THE ROSSLARE PODCAST

Noel Culleton's new book Classical Women  takes a look at the lives of twenty-six  Female Composers who had to defy the odds and overcome the obstacles preventing them a chance to shine. Musically they stand shoulder to shoulder with some of their more famous and celebrated male counterparts. At last their talent is  being recognised. It was due to these women that female artist like Beyonce, Adel, Rhianna, Britney, Shenia, Mylie, Madonna, have become household names.

----more----Christopher Columbus  is known the world over for discovering the Americas. He is celebrated in many countries with a special Columbus day commenting his achievements. The sad reality is that he never achieved anything he set out to do. He happened upon the Americas by accident but didn't even know it. He thought he was in the East Indies. It was the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci who realised this was a new continent and that is why America carries his  name and  not that of Columbus. Think about it, it would be hard to sail westward  from any part of t...

 A short story  'Weight Watcher' taken from the book  "The Density of Distant Thoughts" by James W. Corcoran

A whimsical  tale of a young girl's first initiation into "foreign affairs".

Please be warned this episode contains graphic descriptions of a sexual nature and adult language.

It may sound ridiculous, unbelievable, even untrue, but in Ireland of the twentieth century, people who knew better, who knew crimes were being committed, turned a blind eye to what was occurring and did nothing. At least during the holocaust the Germans who remained quiet, did so because they feared for their lives. In Ireland the only fear was of 'what the neighbours might say'.

Eugene O' Neill: the Irish American connection.   At  61  years of age, Edmund O' Neill leaves the ravages of post famine Ireland with his wife  and seven children to seek a better life in America. He leaves from the quays of New Ross, Wexford, more in desperation than in  hope. His son James would subsequently become one of the great American actors of his generation. His grandson was to become America's greatest Playwright. Perhaps, he could be ours too. This is their story.

This One Hour of Uninterrupted French Jazz  exudes  the sounds, the rhythms  and the vibrancy of  Pigalle and Montartre.  Vive la France, but hopefully not today in the Rugby match.     

Taken from the book 'The Density of Distant Thoughts'. by James W. Corcoran

Beware! Some of the language is not suitable for little ears.

A  gruff bachelor happens upon  leprechauns  partying in a ten acre field and seeks his pot of gold, with somewhat mixed results.

Be careful what you wish for!

Ernest Hemingway was a literary Colossus. We all know about his genius and the power of his writing. But, how much do we know about the man? Was he any different to you or I, in the choices he made. This is a look into the  complex life of a man who married four times, who spent much of his time travelling, living in Paris, Toronto, Key West, Spain, Cuba. How much did those experiences influence his literary work?

The life and Music of Felix Mendelssohn

Once more Dr. Noel Culleton enlightens us. This time he discusses the life and music of Felix Mendelssohn and the Italian Symphony.

Taken from the book  'The Density of Distant Thoughts'  by James W. Corcoran, this dark tale  is both a love and a horror story combined .

How far would you be prepared to go for the one you love?

On the approaching  anniversary of the death of Nicholas Furlong, one of Wexford's own,  we remember him as he relates to me more of his wonderful life story. 

Sadly missed by all who knew him. May he Rest in Peace.

Michael Freeman relates the fascinating story of 'Morengo'  Napoleon's famous war horse named after the battle of Morengo. Through only fourteen hands high, he had a heart as big as Forth Mountain.  The French Artist Jacques-Louis David immortalised this wonderful  horse in a series of of five oil paintings on canvas of Napoleon crossing the Alps.

Behind the Invisible Door  is a short story in set on the island of Guipiyani, part of the Malayan Archipelago.

 Taken from James W. Corcoran's book of short stories : The Density of Distant Thoughts.

Hope you enjoy.

'Awake by James W. Corcoran. A young child tries to come to terms with his Grandfather's death. A poignant  little story, taken from the book, 'The Density of Distant Thoughts'. 

1 Hour of Uninterrupted Blues Music,

This selection is blues based, but deviates into other forms of chilled out easy listening.

Lord Haw Haw (aka William Joyce) was convicted of high treason, for betraying a country he never belonged to. Born in New York to Irish parents the family returned to Ireland when William was  three years old. After his schooling in Ireland he subsequently moved to England and  joined Oswald Mosley's  British Fascist Party. He rose in the ranks and later became leader of propaganda . He split from Mosley and formed his own party The National Socialist League.  He then decided to go to Germany. There he began his broadcasting career, working for the Nazi party as a presenter. Read...

FLASHBACK.  Taken from the book, 'The Density of Distant Thoughts', by James W. Corcoran.

A quirky coming-of-age story of young love, in a rather backward Ireland. 

1 hour of uninterrupted Jazz. Smooth and  delicious like a creamy cappuccino. 

Sit back and enjoy!  

Charles Villiers Stanford, was a complex man who despite his loyalty to the crown, promoted his Irish heritage, culture and music and went on to become Professor of Music in Cambridge. He composed 7 Symphonies, and over two hundred songs. He is probably best known for his 3rd. Symphony subtitled (Irish Symphony).

Doctor Noel Culleton delves into his life and music.

Back by popular demand the second part of the Liam Griffin interview.

Former sports editor Phil Murphy talks candidly to his friend and Wexford legend, Liam Griffin, in the second of three captivating interviews.

In this the second part of Phil Murphy's conversations with Liam Griffin, they discuss how Liam became the Wexford manager, the 1996 All Ireland Final, the way the Wexford team are progressing, the complex workings within the GAA and how things might be improved. 

Phil Murphy,  former Sports Editor for the 'People Newspaper Group', editor of  the popular 'Ireland's Own Anthology ', horse racing pundit, and newspaper columnist, interviews his good friend, and sporting legend, Liam Griffin.

In this, (the first of three interviews) they discuss Liam's early years, his life in Rosslare, and how his parents helped mould him into the successful business man, family man and the sporting hero, he has become.

Eileen Gray was born in Brownswood Enniscorthy .  She was to be come one of the most influential  artist of her time  creating some of the most iconic furniture of her day. Her designs are still being produced and only now is her true genius being recognised.

She was also the  responsible for E 1027  her most innovative  piece of architecture on the coast of the French Rivera,  This is her fascinating story. 

1 Hour of Uninterrupted CHAMBER MUSIC  to chill out and relax to.

Enjoy!

What a wonderful week it has been for the Irish Film Industry with 14 Oscar nominations.

What is all the more pleasing, is the fact that these nominations are the result of Irish talent. They are  Irish  films  and not  big budget Hollywood block busters, that came here to avail of generous tax breaks. They may be stripped back productions  financially, but all the richer for it, because they rely on gifted storytelling, portrayed by gifted actors, who reveal the intricate pulse of this iconic nation.  I love the fact this  'cinematic  manna from Heaven' proudly carries  'made in Ireland...

British born Arnold Bax was best known for his Orchestral Music. He was also a Poet and a Writer and spent many summers in Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal, where he learned to speak the  Irish language. His work was inspired by the poets of the 'Celtic Revival' and he was particularly influenced by W. B.Yeats. He wrote poetry under the pseudonym Dermot O' Byrne and much of his poems lauded the  fight for Irish freedom. He was knighted in 1937. He is buried in St. Finbarr's cemetery  Cork.

Western Australia  is blessed with an abundance of picture-postcard beaches stretching out for miles in opposite directions. White sands, starkly contrasting with the shimmering aquamarine  Indian Ocean are indeed a sight to behold. But for me, Paradise was to be found not on those amazing beaches but off-shore, on the 19 sq. kilometres of  Rottnest Island. Beaches stretching for miles are an awesome sight, and perhaps that is my problem. I find them intimidating. I like the intimacy of small beaches and sandy coves, places where you can discover another treasure around every headland. For me 'Rottnest' was a Paradise Isl...

From the The Rosslare Podcast :

One hour of uninterrupted laid-back acoustic Guitar.  Listen in your garden, on your walk, in your car, in your study, or in your bed. You decide. 

Over forty years ago  a mother, father and three children visited Uluru in the Northern Territories of Australia.  They set up their tent in a nearby campsite. What occurred on the night of the 17th. of August 1980 still has people divided as to what really happened to their nine week old baby Azaria.

A quirky  uplifting tale  that will make you chuckle. From the book , 'the Density of Distant Thoughts '

Copyright James W. Corcoran.

Constance Georgine Gore Booth more commonly known as Countess Markievicz was an Irish Politician, Revolutionary, Nationalist, Suffragist and a Socialist. She was the first woman to be elected to the house of Parliament in London and was elected to the first Dail ( Irish parliament). Though considered one of the greatest Irish  women of her day, she did not receive a state funeral,  yet she is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery amongst the great political and military leaders of the last few centuries. The irony is she was born in England.

The colonial powers throughout history  have always felt superior. Not only that, they tried to prove it!

 Dr. Noel Culleton's fantastic insight into the lives of the world's greatest composers. We concentrate on some of the gifted female composers, who despite having to suffer the sexist views of their male counterparts, and despite the restrictions placed upon them, in an age when a woman's place was in the home, they managed not only to succeed in their endeavours, but also excelled. Germaine Tailleferre, Florence Beatrice Price, Ethel Smyth, Clara Josephine Schumann, being examples of such determination and spirit. 

Dr. Noel Culleton has written two previous books, 'They Made Great Music' and 'Classical Connections'. His thir...

Edgar Allen Poe (the Dark Literary Genius)

Few writers have managed to draw their reader into the printed page quite like Edgar Allen Poe. With his  masterful penmanship, (akin to  a nurse administering a vaccine) he managed to infuse  his readers,  with the blood chilling fear, dread and  horror his protagonists were suffering.  Orphaned at the  age of three,  when both his parents died  the same year from tuberculosis, he was separated from his two siblings and adopted a wealthy Scottish merchant John Allen. 

The Kerlogue is synonymous with the town and people of Wexford.  This plucky little merchant ship was one of the many boats that ran the gauntlet of both English and German fire as it plied it its trade  between a neutral Ireland and a neutral Portugal and by so doing helped  keep food on Irish tables.  But their is a fascinating back-story to this little ship and how despite the odds it survived the war only to sink years later within the Artic circle.

What a dreary wet winter we are having (in the not so Sunny South East of Ireland).  At least our vitamin D  boost can be absorbed through the vibrancy and warmth of Latin Rhythms.        

On the 4th of April 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. James Earl Ray was the man accused of this crime. Not only does this seem dubious, it seems far-fetched. I believe it is obvious Ray could not have moved about without the financial backing of somebody nor could he have managed, as a man on the run, to be so brazen  travelling on false  passports if he did not feel somebody had his back. Just listen to some of the facts and judge for yourselves.

Dr. Noel Culleton delves into the life of Alexander Borodin a Romantic  composer of Georgian- Russian extraction. A prominent 19th. century composer, one of the so-called 'Five'  a group of musicians dedicated to producing classical music in  a unique Russian style.

A nostalgic look-back to  a simpler life, that gets turned on it head, by an unexpected visitor.  Based on an idea by Ray Corcoran and taken from  the book, "The density of Distant Thoughts"  Music is  from Brian Baynes wonderful album entitled "Celtic Guitar".

COPYRIGHT: J. W. CORCORAN

Puerto Rico is one of  four United States Territories. How did this come about?

Recently, I was intrigued to read about Puerto Rico's political status. When looking into the reasons for such a status,  I was surprised to find  the full extent of  expansionist policies carried out  during the Presidency of William McKinley.

Jackie Kennedy was a fashion icon, a global celebrity, the first lady of Camelot, married to the handsome J.F.K.  the youngest president of the United States, and she was his woman who was idolised and lusted after.

What people forget is, she was a  young mother who at 34 years of age was widowed in the most horrific circumstances in  Dallas in 1963. A woman, who five years later would once more be traumatised by the assassination of Bobby Kennedy another man she held the deepest affection for.