This week we welcome back Maeve McKenna - Poet & Writer to read some of her poetry.
She is originally from Dublin, moved to Sligo with her husband and three children in 2001. 

Throughout her life, she has written on and off, but only in the last few years did she find the time to fully focus on her writing.

Maeve writes short stories, flash fiction but poetry is her first love.

She has been commended in several competitions and joint runner up in Trim Poetry competition 2020. Her work features in widely print and online.

In this special episode Maeve reads the following poems 

• Border Passage
• A dedication to drowning
• Holy Pleasure
• Cooled Boiled Water
• Ultra Silent
• The Sound of Distance
• Book Marker
• Blood
• The Felling at Lissadell

I hope you enjoy this show and we will be bringing you more episodes like this with local musicians, actors, writers and poets too in the future.

Drop me a line if you would like to be on the show - [email protected] 

This week we welcome back Maeve McKenna - Poet & Writer to read some of her poetry.
She is originally from Dublin, moved to Sligo with her husband and three children in 2001. 

Throughout her life, she has written on and off, but only in the last few years did she find the time to fully focus on her writing.

Maeve writes short stories, flash fiction but poetry is her first love.

She has been commended in several competitions and joint runner up in Trim Poetry competition 2020. Her work features in widely print and online.

In this special episode Maeve reads the following poems 

• Border Passage
• A dedication to drowning
• Holy Pleasure
• Cooled Boiled Water
• Ultra Silent
• The Sound of Distance
• Book Marker
• Blood
• The Felling at Lissadell

I hope you enjoy this show and we will be bringing you more episodes like this with local musicians, actors, writers and poets too in the future.

Drop me a line if you would like to be on the show - [email protected] 

On this week's show, we speak to Eddie Lee a Photography, owner of the 
Sligo Jazz Project, artistic director & Self-employed musician.

Eddie shares his story of how he discovered music and some of his incredible journey - we will have to have him on the show again. He talks about how he arrived back home after a few years away, what he has missed in the lockdown, what he is looking forward to in the future and his favourite places in Sligo.

As a pro musician of more than 3 decades, I’ve guested on a Grammy-nominated Enya album, toured and recorded with artists on several continents across many genres of music, including NoCrows, Dervish, Those Nervous Animals, Stockton’s Wing, A Woman’s Heart and the Pale. In 2013 I sang in Ennio Morricone’s choir for his Irish concerts and was commissioned to co-write a suite of music by the Hawks Well Theatre and appeared in Ken Loach’s Jimmy's Hall as a jazz musician. Each July I have been instrumental in bringing the best jazz musicians on the planet to Sligo to teach and perform at Sligo Jazz Project’s annual summer school and festival. I enjoy travelling through my music career and it’s probably this I really miss the most during the current pandemic.

More recently I have explored my love for photography and the landscape of my home county Sligo in particular. In the lockdown period I have been studying and learning about various aspects of photography and with the uncertainty surrounding the entertainment business hope to forge a career as a photographer over the coming months and years L, branching out into portrait work as well as my landscape and Milky Way/night Sky work.

I have also been doing a Wednesday night jazz & world music show on radiosligo.com

I love sunsets in Cummeen strand, all year round swimming in the sea, trekking the mountains, Sligo Rovers and Sligo’s wonderful music, theatre and arts scene. I’m currently doing a photographic project on our multicultural community. Last winter I discovered the amazing benefits of winter cold water sea dipping and it’s been quite the buzz! I’ve also done the Warriors run 6 times and look forward to it each year building my fitness programme around it.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo?

We need a radical overhaul in city Centre development policy, landlords need to be encouraged or subsidized in order to reopen sligo city centre for business. It’s a disgrace that so much of the town is owned by so few business people who seem to care less about properties lying vacant. The solution has to come from the top down in order to allow people to rent premises affordably and get new small businesses opening again. This is even more crucial to the town centre in the years following this pandemic, with economic depression a likely situation for years to come. My magic wand right now though would be to be rid of this pandemic and open our music venues again.

I’ve undergone quite an epiphany in the past year, and have really found a new passion in photography and photographic editing. I’m very excited about where this is going to take me, particularly as I’ve started doing portraits recently and found it’s something that I love going.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Hike above Glencar and up Knocknarea, Walk the boardwalk from Slish Wood to Innisfree. Drive round the Gleniff horseshoe, Swim in the Atlantic surf in Strandhill and walk on Aughris head. Eat in Stoked and have lunch in shells. Catch a memorable gig in sligo jazz festival 🤪

You can find Eddie on lnstagram - @sligobass and check out his beautiful images and photos on 

http://eddielee.ie/

https://www.facebook.com/edleephoto/

On this week's show, we speak to Eddie Lee a Photography, owner of the 
Sligo Jazz Project, artistic director & Self-employed musician.

Eddie shares his story of how he discovered music and some of his incredible journey - we will have to have him on the show again. He talks about how he arrived back home after a few years away, what he has missed in the lockdown, what he is looking forward to in the future and his favourite places in Sligo.

As a pro musician of more than 3 decades, I’ve guested on a Grammy-nominated Enya album, toured and recorded with artists on several continents across many genres of music, including NoCrows, Dervish, Those Nervous Animals, Stockton’s Wing, A Woman’s Heart and the Pale. In 2013 I sang in Ennio Morricone’s choir for his Irish concerts and was commissioned to co-write a suite of music by the Hawks Well Theatre and appeared in Ken Loach’s Jimmy's Hall as a jazz musician. Each July I have been instrumental in bringing the best jazz musicians on the planet to Sligo to teach and perform at Sligo Jazz Project’s annual summer school and festival. I enjoy travelling through my music career and it’s probably this I really miss the most during the current pandemic.

More recently I have explored my love for photography and the landscape of my home county Sligo in particular. In the lockdown period I have been studying and learning about various aspects of photography and with the uncertainty surrounding the entertainment business hope to forge a career as a photographer over the coming months and years L, branching out into portrait work as well as my landscape and Milky Way/night Sky work.

I have also been doing a Wednesday night jazz & world music show on radiosligo.com

I love sunsets in Cummeen strand, all year round swimming in the sea, trekking the mountains, Sligo Rovers and Sligo’s wonderful music, theatre and arts scene. I’m currently doing a photographic project on our multicultural community. Last winter I discovered the amazing benefits of winter cold water sea dipping and it’s been quite the buzz! I’ve also done the Warriors run 6 times and look forward to it each year building my fitness programme around it.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo?

We need a radical overhaul in city Centre development policy, landlords need to be encouraged or subsidized in order to reopen sligo city centre for business. It’s a disgrace that so much of the town is owned by so few business people who seem to care less about properties lying vacant. The solution has to come from the top down in order to allow people to rent premises affordably and get new small businesses opening again. This is even more crucial to the town centre in the years following this pandemic, with economic depression a likely situation for years to come. My magic wand right now though would be to be rid of this pandemic and open our music venues again.

I’ve undergone quite an epiphany in the past year, and have really found a new passion in photography and photographic editing. I’m very excited about where this is going to take me, particularly as I’ve started doing portraits recently and found it’s something that I love going.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Hike above Glencar and up Knocknarea, Walk the boardwalk from Slish Wood to Innisfree. Drive round the Gleniff horseshoe, Swim in the Atlantic surf in Strandhill and walk on Aughris head. Eat in Stoked and have lunch in shells. Catch a memorable gig in sligo jazz festival 🤪

You can find Eddie on lnstagram - @sligobass and check out his beautiful images and photos on 

http://eddielee.ie/

https://www.facebook.com/edleephoto/

This week we talk to Maeve McKenna about her love of writing and poetry. Moving from Dublin to Sligo and her favourite places to visit and eat in Sligo.

Originally from Dublin, I moved to Sligo with my husband and three children in 2001. Throughout my life I have written on and off, but only in the last few years have I found the time to fully focus on my writing.
I am a writer of short stories, flash fiction but poetry is my first love.
Over recent times I have found some success with my writing, commended in several competitions and joint runner up in Trim Poetry competition 2020. 

My work features in widely print and online.
I've enjoyed and am grateful for these acknowledgements but ultimately I write in the hope of finding my own voice through my writing and giving readers of my work an insight into the experiences of living from a different perspective. Achieving that is the ultimate fulfillment.

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: I'm from Dublin and moved here in 200, due partly to my husbands work but also a desire to live a less frantic life with my family away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the sea and couldn't live very far from it. Sligo beaches are simply amazing. The scenery in Sligo is stunning, hill walks, coastal walks scenic drives, it's all here.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: 

Definitely more arts, especially literary. While there are some literary events, I feel given Sligo's literary history the county is way behind other counties in this regard. There simply is an absence of support for the arts in general.
Also, the town centre has been a building site of roadworks since I moved here nearly 20 years ago. Addressing this and making the city centre more welcoming visually and practically would be beneficial.

What keeps you awake at night?: My children.
The title of a poem.
A word.
Memories.
The sound of rain.
Processing the previous day.
Attempting to organise myself.
My mothers face.

What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?: 

I'm looking forward to life and all that might offer me: my children and their lives unfolding, my friends and our adventures, my solitude returning, my first book of poetry published.
My first book of short stories published. My willingness to grow and learn and change never failing me. My husband and I being 25 years old again.

What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: 

Lissadell beach and woods. My soul spot.
Swimming in Streedagh. Walking the Cashel Loop at Benbulben or the coastal walk at Aughris Head. Eating a 99 cone on Rosses Point. Having a pint in The Strand.

How can people find you online? 

You'll find me on
FaceBook @ Maeve O'Reilly McKenna
On Instagram @ maevemckenna37

This week we talk to Maeve McKenna about her love of writing and poetry. Moving from Dublin to Sligo and her favourite places to visit and eat in Sligo.

Originally from Dublin, I moved to Sligo with my husband and three children in 2001. Throughout my life I have written on and off, but only in the last few years have I found the time to fully focus on my writing.
I am a writer of short stories, flash fiction but poetry is my first love.
Over recent times I have found some success with my writing, commended in several competitions and joint runner up in Trim Poetry competition 2020. 

My work features in widely print and online.
I've enjoyed and am grateful for these acknowledgements but ultimately I write in the hope of finding my own voice through my writing and giving readers of my work an insight into the experiences of living from a different perspective. Achieving that is the ultimate fulfillment.

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: I'm from Dublin and moved here in 200, due partly to my husbands work but also a desire to live a less frantic life with my family away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the sea and couldn't live very far from it. Sligo beaches are simply amazing. The scenery in Sligo is stunning, hill walks, coastal walks scenic drives, it's all here.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: 

Definitely more arts, especially literary. While there are some literary events, I feel given Sligo's literary history the county is way behind other counties in this regard. There simply is an absence of support for the arts in general.
Also, the town centre has been a building site of roadworks since I moved here nearly 20 years ago. Addressing this and making the city centre more welcoming visually and practically would be beneficial.

What keeps you awake at night?: My children.
The title of a poem.
A word.
Memories.
The sound of rain.
Processing the previous day.
Attempting to organise myself.
My mothers face.

What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?: 

I'm looking forward to life and all that might offer me: my children and their lives unfolding, my friends and our adventures, my solitude returning, my first book of poetry published.
My first book of short stories published. My willingness to grow and learn and change never failing me. My husband and I being 25 years old again.

What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: 

Lissadell beach and woods. My soul spot.
Swimming in Streedagh. Walking the Cashel Loop at Benbulben or the coastal walk at Aughris Head. Eating a 99 cone on Rosses Point. Having a pint in The Strand.

How can people find you online? 

You'll find me on
FaceBook @ Maeve O'Reilly McKenna
On Instagram @ maevemckenna37

On this weeks episode we have Tiffany Budd Goldsmith who is a Goldsmith living and working in rural Sligo, not too far from Ballintogher village.
She makes high-end one-off jewellery for commission and exhibition.

We talked all about moving to Sligo and her work as a goldsmith, how her son is following in the footsteps of his Dad to become a blacksmith. Her favourite places to visit and eat in Sligo plus much more 

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: I live here with my husband Michael and our 2 grown-up children Molly and George. We moved over in 2000 from the South of England to live a slower pace of life and to be with my family who'd previously moved to the North West.

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the landscape, space, quietness. I love that there are so many creative people living in the region.

If you could wave a magic wand, what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: Public toilets, lol (joking not joking) I think we have a very special thing here and I would be very mindful of how we develop Sligo. So I'd say, use what we already have.
I would love to see an organic farmers co-op type scheme. Something like the farmers market but more so.
We have a lot of empty shop spaces, so it would be great to see some type of co.co. rates free initiative or scheme to give startups a chance.
Also, Sligo is really in need of a good public art space that is committed primarily to showcase our living artist here in Sligo and the region.

What keeps you awake at night?: Cats fighting outside my window (last night). I do worry about what type of world we will leave for our children and where it's all headed.

What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?: Lockdown has really helped solidify this in my mind. Being around family and friends, watching the garden grow and eating good food. Professionally, I'm just excited about making great jewellery. My business is growing all the time and I can't wait to see where that takes me.

What is a question you would really like me to ask?: Wow that's a good question :)
Surprise me, I think.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: A visit to Michael Quirk. Has to be done, if you want to feel Sligo, it's passed and it's myths and watch an amazing craftsman at work while you listen, Michael's your man.
Also while on craft (and Michaels) My very talented Blacksmith husband Michael Budd. Not just cause I think he's lovely but it really is fascinating to watch iron being forged into living objects and art.
There are so many talented craft people in this county, it's a long list.
Walks: all of them, we are blessed, I'll pick one beach, Streedagh and one forest walk, Slish wood, one Megalithic, Carrowkeel tombs Castlebaldwin.
For the best brekkie in Sligo it has to be Lyons cafe but I'm loathed to stop at one cause Knox breakfast is also amazing. Obviously it doesn't have to stop at breakfast.

How can people find you online? Would you like to make a special offer available for listeners?: www.tiffanybudd.com
Instagram TiffanyBudd-Goldsmith
Facebook @TiffanyBuddGoldsmith

On this weeks episode we have Tiffany Budd Goldsmith who is a Goldsmith living and working in rural Sligo, not too far from Ballintogher village.
She makes high-end one-off jewellery for commission and exhibition.

We talked all about moving to Sligo and her work as a goldsmith, how her son is following in the footsteps of his Dad to become a blacksmith. Her favourite places to visit and eat in Sligo plus much more 

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: I live here with my husband Michael and our 2 grown-up children Molly and George. We moved over in 2000 from the South of England to live a slower pace of life and to be with my family who'd previously moved to the North West.

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the landscape, space, quietness. I love that there are so many creative people living in the region.

If you could wave a magic wand, what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: Public toilets, lol (joking not joking) I think we have a very special thing here and I would be very mindful of how we develop Sligo. So I'd say, use what we already have.
I would love to see an organic farmers co-op type scheme. Something like the farmers market but more so.
We have a lot of empty shop spaces, so it would be great to see some type of co.co. rates free initiative or scheme to give startups a chance.
Also, Sligo is really in need of a good public art space that is committed primarily to showcase our living artist here in Sligo and the region.

What keeps you awake at night?: Cats fighting outside my window (last night). I do worry about what type of world we will leave for our children and where it's all headed.

What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?: Lockdown has really helped solidify this in my mind. Being around family and friends, watching the garden grow and eating good food. Professionally, I'm just excited about making great jewellery. My business is growing all the time and I can't wait to see where that takes me.

What is a question you would really like me to ask?: Wow that's a good question :)
Surprise me, I think.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: A visit to Michael Quirk. Has to be done, if you want to feel Sligo, it's passed and it's myths and watch an amazing craftsman at work while you listen, Michael's your man.
Also while on craft (and Michaels) My very talented Blacksmith husband Michael Budd. Not just cause I think he's lovely but it really is fascinating to watch iron being forged into living objects and art.
There are so many talented craft people in this county, it's a long list.
Walks: all of them, we are blessed, I'll pick one beach, Streedagh and one forest walk, Slish wood, one Megalithic, Carrowkeel tombs Castlebaldwin.
For the best brekkie in Sligo it has to be Lyons cafe but I'm loathed to stop at one cause Knox breakfast is also amazing. Obviously it doesn't have to stop at breakfast.

How can people find you online? Would you like to make a special offer available for listeners?: www.tiffanybudd.com
Instagram TiffanyBudd-Goldsmith
Facebook @TiffanyBuddGoldsmith

This weeks guest John Farren talks to us about living in Riverstown, how he helps people overcome their fears of public speaking, his music tutoring and how he has adapted in the lockdown.

Your Speech was established in 2017 in Sligo and provides training to individuals and groups in how to prepare and deliver any speech or presentation with confidence. We also provide training in Interview Preparation, Career Coaching and Business coaching.

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: Yes from Riverstown in Co Sligo

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the scenery, never too far from the sea. Great views all round. A friendly and welcoming place to live.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: Better parking in the town Centre. A bigger theatre/Concert venue. More improvements to local tourist sites.

What keeps you awake at night?: Nothing really, I tend not to worry too much about anything and just concentrate on everything that needs to be done the next day.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: Walk on any of the amazing beaches that surround co Sligo from Enniscrone to Mullaghmore. Hike up Knocknarea and so much more.

How can people find you online? Would you like to make a special offer available for listeners?: 

Anyone can contact me through YourSpeech on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and my personal page on Linkedin.
Also email our website directly at https://www.yourspeech.ie/contact/
First consultation Free!

This weeks guest John Farren talks to us about living in Riverstown, how he helps people overcome their fears of public speaking, his music tutoring and how he has adapted in the lockdown.

Your Speech was established in 2017 in Sligo and provides training to individuals and groups in how to prepare and deliver any speech or presentation with confidence. We also provide training in Interview Preparation, Career Coaching and Business coaching.

Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: Yes from Riverstown in Co Sligo

What do you love about living in Sligo?: I love the scenery, never too far from the sea. Great views all round. A friendly and welcoming place to live.

If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: Better parking in the town Centre. A bigger theatre/Concert venue. More improvements to local tourist sites.

What keeps you awake at night?: Nothing really, I tend not to worry too much about anything and just concentrate on everything that needs to be done the next day.

What are your must-do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.: Walk on any of the amazing beaches that surround co Sligo from Enniscrone to Mullaghmore. Hike up Knocknarea and so much more.

How can people find you online? Would you like to make a special offer available for listeners?: 

Anyone can contact me through YourSpeech on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and my personal page on Linkedin.
Also email our website directly at https://www.yourspeech.ie/contact/
First consultation Free!