The Limerick Lady Podcast

Emma and Ann have experience behind the scenes and in front, but nowhere near the level of experience of Una Molloy - agent, artist manager, event booker and founder of Turning Pirate. Una has looked after tours and events for Lisa Hannigan, Wallis Bird, Cathy Davy and many many more internationally renowned artists.

In September, Ireland's live music and performing arts sector is rallying behind the folks in black clothes - the ones who lift the gear and set the lights and tell us "warm props" where we need to be and when, and how to get there, and where the toilet it. Our stage, sound and lighting crew are a precious asset and deserve our support. Emma and Ann chat with Una Molloy about the reality of managing artists and booking gigs amid the uncertainty of a global pandemic. Find out how you can support the live entertainment industry in Ireland: https://www.hotpress.com/music/epic-live-entertainment-industry-working-group-calls-for-immediate-government-action-22819609 Follow Una on Twitter @turningpirate or visit www.turningpirate.com

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta @annblakeplay and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and join her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from Ormston House Feminist Supermarket and The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady on Twitter @LkLadyHQ Insta @thelimericklady and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Tweet using #LkLadyPod

Recorded in early August, as Ireland was on the cusp of coming out of lockdown, grief and loss weighed heavy on the hearts of many. All three of this month's podcasters have been bereaved, so the conversation naturally took in that experience, but they also discussed the grief that accompanies a loss of normalcy, and loss of livelihood.

If you are in need of grief support, free-phone Samaritans at 116123 or email [email protected]

Additional grief support links:

A grief website and online community for grieving people: www.whatsyourgrief.com Irish Hospice Foundation: https://hospicefoundation.ie/ For individuals and groups bereaved by suicide: http://www.livinglinkslimerick.com/ For children and young people aged 4 to 18 years, who are affected by loss through death, separation or divorce: https://www.childrensgriefcentre.ie/

Follow Jen Ronan on Twitter @jayrow and Insta @the_jayrow and here www.jenronan.com

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta @annblakeplay and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and join her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from Ormston House Feminist Supermarket and The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady on Twitter @LkLadyHQ Insta @thelimericklady and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Tweet using #LkLadyPod

In recent weeks, social media has seen a surge in accounts of sexual assault and misconduct within performing arts circles in Ireland, not to mention the publication of a devastating new report by Linda Coogan Byrne on gender disparity in Irish radio.

Legends of the screen & stage, musician Áine Tyrrell and writer-actor Roxanna Nic Liam join our hosts over zoom to talk turkey (or tofu) about the endemic sexist structures within our creative community.

Follow Áine Tyrrell on Twitter @AineTyrrell Insta @ainetyrrellmusic www.ainetyrrell.com

Follow Roxanna Nic Liam on Twitter and Insta @NicLiamo

Download 'Whose Side Are You On?' at https://song.link/x2rjjch6dfcfn

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta @annblakeplay and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and join her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from Ormston House Feminist Supermarket and The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady on Twitter @LkLadyHQ Insta @thelimericklady and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Tweet using #LkLadyPod

Lockdown continues apace in many respects, and our hosts are still limited to virtual hang-outs with their special guests - no huggin' or pints! This month, Ann and Emma dropped boat-dwelling DJ and Today Fm presenter Claire Beck a line. A familiar name to many, Claire is a stalwart of Irish radio and tells our hosts about getting her start in pirate radio in Dublin in her teens.

June is Pride Month and talk turns to how Pride has drifted a little from its original meaning but has lost none of its importance. Our hosts and guest discuss the importance of strong allies to all marginalised communities, and chat about language and "cancel culture".

Follow Claire Beck @Clairebeck1052 and tune into her show, Claire Beck's Saturday SoundSystem, Saturday nights on @todayfm

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta @annblakeplay and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and join her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from Ormston House Feminist Supermarket and The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook #LkLadyPod

Ann and Emma chat via the magic medium of Zoom with Kildare-based community musician Sadhbh O'Sullivan (AKA performing artist Sive). As we enter into the third month of pandemic restrictions, our hosts and guest explore the value of music right now for fostering a sense of community, and ask what elements of our dramatically different lives do we want to carry out of this pandemic as restrictions begin to lift?

Follow Sadhbh on Twitter @SiveMusic Insta @sive_music and support www.patreon.com/sivemusic

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blakeo_23 and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo See Ann perform an excerpt of her play, The Morning After The Life Before, in Stanzas on Friday May 22nd, for the celebrations of 5 years since Marriage Equality. https://www.facebook.com/events/247239206697692/

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and, as she has had to cancel tours and gigs please join her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from Ormston House Feminist Supermarket and The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook #LkLadyPod

In the first remotely recorded episode - made possible by technology - Ann and Emma talk to Zia Bergin Holly.

Zia is an award winning Lighting and Set Designer. She works internationally and has a base in both London (UK) and Dublin (Ireland). She designs for theatre, dance, opera and live music events.

The day of publishing, April 16th 2020, marks one year since all three were involved in Bread Not Profits by Mike Finn with songs by Ann's brother David Blake of The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra. A Gúna Nua theatre production about the Limerick Soviet - a moment in history which saw the city in a lockdown.

Ann and Emma performed in the show, while Zia did the lighting design for this large site specific spectacle. Bread Not Profits recently won The Irish Times Theatre Audience Choice Award.

Follow Zia Bergin Holly @ziaaislinn and www.ziaholly.com

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blakeo_23 and The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra @bplo

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and, as she has had to cancel tours and gigs please support and donate to her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

Recorded with support from The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

For more information on 'Bread Not Profits' see www.gunanua.com

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook #LkLadyPod

In this International Women's Day Special the Limerick Ladies host their first ever live podcast with special guests author Helena Close and broadcaster Petula Martyn.

In the wonderful surrounds of Ormston House, an incredible Cultural Resource Centre in the heart of Limerick City, Ann and Emma chat about women in the media and the arts with Helena and Petula in front of an enthusiastic audience on International Women's Day March 8th, 2020.

The event is part of The Feminist Supermarket at Ormston House: A year long project working with 8 artists, 3 community partners, 2 researchers, all around access, inclusion and diversity in the arts. It is offering opportunities to the members of its membership scheme to participate. It is supported by The Arts Council.

Since the recording of this episode the world has turned upside down with the Corona Virus crisis and events listed as well as the café sponsoring are cancelled, postponed or closed. Please still follow the artists and institutions as all support is greatly appreciated.

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blake_23

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com and, as she has had to cancel tours and gigs please support and donate to her patreon here https://www.patreon.com/emmalangford

Follow Helena Close @helenaclose

Follow Petula Martyn @petulamartyn

Follow all things Ormston House @ormstonhouse and www.ormstonhouse.com

This episode is sponsored by Rift Coffee Ltd, 30 Mallow Street Limerick. A very gorgeous place which we hope will be able to re-open its doors as soon as this crisis is over.

Follow Rift on Instagram and Twitter @riftcoffeeltd Facebook.com/riftcoffe www.riftcoffee.com

Recorded with support from The Limerick Post @limerickpost www.limerickpost.ie

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook #LkLadyPod

Ann and Emma talk to Jenny Blake, who just ran in the February General Election for The Social Democrats.

Jenny has worked and studied and lived in Limerick for 20 years. She was canvassing coordinator for Yes Equality Limerick in 2015, has previously worked with NOVAS, PALLS and is currently Student Support Coordinator in UL Student Life. She also happens to be married to Ann.

Jenny was a first time candidate who found herself with only three weeks to campaign due to the snap election. She reflects on the whirlwind experience and many other things (Beyoncé and karaoke might get a mention).

Follow Jenny on Twitter and Insta @JennyBlakeLK

In other news, Emma's been nominated in a number of categories - thankfully none of them decade related - in the Hot Press awards. Click and vote here https://www.hotpress.com/music/announcing-hotties-2020-vote-hot-press-readers-poll-shortlist-22803365

Ann is in The Everyman Theatre in Cork with on March 24th and 25th with The Morning After The Life Before. Book here https://www.everymancork.com/2020/03/the-morning-after-the-life-before/

This episode is dedicated to Ann's mother, Trudy Blake, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away on January 25th.

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blakeo_23

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com

This episode is sponsored by Rift Coffee Ltd, 30 Mallow Street Limerick. A very gorgeous place.

Follow Rift on Instagram and Twitter @riftcoffeeltd Facebook.com/riftcoffe www.riftcoffee.com

Recorded with support from The Limerick Post www.limerickpost.ie

The first episode of the 2020 has Emma questioning whether we are in a new decade while Ann challenges a popular 'misconception'.

More importantly though, Emma and Ann chat with Jean Langford and Andrea Habenicht about living with Type 1 Diabetes They discuss the current resources in Ireland, and the misunderstandings surrounding the invisible condition.

Would a touring artist be able to manage their diabetes?

Jean was diagnosed at the age of 11, and Andrea at the age of 8.

Andrea has gone on to work as an assistant psychologist at a diabetes day centre, and Jean has been exploring the merits of running for managing your blood sugar levels.

Resources: www.JDRF.org is the leading global research and advocacy group for type 1 diabetes.

www.typeonerun.org is an offshoot of JDRF and is intended for those affected by type 1 diabetes, interested in getting active and meeting others with t1d. There are currently only 12 people using the website in Ireland.

This podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blakeo_23

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com

This episode is sponsored by Rift Coffee Ltd, 30 Mallow Street Limerick. A very gorgeous place.

Follow Rift on Instagram and Twitter @riftcoffeeltd Facebook.com/riftcoffe www.riftcoffee.com

Recorded with support from The Limerick Post www.limerickpost.ie

Ann and Emma wrap up the year chatting to Sinéad Carey of NOVAS: Homeless Help, Shelter and Respite.

Sinéad chats about the day to day realities of working in frontline support for the homeless and practical ways the public can support them at this cold time of year.

To donate to NOVAS click here: https://www.novas.ie/donate/

Freephone Number for homeless/at risk of homelessness:

1800 606060

Email [email protected]

The podcast goes out the third Thursday of every month or 'Thirdsday' - if you will.

Follow The Limerick Lady @LkLadyHQ and 'The Limerick Lady' on Facebook

Follow Ann on Twitter @annblake78 and Insta blakeo_23

Follow all things Emma www.emmalangfordmusic.com

This episode is sponsored by Rift Coffee Ltd, 30 Mallow Street Limerick. A very gorgeous place.

Follow Rift on Instagram and Twitter @riftcoffeeltd Facebook.com/riftcoffe www.riftcoffee.com

Recorded with support from The Limerick Post www.limerickpost.ie