The Letter from Ireland Podcast
Mike Collins
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The Letter from Ireland Podcast. Join us as we travel in the footsteps of your Irish Ancestors around Ireland - visiting their homelands and telling their stories and with lots of great Irish music along the way.
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6 days ago
7 Irish Tales of Emigration (#812)
In a follow-up to our recent episode about traveling from Cobh to Ellis Island - we head back to the Cobh Heritage Centre in County Cork and hear 7 stories of emigration from this very spot to many places around the world.
Many thanks to Jack Walsh and all the team at the Cobh Heritage centre for this fascinating tour - and 7 fascinating tales (none too tall)!
With lots of great Irish music and song along the way! Enjoy!Music featured in this episode:
- A Ship from Cobh: "The Irish Rover - sung by The Dubliners and The Pogues.
- A Place in Cobh: "The Holy Ground" - sung by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
- A Man from Cobh: "The Contender" - sung by Finbarr Wright.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Mar 15, 2023
A St. Patrick's Day Parade of Story and Song (#811)
Join us as we attend a Saint Patrick's Day Parade of Story and Song. In this episode we sharetwo stories - one all about the places in Ireland where Saint Patrick is said to have walked and the next looking at the Shamrock and the gorse, two plants associated with this time of year in Ireland.
We've lots of great Irish music and song along the way! Enjoy!Music featured in this episode:
"Boil the Breakfast Early" performed by The Chieftains.
"A Song for Ireland" performed by Dé Dannaan and Mary Black.
"Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore" performed by Paddy Reilly.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Mar 8, 2023
Join Us on this Journey from Cobh to Ellis Island (#810)
In this special episode of the Letter from Ireland show we start our journey in Cobh (Queenstown) in County Cork. We chat with the manager of the Cobh Heritage Centre who has his own immigration stories to tell. We then take the route across the Atlantic that our ancestors would have followed (just slightly upgraded!) to New York and meet with a group of our Green Room members on Ellis Island for Saint Patrick's Day - providing a day of stories, sight-seeing and much more to share.
All accompanied by lots of great Irish music along the way! Enjoy!Music featured in this episode:
"The Holy Ground" performed by Mary Black.
"Thousands are Sailing" performed by The Pogues.
"Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears" performed by Celtic Woman.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Mar 1, 2023
Look Through This Window Into A Celtic World (#809)
In this week's episode we go back in time. First we go back to a time when the first Celtic peoples arrived in Ireland - we then go back even further to look at the period when the Celts appeared on the continent of Europe for the first time. Much of this "history" is relayed to us through old Irish annals and texts - all written in the ancient Irish language. As a result, the language of Irish provides us with a window into a Celtic past that does not exist in any other literature in Europe.
The music, very appropriately, all feature songs and tunes with Irish titles.
We do hope you enjoy.Music featured in this episode:
"Caoineadh Cú Chulainn" performed by Davy Spillane.
"Deora Ar Mo Chroí" performed by Enya.
"Ebudae" performed by Enya.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Feb 22, 2023
From Carnivale to an Irish Easter (#808)
In this week's episode we look a little closer at how our Irish ancestors lived and worked through the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday each year. This was a time known as "Lent". It was treated very seriously by the Roman Catholic church - who were very specific in their directions to the flock as to how they should live their lives over this time of penance, fasting and piety.
We start with a letter that looks at something called "The Skellig List" and then focus on a Lenten letter that was read out from the pulpits across County Wicklow in the late 1800s.
The music starts with a tune of celebration - "Chasing the Fox" (celebration/carnivale) - then moves onto a suitable religious song, the "Our Father" sung in Irish, before celebrating Easter (and the end of Lent) with "Easter Snow".
We do hope you enjoy.Music featured in this episode:
"Chasing the Fox" performed by The Chieftains.
"Ar nAthair" performed by Michael Nash.
"Easter Snow" performed by Matt Molloy and Martin Carthy.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Feb 14, 2023
Traditional Irish Love Songs - 8 Favourites (#807)
In this week's episode share what we consider to be eight of the best traditional Irish love songs of all time! This is, of course, a very personal and subjective collection - and I'm sure you will agree with some and disagree with many.
I have used the input of many of our readers and Green Room members down through the years and many of the these songs are ones that were recommended again and again.
I'm recording this episode just short of Valentine's Day - but think that this is a collection of songs that you will enjoy at any time of year. See what you think!Music featured in this episode:
"Down By The Sally Gardens" performed by Maura O'Connell.
"I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" performed by Joseph Locke.
"Casadh an tSúgáin" performed by The Gloaming.
"On Raglan Road" performed by Luke Kelly.
"The Mountains of Mourne" performed by Brendan O'Dowda.
"Grace" performed by Jim McCann.
"Kevin Barry" performed by Damien Dempsey & Seamus Begley.
"Danny Boy" performed by Eva Cassidy.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Feb 8, 2023
Do You Have These Saintly Names in Your Irish Family Tree? (#806)
In this week's episode we look at the life times and legacy of three ancient Celtic saints - with lots of fine music in between.
We start with a letter all about the Irish Saint Gobnait - but you may be surprised at how her name was anglicised into different versions that you may have in your family tree.
Then, we head up to the north of the island and look at Saint Mel and Saint Colmcille - and the connections between these names and a certain Hollywood actor and director.Music featured in this episode:
"Inis Oirr" performed by Dé Danaann.
"Casadh an tSúgáin" performed by The Gloaming.
"Theme from Braveheart" performed by The Gardyne Ensemble.Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Feb 1, 2023
The Irish Goddess and the Irish Saint (#805)
We look at the connections between the Irish name "Brigid/Bridget", Saint Bridget of Kildare and the Irish Celtic Goddess Brigid. This is all very appropriate as we come up to the celtic festival of "Imbolc" - celebrating the start of a celtic spring as well as Saint Brigid's day.
All with lots of chat and music along the way. Enjoy!Songs Featured in This Episode:
* "Brigid" performed by Patrick Dexter and Laoise Kelly.
* "Hymn to Saint Brigid" performed by Philomena Breslin.
* "Imbolc Eve (Brede's Song)" performed by Hecate's Wheel.
Support the Letter from Ireland Show:
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Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Jan 25, 2023
10 Stops on a Musical Tour Around Ireland (#804)
This week we have a special episode that takes you around ten counties on the island of Ireland. We stop off at each point and share a song - as well as more on the place and the person featured in the song. Please note that this episode was broadcast in a different format inside our Green Room - and in that show we dedicated the first song to Carina's mum who died just before it was broadcast. She lived in Cork - and so the first place we visited was county Cork on the list!
Songs Featured in This Episode (You can see full shownotes and the map mentioned here):
* "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" performed by Josef Locke.
* "Down By The Sally Garden" performed by Maura O'Connell.
* "The Homes of Donegal" performed by Paul Brady.
* "Carrickfergus" performed by Brian Kennedy.
* "On Raglan Road" performed by Luke Kelly.
* "Boolavogue" performed by The Three Irish Tenors.
* "A Song for Ireland" performed by Mary Black.
* "The Rose of Tralee" performed by Frank Patterson.
* "Leaving of Limerick" performed by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
* "My Own Sweet Galway Bay" performed by Dolores Keane.
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Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carina behind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Jan 18, 2023
Another Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandfather (#803)
In this episode we trace the origins of Carina's Irish grandfather - Bartholomew Cronin. He died well before she was born and she only recently realised how little she knew of his early days, the wider family and his final resting place". So, join us as we look to solve this mystery - with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way.
We've arranged the show in the following 5 parts - with music and songs of County Cork along the way:
Part 1: Introduction: Who was my Irish grandfather, where was he born, reared and buried - and many more questions!
Song: "The Macroom Lassies" performed by Jackie Daly and Séamus Creagh.
Part 2: Finding Bartholomew in the Records and a trip to the place he lived and worked.
Song: "The Bold Thady Quill" performed by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
Part 3: Success! A Journey to the Place my grandfather was born, lived his early years and is buried.
Song: "The Banks of The Lee" performed by Arkady and The Voice Squad.
Part 4: Traveling back to the deep roots: Gougane Barra and the start of an Irish family dynasty.
Song: "The Parting Glass" performed by The Voice Squad.
Part 5: Wrapping up: My Closing thoughts and the journey so far!
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Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-only features and follow Mike and Carinabehind the scenes as they travel around Ireland go to ALetterfromIreland.com/plus .
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Jan 11, 2023
A Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandmother (#802)
In this episode we trace the origins - and more - of Carina's mystery Irish grandmother. I say "mystery" because Carina only ever knew her as "Granny Cronin". So, join us as we look to solve this mystery - with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way.
We've arranged the show in the following 5 parts - with music and songs of Cork City and County Cork along the way:
Part 1: Introduction: Who was my Irish grandmother, where was she born and many more questions!
Song: "I know my love" performed by Maura O'Connell.
Part 2: What I know: Where my grandmother lived, worked and is buried.
Song: "The Boys of Fairhill" performed by Jimmy McCarthy.
Part 3: Success! A Journey to the Place my grandmother was born.
Song: "The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee" performed by Seán Ó Sé.
Part 4: Traveling back to the deep roots: The Norman origins of my Irish grandmother's family.
Song: "The Contender" performed by Finbar Wright.
Part 5: Wrapping up: M…
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Jan 4, 2023
Come into This World of Celtic Music (#801)
In this episode we explore not just the world of Irish music - but 10 tracks from the extended Celtic family. We use music featured on the TV programme - "The Transatlantic Sessions" - to bring you music and song from Ireland, Scotland, the USA and much more. With lots of chat between each song.
MUSICAL TRACKS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
* "Magic Foot" - Performed by Sharon Shannon and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "My heart's tonight in Ireland - in the west County Clare" - Performed by Andy Irvine and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "Aragon Mill" - Performed by Karen Matheson and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "Leezie Lindsay" - Performed by Eddie Reader and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "Let the mystery be" - Performed by Iris De Ment and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "Forty Shades of Green" - Performed by Roseanne Cash, Paul Brady and the Transatlantic Sessions house band.
* "Letter in the mail" - Performed by Tim O…
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Dec 14, 2022
A Merry Irish Christmas - 10 Old Irish Christmas Songs (#748)
In todays special Christmas episode, we share a selection of old Irish Christmas carols, songs and tunes. They include:
* The Bells of Dublin/Christmas Eve - performed by The Chieftains
* Christmas in Killarney - performed by Bing Crosby
* Curoo, Curoo Carol of the Birds - performed by Maggie Sansone, Andrea Hoag, Sharon Knowles, Patrick Egan
* Christmas Angels - performed by Clannad
* The Wexford Carol - performed by Alison Krauss, Yo-Yo Ma, Natalie McMaster
* Once in Royal David's City - performed by The Chieftains, The Renaissance Singers, David Drinkel
* Don Oíche úd I Mbeithil (That Night in Bethlemam) - performed by Celtic Woman
* The Kerry Christmas Carol - performed by Nora Cogan
* The Wren, The Wren - performed by Lisa O'Neill
* Oíche Chiúin - Chorale (Silent Night) - performed by Enya
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Dec 7, 2022
My Top Irish Names for Boys and Girls (#747)
In today's episode we share some old Irish names - quite beautiful ones - that are just some of our favourites for boys and girls. Perhaps you already have one or two in your own family?
We also share the story of Jimmy Hasty, an Irish footballer from Dundalk in County Louth and how I learnt a good lesson when I received som particular feedback on this story from one of our readers.
Running through today's episode we have the beautiful music of Cork songwriter Jimmy McCarthy. We hope you enjoy!
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Nov 30, 2022
The Leaving Of Liverpool, The Irish & The Beatles (#746)
This week we look at one of the most Irish of cities outside Ireland - the city of Liverpool on the western shores of Britain. It's a place that has seen over a million Irish pass through its port to stay in England, Wales and Scotland or to head to places further afield such as the USA, Canada, Australia and other locations.
We chat about just some of the Irish families who decided to stay in Liverpool - and their very famous descendants, four lads who formed a band called The Beatles.
We then look at just one Liverpool dock gate through which over a million Irish passed as they made their way off the steamships from Dublin and how that place has fallen off the radar. Maybe it's time to draw attention to it once again?
Lots of music along the way to enjoy!
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Nov 23, 2022
The Most Irish of Towns Outside Ireland (#745)
This week we look at the fact that there are many, many more people of Irish descent OUTSIDE the island of Ireland than on the island of Ireland. Many Irish immigrants brought their Irish placenames with them when they settled in a new country.
We look at just two cities with an Irish pedigree and chat about their Irish connections and links to specific places in Ireland. All this accompanied by music from one of the best Irish Diaspora bands - The Pogues. I do hope you enjoy!
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Nov 16, 2022
Galway Bay and the Music and Songs of Connaught (#744)
Welcome to this special musical edition of the Letter from Ireland podcast. We take a tour around the five counties - Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon - of the Irish province of Connaught. We have chosen two songs/pieces of music from each County with plenty of history and stories along the way. We hope you enjoy them very much!
As we move around the counties, Mike refers to a map of the province which you can find at https://www.aletterfromireland.com/744
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Nov 9, 2022
The Best Memorial for an Irish Ancestor? (#743)
In this episode we look at two types of storyteller. First, we have the "bard" who composes songs to honour the deeds and exploits of the great (and not so great) among us. In this case, a certain gentleman called "Thady Quill" had a song composed in his honour which has lived on long past himself.
We then move on to a storyteller who was immortalised in the book "The Tailor and Ansty". With plenty of Irish music and song to keep things lively along the way from the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Enjoy!
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Nov 2, 2022
How The Irish Saved Civilisation (#742)
In this episode, we look at the time of the Brehon laws of Ireland and take an example of just some of these Gaelic common laws that held our society together. We also chat about the Brehon families and some of the Irish surnames associated with these families.
We then go on to chat about the early Irish monks and some of the monastic-related surnames of Ireland. We tie it all up by linking to the book "How The Irish Saved Civilization" with lots of good Gaelic Chieftain music and more along the way. Enjoy!
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Oct 26, 2022
An Irish Halloween - Stories from "Samhain" (#741)
Join us on this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we tell some surprising stories from an Irish Halloween! Did you know that many of the rituals and traditions associated with Halloween came from the Celtic Festival of "Samhain" (pronounced "sow-en" - "sow" as pronounced in pig)?
Carina and Mike talk about the Celtic seasons and festivals, their own Irish Halloween memories - and tell two very special Irish stories linked to this time of year.
So, come on in - sit down and have a listen to these wonderful seasonal Irish tales of things that go bump in the night!
Note: This has been adapted from an earlier Halloween podcast published by Mike & Carina in 2018.
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Oct 19, 2022
Come Into An Irish Pub (#740)
In this episode, we feature two Irish Pub stories that are bound together. In the first, we chat about the book McCarthy's Bar - which gives a comical view of both the Irish Pub and the Irish by Pete McCarthy. We then travel to the pub featured on the cover of that book - McCarthy's Bar in Castletownbere - and tell the story of a special item at the back of that pub. With lots of Irish drinking songs to keep us company along the way!
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Oct 12, 2022
Grace Kelly & Maureen O'Hara - 2 Irish Movie Stars (#739)
Today we feature two Irish movie stars from the golden age of Hollywood - Grace Kelly and Maureen O'Hara. In one story we chat about the "Two Graces of County Mayo" and then we take a trip up Maureen O'Hara's ancestry tree. We even manage to uncover songs on which they feature. Not to be missed!
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Oct 5, 2022
15 Flowers - An Irish Musical Daisy-Chain (#738)
In this extended musical edition of the Letter from Ireland podcast, we share 15 songs performed by 15 Irish artists. Each song has a connection with the song that went before it - and the one that goes after it. Hence the title! We feature artists you may already be familiar with - Van Morrison, Mary Black, Lisa Hannigan - as well as many more you may be hearing for the first time. Lots of chat between the songs from Mike. We hope you enjoy!
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Sep 28, 2022
From The Vikings to The Normans (#737)
In this episode we look at the journey a branch of the Vikings took and established a Dukedom in what became known as "Normandy" in northern France. We look at their culture and traditions - traditions that they brought with them to England in 1066 and then onto Ireland in the late part of the 1100s.
From this group we have so many of the Norman-Irish surnames that we know today -Fitzgerald, Barry, Roche etc. We also feature the music of a singer from Gweedore in County Donegal who become known by the shortened version of her original Irish name - Enya". We do hope you enjoy!
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Sep 21, 2022
The Mother & Baby Homes of Ireland (#736)
In this week's episode we look at the way that unmarried mothers - and other "social undesirables" were treated in Ireland, especially in the period from the 1940s to the 1960s. Carina reads out two letters - one on the Magdalene Laundries and the other shares the story of one mother who never gave up on searching for her adopted son. This is quite a sombre episode - but I think you will find the overall message to be somewhat uplifting, see what you think!
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Sep 14, 2022
The Pogues & More - A Different Sort of Irish Music (#735)
In today's episode, we explore the different sort of Irish music that was coming onto the scene from the mid-1970s. We first look at the story of that great London-Irish band - The Pogues - and then onto the more subtle music of Paul Brady. In both cases, lots of background stories, music and craic. We do hope you enjoy!
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Sep 7, 2022
Danny Boy and The Music and Songs of Ulster (#734)
In this episode we take a musical trip around the nine counties of Ulster: Derry (Londonderry), Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. Alongside the immortal "Danny Boy", we feature at least one tune or song from each of the counties. I refer to a map while talking - and you can see the map in the shownotes at aletterfromireland.com/732 . This episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast was based on an earlier show we broadcast only to Green Room members. Enjoy!
Music Featured in this Episode:
* "Home to Donegal" performed by Daniel O'Donnell
* "Thíos chois na trá domh" - performed by Clannad
* "Danny Boy" - performed by Eva Cassidy
* "Carrickfergus" - performed by Jim McCann
* "My Lagan Love" - performed by Lisa Hannigan and The Chieftains
* "Star of the County Down" - performed by Van Morrison and The Chieftains
* "Boys from the County Armagh" - performed by Bridie Gallagher
* "The Monaghan Jig" - performed by Dé Dannaan
* "The To…
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Aug 31, 2022
Reporting The Great Irish Famine (#733)
In this episode we look at the many ways the Great Irish Famine was reported outside of Ireland - and the reaction from some of the groups that were exposed to that reporting. In one case, Mike's own ancestors were included in a report that went out in English newspapers in the 1840s. One of the letters covered looks at the way the famine was depicted through paintings - and the power such paintings had on the general public outside Ireland. Finally, we look at the impact the reporting of the famine had on one particular north American native tribe. With lots of music to enjoy along the way. Enjoy!
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Aug 24, 2022
Irish Pioneers in a Far Away Land (#732)
We look at the stories of two different Irish pioneers in early north America - in what is now the country of Canada. The first is the story of Denis O'Donovan - who had the opportunity to choose his final resting place - and the second is Tadhg O'Brennan who may have been the first "Irish-Canadian" . All accompanied by music from The Chieftains and local Canadian folk singers and musicians. Enjoy!
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Aug 17, 2022
Holland & Brown - 2 Irish Giants of Naval History (#731)
In this episode we look at the story of two men born seventy years apart on the west coast of Ireland - who went on to make a substantial mark on naval history. William Brown was born into poverty in County Mayo but went on to become the father of the Argentinian Navy while John Philip Holland from County Clare designed the first submarines used by both the British and US Navies. Two fascinating stories with lots of sea-shanties to enjoy along the way!
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Aug 10, 2022
When Did Your Ancestor ARRIVE in Ireland (#730)
Did you know that Ireland was an uninhabited, ice-covered piece of ground up to about 10,000 years ago? Since then, many waves of immigrants have arrived in Ireland and made it more of a "melting Pot" than many of us might imagine. In this episode we look at the arrival in Ireland of two of these groups - one to County Limerick in the late 1700s and the other to County Fermanagh in 1600s and 1700s. With lots of Irish music along the way. We do hope you enjoy!
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Jul 20, 2022
Old Irish Culture and Traditions (#729)
In this very special episode we take a trip around Inishmore - the largest of the Aran Islands - in the company of Cyril O'Flaherty. Cyril is a well known local historian and artist and gives a special insight into many old Irish culture and traditions as we travel around - many of which are still alive in this most beautiful of settings. Along the way, Carina and Mike have plenty of chat, craic and music. We do hope you enjoy!
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Jul 13, 2022
Ireland, Religion, Methodists, Quakers & Pennsylvania (#728)
What have all these words got in common? Have a listen to today's show and find out. We look at two of Ireland's minority religions - the Methodists and the Quakers. We tell stories, share music and make a surprising connection from a village in county Cork to the first Quaker colonies in Pennsylvania. We do hope you enjoy!
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Jul 6, 2022
Ulster Scots and the Orange Order (#727)
The 12th of July is a holiday across the 6 counties of Northern Ireland. It is the day that many celebrate by participating in marching bands, having barbecues and enjoying the holiday with their families in different ways. In this episode we look at the arrival of the Scots in the counties of Ulster - and the subsequent "first migration" in the 18th century to the colonies of north America where they eventually became known as "Scotch-Irish". We also look at the rise and (gradual) fall of the Orange order in Ulster. All accompanied by lots of music and chat along the way. Enjoy!
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Jun 29, 2022
Irish Proverbs and Irish Accents (#726)
In today's episode we chat about all things Irish - the Irish language that is! The first letter looks at Irish sayings and proverbs in their original Irish, how to pronounce them and what they mean in English. We then go on to examine how local Irish accents changed how one Irish surname was anglicised in different parts of the island. We also feature three very beautiful Irish songs in their original Irish. Hope you enjoy!
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Jun 22, 2022
Enjoy the High Spirits of the Irish (#725)
In this episode, Carina and Mike chat about Irish Spirits - Irish Whiskey and other fine Irish concoctions that is! They look at the the story of Irish whiskey - share some Irish drinking songs along the way - and then travel to the Green Fields of France for an unexpected link to a little village in the north of County Cork and the great Cognac houses of France. With lots of Irish history, surnames, genealogy, chat and craic along the way.
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Jun 15, 2022
The Evolution of Irish Music in 12 Tracks (#724)
In todays extended musical episode - called "The Evolution of Irish Music in 12 Tracks" - we bring you a very personal selection of Irish music from Mike. As he works (enjoys!) his way through a very personal selection of music, he chats about Irish history, culture and just why he selected each track for inclusion in this show. Enjoy!
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Jun 8, 2022
Solving The Mystery of Irish Surnames - Two Examples (#723)
Have you ever wondered how the Irish surnames in your family tree came about? Understanding just HOW your Irish surnames developed is KEY to understanding more about your Irish origins and likely locations in Ireland. In this episode we take two very different Irish surnames and use them to illustrate the sometimes simple - and sometimes unlikely - evolution of the surnames into their present form. Also, we have lots of great music and chat along the way!
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Jun 1, 2022
Inside the Hedge Schools of Ireland (#722)
In this episode we take a trip inside the "Hedge Schools" of Ireland - places of learning that were dotted around Ireland right up to the mid-1800s. We also look at the prevalence of so many biblical/latin first names in Ireland - names such as Jeremiah or Cornelius - and explain just why they were so popular. And lots of great music to enjoy along the way!
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May 25, 2022
Laurel & Hardy and an Irish-American Hero (#721)
What do Laurel & Hardy, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Mary Black and Carina Collins all have in common? They all feature in this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast where we focus on two recent movies and look at some of their surprising Irish connections. Enjoy!
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May 18, 2022
An Irish Bard - The Story behind a modern Irish Poet and Storyteller (#720)
Welcome to Series 7, Episode 20 of The Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina talks with a very unique individual that we discovered in the wilds of West Cork! Cormac Lally originally comes from Tullamore in County Offaly - but now resides in Skibbereen in County Cork where he makes a living as a modern Irish Bard. We worked with Cormac recently on putting one of our Green Room member's Family history to verse - and were delighted with the outcome! So, if you would like to hear the story of a modern Irish Bard - and hear that family history we mentioned - then please do listen on!
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May 9, 2022
On Opposite Sides - The Story of 2 Irish Civil War Generals (#719)
Today we tell the story of two Irish men who ended up fighting on the opposite sides of the American Civil War. One was Patrick Cleburne - also known as "Stonewall of the West" - who was born in the same village as Carina. The other was Thomas Francis Meagher - who came from Waterford - who escaped from his open prison in Tasmania to America where he was involved in leading the "Fighting 69th" before becoming the deputy governor of Montana. Two amazing stories of Irish emigrant men!
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May 4, 2022
Pride, Prejudice & The Irish Origins of a Great Literary Family (#718)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we take a literary turn! First off we have a look at that literary masterpiece of Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice - having fun with some of the Irish versions of the character's surnames. Then, we trace our way from County Down to Yorkshire in England to visit one of the outstanding literary families of modern times - and share more on their surprising Irish origins. With lots of great music along the way!
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Apr 27, 2022
PRONI - Past, Present & Future (#717)
Do you have ancestors who originated in the counties of Ulster? In this episode we interview Janet Hancock who is the Deputy Head of Public Services at PRONI (The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland). We chat about:
* Janet's role at PRONI and her own background.
* How and why was PRONI set up?
* How useful is PRONI online to family history researchers?
* What sorts of resources can be found at PRONI?
* Surprising things you will find at PRONI.
* Plans for PRONI for the future.
Many thanks to Janet for her time and insight - and also to Jayne McGarvey for setting it up.
Enjoy! Mike.
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Apr 20, 2022
Will You Travel with This Irish Saint? (#716)
We start this episode by hitting the high seas in the company of Saint Brendan the Navigator - a man who roamed the known (and unknown) world using the simple boats of his day. We then come back onto dry land and embark on a pilgrim trail towards Mount Brandon (named after the earlier mentioned Brendan) in County Kerry and reflect on how these trails mirror so much of our journey in life. All this and lots of music to enjoy along the way!
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Apr 13, 2022
An Irish Rebel Easter (#715)
As we approach Easter here in Ireland, the thoughts of many Irish people turn to the historic events around the Easter Rising of 1916. In this episode we talk about that time as well as another Irish leader who was killed 100 years ago this year. We also feature Irish rebel songs commemorating many of the rebellions and individuals who gave their lives down through the centuries.
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Apr 6, 2022
A Journey Along The St. Lawrence River (#714)
In today's episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast, we take a trip up along the St. Lawrence River in Canada with two stories linked to that part of the world. First, we stop off at Grosse Île just outside Quebec City and then we hear the story of two musical sisters and their Irish-descended family who were brought up not too far from the city of Montrèal in Quebec. Along with lots of chat and music along the way!
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Mar 30, 2022
It's Time for an Irish Census (#713)
Here in Ireland we are getting ready to fill in the population census for 2022. We use this opportunity to chat about the census down through the years and it's usefulness to genealogists and family historians. Carina also reads a letter all about an unusual question that the population were asked before the 1911 census and we dig a little deeper into the census records for her own homeplace at that time. All along with lots of music of course.
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Mar 23, 2022
An Irish Musical Education (#712)
This is a musical episode (with a running commentary) of the Letter from Ireland show. Over 10 tracks, Mike takes you through an Irish musical journey that shaped his growing awareness and appreciation of the Irish music that surrounded him. As he plays the tracks, he chats about Irish history, surname, culture and much more.
You will hear references to the Green Room members as this episode was previously released inside the Green Room. However, I think everyone enjoys a little Irish music. What do you think?
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Mar 16, 2022
Let's Celebrate St. Patricks Day (#711)
In this special episode we celebrate St. Patrick's Day! The parades and celebrations are returning in Ireland after a 2 year absence. Along with some very appropriate music, we chat about the first and sur-names that have come into being in honour of the Saint. We then go on to ask you "what do you enjoy most about your Irish heritage" - and then go on to share replies from our readers and listeners. Enjoy and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
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Mar 10, 2022
Would You Live on an Irish Island? (#710)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we visit the beautiful islands off the west coast of Ireland. For many centuries, these islands grew in population as the natives of Ireland were forced off good land on the mainland wandering even further westwards until they arrived at the sea. The islands offshore were the only option left.
The islanders had an isolated and hard life, but this isolation also brought about a unique sense of community and many islands became places that preserved ancient Irish traditions in song and culture.
Depopulation started to occur in the mid 20th century to the point where many islands have no full-time residents today - but, at the same time tourism brought about a rebirth of sorts. Will the availability of broadband lead to a gradual repopulation of many of these beautiful places into the future? Would you live on an Irish island?
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Mar 1, 2022
007 Meets Sherlock Holmes - An Irish Story(#709)
Today we take to the streets of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Edinburgh was the home to Seán Connery, the actor who played James Bond for many years. We also examine another native of Edinburgh - Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the immortal detective Sherlock Holmes. We chat about their Irish roots - and share lots of great music along the way.
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Feb 23, 2022
Murder in The West of Ireland (#708)
In this episode we cover two infamous real life murder cases in the west of Ireland during the 1800s. The first murder was as a result of mass evictions from an Irish estate during the famine - and the second involved a travesty of justice where the accused were tried in a language they did not understand. We've selected three pieces of music to accompany these letters:
* "The Great Hunger" - performed by The Wolfe Tones.
* "The Fields of Athenry" - performed by Paddy Reilly.
* "The West's Awake" - performed by Lumiére and Damien Dempsey.
We do hope you enjoy!
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Feb 16, 2022
Elvis and The Fighting Irish (#707)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we look at the place the humble Irish club called the "shillelagh" has in Irish history and tradition. Also, did you know that Shillelagh is also a place?The ancestors of a very special singer came from those parts - or did they? Lots of LOVELY Irish music also...
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Feb 10, 2022
A Valentine Card From Ireland (#706)
In this special St. Valentine's episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we share the story of Saint Valentine's association with the city of Dublin - and the tale of love and loss of a young couple who were married in Kilmainham jail shortly before he was executed for partaking in the Easter rising of 1916. Lots of LOVELY Irish music also...
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Feb 3, 2022
The Death of An Irish Chieftain (#705)
In this special musical episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we celebrate the music of the Irish traditional group known as The Chieftains. Following the death of their leader late last year, Paddy Moloney, we have come to the end of a musical career that has seen The Chieftains popularise Irish music around the globe and mix it magnificently with so many other musical genres. Their music, however, will live on!
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Jan 26, 2022
A Celtic Spring (#704)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we celebrate the upcoming season of Celtic spring here in Ireland - known as Imbolc. We choose music and stories to understand more of this significant time in the celtic calendar - a time that has been supplanted by the festival of Saint Brigid over time.
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Jan 19, 2022
Ireland, Scotland & Robbie Burns (#703)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we look at the overlap culturally between Ireland and Scotland. This is especially relevant as we approach the annual Robbie Burns night - what has effectively turned into Scotland's national day. Join us for plenty of chat, music, entertainment and a bit of education along the way!
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Jan 13, 2022
Two Irish Literary Giants (#702)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast, we look at the life and works of two of Ireland's most famous literary giants - George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce. We take an unusual angle on the stories of both and throw in some music to help set the mood for the time through which these iconic authors lived.
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Jan 6, 2022
All Gods Creatures Have a Place in the Choir (#701)
In this first episode of the Letter from Ireland Show for 2022 we share stories and music that highlight the esteemed place that animals have in Irish mythology and folklore, music and family surnames.
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Jun 15, 2021
What Drives Genealogists Crazy About Ancestry.com
In this episode, Mike Collins chats with Jayne McGarvey (our Green Room genealogist) about what drives a genealogist crazy about how some people use ancestry.com. We talk through the strengths and weaknesses of ancestry.com, problems specific to Irish ancestry research and how people can improve the way they use ancestry.com. Lots of nuggets from a practising Irish ancestry genealogist.
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Jun 3, 2021
One Story From The Irish Land Wars
Join Mike and Carina as they chat about just one reader story from the Irish Land Wars of the late 1800s. Our reader shares an amazing story of immigration and now understands the reasons why her family were so reticent about talking of their Irish family history.
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May 27, 2021
The Tithe Applotment Books - 7 Questions and 7 Answers
Join Mike and our head genealogist in The Green Room, Jayne McGarvey, as we chat about the usefulness of the Irish "Tithe Applotment Books" when discovering more about the location and lives of your Irish ancestors during the early 1800s.
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May 20, 2021
Join Us On a Trip Around The Aran Islands
Join Mike and Carina as we take around Inishmore - the largest of the Aran Islands which lies at the mouth of Galway Bay to the west of Ireland. It's a magical part of the world - and we travel around in the company of a very special tour guide.
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Apr 29, 2021
A Creative Mind Born From a Pandemic
We are (hopefully) at the closing stages of a pandemic as I write. However, our ancestors had to endure many pandemics and famines through the centuries - and all without the same access to medicines we enjoy today. Today's show is all about one famous Irish author whose mother had to endure a pandemic in her native Sligo town before heading off for a new life in Dublin.
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Apr 22, 2021
The Key To Understanding Your Irish Surnames (#602)
Did you ever wonder how the Irish surnames in your family tree originated and evolved? This handy guide talks you through many Irish first names - and how they eventually led to Irish surnames - with plenty of examples along the way!
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Apr 15, 2021
Join Us On A Lockdown Tour Of County Cork
Would you like to join us on a tour of County Cork as we emerge from Covid restrictions here in Ireland? We take you on a circuit of a part of County Cork - stopping in 6 different places full of Castles, Stone Circles, Villages and Market Towns.
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Oct 24, 2019
Join Our Genealogist on a Walk Through an Irish Graveyard - (#505)
Join Mike and our Green Room Genealogist - Jayne McGarvey - on a walk through the ancient Irish monastic graveyard of Monasterboice in County Louth. They discuss the various types of burial sites, Celtic High Crosses and the ancient Round Tower on this very special Irish Heritage Site.
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Oct 18, 2019
Where You Need to Start Your Irish Ancestry Search - 2 Reader Case-Studies (#504)
Our readers are very keen to trace their Irish ancestors back to a specific part of Ireland, and that is very understandable. However, it's often a better idea to dig up more leads and clues in the ancestors place of immigration BEFORE attempting to make the leap back to Ireland.
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland show, Mike takes 2 reader case-studies to illustrate how this approach might work.
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Oct 3, 2019
The Irish Scots - A Trip to Glasgow in Scotland (#503)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast show, we travel to the city of Glasgow in Scotland to meet two proud Glasgow natives of Irish ancestry. Come with us as we get a unique perspective on this city that saw the arrival of so many Irish immigrants from the 1800s onwards.
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Sep 19, 2019
The Life of Riley - A Trip Through County Cavan (#502)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we head to County Cavan and meet plenty of characters, visit some beautiful places and pick up the stories of this little-visited part of Ireland. Join us as we have the "Life of Riley" in County Cavan!
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Sep 6, 2019
The Holy Wells of Ireland - Saints, Cures and Tradition (#501)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we head to County Limerick and a townland by the name of "Patrick's Well". This place has been named after the Holy Well within it's borders - and we chat to the lady whose family has looked after this unique place for generations sharing stories, traditions and a cure or two!
The Letter from Ireland Show is a weekly podcast that goes out each Thursday from our cottage in County Cork. Tune in to this episode - and dive straight in to a bit of Irish caint, ceóil agus craic (conversation, music and craic!).
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May 31, 2019
7 Favourite Irish Ancestry Moments from Series 4 of the Letter from Ireland Show (#410)
As we reach the end of series 4 of the Letter from Ireland Podcast show, we'd thought we would share just 7 of our favourite Irish Ancestry moments. It was a tough choice and we hope you enjoy them!
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May 10, 2019
3 Signs You Are making Progress as an Irish Family History Researcher (#409)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show, we interview Jayne McGarvey - an Irish-based genealogist. Drawing on her expensive experience, we ask her to share 3 signs that you are making progress with your Irish family History research and she make made some very interesting suggestions that may surprise both those beginning their Irish family history and the more experienced researchers. See what you think!
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Apr 28, 2019
A Tale of Two Cities - The Tenement Museums of Dublin and New York (#408)
In the late 1800s, hundreds of thousands of Irish people moved into the Tenement Buildings of Dublin and New York. In this Podcast, we travel to the Tenement Museums of both Dublin and New York to get an insight into what life was like in these buildings for our Irish ancestors.
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Apr 12, 2019
From Queenstown to Ellis Island - A Journey in the Footsteps of Your Irish Ancestors (#407)
Would you like to take a trip with us from Queenstown to Ellis Island? Join us on a journey as we first travel to Queenstown (Cobh) in County Cork before touring around Ellis Island in the USA - meeting some very interesting people along the way!
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Mar 29, 2019
Irish Ancestry - Interview with an American Genealogist on tracing your Irish Ancestors (#406)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we chat with Pam Guye Holland - a genealogist based in Boston, Mass. In the interview we discuss how critical it is to gather all the local information you can on your Irish ancestors before attempting to trace their origins back to Ireland. And - we ask Pam to share some of her best hints and tips!
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Feb 28, 2019
12 Surprises - 90,000 Irish Questions and Answers over 5 years (#405)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we celebrate the 5th birthday of The Green Room (our member area) and the 6th birthday of the letter from Ireland. Over that time we have received and answered over 90,000 Irish-related questions. Carina and Mike discuss the 12 most surprising things they noticed over that time.
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Feb 15, 2019
Irish Genealogy - An Irish Family History Research Guide (#404)
Do you know where to start with your Irish Family History Research? Irish Genealogy has it's quirks as you may have discovered! In this episode we bring you around our new Green Room Research Wheel that we have recently launched for our Green Room members.
Join us on this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we look at the brand new Essential Green Room Guide to Irish Family History Research. This is a very different, interactive way to progress your Irish family history research. While you do need to be a member of the Green Room (see more here) to take full advantage of all the aspects of this guide - we feel a list to this podcast as we work our way around the Green Room Research Wheel will be beneficial for all people of Irish ancestry who want to know how to approach their Irish family history research.
You can see a picture of the Green Room Research Wheel at the top of the shownotes which you can find here.
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Jan 31, 2019
The Irish Festival at the start of a Celtic Spring (#403)
Join us on this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we look at a Celtic Festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring. Maybe you even celebrate it yourself? Our shared Irish ancestors had a lot of traditions around this festival – and the Saint who became associated with this time of year in Christian times.
The Letter from Ireland Show is a weekly podcast that goes out each Thursday from our cottage in County Cork. Tune in to this episode - and dive straight in to a bit of Irish caint, ceóil agus craic (conversation, music and craic!).
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Jan 18, 2019
Anglo Norman Surnames - Following the Norman Trail to Ireland (#402)
Join us on this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we look at the influence of the Normans on Irish surnames and families - we then take off for Wales where we visit just some of the castles where many of the originators of various Irish surnames in Ireland were born and bred.
If you have any of the following Irish names in your family tree, then you will be really interested in this episode:
Archdeacon/Cody, Aylward, Barrett, Barron, Barry, Bermingham, Blake, Bluitt, Bonds, Bourke, Brannagh, Brett, Brew, Britt, Britton, Brown, Browne, Bryan, Burke, Butler, Campion, Cantillon, Cantwell, Carew, Chambers, Clare, Codd, Cody, Cogan, Colfer, Comerford, Condon, Cooney, Courcey, Crosbie, Crozier, Cullen, Cummiskey, Cusack, D’Arcy, Dalton, Darcy, Day, Dillon, Fagan, Field, Fitzgerald, Fitzgibbon, Fitzhenry, Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimons, Fitzstephens, Fleming, Flemming, Francis, French, Furlong, Gibbons, Grace, Griffin, Griffith, Hackett, Hays/Hayes, Hussey, Jordan, Joyce, Keating, Lacey…
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Jan 4, 2019
The Irish in Australia - A Trip to Van Diemen's Land (#401)
Join us on this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we travel to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania in Australia) and visit some really interesting locations associated with Ireland's convict and emigrant association with the area!
So, come on in - sit down and have a listen to stories, people and places of this most beautiful part of the world!
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Oct 18, 2018
The Shopkeeper and the Irish Saint - My Grandfather's Hidden History (#309)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland show, Carina goes on a voyage of discovery (in more ways than one) as she uncovers the hidden history of her paternal grandfather: Bartholomew Cronin.
Join Carina as she begins at the shop where her grandfather worked and lived - and then she heads back to his home-place before journeying even further back to one very special place associated with an Irish saint in the beautiful wilds of West Cork.
So, do come along - we know you'll enjoy the trip!
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Oct 4, 2018
From an Irish Cottage to a Castle - A Journey into one Woman's Hidden Past (#308)
Carina never knew the surname that her paternal grandmother was born with - she only knew to call her "Granny"! So, we decided to find out a little more. What did we discover? Well, join us in this episode of the Letter from Ireland show as we go on a voyage of discovery - starting in a small shop in the Irish countryside - then on to a cottage on the fringes of Cork City - before finishing up at a grand castle.
There are lots of surprises along the way - and lots of mysteries solved also! This is a story that is both personal and universal, one that reaches from the present into the ancient past - maybe you have a story (or mystery) just like this one in your Irish family tree? Want to find out? Well, join us now as we start by asking Carina just what she knows - and does not know - about her "Granny Cronin".
Then, we hit the road and the records to find out more. We know you'll enjoy this journey!
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Sep 20, 2018
The Beatles - Meet The Liverpool Irish (#307)
The City of Liverpool in England has had very strong links with Ireland down through the centuries. In this Podcast, Carina takes you on a trip around Liverpool - through a gate that could tell a million stories, into "Paddy's Wigwam and then introduces you to four very famous sons of Liverpool - three of whom have direct Irish Roots!
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Sep 6, 2018
An Irish American Story - From County Kerry to Illinois (#306)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we follow the trail of an Irish Emigrant family all the way from County Kerry to Chicago and Illinois in the USA. Join us as we start in the family homestead just outside Listowel in County Kerry.
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Aug 10, 2018
Meet 5 Irish Heroes - People Making a Difference in Irish Heritage (#305)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show Carina introduces you to five very different heroes of Irish Culture and Heritage. She visits a man who restarted a Whiskey distillery that was in his family for hundreds of years, a woman who oversees the visitors to one of the best known books in the world, another man who discovered a hidden town on his property, an ex-political prisoner who brings people on political tours around his home town and finally a farmer who decided to refurbish the castle on his land. Five different stories that we think you will really enjoy!
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Jul 25, 2018
From The Mouths of Babes - A Wonderful Irish Ancestry Resource (#304)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show Carina introduces a wonderful Irish Ancestry Resource that many of us overlook when we are "scouring" the records for the smallest hint or connection. It also has the benefit of being very entertaining. It's called the Irish Schools Collection and I think you will enjoy what you hear - and find it very useful!
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Jul 19, 2018
Tales of West Cork - Will You Come to An Irish Hooley? (#303)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we preview the 2019 Green Room Hooley - by sharing memories, poems and some wonderful stories based around the areas where we are holding our Green Room gatherings.
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Jul 12, 2018
Meet the Ulster Scots - The Ulster American Folk Park (#302)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we go on a tour around the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, County Tyrone - meeting some fascinating people and learning all about what life was like back in the early 1800s for the local population.
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Jul 5, 2018
If the Walls Could Talk - A Visit to the National Famine Museum (#301)
Have you visited the National Irish Famine Museum in Stokestown Park, County Roscommon? Why not come along with us now as we take you on a tour of this fascinating place. You may even hear about one of your own ancestors.
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May 17, 2018
Voices from Australia - A Trip Along the Irish Ancestral Trail (#212)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show Carina looks back on our visit in March 2018 to Australia following the Irish Ancestral trail. We met some fascinating people along the way, all eager to share the story of their Irish roots - as well as visiting some sites associated with Irish heritage across the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
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May 10, 2018
A Summer Festival - Bealtaine, the Start of an Irish Summer (#211)
Have you ever heard of the Celtic festival of Bealtaine - marking the start of an Irish summer? In this podcast, Carina shares some of her special travels and memories at this wonderful time of year.
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May 3, 2018
DNA Testing - Our Experiences with Irish Ancestry DNA (#209)
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 9 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show Carina, Courtney and Mike discuss their own experiences (and opinions!) of DNA testing for Irish Family History research.
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Apr 19, 2018
One Listener's Story - A Letter from Australia to Ireland (#208)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show Carina and Mike chat about many useful aspects of discovering more about your Irish family history - all wrapped inside just one Australian reader's story - and her links back to one county in Ireland.
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Apr 11, 2018
Meet John Grenham - A Chat on the state of Irish Ancestry Records (#207)
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 7 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we join John Grenham - author of the definitive guide to Irish Genealogy - "Tracing your Irish Ancestors" - and more. Mike has a very interesting, and wide-ranging discussion on the state of Irish Family History records and research - all recorded at the National Archives in Dublin.
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Apr 5, 2018
Meet the Irish-Canadians - Following the Irish Ancestral Trail in Canada (#206)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we share just some of the interviews and commentaries we recorded as we made our way along the "Irish Ancestral Trail" from Newfoundland to Toronto in Ontario. We do hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making this show!
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Mar 28, 2018
Irish Revolution - Meet the man behind the Atlas of the Irish Revolution (#210)
In the episode of the Letter from Ireland Show we talk with Mike Collins - the publishing director of Cork University Press and specifically about their recent best-seller "The Atlas of the Irish Revolution". We cover a wide range of topics from the Atlas itself, Irish revolutionary history and also delve into Mike's own Irish ancestry. We do hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making this show!
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Feb 22, 2018
Irish Stories - More Stories from The Green Room (#205)
In this special episode, we select some stories from our annual Green Room Member Storybook. You will hear stories from our members sharing lots of memorable Irish experiences both in Ireland and closer to their own homes.
The Letter from Ireland Show is a weekly podcast that goes out each Thursday from our cottage in County Cork. Tune in to this episode - and dive straight in to a bit of Irish caint, ceóil agus craic (conversation, music and craic!).
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Feb 8, 2018
Saint Valentine of Dublin - His Life and final resting Place (#203)
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 3 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this show, we focus in on a very particular first name - Valentine! We look at a a very special connection between Saint Valentine and Ireland, get a poem for the occasion from our resident Bard - and Mike shares lots of insights on the first name Valentine - and the surname also!
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Feb 1, 2018
Obtaining Irish Citizenship - From Movie Stars to the rest of us (#202)
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 2 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode we talk about Irish citizenship through a story about a movie star and director you may know - and also share the perspective of our very own Courtney Bayne, an Irish-American living in Ireland for a number of years with her family as an Irish citizen. She also nominates a very famous surname for our Irish surname of the week.
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Jan 24, 2018
From Ireland to Scotland - A Tale for Burns Night (#201)
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this first episode of our new series we look actually take a look at the Scottish institution known as "Burns Night" - named after Scotland's unofficial national poet, Robbie Burns.
Side by side with only a bit of sea between, the countries of Ireland and Scotland have many shared histories. In this letter we will celebrate one of Scotland’s finest treasures, the gifted poet Robert Burns, for whom the holiday Burns Night is celebrated.
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Dec 21, 2017
Christmas in Ireland - Tales from an Irish Home (#119)
Welcome to Season 1, Episode 19 of the Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode we look at two stories about Christmas in Ireland - the second letter is all about Christmas traditions in Ireland, but before that we look at the unusual tale of an Irish Santa Claus!
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Dec 19, 2017
Religion in Ireland - Let's Take a Different Perspective (#118)
In this episode we look at two stories about Irish religion that may surprise you - the first about a religion leaving Cork for North America and the second about a religious community that came to County Limerick.
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Dec 19, 2017
Irish Baby Names - Do You Follow this Approved List? (#117)
In this episode we look at "Approved" Irish baby names that are found in our families - maybe you'll hear one from your own family?
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Dec 19, 2017
2 Irish Gentlemen - Tales of Integrity and Principle (#116)
In this episode we look at two qualities that are in short supply in the public world today - Integrity and Principle - and the stories of two Irishmen who had those qualities in spades! Why the picture of the puppy? Do read on and find out.
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Dec 19, 2017
Fake News? - How the Irish Famine was depicted abroad (#115)
In this episode we go back to the Irish Famine of the mid-1800s and look at ways at which news of the Irish Famine spread throughout the world - leading to reactions from the most surprising of quarters.
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Nov 16, 2017
DNA and Culture - Is Irishness your Nature or Nurture? (#114)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland show - we try to answer two questions: "Where did the Irish come from?" as well as "Is Irishness in your Nature or Nurture?"
I wonder if you will agree with some of our conclusions?
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Nov 9, 2017
Pride, Prejudice and Jane Eyre - An Irish Connection? (#113)
What can Jane Austen and the Bronte Sisters tell us about your Irish surnames - their origin and evolution down through the years? In this episode, Carina takes looks at Irish surnames through the lens of Jane Austen - specifically her novel "Pride and Prejudice" and then she heads over to the Bronte Sisters in Yorkshire via their origins in County Down in Ireland. Enjoy!
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Oct 26, 2017
Shackleton and Saint Brendan - Irish Explorers who took on the World (#112)
In this episode, Carina reads two of our letters from Ireland. First up we take a look at the story of Irish explorer who was also an Irish Saint: "A Voyage With Saint Brendan. Then, she introduces us to some more Irish explorers - famous for their antics in the Antarctic, as well as a well-known Irish actor whom you probably consider English: "Britons, Quakers and Kerrymen".
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Oct 6, 2017
Maud Gonne and Mrs. Brown - 2 Tales of Strong Irish Women (#111)
In this episode, we look at two stories of strong Irish women. The first story examines that well-known muse of the poet, W.B. Yeats - Maud Gonne. In the second story, we look at the mother of a man who you still see on the "telly" on a regular basis. Did you know that "Mrs Brown", also known as Brendan O'Carroll - has a mother with an amazing story of her own?
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Sep 14, 2017
Irish Placenames - A Journey along an old Irish Road (#110)
In this episode, Carina reads two of our letters from Ireland. First up we take a look at how Irish placenames receive those names, and the letter is called: "From Cows to River-Mouths". Then, she takes us on a journey along an old Irish road - one that was very important to our ancestors in reaching the markets of Cork City: "Come Back the Old Butter Road".
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Sep 7, 2017
A Trip to the Moon - In the Footsteps of 2 Irish Scientists (#109)
In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Show, we travel in the footsteps of two Irish scientists - one with a section of the moon named after them and the other responsible for the mathematics behind the computers we use today.
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Jul 14, 2017
A Moving Story - from the Bard of the Hooley
Here is Cormac Lally reciting his composition - A Moving Story - which we commissioned for the 2017 Green Room Hooley.
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Jan 28, 2016
A Trip to Ireland - The Secrets to Planning your Trip (#108)
In this episode we share our favourite ways to plan a great trip to Ireland.
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Jan 13, 2016
4 Irish Women - Tales of Adversity and Triumph (#107)
4 Irish Women - Tales of Adversity and Triumph
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Jan 7, 2016
Irish Placenames - Is Your surname hidden in one of these places? (#106)
Did one of your Irish surnames come out of one of these placenames in Ireland? It's surprising just how many places received their names from the local leading family - see if one of yours is here!
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Dec 24, 2015
2 Tales about Religion in Ireland (#105)
Do you have Methodist or Quaker ancestors in your Irish family tree? If the answer is yes, then listen on....
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Dec 18, 2015
Pete MacCarthy - Always Visit a Pub with your name over the door (#104)
We take a trip around some Irish pubs - and follow the advice of one Pete MacCarthy to "Always visit a pub with your name over the door"!
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Dec 3, 2015
A New Show - Welcome to The Letter from Ireland Show (#101)
Here we are with the very first episode of the Letter from Ireland show. What's it all about? Listen on....
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