The Emerald Conversations: Recent Episodes
Ger Sweeney
Dan Lawton has written a book about the harassment by the British security forces in Northern Ireland, the wrongful arrest, the escape, re-capture and ulimate exoneration of Belfast man Keving Barry Artt. A truly unbelieveable story.
There is something special that connects Kylie, Calvin Harris, Noah Khan, Kodaline and the members of the Timahoe Male Choir. To find out what that is and to hear some of the members' stories have a listen.
Bridie Wren was born in Tarbert, Co. Kerry and went on to become the first female elected Member of Parliament in Pakistan. Patrick Lynch from the Tarbert Historical & Heritage Society tells Ger who Bridie was and a little about her time in Tarbert.
Tuamgraney native Edna O'Brien passed away on 27th July 2024. Tributes have poured in from across the artistic, political and literary world. Former Clare FM Founding CEO, Caimin Jones, grew up in Scarrif in East Clare, the Jones and O'Brien families knew each other and as a Clare FM broadcaster he got to capture her words on tape. Caimin tells Ger about some of his memories of Edna O'Brien
The O'Connell Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery, built to commemorate Irish leader Daniel O'Connell, has been relaunched following enhancement works. The structure is Ireland's tallest round tower standing at 55 metres tall and was built in 1855. Ultan Moran is Heritage Officer at Glasnvin Cemetry and he tells Ger about the historic tower.
Patricia Carey commenced her role of Special Advocate on 25 March 2024. She has been meeting and hearing from survivors and representative groups since then. Her role includes survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Industrial and Reformatory schools, and related institutions, those who were adopted, boarded out, or those whose births were illegally registered. This includes Survivors living outside Ireland.
Jim, originally from Co. Waterford, has opened a new business in Marbella. His firm takes the work out of sourcing the perfct home on the Costa del Sol. It offers security in terms of finance, legalities and location.
Saint Declan’s Way is a pilgrim walking route linking Cashel in County Tipperary and Ardmore in County Waterford. It follows the route that Declan took when going to Cashel to meet Saint Patrick in the fifth century. Grainne tells us what we can expect as we make our way along the 115km route.
Colm and Rory have been making music together as REZO. It all began during the lockdowns of the Pandemic. Colm is Dublin-based and Rory is Malaga-based. Enjoy the sounds and the chat
The news of the death of Tommy Drennan has been greeted with sadness and has resulted in many people recalling stories of his life. Tommy was a true gentleman, a wonderful entertainer, a proud Limerick man and always a joy to encounter. Here some other greats chat to, and about, Tommy. Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam Dílis
"Music and Memories Boxes" is an initiative piloted since December 2023. It is the brainchild of Margaret O'Sullivan, Executive Librarian at the Rory Gallagher Music Library in Cork City and is supported by Cork County Council. It is designed to provoke memories "because people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's have a problem staying in the present. The response has been so good there are now calls to roll this out across the country. Margaret tells Ger the story.
Peadar has written a book that tells the story of Ceoltóirí Chualann, a group of traditional musicians that was put together by his father Sean. Ceoltóiri Chualann has been called "the band that changed the course if Irish music"
John is the author of a fascinating book called "Spike Island" - The rebels, Residents and Crafty Criminals of Ireland's Historic Island. The book tells the story of the Cork Harbour island that is known as Ireland's Alcatraz and the many hugely important roles it has played in our history since the 18th Century.
Matt is the General Manager of Johnstown Castle, Estate, Museum and Gardens in Wexford and recently a historically significant stained glass window aged over 100 years old was unveiled at the castle.
Fugitive: The Michael Lynn Story is a thrilling journey into the mind of a reluctant fugitive brought down by his own insatiable greed. This is investigative journalism at its most compelling, placing the reader at the heart of the relentless global manhunt for fugitive Irish lawyer Michael Lynn and his stolen millions, and the trials that saw him finally brought to justice.
Padraic is the founder of Erin's Call, a recently established free service. Its aim is to assist members of the Irish diaspora in reconnecting with long lost family members worldwide. Given the mass emigration from Ireland over the years, many of our diaspora have lost contact with family members.
No Peace Until He's Dead is the title of Amanda's book. It's her story of child abuse at the hands of her stepfather, Davy Tweed and her journey to recovery. Tweed was a former Ireland and Ulster rugby player as well as being an elected DUP Councillor.
As a joke during rehearsing a particularly difficult piece someone suggested it would be "lovely to sing this in the Vatican".... and so it was! Helen tells Ger the story of the trip to Rome and Assisi.
University of Galway Professors Brendán Mac Suibhne and Daniel Carey talk to Ger about a digital repository of emigrant letters that is available to view online. Spanning a period of almost 400 years, the letters give detailed insights into the ways in which generations of Irish people struggled and succeeded in the new world. The material was gathered by American historian Kerby Miller, as part of research he conducted into the experiences of those who travelled to North America.
As he is about to release a new album and embark on a 12-gig tour of Ireland Ger caught up with Davie to chat about the album which has nine new tracks, his career in general and the tour which commences on April 5th in Wexford.
As St. Patrick's Day approaches Ger chats with the Irish Ambassador to Spain, Frank Smyth and Marketing Manager, Tourism Ireland Spain, Susan Bolger. Ambassador Smyth chats about the work of the Embassy and his role over "Semana de Irlanda" (Ireland Week) in Madrid while Susan talks us through the celebrations planned as well as marketing the island of Ireland to the Spanish market.
The Irish Countrywomen's Association is over 100 years old and is a very relevant part of life in Ireland of 2024. Mary D'Arcy has been elected President of the ICA. Her term starts in May of this year and ahead of that I spoke with Mary about the Association and her involvement in it to date.
As St. Patrick's Day 2024 is very much in our minds the authorities in Dublin, Ohio have dreamt up a unique promotion to attract Irish people to visit their city for the celebrations. Sara Blatnik is the Marketing Director for visitdublinohio.com and she outlines the details. (29th February 2024)
Pádraig is the author of" The Disappeared". It is the first book to reveal that "forced disappearances" have been part of the violent political conflicts on Ireland for more than 200 years. The book documents every person forcibly disappeared in Irish conflicts from 1916 until 1998, reframing our conception of the disappeared as a Troubles phenomenon.
Justin is the Vice President of the Southern Irish Studies Association (Asociacion de Estudios Irlandeses del Sur) in Argentina.
George Lee attended the launch of this significant book and spoke with some of those in attendance about it, and its importance. This collection of ten original essays edited by Seán William Gannon (Limerick City and County Library Service) and Brian Hughes (Department of History, Mary Immaculate College) explores the experience of Limerick’s Protestant communities during the Irish revolutionary period.
Brigid's Way Celtic Pilgrimage is a 9-day walking pilgrimage. Those who honour Brigid, as a pre-Celtic Goddess or Christian Saint, walk in her footsteps as a way to find peace, connect with our ancestors and commune with the sacred land of Ireland. Dr. Karen Ward is co-instigator of the Way.
The 100 Million Trees Project is a national initiative developed by brothers, Richard and David Mulcahy, which aims to see the planting of 100 million native Irish trees across the island of Ireland over a 10 year period. It is a community-driven initiative designed to reverse the immense environmental damage caused by the reduction of forests worldwide and the loss of huge areas of biodiversity. (24th January 2024)
The National Library of Ireland recently acquired what is being described as the most complete visual record of Ireland, in map and print form, ever assembled by a private collector. The Bonar Law Collection, compiled by expert collector Andrew Bonar Law,comprises close to 10,000 maps and 9,000 prints, which include caricature prints and ballad sheets, going back to the 16th Century. Dr. Audrey Whitty, National Library of Library of Ireland Director tells me about it. (17th January 2024)
Ciaran was the Midlands Correspondent with Ireland's public service broadcaster, RTE for over two decades. Since his retirement he has been working to make a difference in the area around his midlands homes. He is just about to embark on a new role with Longford County Council relating to tourism in the area. In this conversation he discusses his career to date and his hopes for the future. (17th January 2024)
This is the story of extreme wellness turned sour!
Jacqueline was a Division One runner during her freshman year of college, but her season was cut short by a series of inexplicable neurological symptoms. What started with a cough, escalated toAlnes collapsing on the track and experiencing months of unremembered episodes that stole her ability to walk and speak. Her symptoms were first dismissed by her coach and her doctor. Two years after quitting the team to heal, Alnes's symptoms returned with a severity that left her using a wheelchair for a period of months. Desperate for answers, she turned to an online community centered around two wellness gurus who claimed, without any evidence, that a strict, all-fruit diet could cure conditions like depression, eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, and vision problems. (10th January 2024)
Judit is a native of Calatonia and has been in Belfast for the past two years. She is volunteering with a charity called Tools for Solidarity which gathers and repairs sewing machines, and more, for distribution in Africa.
Catherine spent years working as a journalist. IN 2020 she and her husband Liam decided that they would like to try something different. While Catherine is still writing occasionally for the Irish Times she has been, since 2020 building or growing a native woodland on land she and Liam purchased in Co. Roscommon.
The Strand Cinema in East Belfast is the oldest cinema in Northern Ireland and as it approaches it 90th birthday there is a plan in place to ensure its history is very much part of its future. Rosie Hickey is Heritage Officer at the Strand Arts Centre and she explains all in this episode.
A joint exhibition between An Post and the National Print Museum, that celebrates a century of postage stamps in Ireland, is underway at the National Print Museum. Stephen Ferguson is Curator of the exhibition.
Dedicated to the history, design and production of these miniature masterpieces and Irish cultural ambassadors, the exhibition displays not only a wide selection of Irish stamps but also original artwork, design proofs, printing plates and other treasures from the An Post Museum & Archive, some of which will be on public display for the first time. (27th December 2023)
It has become a nice tradition that I connect with the Irish Ambassador to Spain at Christmas and around St. Patrick's day. Recently Ambassador Frank Smyth and I had our Christmas chat. (20th December 2023)
Not many people get to have breakfast with Santa BUT only a handful get that opportunity AND to dine in a 15th century castle. I popped down to see what what happening for broadcast on Talk Radio Europe (20th December 2023)
Grainne tells me about a relatively new GAA club in the heart of the Basque Country. Located in Victoria Gasteiz St. Patrick's is trying to recruit members, find allies and get more games.
In recent times the relative newcomer to Ireland, the woodpecker, has been causing those who generate and distribute electicity across Ireland a bit of headache. Niall tells Ger all about it and gives us an insight to the woodpecker in general as well as the work of Birdwatch Ireland. (6th December 2023)
Patrick's book "Galway: Making a Capital of Culture" explores Galway's outsized position as a 'place of culture' over the past 100 years, and examines the tension between the creation of art and culture on the one hand, and the economic focus on 'the creative economy' on the other. (6th December 2023)
A video created by the Transition Year students at Finn Valley College in Stranorlar Co. Donegal has been chosen as one of 14 winners from across the world in a competition announced by Ed Sheeran. Tina Garry and Edel Temple tell Ger about this. (29th November 2023)
Recently, the death of one of Ireland’s best-known businesspeople and very colourful character wasannounced. Ben Dunne, the man who headed the Dunnes Stores empire from 1983, following his father’s death had a very full and colourful life. George Lee joins Ger to chat about the late Ben Dunne. (22nd November 2023)
Jim Kemmy was an Irish socialist politician from Limerick. He worked as a bricklayer for Limerick City Council before embarking on a political career that saw him make a huge impact on behalf of his constituents. A Job of Journeywork is the title of a collection of selected published writings, letters and speeches of Jim Kemmy. Dr. Derek Mulcahy is co-editor of this collection and he tells Ger about Jim Kemmy and his writings. (22nd November 2023)
In 1934 two brothers, aged around 15 and 16, in West Clare witnessed a plane crash landing. Thankfully, nobody was hurt but the incident gave them the idea of building their own plane and flying it. One of the boys, Tim Crowe, was Áine Crowe Moran's grandfather and she has created a beautifully illustrated children's book that tells the story. She spoke to Ger on 15th November 2023
It's been 10 years since we've had a book from Humphrey and this book was worth the wait. A Place to Play tells us about the people and stories behind 101 GAA Grounds across the four provinces of Ireland. Beautifully designed and presented it's a gem. (8th November 2023)
Even before St. Patrick arrived on the island of Ireland we Irish were lifting stones. We did it as a rite of passage, to celebrate at weddings or as part of a funeral event. The practice seems to have died out around the time of the famine but in recent years Waterford man David Keohan has been lifting stones and spreading the word. (8th November 2023)
Sarah-Anne Buckley is co-author of Old Ireland in Colour 3. In this volume she and John Breslin uncover more photographic gems with some great stories to accompany them. The book comprises 161 images that cover a key period in Irish life, from the famine to the late 1960's. (25th October 2023)
Richard O'Rawe chats to Ger about his new book, "Stakeknife's Dirty War". It's the inside story of Freddie Scappaticci, one of the British Security Service's most valuable informer inside the Provisional IRA. The book also looks at Stakeknife's involvemement with the IRA's Nutting Squad and the British Spooks who ran the war in Northern Ireland.
Stephen's new book is called "John Hume - The Persuader". In this episode he answers some poignant questions - Who was the real John Hume? What motivated the former history teacher to reach beyond political lines? What sustained him during the bloody years of violence and how did he convince the IRA to end its long-running campaign? How did he persuade presidents and prime ministers to take risks and back his vision for Northern Ireland? (11th October 2023)
As the Ryder Cup 2023 has finished the memories have been created and will be enjoyed for years. George Lee was at Marco Simone outside Rome and has been thinking about what needs to happen logistically when the Ryder Cup event returns to Europe in 2027 because on that occasion it will be played in the beautiful Co. Limerick village of Adare. He shares his thoughts.
A 6,000 year old Court Tomb has found its new permanent home at the Ulster Folk Museum. Dr. Greer Ramsey, Curator of Archaeology, National Museums Northern Ireland tells Ger about this tomb and its importance. (27th September 2023)
Pat Foudy is currently touring second level schools in Co. Clare to promote the importance of Tyre Safety. Pat has been selling tyres for 50 years and understands the importance of having good (and legal) tyres on one's car. Young people are taking to the road but do they know how to check their tyres? Pat tells me about the schools initiative, what the students learn and how successful his campaign has been to date. (27th September 2023)
The Oxford English Dictionary has long been associated with elite institutions and Victorian men. But the Dictionary didn't just belong to the experts; it relied on contributions from members of the public. By 1928, its 414,825 entries had been crowdsourced from a surprising and diverse group of people, from astronomers to murderers, naturists, pornographers, suffragists and queer couples. (14th September 2023)
Sinn Féin is the most popular political party in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. A movement once synonymous with a paramilitary campaign is on the brink of taking real power through purely democratic means. But if Sinn Féin has mastered the art of electoral politics, it remains strangely opaque. Who really runs the party? How is it funded? And what can we expect of it as a party of government? (13th September 2023)
The book shines a powerful, emotional and surprisingly moving spotlight on the fascinating life of a forensic psychiatrist and the people she works with. She spent her career delving into the minds of real people, whose actions often shock, but who's stories have the power to challenge our assumptions and the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Murderers, stalkers and other dangerous offenders are featured as she attempts to make sense of some highly unusual situations. We also discover the true stories of the inspiring human beings who are bravely learning to live with major mental illness. (14th July 2022)
"The Gilligan Tapes" is the title of a new book by Irish journalist Jason O'Toole. It details hours of sensational face-to-face, no-holds-barred interviews with criminal John Gilligan, who this week walked free from a Spanish court after receiving a suspended sentence. Jason chats with Ger about the criminal's life, career and Gilligan's truth about some well-known stories or myths. (6th September 2023)
"The Padre" is the name of a recently released book from award winning investigative journalist Jennifer O'Leary. The book tells the true story of Patrick Ryan, the Irish priest who armed the IRA with Gaddafi's money. (30th August 2023)
Artist and Set designer Dolores Lyne tells us about her exhibition titled "To the Letter" which opens in Macroom on 6th August. It features letters written by her grand-uncle Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the Anti Treaty IRA to his brother Tom while he was on the run during the Irish Civil War. (2nd August 2023)
Fanad Lighthouse is one of the majestic lighthouses that are dotted along Ireland's coastline. The Co. Donegal facility has just launched the "Éist" project which brings some of the many stories associated with the lighthouse to life. Diane Cannon is the marketing manager at Fanad Lighthouse. (5th July 2023)
Melanie Lynch from herstory.ie joins Ger to chat about the initiative but most especially about the Peace Heroines Exhibition that is currently running. The exhibition shines a light on the women of Northern Ireland that have been hugely influential in bringing peace to the island of Ireland. (17th May 2023)
See Her Elected (SHE) is an initiative set up to encourage and assist women to run for local government seats. Since its inception there has been some success but as the local elections of 2024 approach there is expected to be a further increase in the number of women elected to local government. Dr. Michelle Maher tals to ger about See Her Elected. (3rd May 2023)
There is a fabulous museum hidden away in Co. Limerick. It is called "Old Irish Ways Museum" and it's located behind Denis O'Connor's house near the beautiful village of Meanus. Ger went to visit the museum and chat to Denis about his passion. This is the tour to take you back to Ireland of long ago. (19th April 2023)
Joe and Steve Wall have been household names since their days with "The Stunning". Since 2000 the brothers have been making music together as "The Walls", while still recording and gigging with the Stunning. There's a new album coming from the Walls so Joe talks to Ger about it and about the brothers' musical journey thus far. (1st March 2023)
The High Kings have been part of the musical landscape in Ireland and farther afield for the past 15 years. The lads are about to embark on the first ever world tour and they're just about to launch something special by way of their new album. Darren Holden of the High Kings talks to Ger about it all (22nd February 2023)
"Quinn" is the name of a book released in December 2022 about former billionaire businessman Sean Quinn - The man who was too big to fail. The book was written by Emmy-nominated film producer, director and journalist, Trevor Birney who joins Ger to talk about Quinn. (18th January 2023)
There is a knack to playing the harmonica. In a effort to unlock the secret to mastering it, Ger went to meet one of Ireland's best harmonica players, Mick Kinsella. Enjoy this Harmonica Masterclass. (11th January 2023)
Cuddles from Nerja - Irish woman Marie Kusters McCarthy arranged for 2000 soft toys (cuddles) to be collected in Nerja and brought to children in Ukraine. The self-styled "Mid-Life Bikers" Hedley Smith and Angus Charlton facilitated the delivery - on their bikes. This is the story. (28th December 2022)
Paul Brady is a household name. His recently published book, "Crazy Dreams", is a very honest account of Paul's life and offers a wonderful insight into the music business, the world of record companies and much more about Brady's life. His conversation with Ger is just as frank and revealing. (7th December 2022)
Tommie Gorman is probably best known as RTE's Northern Correspondent but also spent time reporting from Europe and was the national station's North West Correspondent for years too. Tommie joins Ger to chat about his new book titled "Never Better" and a few anecdotes from his life as a news man. (26th October 2022)
It is always a joy to chat with Charlie McGettigan and on this occasion Ger and Charlie chat about Charlie's new book "Always a Rock n Roll Kid" - Among other things (19th October)
Alex Dunne is a 16 year old from Co. Offaly and last weekend he was crowned the British F4 Champion. He has also been picked up by the Italian automobile federation to join its annual Ferrari Driver Academy scouting camp. His dad Noel manages his career, but is no stranger to the racing car cockpit either. (12th October 2022)
There has always been huge interest in the remains of Red Hugh O'Donnell who died in Simancas in Spain and interred in nearby Valladolid 420 years ago. To mark the anniversary which is coming up on 10th September a series of commemorations are planned for the two Spanish towns. Ger chats to Eddie Crawford, Brendan Rohan and Carlos Burgos about this. (17th August 2022)
The second conversation between Ger and Ambassador Donal Denham. The first conversation was broadcast on 6th June and can be heard below (13th July 2022)
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the buring of the Public Records Office of Ireland in Ireland in Dublin, two days after the start of the Irish Civil War Ger talks to Dr. Ciarán Wallace from Beyond 2022. Dr. Wallace tells us that most of the documents thought "gone forever" may not be!! (29th June 2022)
Matin Hayes, renowned traditional fiddle player from East Clare who has travelled the world wowing audiences and bringing with him his own interpretation of what traditional players have handed down from generation to generation. (8th June 2022)
In a career spanning 41 years in the Irish diplomatic service, Ambassador Dónal Denham has lived among nine very different societies, spanning three continents. He recently launched his book called Nine Lives and he spoke to Ger about it on Monday 6th June 2022
John Brittain is the Operations Manager at the RNLI Lifeboat station in Clifden in Connemara. The station recently received its new all-weather boat. It's a "Memory Launch" lifeboat and it carries on its Hull the names of 10,000 people who are being remembered by their loved ones. (18th May 2022)
Professor Kieran Moran tells Ger about the technology that is employed in the Sliotar - which is the ball used in the Irish game of hurling. (11th May 2022)
The General Manager of Rosslare Europort, Glen Carr talks us through the huge changes that have occurred at the port in recent years and what's to come in the next 5 years. Exciting times for Ireland's South East Region. (27th April 2022)
As our attention is being focused more and more on Climate Change and the need to protect our environment, we hear from Dara O'Maoildhia from the Aran Islands Energy Co-op to get an understanding of how the islanders are moving closer to a fossil fuel free community. (20th April 2022)
Ger's first interview with the newly appointed Irish ambassador to Spain, H.E. Ambassador Frank Smyth which was recorded at the Irish Embassy in Madrid (16th March 2022)
The Arts Council of Ireland celebrated 70 years in existence recently and its Director, Maureen Kennelly talks to Ger about the work of the Arts Council and its origins. (23rd February 2022)
Dr. Martin Worthington from Trinity College Dublin on his collaboration with the makers of the recently released Marvels movie "Eternals" in relation to ancient languages. (17th November 2021)
Caroline Boland from Dingle Peninsula Tourism talks to me about the Bottlenose Dolphin called Fungie who lived in Dingle Harbour for 37 years. The week of broadcast marked the 1st anniversary of his leaving. We talk about the dolphin's importance to the local economy and its community. (20th October 2021)
Ger chats with Simon Taylor who has had a very successful career in music. He discusses his time as CEO of Ireland's National Concert Hall, being head of the RTE Symphony Orchestra, his time as a presenter with the BBC and RTE and much more. (9th June 2021)
Winter Solstice - Clare Tuffy on Newgrange and the 5000 year old passage tomb there. (7th December 2020)
Ger chats with one of Ireland's best loved entertainers, Red Hurley. (9th November 2020)
Ger speaks to Regina Whelan Richardson about the Salamanca Archive which is housed in St. Patrick's College in Maynooth, Co. Kildare (5th October 2020)
Sean Torpey is one of Ireland's leading makers of hurleys - the sticks with which the game of hurling is played - and he tells Ger about his new BAMBOO hurley (13th July 2020)
Dr. Aoife Brady, Curator of Italian and Spanish art at the National Gallery of Ireland on the Sorolla exhibition that is currently showing. (2nd September 2019)
Richard Fitzpatrick an Irish journalist based in Barcelona. In this episode he tells us about Margaret Kearney Taylor who ran the Embassy Tea Room in Madrid. Margaret helped over 30,000 Jews, Servicemen and others escape the Nazis during World War II. (10th December 2018)
Manus Walsh is a well-known and much-loved artist. He splits his time between his Ballyvaughan home in the Burren and his Spanish home. As he launched a new exhibition called "Variations" at the Kenny Gallery in Galway Manus spoke about his work, his inspirations and his long-time love affair with Spain and the Burren. (19th November 2018)
This episode features a conversation with three hugely talented musicians, Ruth Dillon, Julianna Erkkonen and Yvonne Tiernan. Collectively they are known as The Raines, a group described as a Folk/Americana trio. They are based in Co. Galway and since the individually talented and experienced musician joined forces in 2019 it is fair to say that they are making beautiful music that has caught the attention of audiences far and wide.
This episode features a conversation between Limerick-born Singer/Songwriter Mick Hanly and PJ Curtis. It’s the final episode in a series of conversations between PJ and some of the artists he has produced albums for through the years. Ger Sweeney is stuck in here too, asking some of the questions about how these iconic albums and records were produced. In this episode we talk about Mick’s “Wooden Horses” album
This episode features a conversation between Sonny Condell, one of the original members of Scullion and PJ Curtis. It’s the fourth in a series of five conversations between PJ and some of the artists he has produced albums for through the years. Ger Sweeney is stuck in here too, asking some of the questions about how these iconic albums and records were produced. In this episode we talk about Scullion’s self-titled album from 1979
This episode features a conversation between Kate Purcell and PJ Curtis. It’s the third in a series of five conversations between PJ and some of the artists he has produced albums for through the years. Ger Sweeney is stuck in here too, asking some of the questions about how these iconic albums and records were produced. In this episode we talk about Kate’s “A Dream Unfolds” album
This episode features a conversation between singer/songwriter Freddie White and PJ Curtis. It’s the second in a series of five conversations between PJ and some of the artists he has produced albums for through the years. Ger Sweeney is stuck in here too, asking some of the questions about how these iconic albums and records were produced. In this episode we talk about Freddie’s “Do you Do” album from 1981 and his "Have a Nice Day" EP.
This episode features a conversation between Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing and PJ Curtis. It’s the first in a series of five conversations between PJ and some of the artists he has produced albums for through the years. Ger Sweeney is stuck in there too, asking some of the questions about how these iconic albums and records were produced. In this episode we talk about the making of two albums – Take a Chance and The Light in the Western Sky
This episode features a conversation with PJ Curtis. PJ, originally from Kilnaboy in Co. Clare is a renowned record producer, guitarist, broadcaster, author and all-round nice fella. This conversation is mainly about his record producing days and sets the scene for the next five episodes of The Emerald Conversations where PJ and Ger Sweeney speak with some of the artists he has worked with in the recording studio down through the years.
Denis Carey is from Newport, Co. Tipperary and has been playing music since he was 7 years old. His life-long immersion in music involves playing, composing, teaching, arranging and anything else music related. Denis recently chatted with Ger about his career.
John Lynch is the leader of the world renowned Kilfenora Céilí Band. In this conversation with Ger Sweeney from 2018 John talks about the village of Kilfenora, the origins of the band and what's on the cards for future years.
This episode is the second part of Bowyer’s Limerick, a documentary that Ger Sweeney produced with the late Brendan Bowyer. Brendan was a native of Waterford but moved to Limerick when he was two and remained in the city until he was a teenager. Limerick has always been one of his “homes” in Ireland and … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 11. Bowyer’s Limerick Part 2
This is the first part of a documentary that Ger Sweeney produced with the late Brendan Bowyer. Brendan was a native of Waterford but moved to Limerick when he was two and remained in the city until he was a teenager. Limerick has always been one of his “homes” in Ireland and he was very … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 10. Bowyer’s Limerick Part 1
This episode features the last person to win the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland, Eimear Quinn. I’m releasing this on the 24th anniversary of that win. On that fateful night in Oslo Eimear sang a Brendan Graham composition called “The Voice”. My conversation with Eimear covers her love of music from a young age, THAT … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 9. Eimear Quinn
Legendary singer/songwriter and musician Barry McCabe features in this episode. Barry is from Virginia in Co. Cavan and has spent his adult life travelling the world playing music, entertaining people, gathering stories and making great memories.
The band Shaskeen celebrates 50 years on the road this year. Tom Cussen was the man that put the band together in London in 1970. David Sanders wasn’t even born in 1970 but today he is the latest recruit to the band that has done so much to promote traditional Irish music and song over … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 7. Tom Cussen and David Sanders from Shaskeen
Many organisations have looked at their operations since the Covid-19 pandemic hit and many have made changes to what they offer, and how they offer it. The Irish Cultural Centre in London is one such organisation and in this episode of the Emerald Conversations Ger Sweeney talks to Rosalind Scanlon, a Director of the Centre. … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 6. Rosalind Scanlon, Director, Irish Cultural Centre, London
It was like a homecoming – when Brendan Grace played a gig in Ennis. Killaloe was where Brendan and his wife Eileen called home when they were in Ireland. On the night of January 1st 2019 Brendan played his last Ennis gig at a packed West County Hotel. Ger Sweeney who had interviewed Brendan on … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 5. Brendan Grace
Manus walsh is one of Ireland’s most talented artists. His inspiration comes from many sources but the fact that he is based in Ballyvaughan in the heart of the Burren in Co. Clare ensures that the inpsiration tap never runs dry. Just after he launched a new exhibition in November 2018 Manus took some time … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 4. Ger Sweeney talks to Clare-based Artist, Manus Walsh
Mike Murphy’s career at RTÉ began in the early 1960’s. Mike’s dulcet tones can still be heard but not on the Irish national airwaves but as the voice of the new Senior Times’ podcast series. When the podcast series was launched Ger Sweeney chatted with Mike about it, and about his long and distinguished career … More The Emerald Conversations Episode 3. Ger Sweeney talks to Irish Broadcasting Legend, Mike Murphy
In November of 2018 Ger Sweeney spoke to Des Kenny of Kenny’s Bookshop and Art Gallery in Galway. In this conversation Des tells the story of the family run business.