It was Monday morning and I was having trouble packing. I woke with a brass band in my head, as Jim says.  After sitting in the shower for a while, I took a panadol, drank some water and went back to sleep. I woke an hour later and slowly started to get ready to go.

It was very, very difficult. I called mum, I felt…

(Sligo street art)

I was stranded for a second day in Grange. When I woke up, I had breakfast on my mind and enjoyed an Irish breakfast with a beautiful view. I had to be out by 11 a.m. as the painter was coming and the owner had to visit someone in hospital.

Having tried the…

With her luxurious platinum locks, enormous honey-colored eyes and a petulant mouth, Elizabeth Conway (pictured) has the appeal of a pedigreed Persian cat in heat. By looking at her head shot, one would surmise that this girl, both aristocratic and…

The following Q&A with Dublin-born actor Barry Ward (Jimmy Gralton in Sixteen Films' biopic "Jimmy's Hall") is part of the studio's Production Notes for the film, shot in the story's actual locales in County Leitrim. The notes, assembled for the produceers by Benji Wilson, were presented to the…

I ran across a man and his daughter lost in the 19th century history of Buffalo, Dr. John Cronyn (pictured) and Juliana Cronyn. They were extraordinary people by any stretch of the imagination.

John Cronyn was born in Blackrock, a suburb of Cork City, in 1825 and moved with his parents to Toronto. He finished first in his medical…

As I watched Ken Loach's newest film, “Jimmy’s Hall,” I was struck by how, as had also been true in “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,” Paul Laverty’s writing and Loach’s directing of that writing is free of pretension.

Loach (pictured, foreground) doesn’t need fantastic sound tracks or the latest and greatest special…

The following Q&A with Sixteen Films Director Ken Loach, in two parts, is part of Sixteen Films' Production Notes for its biopic "Jimmy's Hall." The notes, assembled for the produceers by Benji Wilson, were presented to the entertainment industry trade and news media. We are delighted to share these…

This is Part 2 of 2 of a Q&A with Sixteen Films Director Ken Loach, part of Sixteen Films' Production Notes for its biopic "Jimmy's Hall." The notes, assembled for the produceers by Benji Wilson, were presented to the entertainment industry trade and news media. We are delighted to share these perspectives…

This weekend hundreds of Galway Hooker boats will gather for racing and celebrations at Cruinníu na mBád Festival in Kinvara, Galway. These boats have been used on the Wild Atlantic Way for over 200 years. …

Around every twist and turn of the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way route, you’ll hear sounds that are unique to this part of the world. It could be a Donegal lilt in a voice, a song you’ve never heard before or the rhythmic drum of a bodhrán. Take a listen to our specially curated Soundcloud playlist in the link…

There’s a case to be argued for genetic memory, the Jungian theory, that certain memories and proclivities are bequeathed to us at birth from our forbearers. As a Scots-Irish descendant on every branch of my family tree, it…

I was asked to write a review on the latest offering by Larry Kirwan, "A History of Irish Music."  As a scholar of Celtic music, I looked forward to reading his take on Irish music.  I will say that what I expected to read and what I read, whilst they meshed on some…

This is a wonderful, albeit old, recording.  Enjoy it ...

Also this ...

Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840, opened at the Art Institute of Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2015, with a special ribbon-cutting featuring bagpipes and local…

Growing up I was told, "Listen to the Story tellers, the weavers of dreams and history, legends and traditions. The Seanchaí will take you places you may only touch or see through the magic of their words."  I listened and absorbed. I became a loom on which they built each…

In December of 2014, the Irish traditional fiddle and guitar duo of Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill joined sarod player Matthew Noone on a tour of India to play several shows as well as meet and collaborate with a host of famous Indian traditional musicians.  Myles O’Reilly…

Trish O'Donnell-Jenkins and Michael Regan-Waugh operate Wild West Irish Tours, based in Richmond. Photo taken Wed. Feb. 18, 2015.

BY RANDY HALLMAN Richmond Times-Dispatch

Richmond husband and wife Michael Regan-Waugh and Trish O’Donnell-Jenkins want to introduce you to some of their dear friends — their dear, talented friends — in Ireland.  …

You can imagine my surprise when I saw a large piece of wood washed up on Streedagh Strand recently. (For more information on the ongoing discoveries at Streedagh Strand go to Grange Armada Development Association …