Show host, John Ward, started by wishing a very happy Bealtaine to everyone watching – and a happy Cantor Maggio to our Italian friends.

The show opened with the original intro music from the 2009 radio series of Rambling House on ICR followed by Sean Beattie reading the traditional invitation poem made famous by the late Eamon Kelly in his RTÉ radio programme, The Rambling House: -

”The ricket is thatched, the fields are bare, Long nights are here again, The year was fine, but now ‘tis time, To hear the ballad men, Boul in, boul in and take a chair, Admission here is free, You’re welcome in the rambling house, To hear the Seanchaí”

The roll call of the guests on the show were: - · Mary Harte, archaeologist and broadcaster · Sean Beattie, historian and editor · Catherine Rhatigan, musician and producer · Seoirse O’Dochartaigh, musician and painter · Dessie McCallion, tour guide and oracle · Marie and the Magerini of Fabio and Gemateo in Italy

Each gave their time generously and freely which was much appreciated. Painting is Caisleán Ghleann Ó gCanannáin, Tulaigh an Rí: Feilim” (Glennagannon Castle, Tullynaree, Carndonagh: Felim [of the 4th Race]. It was one of 17 paintings from the series called Seacht Sliocht Uí Dhochartaigh Inis Eoghain (The Seven Races of Inishowen O’Doherty), from the same year. See www.seoirse.com for more.