The Galway Podcast

Episode 46 brings you an in depth conversation with the tourism officer of Galway City Council, Mr Ruairí Lehmann. Ruairi discusses the challenges and joys of his job, how popular Galway is as a tourist destination, how Galway County and Galway City work in tandem with each other, the importance of the tourists and students to the economy to Galway and the west of Ireland, development plans for the future, the different festivals - big and small, the tourism season of Galway, how Galway is a MedTech capital globally, balancing Galway's heritage with its developing future, public consultations, the challenges o...

Episode 45 is a very in-depth conversation with Katharine Mac Mághnuis from the Athenry Music School where she discusses her background, the birth of Athenry Music School, the philosophy of Suzuki Education, the lessons available, her suggestions for how much practise a child should do, the school regulations, awards and partnerships, upcoming events as well as other topics. Photo by Brad Anderson.

Relevant Links

https://athenrymusicschool.com

Episode 44. A great day out in Galway with fine dignitaries and artists unveiling a plaque in Rahoon Cemetery to commemorate the relationship between James Joyce and Galway via the ex boyfriend of Nora Barnacle, Michael ‘Sonny’ Bodkin. Vocals by the esteemed Noel O'Grady.

Episode 43. This episode was initially scheduled to be published on The Galway Podcast but we published it on The Ireland Podcast first. Now we are publishing it here. Apologies to those who are subscribed to both channels. If you are not subscribed to The Ireland Podcast, please do! 

This episode brings you Nicole Schwabacher, a teacher turned author at the start of her literary career where she discusses her first novel: Inyo's Ring. As it is described on her website:

"A young sailor’s quest for survival turns into an epic battle for love, freedom, and...

Episode 42. The first episode of 2024 is a recording from the Galway Bay Cycling Club's Christmas Party in December 2023 featuring Liam Moran, Seán Hernon and Oonagh McArdle.

Liam and Oonagh talk about a wide range of topics including the Galway Bay Cycling Club, its members, how to become a member, why you should consider becoming a member, the club's achievements, the barriers to entry, the future for the club, the need for someone to take on a social media role, safety in cycling as well as other topics.

Seán also talks about his Mizen to...

Episode 41. An end of the year special brings you a conversation straight from the Christmas party of the Galway Bay Cycling Club between two people who have broken the record for cycling from Mizen to Malin. 

Sean Hernon who knocked 15mins off the male record in 2021 with a time of around 17h 20m interviews this year's female record holder Karen Cassidy. 

Sean actually held back on asking Karen any questions in advance of this conversation so what you have here is a genuine deep dive into the prep work Karen underwent, the challenges she faced, wh...

Episode 40. Discussion with Niamh Ryan who is a sex, love & relationship coach. a mentor as well as other things. Niamh empowers women to come home to their womb space. She has had a very personal health journey which she shares on this episode.

Along with being a mentor Niamh even runs Sunrise Social Galway which is a coffee/swim/hiking group. She has a studio in Liosban and discusses that too. Niamh also discusses her experience in the corporate and legal world as well as other topics. WARNING: This episode discusses some adult themes.

Episode 39. This weeks guests are John Cunningham and Amelia Walker. They are here to talk about a new book released this year which is called Hardiman and Beyond. Hardiman and Beyond was edited by John along with Ciaran McDonough and it is the follow up to a famous publication released in 1820 called ‘History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway’. So Hardiman and Beyond is basically a recap of Galway since then. And excellent it is too.

We walk through the history of how the book came into existence, all the different contributors as well...

Clíona Standun talks about how, with her sister Laragh, they run Standún in the heart of Connemara. Included in the conversation is how their grandparents met, the first shop, a long cycle, the Connemara bus, selling sweaters and bicycles etc., 700 knitters around the country, sending sweaters to Nordstrom, assembling the different parts of the sweaters, being the first company to export the Aran sweater, dealing with mail orders, when they first started selling online, working as a teenager in the shop, November and December being the busiest months, the shop being a great environment to grow up in...

Episode 37. Conversation with our two youngest guests where they discuss what it takes to become All Ireland champions. A truly inspirational conversation covering the early inspiration which motivated the girls getting into football,, life in England, Salthill Knocknacarra GAA, Roisín's grandfather Michael Duignan who used to play with Saint Michael’s GAA, the great O’Donnell football family, becoming All Ireland Winners, playing for Club and County, the different positions on the field, self-motivation, the Leaving Cert, composing music, choosing a university, University of Limerick, Boston Scientific, Christopher Reeve, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, Galway being a big wee town...

Episode 36. Sinéad McKiernan in conversation talking about services offered, Yoga’s popularity in Galway and the world, Mysore, India, anxiety attacks, being true to oneself, panic disorders, agoraphobia, the health benefits of yoga, which yoga style suits which people, the pressures put upon the body by overstimulation of the brain, karma, Hinduism, intentions vs. gratitudes, Catholicism, Buddhism, Sam Harris, tuning out stress, getting ill, body image, what a typical class looks like, sleeping in class, online vs. real. vs. pre-recorded lessons, corporate work, good leadership, data driven aims to improving wellness within the workplace through improving productivity, staff ret...

Episode 35. A celebration of one of the gems of Galway City, arguably the biggest gem: Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church. Walking us through the discussion is Ireland's first Heritage Officer, Jim O'hUiginn (Higgins) from Galway City Council. 

In Episode 2 Jim cited this church as one of his favourite buildings in Galway and here he discusses why as well as the urgent reparation work which is currently being undertaken. Jim also mentions how dating takes place, his involvement with the data collection from various graveyards in Galway, his favourite stone angel, the Claddagh ring and other topics.

Episode 34. Collette discusses how she got interested in sailing, her travels to Antartica, her scary experiences at sea and dealing with those crises moments, the epiphany moment when she realised that she could sail in Galway, the history of the club and its connection with Nicky Dolan, the amount of members and how amazing they are, the courses available, the different roles within the club, the iconography of the hookers, the “replunging” of Loveen, the location of the club, the support from local businesses, Galway Bay Seafoods, Galway Bay Tours, Galway City Museum, Scoil Bhride (especially Class 5), Galway Sea Scou...

Episode 33. A wide ranging interview with the Tournament Director of Galway Bridge Club: Gay Keaveney. 

Gay discusses his achievements in competitive bridge, his role as tournament director, the challenges and achievements, how bridge is misrepresented as an older people's sport, how and why people of all ages could and should get involved in bridge, the history of the bridge centre and the ingenious way in which they acquired the building, Michael O'Kane, the late Paddy Walsh and his son David who runs Lapteck in Galway city centre, the social aspect of bridge, the two halves of the g...

Episode 32. A wide ranging interview with the General Manager of Galway Golf Club: Niall McGahon. Discussion includes how Niall got the position, his mentor Michael Moss, peer assists, the club’s size, managing the wishes of 1400 adult members, Justin Rose, modernising a golf club with so much history, Niall's first gold club aged 4, Sammy Hempel, Alan Hunter, the mid-Atlantic accent, Ricky Elliott, the different stages of being a great golfer, the demands put upon elite golfers, Joe Lyons, Ronan Mullarney, Liam Nolan, how golf can be a lonely sport at the elite level, why does Ireland punch above its we...

Second half of a conversation with Sharon Shannon covering all manners of things, most of which centre around Galway including performing for ‘The Hostage’ by Brendan Behan in the Druid Theatre in Galway and beyond, Alec Finn, Frankie Gavin, Seán Smyth, The Quays, Brendan Regan, Kevin Hough, composing, Steve Earle, Gerry Hanley, life in Doolin, life in Cork, Páraic Mac Donnchadha, Andrew McNamara, The Tulla Céilí Band, sessions in Tigh Neachtain's,  the difference in sessions in Doolin and Galway, Arcady, The Waterboys, her daily routine at home, her manager John Dunford, The Purty Loft, Dún Laoghaire...

The second half of a conversation with Donegal's James Gallagher who has been living in Galway for quite a few years. James talks us through what it is like to make a living as a musician, straddling the world of busking as well as playing in one of Ireland's most popular tribute bands: The Dubliners Experience. See if you can spot the difference in James' singing voice and that of Luke Kelly!

For more information please visit their website:  www.thedublinersexperience.com

A conversation with Donegal's James Gallagher who has been living in Galway for quite a few years. James talks us through what it is like to make a living as a musician, straddling the world of busking as well as playing in one of Ireland's most popular tribute bands: The Dubliners Experience. See if you can spot the difference in James' singing voice and that of Luke Kelly!

For more information please visit their website:  www.thedublinersexperience.com

This is the first half of a two part conversation. Part two will be published next week.

Salthill Media is proud to announce the launch of another podcast: The Ireland Podcast. Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast player or go to salthillmedia.com to hear episodes. Thanks.

Episode 27. Second half of a highly amusing conversation with Bam Artiste, who can often be seen on Shop Street selling his paintings or playing his drum and singing and entertaining the passers-by.

Bam has been a fixture on the streets of Galway for almost 20 years. He tells his story of how he came from Jamaica where he received his education in engineering, to travelling to Scotland and then to Ireland. Hear how he is methodical in his approach to his work which is now seeing him venture into the world of programming.

This is the...

Episode 26. A conversation with musician, journalist and, in this case, author John Robb. John is currently on tour in Ireland promoting his new book 'The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth'. 

John discusses the early days of the internet, the early days of punk, the ethos of punk,  the misconceptions and nuances of punk and goth, the influences and key players of goth music including Jim Morrison, The Doors, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Velvet Underground & Nico, John Lydon, The Cure, Joy Division, Ian Curtis, Section 25, Virgin Prunes, Bauhaus (particularly 'Bela Lugosi’s Dead'), Daniel Ash, The...

Episode 25. A highly amusing conversation with Bam Artiste, who can often be seen on Shop Street selling his paintings or playing his drum and singing and entertaining the passers-by.

Bam has been a fixture on the streets of Galway for almost 20 years. He tells his story of how he came from Jamaica where he received his education in engineering, to travelling to Scotland and then to Ireland. Hear how he is methodical in his approach to his work which is now seeing him venture into the world of programming.

This is the first half of...

Episode 24.  The second half of the conversation with Séamus Finneran about his adventures in music promotion. Discussion includes the merchant navy, getting a resident visa in Australia, setting up a tour, Seamus Eagan - Sufferin’ Gales, Willie Creedan, Martin Hayes, Michael Flatley,  Helen Bommarito, Davy Spillane, San Francisco Celtic Festival, Eddie Stack, Peter O’Neill, The Plough & Stars, Randall Bays,  Port Fairy Folk Festival, The Brunswick Music Festival, The National Celtic Festival, The National Folk Festival, setting up a tour from the opposite side of the planet,  Green Linnet Records, the importance of reflecting after booking a tour, Eilish O’...

Episode 23.  A conversation with Séamus Finneran about his adventures in music promotion. Discussion includes the merchant navy, getting a resident visa in Australia, setting up a tour, Seamus Eagan - Sufferin’ Gales, Willie Creedan, Martin Hayes, Michael Flatley,  Helen Bommarito, Davy Spillane, San Francisco Celtic Festival, Eddie Stack, Peter O’Neill, The Plough & Stars, Randall Bays,  Port Fairy Folk Festival, The Brunswick Music Festival, The National Celtic Festival, The National Folk Festival, setting up a tour from the opposite side of the planet,  Green Linnet Records, the importance of reflecting after booking a tour, Eilish O’Connor, Kieran Halpin, Jac...

Episode 22. A conversation with Prof Thomas Ritter who, with his team in University of Galway, is embarking on a journey of advancing treatments for rare eye diseases in Europe. Restore Vision is a project funded by the European Commission aiming to develop and test new treatments for 7 rare eye diseases (REDs). The consortium joins 10 European key players on rare eye diseases and is led by University of Galway.

With 25+ years of experience in immunology and gene therapies for eye diseases, Prof. Ritter’s research focuses on novel gene and cell therapies. He earned his Ph.D. in 1994 fr...

Episode 21. The 'Ar Imeall' Fesitval is underway. It is the brainchild of Chris Duignan. The festival is in its second year and lasts 18 days - last year's ran for 17 days. The beauty of Ar Imeall is that it is a platform for local artists and musicians. It also serves as a training ground for anyone who is interested in production and all the goings-on regarding staging a performance or an exhibition. 

We took a walk up to Aras Na Gael to catch up with Chris and we got to sit in on a Modular Synth Workshop with D...

Pam Finn (a.k.a. PR Pam) has made a wonderful documentary around the visit of President John F. Kennedy’s to Galway in 1963, only five months before his assassination. Amongst other things Pam discusses the impact of JFK’s visit to Galway, why she choose to make this movie, why JFK chose to come to Galway, the route in which he took. where the helicopter came from and where it travelled to, sourcing the interviewees for the film, her advice to parents who have children who might be interested in the movie business, where the movie can be seen...

Episode 19. We are joined with Jane O'Leary and Sally Coyle who discuss their involvement with Galway Music Residency over the years, the role of ConTempo Quartet in Galway, the upcoming Galway International Arts Festival and the concerts in which ConTempo will be performing as well as the challenges of describing contemporary music.

Also included in the discussion are Music for Galway, the Galway Arts movement, Ed Bennett, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Christopher Marwood, Siegmund Nissel, getting Galway Music Residency up and running, Matthew Berrill, Hamza El Din, minimalism, Philip Glass, Miles Davis, the negative image of...

Episode 18. A quick conversation and presentation from Ireland's first Heritage Officer, Jim O'hUiginn (Higgins) from Galway City Council updating us all on the conservation repair and consolidation works carried out at Menlough, Tirellan and Merlin castles a.k.a. The 3 Castles Project.

This recording was grabbed at the 13th Annual Galway City Heritage Conference 2023. Download the programme - https://tinyurl.com/4rmnvpp5

For more information, please email planning@galwaycity.ie

Episode 17. Brian Arkins is a Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of Galway. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College and at University College Dublin, where he obtained an M.A. in Classics and a Ph.D in Latin. He is the author of 14 books and counting.

Brian will give a lecture in Galway Arts Centre at 6pm on Bloomsday, June 16, 2023. The lecture will be entitled ‘The Prototypes of Joyce’s Character, Leopold Bloom’.  Admission will be free.

Although Brian has been on the radio many times this is his first podcast appearance. We are than...

Episode 16. Writer Frank Fahy has had a varied career as a teacher, journalist, publisher and musician. This  episode is promoting his upcoming book A Father’s Love and Other Stories which will be launched at Súil Eile Coffee and Wellness Centre, Barna between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday, June 14.

One of Frank’s biggest achievements is the founding and running of Write-On. Write-On is a voluntary, not-for-profit community group which consists of authors who critique each others’ work. An anthology of the best material is published every year and Write-On has also honoured certain of their members...

Gerard ‘Gerry’ Mulholland (Jarír al-Majar) Part 2: Funeral

Episode 15. This is the second part of a two part celebration of the life of Jarír al-Majar (Gerry Mulholland). It is a snapshot of memories recorded by some of the friends and family of Gerard Mulholland at the Rahoon Cemetery and Sliding Rock bar, Galway on Monday, 15 May from 12.19p.m. to 5.19p.m. 

These memories are presented in the chronological order in which they were recorded, interweaved by recordings of Gerry from the internet. Thank you to everyone who shared their memories and who made recordings...

Episode 14. A conversation with Elizabeth Power who is the coordinator for Domestic Violence Response. Although DVR help a mix of all ages this discussion is from the angle of assisting older adults.

This series of talks all spawned from the episodes celebrating the life of the late Jarir al-Majar a.k.a. Gerard 'Gerry' Mulholland. (The second episode is coming very soon!) I thought it would be good to highlight some of the great work charities do for the benefit of older adults.

I reached out to my friend Shannon Corless who is on a...

Episode 13. Age Action have a simple but meaningful vision. They strive:

"For a society that enables all older people to participate and to live full, independent lives."

Jipe Kelly is the Programme Manager for Age Action in the West of Ireland and he joins The Galway Podcast to discuss the vital services that Age Action provides particularly around:

Episode 12. To follow on from the highly successful first episode celebrating Jarír al-Majar's life we thought it would be beneficial to run a few episodes highlighting the services and events that are available to people in the older categories. 

This first instalment is a conversation with Brian McCabe from Senior Times around what will be on in this year's 50 Plus Show: For people who don't act their age! 

The 50 Plus show will be in the Galmont Hotel on the 6th & 7th June. Admission is free by registering at www.seniortimes.ie or calling 01 496 9028.

S...

Gerard ‘Gerry’ Mulholland (Jarír al-Majar) Part 1: Wake   Episode 11. This is the first part of a two part celebration of the life of Jarír al-Majar (Gerry Mulholland). It is a snapshot of memories recorded by some of the friends and family of Gerard Mulholland at the O'Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Galway on Saturday, 13 May from 4.18 p.m. to 7.37p.m.    These memories are presented in the chronological order in which they were recorded, interweaved by recordings of Gerry from the internet. Thank you to everyone who shared their memories and who made recordings of Jarír’s music available on the internet as well...

Episode 10. Conversation with Aedín Moloney about her one woman production of 'Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom'. Aedín discusses her take on the (in)famous soliloquy and why she believes it is actually very misunderstood and arguably quite asexual.

Aedín discusses the collaboration of renowned author and fellow Joyce enthusiast, Colum McCann as well as the deeply personal involvement of her father,  the late Paddy Moloney (Musician, Composer, Founder and leader of The Chieftains).

Aedín also reminisces about her childhood days in Galway and why bringing 'Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom' to the w...

Conversation with Dr. Kevin Lynch from University of Galway about the effects of nature on Galway and the west coast of Ireland and what we can do about it. Three calls to action:

Visit Kevin's Blog dunes.ie for more info.

A walkabout in Clifden, a coastal town in the Connemara region of County Galway. Clifden has a population of about 1,600 people. Chats and insights with the locals, tourists and travellers...and a Guinness World Record Breaker! Special thanks to Marie Walsh for this episode and kudos to her and all the Clifden Traditional Music Festival team for making the event such a success now and for the previous 26 years.

A conversation with Dr. Tomás Finn who is a lecturer in University of Galway. Tomás gives a detailed and balanced account of the political goings-on before, during and after the Good Friday Agreement (a.k.a. The Belfast Agreement) which is an international agreement which effectively brought about an end to the 30 year conflict in Northern Ireland.

Correction: Gregory Campbell did not join the civil rights movement.