6 4 21 iIrish: Songs, Stories & Shenanigans, Podcast31: w Guest Carbon Leaf Appearing at Robins Theatre, June 10th!

When you want to know, where to go, what to do, to be seen, to make a difference, you come here, to iIrish: the Truth & the Pulse of what matters. And you know, we’ve always been green.

After listening, I hope you will feel we have a great show for you today.

So, let’s get to it ~What’s the news today?

Tonight, I am looking forward to seeing Cats on Holiday Duo @Hooley House Westlake, or maybe Barleycorn at the West Side IA Club. Tomorrow is the Cleveland St Pat’s Gaelic Football Men’s team taking on The Buffalo Fenians at the West Side Irish America Club. A woman’s team scrimmage is at 11 and the youth team plays at 2:30. Find out more, and new players are always welcome.

Sunday is D-Day: Thursday the 10th Carbon Leaf plays at the Robins Theatre in Warren, Ohio. This is a location change from Kent Stage. Friday through Sunday are the Motor City and the Riverfront Irish Fests; and Cleveland St Pats Hurling Club takes on The Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club Saturday the 12th at the West Side Irish America Club. On the 14th our next eBulletin goes out to the more than 12,000 fun loving, opted-in subscribers and Gormley’s Irish Pub has their monthly Monday Whiskey & Cigar Tasting event, this time w special guest Whiskey Ambassador Barry Chandler; & on the 16th, the annual Bloomsday celebrations take place all over the world, rounding out the events we know about until our next podcast, 2 weeks from today, on June 18th.

Sounds like a great coupla of weeks. There is a varied mix of celebratory and solemn events coming up, for sure, each deserving of our attention. So, make plan, if you can. AND remember: Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened! No Regerts!

Have you picked up or read online the June issue yet? It is a great, varied and informational issue.

Of course, it is free at 367 locations across Ohio and in NY., PA., KY., IN., MI. and our OhioIANews.com website.

So, what happened, On This Day in Irish History?

On the 7 June, 1899 - Elizabeth Bowen was born in Dublin. She was a novelist and short-story writer, best known for her novel, The Last September.

On the 8 June 1917 - The Butte, Montana, mine disaster fell: there were 168 dead, including many Irish, when fire broke out in a mineshaft. Butte was the US’s foremost mining town at the time, with a population of 50,000, a quarter of whom were Irish, mostly from County Cork.

On the 10 June, 1944 – was the death of Frank Ryan, prominent leader of the Irish Republican Army, who led 200 Irishmen to Spain to fight against Franco. It is said that the character “Liam Devlin” in the Jack Higgins thriller The Eagle Has Landed, is based on Frank Ryan.

On the 15 June 1919 - Captain Jack Alcock and Lt. Arthur Brown completed the first transatlantic flight, when their Vickers Vimy biplane landed near Clifden, Co. Galway, after a 2,500km (1,500 miles) flight from St. John’s Newfoundland.

On the 16 June, 1904 - James Joyce first went walking with Nora Barnacle; it became the date on which everything takes place in Ulysses and is known as Bloomsday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 21 21 iIrish: Songs, Stories & Shenanigans, Podcast30: w Guest New Irish Consulate General of Ireland, Kevin Byrne

When you want to know, where to go, what to do, to be seen, to make a difference, you come here, to iIrish: the Truth & the Pulse of what matters. And you know, we’ve always been green.

After listening, I hope you will feel we have a great show for you today.

So, Let’s get to it ~What’s the news today?

Tonight, I am looking forward to seeing Achill Island play at PJ. McIntyre’s. The Mickey Finns are playing at Byrne’s Pub. Tomorrow is the Cleveland St Pat’s Gaelic Football and Hurling Clubs Night at the Races Fundraiser at the West Side Irish America Club. Sunday is the Fire Fighters Fundraiser @PJ McIntyre’s. Tuesday is the deadline to register for elections. Wednesday the June issue of the Ohio Irish American News comes out. June 2nd is the mask burning party @Gunselman’s.

Sounds like a great coupla of weeks. There is a varied mix of celebratory and solemn events coming up, for sure, each deserving of our attention. So, make plan, if you can. Now remember: Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened! No Regerts!

Have you picked up or read online the May issue yet? It is a great, varied and informational issue.

POf course it is free at 367 locations across Ohio and in NY., PA., KY., IN., MI. and our OhioIANews.com website.

So, what happened, On This Day in Irish History?

On the 24th of May, 1928 – was the birth of William Trevor (Cox), prolific and Pulitzer Prize winning short story writer and novelist, in Middletown, Co Cork. (Felicia’s Journey and The Story of Lucy Gault).

29th of May, 1917, birth of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Brookline, Massachusetts.

*** Enough looking back; let’s get to the good stuff! Our guest today is the new Consulate General of Ireland, Kevin Byrne. If you haven’t worked with a Consul General, you may wonder, what is a Consul General and what do they do? Well, I’d rather hear the gospel from the priest, so please welcome Consulate General to Ireland, Kevin Byrne.

Hello Kevin! Welcome to iIrish Songs, Stories & Shenanigans podcast. It is good to see you again, even if it is via Zoom, as we make the best of things.

· How has your transition to Chicago gone?

· Tell me your work - Origins, mission, goals and benefits of a Consul General

· How has it gone, esp during COVID?

· Are there other Consul General’s in the US/ Across the world?

· Where were you stationed previously?

· Your work as the Consul General here in the U.S., to me, is about a bit of a dream – the Irish American Dream, but perhaps unity and hope, today and for the future as well – tell me about that. What are you were aiming for with your work?

· If we were having this conversation three years from today, what would have to happen for you to feel happy with your progress?

· We always ask, any stories from the road, but the road now is a distant memory – still, any stories?

· What have you enjoyed doing the most?

· Woodie Guthrie said, ‘You write what you see’. Has that held true for you as a leader? What did you see in the Foreign Service that made you choose that as your career?

· Cleveland was once a booming town, and thankfully, is now again. Yet, I am the last of the First Generation here. My dad came from Roscommon. How do we make those who are looking for a new place to build their dream, aware of the opportunities available to young people, here in Cleveland, to achieve their dreams?

· For those of us waiting on our Irish Passports, while the embassy in Dublin is closed, any insight on when we might see a reopening, and the processing of the dual citizenship passports?

· What are you reading or watching? Any reccs?

· So, what happens now for you?

Thank you for joining us today; I know you are a busy, traveling man, and we appreciate your insight and support.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast28: Remembering Bobby Sands, 40th Anniversary of his death on Hunger Strike

After listening, I hope you will feel we have a great show for you today.

Y’know, we’ve always been green.

When you want to know, where to go, what to do, to be seen, to make a difference, you come here, to iIrish: the Truth & the Pulse of what matters

So, Let’s get to it ~What’s the news today?

Well, the Yeats Tour yesterday was spectacular. Check it out for the online recording, and the next event. On Monday, my niece Lynnie is officially adopted, even though she has already been a member of our family for some time ~ I can’t wait; Tuesday is the Ancient Order of Hibernians Ohio State Convention, virtual this year; Wednesday, the May issue of the OhioIANews comes out, and President Biden addresses the nation; Thursday is the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Irish Immigration presentation (virtual), and Thursday thru Sunday, the NFL Draft is hosted here in Cleveland; Sunday is Eastern Orthodox Easter; Monday the 3rd the new eBulletin comes out; Thursday the 4th is a primary election in many U.S. cities; the 6th is National Day of Prayer, and on our next podcast, St. Pat’s Gaelic Football Club President and Taking the Fields of Glory Columnist Vincent Beach joins us in the studio. On the 21st Podcast, we have new Irish Consul Kevin Byrne joining us.

Whew! Sounds like a great coupla of weeks. There is a varied mix of celebratory and solemn events coming up, for sure, each deserving of our attention. So make plan, if you can. No Regerts!

Have you picked up or read the April issue online yet? I cannot do justice to it, for I believe it is one of, if not the best, issue we have ever compiled. Pick one up at any of our 367 locations; the complete list of all distribution points, sorted by zip code, is on OhioIANews.com. It is free, or see the interactive copy online, with more to the story: more text, more pics, stories that didn’t make the print edition and LARGER Print.

Stories on the legendary Sarah Makem, mother of Tommy Makem; Cleveland Irish Baseball in America; The Gaelic Football and Hurling Tournament coming to Cleveland next month; an Illuminating story on The Whiteboys, relative to today’s world; new Toledo Irish Columnist Molly McHugh’s Levi & Lilacs Coffee Pub; and a new occasional feature on Stone Mad, a joint effort by a Cleveland man John Digney and the Dry Wall Association of Ireland to understand and preserve the story of stone walls prevalent throughout Ireland. The walls were not randomly built; you will be very surprised at the meaning and measure taken there.

So, what happened on this day in Irish history?

On 23 April 1926 –New York novelist J.P. Donleavy was born. He was the son of Irish immigrants. He later moved to Ireland and wrote The Ginger Man, which became one of the top 100 selling books of all time in Ireland.

On 29 April 1901 - James Stephens, chief founder of the Fenian Brotherhood, died.

On 3 May 1903 - Bing Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington, as Henry Lillis Crosby.

On 5 May 1981 – Bobby Sands, the first republican prisoner to go on and to die in the 1981 hunger strike, went home to God.

I would like to tell you a bit about Bobby, and in context, the rest of the 1981 Hunger Strikers. Like everything Irish – the connections go person to person, family, village, generations and across ocean’s wide. The background begets better understanding of who we are, and why it matters. This was NOT the first Hunger Strike utilized by “those insolent Irish” in their fight for freedom from

British Rule. To me, it was earned, at a terrible cost. It was the highest cost. I believe it was horribly effective, in producing change.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast27: Éabha McMahon’s Butterfly

We’ve always been green. When you want to know, where to go, what to do, to be seen, to make a difference, you come here, to iIrish: the Truth & the Pulse of what matters

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to iIrish; Songs, Stories & Shenanigans. Our guest today is former Celtic Women alto AYE-vah Mac-MA-hon. Can’t wait to chat with her. After listening, I hope you will feel we have a great show for you today.

What’s the News, What’s the News? What’s the news today?

Well, the first day of Ramadan is on Monday; The next eBulletin comes our on the 19th (make sure you are signed up!); Administrative Professionals Day is on the 21st, Earth Day is the 22nd and the next Podcast is the 23rd.

There is a varied mix of celebratory and solemn events, for sure, each deserving of our attention.

Did you get the jab yet? I get my 2nd one on Monday, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, I highly encourage you to call the 866 number, rather than try and book online – When I called, I got an appt for the next day.

Our April issue came out last week. I cannot do justice to it, for I believe it is one of, if not the best, issue we have ever compiled. Pick one up at any of our 367 locations, or see it online with more text, more pics, more info and LARGER Print. The complete list of all 367 locations is there as well.

Stories on the legendary Sarah Makem; The Captures of Cash, which is a new feature highlighting Irish historic sites today, by photographer John Cash; Cleveland Irish Baseball in America, The Gaelic Football and Hurling Tournament coming to Cleveland next month; an Illuminating story on The Whiteboys, relative to today’s world; new Toledo Irish Columnist Molly McHugh’s Levi & Lilacs Coffee Pub; and a new occasional feature on Stone Mad, a joint effort by a Cleveland man John Digney and the Dry Wall Association of Ireland to understand and preserve the story of stone walls prevalent throughout Ireland. The walls were not randomly built; you will be very surprised at the meaning and measure taken there. Plus, we have our Speak Irish monthly lesson; Safe Home wishes to Tom Bodle and Beverly Connolly. And of course, there is humor, opinion, Kid’s Craic and Colours contest, profiles and history, book and music reviews and the monthly Irish Crossword Puzzle. The crosswords are a great way to learn or refresh your Irish knowledge, history and folklore, and all past issues, with the crossword inside, are available on our website, OhioIANews.com.

Our April cover shot and Inner View this month is an extensive conversation with Irish American Melissa Fitzgerald, former West Wing show and other TV, live and film actor veteran, now leading Justice for Vets, a non-profit organization based in DC that works to help Vets. It was probably the most interesting Inner View I have ever done.

The stories are shared on our Facebook, twitter and Instagram pages, of course. Part II of Melissa’s story will be in the May issue, which comes out April 28th. All of the stories, with more pics, more text and LARGER print, are lodged online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.