop cooperation between the two countries in all the fields of human activity.Executive Committee    Mr. James Maloney, M.P.     ChairHon. Terry M. Mercer, Senator     Vice-ChairMr. Larry Miller, M.P.         Vice-ChairHon. Robert Black, Senator     MemberHon. Joseph A. Day, Senator     MemberMr. John Barlow, M.P.         MemberMr. Daniel Blaikie, M.P.     MemberMrs. Kelly Block, M.P.         MemberMs. Gudie Hutchings, M.P.     MemberMr. Larry Maguire, M.P.     MemberHon. John McKay, P.C., M.P.     MemberMr. Terry Sheehan, M.P.     MemberMr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P.     MemberMr. Kevin Waugh, M.P.         MemberMr. Jean-François Pagé         Group Secretaryhttps://www.parl.ca/IIA/Association.aspx?Language=E&DCId=4&DTId=6&P=members&ORGId=10795

Irish Government Minister Ciaran Cannon reflects on 2018 and the global reach of the Irish community. He visitied St John's NFL and Toronto, ON during the year. He also visited Irish Emigrant Communities in many far flung regions of the world.

Minister Cannon is also an acomplished composer and musicial and the interview wraps up with a piece composed by the Minister and performed by Sean Keane and Aine Morgan. The Minister provides piano accompaniment.

Librettist and poet Eugene Kaminsky and composer of symphonic music Nissim Khalifa would like to introduce their never-before produced Irish-myth-based opera! A dream Nissim had envisioned for a long time, almost 20 years. Now they started a crowdfunding campaign to complete the financing in order to make this dream come true.Over the course of the last two years this dream has finally become a reality — a fully composed and orchestrated opera of Fionn McCool. The opera draws inspiration from traditional Irish music, especially Sean-nós, creating a novel combination between the opera genre and Irish tradition and folklore.Fionn – The Opera campaign page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fionn-the-opera–3#/

The only tenor group with a truly global audience, The Celtic Tenors will give you a night to remember. Whether playing a neighbourhood cathedral or major concert halls in international cities like New York, Amsterdam or Shanghai, you are assured of a professional, sparkling and most of all, good humoured performance. They genuinely love what they do and you’ll see that shine through in each rendition of beautiful Celtic songs, exhilarating classics, a capellas and popular contemporary songs.  The Celtic Tenors, you’ll get more than a performance by world-class artists. You’ll enjoy an evening to savour and a night with tenors who despite their incredible success don’t take themselves too seriously!Matthew GilsenanMatthew Gilsenan was born into a hard-working farming family in North Meath. Steeped in the local musical traditions and raised by parents who shared a great love for music, from the great composers to obscure Irish folk, Matthew along with all his siblings was born to sing.His classical training started in the Sisters of Mercy convent in Kells, Co.Meath, aged 10, and progressed to some of the great Irish and Scottish teachers. Although he ventured into opera and classical singing, Matthew never lost his love for the music of his youth, in particular the vibrant contemporary Irish music which is his great source of inspiration.

Alex FeganOLDER THAN IRELAND is a landmark documentary that tells the story of a hundred years of a life as seen through the eyes of thirty Irish centenarians.Directed by award winning filmmaker Alex Fegan, OLDER THAN IRELAND features thirty men and women aged 100 years and over. Often funny and at times poignant, the film explores each centenarian’s journey, from their birth at the dawn of Irish independence to their life as a centenarian in modern day Ireland. OLDER THAN IRELAND’s observational style offers a rare insight into the personal lives of these remarkable individuals.Reflecting on such key events as the day they got their first pair of shoes, the thrill of their first kiss, from the magic of their wedding day to the tragic loss of their loved ones, these centenarians have lived through it all. Having witnessed a century of immense social, political and technological change each  centenarian has a unique perspective on life and its true meaning.From the oldest Irish person ever on record, 113-year-old Kathleen Snavely to Ireland’s oldest man, 108-year-old Luke Dolan we meet a colourful cast of characters from all walks of life from the four corners of Ireland. These centenarians truly are OLDER THAN IRELAND, they are our living history and these are their extraordinary stories.

Maze director Stephen Burke talking about bringing real IRA jailbreak to the big screen. Maze is a movie based on the biggest prison escape in Europe. A prison escape of 38 IRA members, a movie on how they planned and executed it. Even though the entire movie is in prison you really never have a dull moment. I doubt that there was not more tension between the Loyalists and the IRA members, like they portray it in this movie, but all in all it was not really about the hate towards eachother but more about the planning of the escape out of this maximum security prison. The cast was good, all the actors did what they were supposed to do. Maze is an entertaining movie that could have used a bit more violence and suspense to make it a better movie, but it's certainly worth watching.