Live from Trinity FM (and sounding quite fuzzy I’m sure) for episode twenty-three! Feel free to skip music as it might sound distant!

This week I speak to Deirdre McGarry Barker, one of the organisers of the Frederick Douglass Civil Rights Festival, about the events coming up from the 26th to the 28th of November in Wexford town. Deirdre speaks about who Douglass was, and why he leaves such an incredible legacy behind him. Tickets are only €10 for the entire weekend (that’s three cups of coffee, as Deirdre put it), with plenty of events to keep you busy! You can find out more on their website http://douglassinwexford.com/ or on their Facebook and Instagram. Deirdre also wanted to note that having Senator Eileen Flynn as a keynote speaker is fundamental to this festival, as the mistreatment and racism towards travellers in this country proves we have unacknowledged many civil rights issues.

On this week’s episode I speak to Rachel Druett. Rachel is an artist based in Wexford. Her original art pieces are available for purchase or on commission. She also does community art projects, workshops, illustration and editing. You can check her out on Facebook or Instagram, or even visit her website! https://racheldruett.wixsite.com/racheldruettartist

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/i-think-of-you-brendan-in-hushed-dublin-streets-a-poem-for-brendan-kennelly-by-joseph-o-connor-1.4703546

On this episode I am delighted to be joined by musician, poet and librarian Alan Dobbs. We talked about his debut poetry anthology which is available in Red Books Wexford or online via https://theirishbookshop.com. I hope you enjoy the episode.

This episode I am joined by director, filmmaker and writer Dario Cannizzaro. We discuss the art scene in Cork, writing processes and how it feels to have your short film selected for a film award. You can read more about Dario on www.dariowrites.com.

On this episode I talk about all things Culture Night; the pros and the cons, where the event initiated from and events to commemorate the day.

In this episode I am delighted to be joined by Albuquerque based spoken-word poet and political scientist, Rene Mullen. We discuss his poetry collection ‘This Still Breathing Canvas’ published by ‘Mindwell Poetry Press’, his podcast ‘Pen and Poet’ which is now in its third season, what influenced him to try spoken word poetry and his academic life as a politics student. You can check out Rene’s podcast here https://open.spotify.com/show/5u7KrXId7TRZE5aHwkkHin?si=pa2bUP-HQE2f3sUc1ZZtfQ&dl_branch=1 on Spotify.

I decided to go a bit closer to home with my interview this week. It’s officially autumn, and the summer season is over. Which means that in Wexford all the tourists have gone home. Since 2007, my parents have ran Castle Delights Café during the summer months. Growing up in a coffee shop was a unique experience that I am so grateful for. We talk about baking, advice for potential cafe-owners, holiday destinations and horse boxes.

This week I speak to Anya from the newly opened New Ross Book Shelter about her experience with taking on a bookshop. New Ross Book Shelter is on Facebook and Instagram; where you can see Anya’s wide selection of books and her beautiful window displays. Make sure to call in to the store if you ever happen to be down in that area!