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A podcast celebrating the people, places and stories that make Northern Ireland unique, presented by Eve Blair.... more
FAQs about Series 1:How many episodes does Series 1 have?The podcast currently has 137 episodes available.
August 19, 2023The Lough Erne Pilgrim Way and Opera in GlenarmThe Lough Erne Pilgrim Way is a new exhibition at Enniskillen Castle, celebrating many of the important religious sites on the islands of the lough. Catherine Scott, museums officer, tells Anne Marie McAleese that traditions, stories, superstitions, cures and names have been recorded even when the sites themselves have been lost. And baritone Ryan Garnham from Ballynahinch is one of five talented opera singers appearing at the Glenarm Festival of Voice, and featuring arias, Irish art songs and ensemble pieces. Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more16minPlay
August 12, 2023An Outstanding Cloughmills Environmentalist, and Linen in LisburnEnvironmentalist Patrick Frew from Cloughmills, who has been nominated for a National Lottery Award in the outstanding individuals section, chats to Anne Marie McAleese about a yurt, an old mill, and volunteering; and Anthea McWilliams from R-Space gallery in Lisburn explains the idea of the Linen Biennale - a celebration of the fabric that is synonymous with Northern Ireland. Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more15minPlay
August 05, 2023The County Donegal Railway Buses, and a Cow Beautician from Garvagh.Hugh Dougherty tells Anne Marie McAleese about the cross-border bus service once run by the County Donegal Railway. Customs officials inspected passengers, suitcases and even the Aran sweaters of passengers, when they crossed the border. And Steven O'Kane from Garvagh offers advice on how to make a cow beautiful in preparation for an agricultural show. Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more16minPlay
July 29, 2023The Queen of Collage from Derrylin, Faughan Valley's joined-up woods, and the zonkey from Benvarden.Originally from Derrylin in County Fermanagh, the collage artist, Sheila Gilroy Collins, launches an exhibition of her work, called Legends and Landscapes, in the Ardhowen Theatre on the banks of Lough Erne. Helen Mark investigates a Woodland Trust initiative on 150 acres of land at Oughtagh Road, which connects fragmented woodlands around the River Faughan and even underneath the newly-constructed A6. And a project begins to tell the stories of the Causeway Safari Park, at Benvarden near Ballymoney in County Antrim. The attraction opened in 1970 and closed in 1997, but drew thousands of visitors to see real life lions, tigers, chimpanzees... and a donkey-zebra cross called Nora who drew attention from the national media.Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more22minPlay
July 22, 2023Bicycle Recycling in Derry, and a Portadown man who governed in ChinaLife Cycles is an initiative in Derry to restore bicycles which would have been dumped. Monica Downey started the project during lockdown, when people were cycling for exercise and to get about. So far they have saved 790 bikes in partnership with Zero Waste North West, and given away 150 fully restored bicycles. Helen Mark went to visit.And Anne Marie McAleese hears the remarkable story of Robert Hart, from Portadown in County Armagh, who became one of the most powerful people in China. In the 19th century many Irish people worked and lived in China, Japan and Korea - but Hart was one of the most notable, involved in administering taxes on the opium trade, and presenting China overseas. His life and times are the focus of a new book by historian Robin Masefield from Holywood, County Down.Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more18minPlay
July 15, 2023Litterpicking in Tullyhappy near Larne, and Two Women who put Health Before WealthEvelyn Milne is inspired by her granddaughter, Bethany, to pick litter from the road at her townland, at Tullyhappy near Newry. They hope to inspire others to do the same in their own areas. And Jenny Hope from Larne and Tanya Dragininie from Bangor join the fight against Covid and cancer, after learning with the Open University. Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more14minPlay
July 08, 2023Sion Stables and a Garvagh banner maker.Willie Magowan, an artist from Garvagh whose work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute in America, explains the historic art of banner painting. He shows Anne Marie McAleese into the workshop at the back of his house where he creates the banners.And in Sion Mills, the Buildings Preservation Trust has reopened the newly-refurbished Stables Museum. It's an historic building that outlines the life and times of this industrial village which started with the establishment of Herdman's Mill in 1835. Molly McNutt from Strabane, the new tourism co-ordinator, and Celia Ferguson, one of the Herdman family, gave Brian Kernohan a guided tour.Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more15minPlay
July 01, 2023Killeavy and Garvagh ForestA pilgrimage to St Moninna's Holy Well at Killeavy and a royal visit to Garvagh Forest....more17minPlay
June 24, 2023Real Women, Big Lives, and Summer Music from KillyleaghReal Women, Big Lives - a photographic project documenting the lives of older women from across Northern Ireland involved in the arts. Sheila Fairon, the photographer behind the idea, says older women need to have their stories told.And Summer Falls - music inspired by summer holidays in both County Down and County Sligo. The composer, Neil Foster, describes his music as a way to feel connected and inspired by tuning in to the natural sounds in the environment.Presented by Anne Marie McAleese....more14minPlay
June 17, 2023Pine Martens of Balloo, and Comber's New PotatoesThe pine martens of Balloo Woodland in Bangor, county Down, are elusive creatures, but becoming much more common. The population has almost doubled in the last five years. Anne Marie McAleese speaks to Katy Bell, the Senior Conservation Officer with Ulster Wildlife, who says the increase in pine martens has been a big boost for the local red squirrel population.And Anne Marie visits the farm of Richard Orr at Comber, County Down, where a very special potato is grown. Comber Earlies grow in an area which is protected from frost by the salt water of Strangford Lough, which creates a kind of microclimate, perfect for an early harvest....more12minPlay
FAQs about Series 1:How many episodes does Series 1 have?The podcast currently has 137 episodes available.