Erin's Isle Podcast

They have become a huge part of tourism fo9r Scotland and they could not be more adorable. Hear all about the Highland Coos and where you can spend some time with them yourself...in this episode of Erin's Isle.

If you travel out the Dingle peninsula even farther than Dingle, there is small community called Dunquin. It's remote out narrow windy roads...but well worth it to see the views and feel the tranquility. And I was lucky enough to find a poet who captures it all with photographs and his words. Hear his story and his poetry in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Protecting Ireland's culture is an art in itself. And this episode of Erin's Isle explains how falconry, Claddagh rings and the bellringers of Dublin are working to do just that.  Hear from one of Ireland's falconers who is sharing his passion and craft with all those interested; a man credited with keeping the true design of the storied Claddagh ring alive; and how those who ring the bells at Christ Church Cathedral compete with other bellringers and yet have a brotherhood focused on keeping it true. It's all in this episode of Erin's Isle.  

Have you ever noticed how many sheep there are in Ireland? A lot. And that means there quite a need for well-trained sheepdogs. Joe Joyce knows all about both, the sheepdogs and the sheep. He runs Joyce's Country Sheepdogs in Connemara. Hear how he trains them, how to know if you have a good one, and why all the sheep are so colorful, in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Bagppipes are an unmistakable instrument all over Scotland. And Glasgow has a National Piping Centre where you can learn all about the history of the bagpipes, how to play them and how they have evolved since the 1400s.  Hear the pipes...the pipers and the story f the bagpipes in this edition of Erin's Isle.

Ever wanted to learn the history of whiskey....as you sip it? Bruce MacGregor offers just that at his bar in Inverness. He explains the historic events relative to whiskey distilling in Scotland plus he accompanies the sipping and the history with his own award-winning fiddle playing and interesting anecdotes.  You can experience the Malt Whiskey Experience for yourself in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Trad sessions in Ireland always draw a crowd. But it is almost always a crowd there to listen. Dabilla is changing that. Anywhere they play they draw. crowd alright, but it's a high energy, highly involved crowd singing along, clapping, and feeding off he energy produced. That's because Dabilla blends traditional instruments and technique into a new approach to classic Irish tunes and popular music. Think uillean pipes playing the part of an electric guitar, or a tin whistle soloing through The Fields of Athenry.  Hear how it all comes together in this episode of Erin's Isle.

The Kilbaha Gallery on the Loop Head peninsula is a showcase for painting, sketches, sculptures and history.   Not only do they focus on Irish artists, it is the home of famous Irish bronze artists James and Seamus Connolly. Hear the story of their foundry, their aftwork and their love of what they do, in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Kenmare Lace played a big part in sough County Kerry's history. And the Lace design center in that village is working to educate people about the different types of lacemaking in Ireland, and to keep the art alive. Kenmare is also known for a three thousasnd year old stone circle many say has magic powers. Hear about both in this episode of Erin's Isle. 

The Dursey Island Cable Car travels a short distance from the tip of the Beara Peninsula to the island and back. And it is a lifeline for those who live and work on the island. And it is an adventure for those visiting. Take a ride on the Dursey Island Cable Car in this edition of Erin's Isle.

Experience a truly Scottish find. MacGregor's Bar in Inverness is the real deal. It celebrates Scotland through food, libations, atmosphere and music.  Owner Bruce MacGregor, is also a member of a famed Scottish band, Blazing Fiddles. But his bar is about keeping Scottish music alive with all other bands in the area. Hear the magic for yourself in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Inverness is home to the largest second hand book store in Scotland. You'll hear all about what you can find there and the man who is behind that bookseller's business in this episode of Erin's Isle. Plus you'll meet one of the change ringers at St. Andrews Cathedral. She stumbled into it and says it's changed her life. All that and more in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Inverness is a city in the north of Scotland, steeped in tradition from music to food to attire. It's one of those places where kilts are not just worn for the tourists...but for everyday wear. And in a little shop called Chisolm's Highland Dress you'll find tradition wrapped in tarten and adorned with a sporran. Heather has been making kilts there for 60 years.   "A kilt is 8 yards of fabric and it takes time to get the pleating right," she says. "It's an art and it is founded on tadition. And even though we have become a society of 'wants', meaning you want this plaid or that instead of the one assigned your clan, we believe in the old ways of doing things. That means doing things right every time." And she means it.  Hear her take on kilts and traditions in this episode of Erin's Isle.

Ireland is known for its dairy products, but Johnn Lynch in Macroom, west of Cork City, is putting dairy in the spotlight himself with water buffalo. That's right, he has established a substantial water buffalo industry. And his Water Buffalo Mozerella and other products are becomeing a national hit. 

Newgrange is a passage tomb located in Ireland's Ancient East. It is one of many monuments there. But what was it actually used for?  Anthony Murphy has studied and written extensively about Ireland's Ancient East. From the henges to the tombs and from the dolmens to the standing stones, he has written 7 books about them. Hear his views in this episode of Erin's Isle. 

Ireland is a land of wool. And in this episode of Erin's Isle, visit O'Maille's on High Street in Galway to see the variety of stitches, patterns, and wools the Irish are known for. Anne O'Maille has been knitting for 7 decades and is always happy share secrets with her customers.  

UCD's Scholars Choir has been an award-winning internet-famous, crowd-pleasing act for years. It began 23 years ago with  Artistic Director Desmond Earley and continues with him in charge. But even with a guest director the group is unbelievable. These singers are mostly scholars in other disciplines across the UCD campus. Only a handful are music majors. But their sound is intoxicating whether they are singing a capella, with an orchestra or with other famous Irish performers.  Hear their magic in this episode of Erin's Isle.

While Ireland brings visions of whiskey and Guinness to mind, Listoke, north of Dublin has opened Ireland's first all gin distillery and giin school. You can learn all about the business and all about distilling your own, in a 3 hour session at the school. They provide the botanicals and the stills, the rules and the recipes. You go home with an education and a bottle of gin distilled to your own specific tastes. Learn all about it this edition of Erin's isle

Michael Kelly is a fiddler who can play anything from rock and roll to bluegrass to jazz. But these days he focuses in on the musice that is in his heart; Irish Music. And while in Reno recently he enchanted the crowd with drinking songs, ballads and instrumental that make you dream of the Emerald Isle.  Hear his story and his music on this episode of Erin's Isle.  

When you visit the city of Cork, don't miss the hidden gems: the butter, the bells and burros.  That's right there is a museum there dedicted to butter, you can ring the Shandon bells if you are willing to climb the tower, and not far from Cork the Donkey Sanctuary houses and cares for hundreds of donkeys turned out on their own when agriculture in Ireland was motorized with tractors. Hear all about it in this episode of Erin's Isle.