The Magic Horses of Cill Stuithín, Walking Away & Keith O'Rahilly art exhibition

Interesting topics on this weeks show, drawing from both the past and present. We'll be featuring interviews with

-Fr. Pat Moore, who will be talking about his new book, 'The Magic Horses of Cill Stuithín and other Shannonside Stories', a book exploring a rural folk culture that is for the most part, removed from the modern countryside
-Keith O'Rahilly, Abbeyfeale based artist who will have an exhibition opening at Newcastlewest Library on Thursday 7th December, featuring paintings that celebrate the old rural homesteads (another aspect of our rural culture sadly disappearing)
-Playwright Helena Enright, who will be talking about her new play 'Walking Away', which will be performed at Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock on December 6th. This play is being held in association with Adapt services, and explores the depressing vista that is domestic violence against women.

Finally, a big shout out to everyone who supported us at the Abbeyfeale Church Gate Collection and at the CarBoot Sale in Newcastlewest last weekend.

Micheál O Muircheartaigh, Limerick Camera Club, Askeaton, Excursions

Good mix on this weeks show, which will be featuring interviews with

-The legendary Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who was in Newcastlewest Book Store on 13th November to promote his new book, 'From Borroloola to Mangerton Mountain'
-Paddy Cronin, Askeaton historian, who will be speaking about his new DVD 'The Old Home Town-Askeaton'
-Siobhan Hayes of the Limerick Camera Club, who will be talking about the upcoming slide show from George Spillane charting the changing face of Limerick City (Mary I College, November 29th)
-Feedback from the Almodovar film, Volver, the last film in this season at the Listowel Film Club
-Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan, who will be talking about the upcoming Excursions performance art festival in Limerick

So make sure to tune in this Friday at 6, repeats on Saturday morning at 8.

Leo Finucane &Knockaderry Heritage festival

Exuse for not updating the blog recently, was caught up in the excitement and anticipation of Fr. Caseys clash with Aherlow in the Munster Football Club Championship. Disappointing result, the day just didn't go well for the lads, but they're a young team with a lot of promise for the future. On to the show and this weeks show will feature..

-Interview with legendary Moyvane filmmaker Leo Finucane, who will be speaking about his new film, Seven Days Trial, which receives its world premiere at St. Johns Theatre, Listowel this Saturday
-Interview with Seán Liston, who will be talking about the forthcoming Knockaderry Heritage Festival
-Feedback from the three short Beckett plays running at Impact this week, Catastophe, Come and Go and Play


On last weeks show, November 10th we featured interviews with

-Eoin Ó'Súilleabhán, director of the Sionna Musical Festival in Limerick (November 11-18th)
-Jazz singer/comedian/actor Susannah De Wrixon, a native of Bruree who was performing Jazz standards at Friars Gate, Kilmallock
-Andreus de Staic, Clare based director whose film 'Malarky' featured at the Kerry Film Festival
-DJ Paul Murphy, whose soulful set on the Sunday Night (October 29th) at the Imperial Hotel, Tralee (festival club run in conjuction with the Kerry Film Festival) was disturbed too early for my liking by the boys in blue
-Feedback from the play, 'Happy Days'

And on the show on November 3rd was a dramatic special, featuring interviews with

-Niamh Bowen, who was starring in Impact's production of the Beckett Play, Happy Days, part of Impact's season of celebrating Becketts women
-Cork based actress Fiona York, who was starring in the Martin Sherman play 'Rose', that played at St. Johns on the 3rd
-Foynes born, but London based actor Dan Mullane, who was starring in the Godot Company's production of the Beckett play 'Waiting for Godot', that was playing at the Belltable as part of a nationwide tour

Kerry Film Festival, One act play festival in Kilmallock, Ciaran Cronin

A quick look back at the last two shows

October 20th featured interviews with

-Artistic director of Samhlaíocht, Maurice Galwey, who spoke about the upcoming Kerry Film Festival
-Joe Murphy of St. Johns Listowel who spoke about the upcoming launch of the Gerry O'Carroll book, The Sheriff
-Interview with Brendan Murray, adjudicator at the One Act Play festival that was running at Friars Gate Theatre
-Feedback from the play, The Women

October 27th featured interviews with

-Ciaran Cronin, author of the book, In our wildest dreams, looking at Munsters Heineken Cup oddysey between 1995 to the winning of the competition last May
-Traditional singer Sandra Joyce, who was to be playing with Niall Keegan and other traditional musicians at Friars Gate
-Richard Ayrton, whose new gallery, the arkangel art gallery was opening in Listowel on November 2nd

Pat O'Connor, Kerry Media Network, Listowel Film Club, the Women and more

Quick recap on the previous weeks programmes

On September 22nd we featured interviews with
-Famed Newcastlewest writer Dr. Patrick O'Connor spoke about his new publication, 'Seeing through Counties; Geography and Identity in Ireland', an ambitious new book charting the development of the county system in the county
-Clare based artist Thomas De Lohery, who spoke about his upcoming exhibition at Friars Gate, Kilmallock that payed tribute to the late Limerick actor Richard Harris
-Feedback from the play 'Outlying Islands'

On September 29th the show featured interviews with
-Ciaran Gleeson of the classic cinema, Listowel on the relaunch of the Film Club
-Tralee man Rory Kirby, who recently set up the Kerry Media Network (KYM), a voluntary organisation aiming to link all facets of filmmaking in Kerry
-The show also featured highlights from Éigse Michael Hartnett, including footage from the Abbeyfeale Drama Group, an impromptu performance from Cora Fenton and music from the legendary Cork singer Jimmy Crowley

The show on October 6th had a strong theatrical theme running through it, featuring as it did interviews with
-Darren Maher of Impact Theatre, who spoke about their take on the Stephen King story, Misery
-David Heap (Donal Maher in Fair City) who talked about his role in the Galloglass Theatre Production of the play 'Way to Heaven', that was playing at Friars Gate
-Ciarda Tobin, director of the Teaspach production of the Clare Luce Booth play, 'The Women'
-Feedback from the Richard Harris exhibition at Friars Gate

And on to this Fridays show which featured interviews with
-Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan who spoke about the upcoming Cuisle Poetry Festival in Limerick
-John Reidy, who waxed lyrical about the famed Sliabh Luachra musician Patrick O'Keefe, for whom a festival is held in his honour in Castleisland from the 27-30th October
-Paul Tarpey, who spoke about both his and Claire Gilmour's work in the upcoming exhibition entitled 'Hidden', opening this Friday at Thinkk Creative space on Cecil Street
-Feedback from the film club in Listowel, where last night the film 'Paradise Now' was shown. A film that explored the journey of two young Palestinian men sent on a suicide bombing mission to Tel Aviv, one of the most powerful films I have seen in a long time
-A feature on the Austrian artistic group Medea. Based in Linz, artists from this group travelled to Ireland in September and I met and spoke to two of the artists, Christina and Astride

That just about wraps it up, great news is that West Limerick 102FM can now be listened to live on the Internet, and we've received positive feedback from both Canada and the USA. Make sure if you're from the Abbeyfeale or Foynes/Shannagolden/Robertstown areas, to tune in Sunday week (Oct 22nd) for the senior football county final.

Askeaton arts, Mozart in Limerick, Outlying Islands

just a quick recap over the last few weeks shows to bring this blog up to date

September 1st
a slightly shortened show, due to coverage of a GAA match at 6.45, the show was an Askeaton special featuring interviews with artists who had taken part in the Welcome to the Neighbourhood project, a fantastic visual feast that transformed this West Limerick Town. The artists interviewed on Sunday, August 27th were

-Limerick based artist Cal Doran
-Cork based artist Doireann O'Malley
-Swedish artist Ilja Karilampi
-Paul Aherne from Crecora, who garnered a lot of attention for his drawings on a to-be renovated building on Main Street
-Sean Lynch on his fascinating postcard project


September 8th

This show included interviews with

-Alice Kennelly of Island Theatre Company on their upcoming production at the Belltable of the David Greig play Outlying Islands
-Caoimhe Reidy, who spoke about upcoming events at Friars Gate, including the new Gabriel Walsh play, Falling Over
-Joan McKernan, Limerick County Council Arts Officer, on the celebration of Mozart (250th anniversary of his birth) in Limerick with 4 concerts in Castleconnell


September 15th

Last weeks show featured interviews with

-Joan McKernan on the upcoming Éigse Michael Hartnett
-Newcastlewest native Mícheal Rowsome, who had a debut arts exhibition opened at the Library
-Young Newcastlewest rapper Oliver O'Sullivan, aka O Money whose debut album was being launched at Cronins bar in NCW that Friday
-Declan Macglaughlin of the Belltable, who spoke about the lecture he was giving on Tuesday on the late Limerick actor Richard Harris

Apologies for not updating more regularly, hope to have it done more regularly in the coming weeks, watch this space for new audio files in the near future

Art from the bog, the Sleeveens & Medieval Kilmallock

A bit of a mix in this weeks show which will feature interviews with

-Jimmy Deenihan, the main organiser of an arts exhibition from Kerry artists that took Irish Boglands as its main theme and is currently showing at the Seanchaí Literary & Cultural Centre, Listowel
-Margaret McKenna-Mullan, whose play The Sleeveens plays at St. Johns Theatre, Listowel this weekend
-Caoimhe Reidy, who will be speaking about the Medieval Festival to be held in Kilmallock this weekend

The show will also feature music recorded at the last seisiún of the summer at the Devon Inn, Templeglantine. Hope ye enjoy it and make sure to head to either Askeaton or Kilmallock this weekend for the festivities.

On last weeks show we featured interviews with

-Cara Trant of the Seanchaí Literary and Cultural Centre, Listowel, on the upcoming exhibition celebrating the history of the Listowel Drama Group
-Anita Price, Anthony Sheehy, and artist Michelle Hourigan (all Askeaton) on the upcoming events in the town for heritage week, as well as the Welcome to the Neighbourhood arts project organised by Michelle
-Sonia of the Odnaleziony Theatre, Poland, on the upcoming workshops to be run at Impact Theatre
-James Nelson of the Celtic Tenors, who were to open the medieval festival in Kilmallock

DJ Nuts, Dan Paddy Andy and Brendan Kennelly

A bit of Brazilian flavour on tonights show which will be featuring

-an interview with Joe Harrington, chairperson of the Dan Paddy Andy Festival taking place in Lyrocompan this weekend
-an interview with Mary Kennelly, PRO of the Brendan Kennelly Festival running in Ballylongford from 10-14th August
-an interview with Sao Paulo's DJ Nuts, who played a memorably funky gig at Mickey Martins in Limerick last Wednesday

the last 2 weeks shows were as follows

July 21st
-Interview with John Foye, the main organiser of a Russian arts exhibition in Mountcollins, featuring the work of holidaying Russian artist Naum Guerin
-Interview with Deirdre Chawke, singer and musician with the all-female group Liadan who were to play at Friars Gate, Kilmallock
-Interview with Duagh writer, Bridget McAulliffe, who compiled the excellent guide to Kerry, Uncovering Kerry
-Interview with the band Fred, who were playing in Tralee that Friday

July 28th
-Interview with Melissa O'Brien on the Australian arts exhibition taking place at the Limerick Printmakers
-Interview with Peig O'Connell, committee member of the Sean MacCarthy Festival in Finuge
-Interview with Nicolette, before her gig at the Boatclub in Limerick
-Interview with Peadar de Búrca, whose topical play Why Men Cheat was playing at St. Johns in Listowel
So tune this Friday at 6 for some local & Brazilian culture, enjoy the long weekend and try make it to the carboot sale in Newcastlewest on Sunday in aid of your community radio station West Limerick 102 FM

Aerosol artists, Con Curtin, Tadgh Gaelach O'Suilleabhán

Apologies for not updating the blog over the last few weeks, while the summer is a brilliant season for festivals, there isn't as much happening at the regular venues and it's often I haven't known exactly what will be on the show till an hour beforehand.
Anyway, for the records and posterity, here's what the programme covered over the last few weeks.

Friday June 23rd
A packed show that featured amongst other things

-An interview with Mary O'Mahoney, Chairperson of the Con Curtin Festival Committee, a traditional music festival that takes place in the North Kerry village of Brosna
-A special on the Hanna Parr project...interviews with Niamh Bowen who was involved in the drama aspect, working with children from St.Mary's Parish to stage a wonderful recreation of what it must have been like for the Norwegian Immigrants forced to dock in Limerick in 1868. Also, an interview with Deirdre Power, who photographed the children taking part in the reinactment and whose photo's were subsequently exhibited at the Belltable
-Interview with Declan McGlaughlin of the Belltable on the Open Cinema Season, featuring films from all over the world
-Interview with John Lillis, aka DJ Dubious, who spoke about the exciting line up of djs playing at the Kerryníní night

Onto the 30th of June and the show featured interviews with

-Joe Murphy of St. Johns Theatre, Listowel, on the packed schedule lined up for July
-Helen Broderick of the Listowel based 'Just Creative' Writers group, who were launching a new publication, 'Bridge of Words' at the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel, that Friday
-T-Woc, whose music incorporates electronica, hip-hop & dub reggae and who was playing at the Limerick Boat Club that weekend
-Jessica Brouder, Canadian/West Limerick artist, whose exhibition of abstract work entitled 'recent paintings' was to open in Newcastlewest Library, running for the month of July
-Actor Julie Hale, (Fair City Fame) who was starring in the Harold Pinter Play 'Old Times', that was playing at the Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock

Onto to the 7th of July and featured on the show was

-An interview with 'Emerald Elvis' Mark Leen from Tralee, due to play at Friars Gate, who spoke about the enduring appeal of the legendary singer
-Interview with another Tralee native, Kieran O'Herlihy, whose exhibition of Aerosol on canvas and silkscreen in Ruebens Cafe, Tralee received critical acclaim
-Interview with Maria Walsh, lead singer of Jazz/Samba group Zrazy, who were playing at St. Johns Listowel

And finally on to the 14th July, a show which featured

-An interview with Barney Sheehan of the White House Poetry Group on their upcoming quarterly publication & the bilingual poetry nights
-Interview with Peter Sommers, who alongside Michael Mcgrath co-authored the book, Golden Vale Remembered, 1948-2001
-Interview with Sr. Declan Power by Eamon Ó Líathán. Sr. Power recently wrote a book on the 18th century Gaelic Scribe, Tadhg Gaelach O'Suilleabhán, a book that was recently launched at the Halla Tadgh Gaelach in Tournafolla (a hall named after the poet who was born there)

Hope to have some of these interviews up on audio soon

Audio 8: Frank McCourt on the banks of the Feale

Frank McCourt
Originally uploaded by periodismosanitario.


Interview with Frank McCourt recorded on the banks of the river Feale at Listowel Writers week. In it he talks about the inspirations for his books and the Ireland of today. Interview is over 7 minutes long and is 7 mb. Download it here.
Again feedback would be very appreciated, just click on the comment link under this piece.

To check any of the other audio archive postings just type audio into the search box in the top left hand corner and click 'search this blog'

Audio 7: North Kerry based Blues band Zeppo

An interview with John Connolly, drummer with Zeppo, a blues band based in North Kerry. Includes some live snippets of their recent gig in St. Johns, Listowel. Download here. (right click on link and then choose 'save target as') About 8 minutes long 7 mb.
To check any of the other audio archive postings just type audio into the search box in the top left hand corner and click 'search this blog'

Mamuska, Listowel Writers Week, Blues Special

Apologies for not updating the site over the past few weeks, just bogged down with editing. Just a quick recap on the previous weeks shows.

Friday June 2nd
-Interview with Ciaran Gleeson of the Classic Film Club, Listowel, who spoke about the films that were being run in conjuction with the Listowel Writers Week
-Interview with Davide Terlingo of Daghda Dance Company, who spoke about the last Mamuska night of the season
-Continuing the Beckett series with Shirley O'Regan
-Interview with James Cowden, a poet from Devon, one of many interviews done on a trip to Somerset and Dorset in February in a cross community radio project with farm radio there- a poet very much rooted in the soil, the poem he read about the devastation of the Devon countryside owing to the foot and mouth crisis in 2001 made for powerful radio

Then it was on to Listowel for Seachtain na Scriobhneóirí. The sun was splitting the stones and a feel-good factor was present throughout this wonderful North Kerry town. It proved to be a fertile ground for Éagsúil as well. On the Thursday, I managed to get an interview with Jennifer Johnstone, but the undoubted highlight of the weekend for me personally was getting to interview Limerick Born author Frank McCourt. Preparing questions for him by the tranquil banks of the Feale on a balmy Friday afternoon, who came to meditate alongside the river but McCourt himself. He subsequently agreed to do the interview there and then, a most fortunate coincidence given the hordes of autograph hunters who surrounded him after his reading from his new book, Teacherman.

The show on the 9th June was a writers week special featuring

-Footage from the Abbeyfeale drama group's litary tour on Thursday night (an exerpt from the Country Boy)
-Interview with Jennifer Johnstone
-Interview with the aforementioned Frank McCourt
-Interview with artist Mary Dillon, whose exhibition, Bloom opened on Friday at St. Johns theatre, and whose painting, Cala for Listowel, graced the cover of the programme for the weekend
-Vox pop from the audience who saw the film Capote on the Sunday, one of the many films shown at the classic cinema in conjuction with the weekend

Musical interludes throughout the show were provided via a recording from Sheahans bar, the type of pub that, thankfully still survives in the increasingly homogenised world of the Celtic Tiger. Divided into four sections (a tiny grocery shop, two adjoining bars and a smoking area) a poetry session was held in one of its wonderfully claustrophobic bar sections. Given my luck with Frank McCourt earlier on in the day, I truly landed on my feet when who should come into the bar but John Sheehan (Dubliners fame) and Michael Howard. The Marino Waltz never sounded better!

And Listowel was to provide plenty of material for the following weeks show. As well as unused footage from the writers week, I went to a blues gig at St. Johns theatre on Thursday June 8th, featuring Carvin Jones, from Pheonix, Arizona, and supported by promising North Kerry based Blues band Zeppo. Enjoyable, lively gig from Zeppo, with very impressive vocals and instrumentation, but the night belonged to Jones, whose frenetic guitar playing brought back memories of Hendrix for the crowd. Impromptu forays into the crowd were par for the course, and only once did he take a break from playing, to chat to a couple at the back! While he may not represent the future of the blues in terms of breaking a new mould for the genre, nonetheless he is a fantastic live musician whose honesty and enjoyment shone through.

Show for the 16th June was as follows

-Interview with Paul Howard (author of the Ross O'Carroll series, this was a chance meeting in JB Keanes pub on the Friday night of the Writers Week)
-More footage from Abbeyfeale Drama groups literary tour, this time a scene from Big Maggie
-Interview with John Connolly, drummer with Zeppo
-Interview with Carvin Jones
-Ending of the Beckett series with Shirley O'Regan

Also included was a snippet from the street busking in Newcastlewest as part of the county Fleadh. That about rounds it up, promise to keep this site updated more in the future and hopefully a few audio files will be on the way soon.

Alone it Stands, Listowel Writers week, Beckett & the All-Ireland Bodhrán Championship

Apologies on not updating the blog over the last two weeks, a quick recap for those who may have missed the previous 2 shows...
The show on 12th May featured interviews with Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan on the Music in the Park initiative as well as the winding down of EVA. We also had an interview with Dan Sheehy, director of the Ray Cooney play, 'There goes the Bride', which is still playing at Friars Gate, Kilmallock, while Deirdre Griffin gave a quick rundown on Féile na Bealthaine in Daingean uí Chúis. The show also featured recorded songs from the west limerick singing club at the Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale, where the guest singer was Gary MacMahon.

Last weeks show on May 19th featured
-Interview with Michael Collins on the upcoming county Fleadh Ceoil in Newcastlewest
-Interview with New York based writer Lisa Ramirez, whose play 'Exit Cuckoo' featured at St. John's Listowel on the same night
-Start of our Beckett series celebrating the centenary of the mans birth with a reading from Shirley O'Regan
-Interview with Brenda Woulfe, a woman with West Limerick connections who has opened a new bookshop in Listowel. Thanks to David Brown for this interview

Onto this weeks show, which will feature
-appropriately enough after last weekend, an interview with John Breen, the writer of 'Alone it Stands', which plays at the Concert Hall this week
-Feature on the World Bodhrán Championship that takes place in Milltown next weekend, with an interview with the secretary of the committee Eoin O'Shea
-Continuing our Beckett series with Shirley O'Regan
-David Brown interview with Johanna Keane Flynn & Eilish Whin of the Listowel Writers Week on the upcoming festival

Hope you enjoy the show. More audio files hopefully to come in the near future.

Audio 6: Ailbhe Keogan

An interview with Tralee author, Ailbhe Keogan, whose debut novel, Molly and the Cyclops has been receiving a lot of attention in the last week. We have also been getting a number of visitors looking for this so here it is. Interview is over ten minutes long. File is 9 mb. Apologies for some mild background noise. Download here.
Remember if you want to hear any particular piece- email me westlimerickarts at gmail dot com and we will try and put it up for you or alternatively hit the comment button below.

Audio 5: Set Dancing

A feature on the West Limerick Dancing Club weekend, held in the Rathkeale House Hotel from March 3-5th (Great array of accents in this piece!) Download here ( just over 15 minutes, 21 mb)
An interview with Ann Curtin of the West Limerick Set Dancing Club. Download Here ( 7 minutes, 9.5 mb)

Fleadh by the Feale Special

Apologies for not updating the site last week, was bogged down with recording. For those who couldn't tune in last week, we featured
-an interview with Miriam Ball of the Demense Artists group, who produced an exhibition of work entitled 'Interlude' that opened in Newcastlewest Library on April 25th
-an interview with young Tralee author, Ailbhe Keogan, whose debut novel, Molly and the Cyclops currently on release (Hope to have this up on the site in audio file)
-interview with members of the cast of 'A Burgarlary will take Place', a one act play that is part of a variety show on show at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale from 9-11 May
-interview with Eva Vaughan and Lisa Tobin, two students of St. Josephs school in Abbeyfeale who took part in the annual transition year concert
-A few poems from Peter Howarth, recorded at the launch of his book 'Poems to Enjoy' at Newcastlewest Bookstore

This week's show will largely be dominated by the Fleadh by the Feale traditional music festival that took place in Abbeyfeale last weekend, including

- footage from the Street Busking and also Planxty O'Rourke
-Interview with Bones Players Gail Braiden and Michel Du Pont
-Footage from the International Bone playing competition

We will also be including features on the play Coole Lady and also the South African night taking place at Storm Cinema next week.

Weapons of Sound, Fleadh by the Feale, Peter Howarth

Just to respond to two recent posts, I will hopefully have the words to 'On the Road to Abbeyfeale' up on the blog in the next few days. With regards to bias on this show visavia the drama groups in Abbeyfeale, the argument is rather flimsy given the coverage that this show gave to 'Big Maggie' (see previous posts), and also that there are members of both cross co-operating on the upcoming variety show at the Glórach. Save the dramatics for the stage...
On to this weeks show which will be including

-Footage from the Sámhlaíocht Easter Arts Festival (including a feature on the UK based group Weapons of Sound, who play on recycled materials)
-Interview with Dan Murphy, chairman of the Fleadh by the Feale committee, who will be previewing next weekends event
-Interview with North Kerry based poet, Peter Howarth, on his new collection of poetry

We may also be featuring a review by Darren Condon from Askeaton, who recently attended the Doors concert in Dublin. Only one way to find out, and that's to tune in to this Friday's show at 6, hope you enjoy.

Thomas MacGreevy, Wishes and Waves & Samhlaíocht Easter Festival

This weeks Good Friday Show will be including

-Interview with Dr. John Coolahan on the legacy of Tarbert born writer Thomas MacGreevy. MacGreevy had a major influence on Samuel Beckett and a festival will be held in his honour next weekend in Tarbert
-Interview with Judith Sibly, artistic director of Chrysalis Dance Theatre Company, who are making their only Limerick appearance at Friars Gate Theatre next Thursday with their production 'Wishes and Waves'
-Interview with Máire Hearty, artistic director of Samhlaíocht, on the Easter Arts Festival in Tralee this weekend (Fantastic lineup, make it down there if you can)

That's about it, just to wish a happy easter to all the listeners, tune in this Friday at 6 and if you're not down in Tralee, support the car boot sale in Newcastlewest on Sunday in aid of your community radio station West Limerick 102 FM.

Passion Play, Liam Browne & Limerick Camera Club

Bit of a mix on this weeks show which will be including,

-interview with Sean Shields and Keith O'Rahilly on the exciting project been put by the Desmond College, Newcastlewest for Good Friday, the Passion Play
-interview with artist Liam Browne from Charleville, whose exhibition 'Light and Shade' opened at Abbeyfeale Library on Monday, April 3rd
-interview with Siobhan Hayes of the Limerick Camera Club

So make sure to tune in this Friday evening at 6 to West Limerick 102, comments and feedback always welcome.

Broken Glass & Moonshine

Strong dramatic feel to this weeks show, which will be featuring

-Interview with Anthony McAuliffe, director of the Jim Nolan play 'Moonshine', which is currently playing at St. Johns Theatre, Listowel
-Review by Keith O'Rahilly of the 'Kings of the Kilburn High Road', by the Listowel players, which played at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale last weekend
-Interview with Chris Sanford, who will be acting in the Irish premiere of the Arthur Miller play, 'Broken Glass', which plays at the Impact Theatre, Limerick, from April 4-8th

May also be doing a feature on the World Fleadh Festival Launch at the Tintáin Theatre, Ballybunion, so make sure to tune in this Friday at 6. Hope to have a few more audio files up on this site during the week, and while I'm at it, i'd just like to say a big thanks to everyone who's left a comment on the site, a lot of positive feedback, and also comments that should stimulate more debate on this site in the future.

Photos of Eileen Nevin and Chris Sandford taken in rehersals for Broken Glass at Impact Theatre

Remembering Michael Hartnett

Hope ye all enjoyed last weekend. Good response to last weeks Patricks day show, particularly the item on the set-dancing weekend from Rathkeale, hope to have it accessible as an audio file in the near future. Thanks to all who supported the car boot sale in Newcastlewest last Sunday, day was a great success and next one coming up on April 16th. On this weeks show we'll be featuring

-A feature on the St. Patrick's day parade in Abbeyfeale, one of many successful parades held around the county
-The main feature on the show will be the item on the new publication launched in Mary I last week, 'Remembering Michael Hartnett', a book celebrating the life of the famed West Limerick Poet. Interviews with various contributors to the book including Rosaleen Liston, Róisin ni Ghairbi & Gabriel Fitzmaurice
-Locally recorded music from DJ Murphys bar Abbeyfeale, featuring local group Drops of Brandy and various guests

We may also be having features on the upcoming dreammakers project at Daghda Space and also the upcoming visit of the cinemobile to Abbeyfeale. Only one way to find out, and that's to tune into Éagsúil on West Limerick 102 this Friday evening at 6.

Sherlock Holmes & Set Dancing

Apologies to listeners who tuned in last week hoping to hear an interview with Jenny MacMahon that didn't materialise, there was a genuine mix up, and as I said last Friday, these are the things that can happen on live radio. Headed down to the boatclub last Saturday to see the group, good gig, quite impressive as a live group, really enjoyed the funky instrumental stuff. Hopefully we'll see more of Delorean Suite in the near future.
On to this weeks show, and as you can probably garner from the slightly surreal title, there's a bit of a mix for this St. Patrick's Day show, which will be featuring

-An interview with Vicky O'Sullivan, owner of Newcastlewest BookStore, who will give a brief preview of the upcoming book launch by Sharon Shea Bossard, Irish-American author of the novel 'Finding my Irish'
-An interview with veteran west end actor Roger Llewellyn, who is starring in the one man play, 'Sherlock Holmes-The Last Act', which plays at Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, next Monday, March 20th
-A feature on the West Limerick Dancing Club weekend, held in the Rathkeale House Hotel from March 3-5th (Great array of accents in this piece!)
-Interviews with teachers and students from the Vocational School, Abbeyfeale who are involved with the make-a-book project
-Feedback on the Athea Drama groups production of the John B. Keane play 'Moll', which played at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale last weekend
-A surprise music piece

Hope you enjoy it. Good news from the station is that the studios at Rathkeale are up and running with a target of up to 25% of programming to come from there in the near future. Work is commencing in the Abbeyfeale studios at present. Anyway, I'll take the chance to wish ye all a happy St. Patrick's day, support the nearest parade to you, and once the daytime festivities are over make sure to tune in at 6.00 to West Limerick 102.

EVA, The Kings of Kilburn High Road, Delorean Suite & Lovers at Versailles

Good mix of drama, music & art on this weeks show, which will be featuring

-An interview with Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan, who will be giving an overview of the 30th Exihibition of Visual Arts (EV+A) in Limerick
-An interview with renowned Athea actor Oliver McGrath, who will be playing in the Listowel Players production of the Jimmy Murphy play, 'The Kings of Kilburn High Road', which plays in St. Johns in Listowel and the Glórach Theatre in Abbeyfeale this month
-An interview with Jenny MacMahon, lead singer with Limerick group Delorean Suite, who will be playing this weekend at the Limerick Boat Club
-An interview with Karen Fitzgibbon, who will be playing in the quarry players production of the Bernard Farrell play, 'Lovers at Versailles', back in the Belltable next week due to popular demand

So make sure to tune in this Friday evening at 6.00 to your not for profit community radio station West Limerick 102FM. Hope you enjoy the show.

Audio 4: Niamh Bowen and AmerWreka's JD Lewis

More audio clips from some recent shows. The first piece is Limerick based actress and writer Niamh Bowen talking about her new work 'Up from our knees' which had a rehearsed reading at the unfringed festival in Limerick. The clip includes some excerpts from the work. 10 minutes long , 13 mbs. Download/hear it here.
The second piece is an interview with AmerWreka director JD Lewis. Looking at the site traffic over the last few weeks, I know that a number of visitors are arriving here to find out more about the play and quite a few have downloaded the last AmerWreka item. So enjoy this interview 9 minutes long 12mbs. Download/hear it here.
As always with the audio items your feedback is particularly welcome, just click on the comments link below. Thanks

Pat MacAulliffe, Set Dancing & the Kerry Drama Festival

Just a quick response to some of the comments posted. Regarding Live Streaming, I think the main issue preventing West Limerick 102FM from going live on the internet is to do with copyright law relating to music, which would make the whole exercise prohibitive to do. There are hopes, however, to post up some of the talk programmes each week, editing out the music if necessary. Watch this space for future developments.
As regards the parade in Abbeyfeale, I don't think there should be any trouble barring the Orange Order making a surprise appearance (strange things have happened in the town, but I think that would be just a little too surreal) Who knows, maybe the riots in Dublin will spark off dissaffected youth in Abbeyfeale or other West Limerick towns. Or maybe not. At the moment, the main worry for locals involved in the parade will be to come up with imaginative ideas to match the superb street theatre group, Mendana, from Knocknagoshel. They really stood out in what was an excellent parade last year.
Anyway, time to get off the soapbox and on to this weeks show, which will be featuring

-An interview with Sean Lynch, MA, who recently gave a lecture in Listowel Library on the legendary Listowel plasterer/decorator/artist, Pat MacCaullife, whose work still graces buildings in Listowel and Abbeyfeale
-An interview with Ann Curtin of the West Limerick Set Dancing Club, who this weekend will be holding their 14th Annual Workshop in Rathkeale House Hotel
-Feedback from the Ardagh Drama group's production of 'The Field'
-Interview with Jerome Stack who will be talking about the upcoming Kerry Drama Festival

We also may be featuring feedback from the various workshops that took place in the Vocational School, Abbeyfeale last week. So make sure to tune in to éagsúil this Friday evening at 6.00, and if you miss anything, there's a repeat show for early risers on Saturday morning at 8.00.

Blithe Spirit, Kieran Carey & Eugene McCabe

Just a quick correction to a previous post, the repeat of Éagsúil is now going out at from 8 to 9 on a Saturday morning, so if you miss the live show from 6 to 7 on a Friday evening you know when to tune in. Good response to last Fridays show, on this weeks show we'll be featuring

-Interview with Vikki Jackson, costume designer & cast member of the Noel Coward play, Blithe Spirit, which opened last Thursday Feb 16th, running til the 19th, and again from the 23rd-26th Feb.
-Interview with Limerick Artist Kieran Carey, whose exhition 'No Style' has been running in St. John's Theatre Listowel through the month of February
-Footage from Hazelwood college, Dromcollogher, where northern author Eugene McCabe recently visited. Features Q&A session with the acclaimed author, whose novel 'Death and Nightingales' is a prescribed text for the Leaving Cert. Big thanks to Mary Kelly, whose was the main organiser of the event, and also to Mary Ennis, who edited the pieces.

And plenty of music too, so tune in at 6.00 this Friday evening to Éagsúil, the arts and culture show on your not for profit community radio station West Limerick 102FM.

Photo of author Eugene McCabe

Kate O'Brien Weekend & John B. Keane's the Field

Good bit of positive response to last week's show, particularly the items on the Listowel Film Club and the Kerryníní night in Tralee. Feedback always welcome, and feel free to post your impressions of the site and the show. Lined up for this weeks show, the 40th since it started last May, we will be having;

-Interview with Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan on the upcoming Kate O'Brien Festival (24-26 February)
-Feedback from the massively popular production of 'Big Maggie' by the Abbeyfeale Drama Group
-Film review by Ed O'Connor of 'The beat that my heart skipped', a French film that played at the Listowel Film Club last week
-Live Interview with members of Ardagh Drama Group, who will be performing John B. Keane's 'The Field' this year

A good old mix if I say so myself, so make sure to tune in at 6.00 Friday evening to your non-profit community radio station West Limerick 102 FM. Tá súil agam gur bhainfidh sibh taitneamh as an gclár.

Audio 3: Kerrynini tralee beatboxing

More audio for you to listen to. This time a feature on Tralee's Kerrynini night. Hear Beatboxer 'White Noise' do his thing along with interviews from DJs doobious and John Gough along with local club headbangbang promoter Stephanie Ni Chiaraín. Size of file 10 mb 8 minutes long download here.

Breakfast on Pluto, Beatboxing in Tralee, Listowel film club

Hope last weeks show went down well, especially the snippets of drama from Niamh Bowen's debut play, 'Up from our knees', as well as the archived interview with Tony Guerin, writer of 'Cuckoo Blue' which the Cloncaugh/Knockaderry drama group are performing at the moment. For this weeks show we will be featuring

-a review of the recently released Neil Jordan movie, 'Breakfast on Pluto'
-some beatboxing from Dublin based Whitenoise, who recently played in Tralee as part of a Kerryníní night, also interviews with other local djs involved on the night
-Interview with Ciaran Gleeson, who is running a filmclub at the classic film club in Listowel

and maybe a little more, so tune in this Friday at 6.00 to West Limerick 102 FM.

Audio: John B Keane 'The Musical' and AmerWreckA

Audio available for you to download of two of our most popular items from January. First is an eight minute piece on John B Keane 'the musical' included here are a vox pop with audience members in St John's Listowel along with snippets from the production. Around 11mb.
Second piece is an interview with two members of the cast of AmerWreckA a play that showed at the unfringed. They talk about preparing for their roles and an unusual event that occured during their stay in Limerick. Around 3.5mb.
To download any piece rightclick and select save link as . Feedback welcome, just click on comments below. Let me know if there is any piece you would like to see available here and i will do my best.

From past to present; Big Maggie & Magnum Hopeless

Hope ye all enjoyed last weeks show, the good news is that a new schedule was launched for West Limerick Radio on January 30th and Éagsúil is now repeated on Monday between 2.30 and 3.30pm, so if you miss the Friday edition you can always catch the repeat. Good response to the item on the John B. Keane musical last week, delighted people enjoyed it. Anyway, moving on to this weeks schedule;

-Interview with some of the cast of the Abbeyfeale Drama group who are performing the play 'Big Maggie', as well as a recorded piece from the play that was recorded during rehearsals
-Feedback from Darren Mahers play, 'Magnum Hopeless', which was featured on last weeks show
-AN other!! Not short of material this week, but as of going to press, i'm not entirely sure whether we will be featuring author Eugene McCabe, who was in Hazelwood College Dromcollogher last Friday, playwright Niamh Bowen whose new work 'Up from our knees' is being performed at the Belltable this week, or Ciaran Gleeson on the Film Club in Listowel

Only one way to find out for sure, and that's to tune in at 6.00 Friday evenings to Éagsúil, the arts and culture show on your community radio station, West Limerick 102fm.



photos of Darren Maher and Niamh Bowen

John B. Keane, Darren Maher & AmerWreckA

This weeks show on the Friday 27th January will have a strong dramatic feel to it. That's because the line up will be doing features on shows from Kilmallock to Askeaton and Listowel to Limerick. The line up will be as follows

-Interview with the Cast of the play the 'Ebony Bird'. Written by Kilworth playwright Michael Lovett, it plays at Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock on the 3-4 February.
-Feedback from the John B Keane musical in Listowel, including a few clips of the music that was played on the night.
-Interview with Limerick based actor, writer, graphics artist, Darren Maher, whose new drama, 'Magnum Hopeless' will be playing at the Impact Theatre next week as part of the Unfringed Festival
-Interview with J.D. Lewis, writer director of AmerWreckA which is playing this week at the Belltable as part of the Unfringed festival, as well as interviews with some of the cast
-Interview with Jeannette Madigan, director of the Panto 'Three Cheers for Deel Primary' that plays in Askeaton this weekend

Pretty diverse schedule, even if drama is the dominating feature, so turn off the TV and tune in to West Limerick 102 this Friday evening at 6.00. Hope you enjoy the show.

(both images from play AmerWreckA)

Line up for 20/01/06

Hope everyone who tuned in enjoyed lasts weeks show and will make a special effort to make at least one event that will be occuring during the Unfringed festival in Limerick. The diversity of plays and other creative happenings in the schedule is fantastic and should be supported. Anyway, on to this weeks show. From time to time the shedule may change on the Friday due to unforseen circumstances, but at present the line up for this Fridays shows is as follows.


-Interview with Jon Kenny, best known for his comic partnership with Pat Shortt as one half of the dUnbelievables. Now a solo artist in his own right, he is at present starring with Myles Breen in the Island production of the Dylan Thomas Play 'Under Milk Wood' which plays at Friars Gate Theatre, Kilmallock from Thursday 19th -Saturday 21st January.
-Interview with the West Limerick Writing Group, a group of local writers who came together last year.
-Feature on 'John B. Keane, the Musical', playing at St. Johns Theatre, Listowel from the 18th-24th January.

So make sure you tune in this Friday Evening at 6.00 for Éagsúil.

Audio Archive

Here is some of the items covered on previous shows available here as high quality mp3.

First piece is a full show featuring the coffee and cream band which happened at Impact Theatre Company last August. Interviews with musicians and live tracks from the night included. The band has recently changed its name to Melting Pot. This show is 25 minutes long (36mbs).

Second Piece is an interview with musician Graham Conway of DeLorean Suite where he explains how they have used new technology to build their own home recording studio.

Third Piece is an interview with Limerick Photographer Paul McCarthy where he talks about his latest project which was documenting outdoor handball alleys around Ireland.

I will be adding to this over the next while so if there is any item from last year that you would like to hear again, leave a comment below and I will try my best to dig it out and make it available.

Éagsúil January 2006

The 6th January 2006 saw Eagsúil, the arts and culture show on West Limerick 102 begin a new time slot at 6.00, with the show also being extended to an hour, having previously run at half an hour. The first show of the new year was a general review of some of the highlights of the show from 2005, including interviews with Paul MacCarthy on his fascinating photographic project on handball alleys, as well as features from the Cúisle international poetry festival, Listowel Writers week and Éigse Michael Harnett. (hear the Paul McCarthy interview here - mp3 format)

This weeks show, on Friday 13th January, the 35th since the show began last May, will feature
-Interview with Billy Keane, co-author with Moss Keane of Rucks, Mauls & Gaelic Footballs, recently promoted in Newcastlewest Book Store
-Interview with Rachael Holstead, classical musician from the Corca Dhuibhne region, who has been asked by the Tom Crean society to compose a musical piece in honour of the legendary explorer, and who will be travelling to the antartic to record sounds for the piece
-Preview of the Unfringed theatre festival that will be running at the Belltable in January and February
-Possible one or two other items (Make sure to tune in to find out what they are! 101.4 in the Abbeyfeale area, 101.6 Estuary and 102.2 Newcastlewest and to the East of it, good chance of getting in the car if you can't get it in the house)

Photographer: Claire Riou Copyright Rachel Holstead 2002