The Time Out Podcast

2023 will be a year that will live long in the memory of all connected with Na Rossa GAA club in Lettermacaward. Despite all the challenges of lack of numbers available to the club as a whole it hasn't stopped success being achieved on the pitch, like in 2023. Junior A Champions, and promotion sealed back to Division 2. I'm joined in this episode to reflect on a great year for Na Rossa by their manager Declan Bonner, captain Daniel Martin Melly and Felix Melly who was part of the backroom team.  Lots discussed, including the memorable Junior A Championship final win over Moville, the league game which clinched promotion, and the dissapointing nature of the club's controversial exit from the Ulster Club Championship. I hope you enjoy the podcast.

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Danny O'Donnell was born and raised in Islington England but has lived in Donegal since 1991. Both his parents were from Donegal. During my interview with Danny, he talks about his memories of coming to Ireland in his youth and tells how things were back then and how much they've changed. As I myself am a big Manchester United fan for almost 30 years I'm pleased to be including a tribute to the late great Bobby Charlton (RIP) during this interview.  A very important topic discussed at the beginning of the episode is prostate cancer. Danny tells the story of how he was diagnosed with prostate cancer over 7 years ago and how he is now in remission. I'm thankful Danny shared his story and it may help somebody listening. Lots more talked about too, including Movember. I hope you enjoy the interview!

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Honoured to be featuring two legends of Irish country music in the one episode. Both Sandy Kelly and Brendan Shine are enjoying long successful careers in music. Although both are closely connected to country music, its not the only genre they've been involved with. Sandy Kelly as she describes in the interview has a love for music generally. In 1982 she was part of pop group The Duskeys when they entered eurovision. Sandy formed the group alongside her late sister Barbara and two cousins. One of her greatest feats which she looks back on with great pride is the fact she recorded a duet with the late legend of country Johnny Cash. Brendan Shine is celebrating 60 years in music having started out in a ceilli band at the age of 16. His long career has seen him enjoy vast chart success in Ireland, while in the UK charts he also faired respectably.  He talks in the interview about the backgrounds behind some of his biggest songs.

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The title of the episode sums it up.  Mary From Dungloe Past & Present. The festival's full title has grown slightly in recent years. Its now 'Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival'. Since the festival began in 1968 till current day, there is a huge amount of history attached to it. The aim of these 5 interviews is to perhaps share memories or stories with listeners that they might not have known. Guests include the first winner of the Mary From Dungloe in 1968, Celine Powell. Irish Country Music legend Daniel O'Donnell. Spin 'n' Speed Amusements aka McGurks funfair operator Nigel Bell. Irish Country Music singer Eimear Furlong and last but by no means least, former Garda sergeant Joe Joyce Snr. I hope you enjoy the interviews.

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Máire McCole won the Mary From Dungloe in 1983. Becoming the first Mary representing Dungloe to win the title. 40 years have gone by and its a special anniversary since Máire's victory, a win which thrilled locals. I went along to Máire's house for a chat with her on August 1st past, which by chance turned out to be 40 years to the night since her memorable victory.  She reminisced on many of her great memories from this famous Dungloe festival. I learnt a lot during the interview that I didn't know about the history of the Mary From Dungloe, including Máire mentioning in depth the story of how and why the festival got its name in the beginning.  I hope you enjoy the interview.

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On the 11th of July 1993 a new community centre opened in Burtonport. Througout the years it has proved a fantastic hub for many different occasions, fundraisers, children's parties, ETB ran classes and so much more.  The building has proved an extremely worthwhile addition. Recently the centre celebrated 30 years opened and I thought I couldn't let the day pass without marking it someway. I interviewed 4 people on the day of the celebrations, and  2 people the following day. Those interviewed were Mary Ellen Hyland, Patricia O'Donnell-Byrne, Margaret Boner, David Alcorn, Margaret Reilly and Mary McGee.  All 6 have varying stories of their input into the centre over the years, without this input the centre would not be what it is today. I hope you enjoy the interviews.

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Declan Nerney for me sits among the very finest singers Irish Country Music has seen over the past 30 plus years, and his early experiences in bands pushes his overall story so far around the half century mark. From Drumlish in Co Longford, Declan has through the years kept new hits coming, adding continually to a fine collection of music recorded. An authentic singer, good musician and can write a song. It makes for a good combo. I chat to Declan about some of his biggest songs, the influence  late legends Gene Stuart  and Brian Coll had on his career, and Declan gives his thoughts on today's country scene in Ireland. Hope you enjoy the interview.

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Michael Allsop hails from Nottinghamshire in England. His wife hails from Ardara. In the spring of 2021, they re-opened Sandfield pitch and putt in Ardara as the new owners.  Michael tells the story of how this came to be,  buying the piece of property from the now late Tom Finn.  We look back on the course's early history as well, which dates back to 1983. Michael has exciting plans for the future of Sandfield pitch and putt which he and his family run.  He talks about the cost to play a round, best scores submitted and famous names to have stopped by for a round. I hope you enjoy the interview.

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Beatrice Farrelly is the president of 'Elvis rocking in the hills of Donegal fan club' - A club which commemorates the memory of one of music's biggest ever legends, the late Elvis Presley.  The club formed in 2014 and along with remembering 'The king of rock of roll,  it also has so far raised over €27,000 for various charities both locally and nationally. During my interview with Beatrice I talk to her about how the club came about, the Elvis tribute acts that perform at their fundraising events plus much more including remembering those that have helped the club who are sadly no longer with us. Also Beatrice reveals her top 5 favourite Elvis songs, she talks about her experiences from having visited Graceland plus much more!

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Danny O'Donnell from Annagry, Co. Donegal is right now one of the most popular solo musical acts around; not just in his home county but beyond as well. At just 21 years of age, he has already gigged in USA, Spain, the UK,  and many more locations are set to follow. From singing his own covers of well known numbers across various genres to writing his own songs; the future looks very bright for Danny, who is also purusing a career as a music teacher to share his passion and knowledge of music with those wanting to learn. I chat to Danny in this interview about many things,  including how his older brother Conor helped inspire him to take up guitar at a young age.  Danny also gives advice for those perhaps thinking of getting into music and he mentions whose music he enjoys listening to himself.  I hope you enjoy the interview

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