How 155 Irish soldiers became heroes at the Battle of Jadotville.

This week marks the 59th anniversary.

How a force of 155 raw, poorly-equipped Irish soldiers held back an army of 3,500 rebels, including seasoned Belgian and French mercenaries, in the Congo and remarkably survived.

In 1961, as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission and in response to the request by the newly formed Congolese Government, 155 men of “A” company of the 35th Battalion, found themselves at the remote mining town of Jadotville.

Today Liam talks to some of the men who were there...and talks about what happened..and the controversy that dogged their return for 40 years!

It's been six long months but all pubs in the Midlands can re-open from this morning, we bring you inside a popular Country bar to find out what's different, secondary teachers are not happy with Covid-19 precautions in the classrooms and they may go on strike, would you support them? And could there be a snake in your back garden? You'll meet the Offaly mum who faced one of the world's most dangers species.

How may other doctors in The Midlands Hospital Group agree with their former Clinical Director that we're not getting the balance right with Covid-19? Will crowd limits on sporting events prove to be lucrative for ticket touts? And you meet the farmers preparing for yet another flood season along the river Shannon.

All you need to know about the group of golf tourists who have tested positive for Covid-19 after coming to Tullamore, why was a Laois student name checked by The European Commission President in a major speech yesterday and when your child comes into contact with a positive Covid-19 case in school how long does it take to get test results?

Encore Thursday 17th September, 2020 by Midlands 103

Country Life Wednesday 16th September, 2020 by Midlands 103

We remember Pat Smullen who died at the age of only 43 one year after his brilliant fundraiser for cancer research, what you need to know about the Governments new Covid-19 plan, we're at level 2 so what do the other levels look like? And students at more Midlands schools have tested positive for the virus.

John Brennan Chair of Westmeath Dublin Business Network on a fundraiser for North Westmeath Hospice.

John Shields of WhatsForDinner.ie as they prepare to begin servicing Tullamore on 16th September and Stewart Quinn of the band Transmitter on the effect the pandemic is having on the industry. Also, Sean Clancy of Local Enterprise Office Laois outlines a new programme for food companies beginning in October.

This Summer John Whelan took his campervan around Ireland and found many beautiful spots but there is a lot to improve. On this episode of The Open Door, John speaks about his new camping blog vanhalla.ie, of the expense of converting a van, and the best camping destinations in Ireland.

Surviving Lockdown: Two teens from Monasterevan, Brendan McGlynn and Billy Sinnott taught themselves music production during lockdown as a means of getting through it.

Hear their uplifting story of strength in the face of adversity and the resuts of their efforts in the form of new song "Defeat" on this episode of The Open Door.

The future is bright.