Advertise on podcast: Irish Radio Canada

The Franciscan Friary The Franciscan Friary or the Abbey by which it is more commonly known was founded about 1389 by the 4th Earl of Desmond Gerald. Gerald was known as the Poet Earl, “Gearoid Iarla” . It is said that Gerald left his camp one night in 1398 and was never seen again. The Abbey is built on the . banks of the river Deell and has been a mecca for tourists down through the years. It is in remarkably good repair, and there are some splendid features including the Magnificent Cloisters, the beautiful Transepts, the Stephenson murall tablet, the East window, the carving of St Francis and a chapter room which is the final resting place of two Irish Martyrs. Blessed Patrick O’Healy and Blessed Conn O’ Rourke. The Franciscan Abbey is also the burial place of the Earls of Desmond. On October 5th 1579, after failing to take Askeaton Castle. Sir Nicholas Malby attacked the Abbey, set fire to town of Askeaton and the corn which was Grown by local farmers. In the Abbey he put a number of monks to death in the most gruesome fashion. He also wrecked the ancestral tomb of the Desmonds. Among the monks who were put to death were Fr. William Tenal and Fr. John Connolly who is buried in the chapter room. Malby seemed to have no apparent reason to attack and loot the Abbey other than seeking revenge in not being able to take to Castle. The Earl of Desmond (Gerald the 14th) was Furious at Malbys attacking the Abbey . He wrote a letter complaining “ Sir Nicholas Malby and His Army encamped within the Abbey of Askeaton and there most maliciously defaced the Old monuments of my ancestors, fired the Abbey, the whole town and corn thereabouts.” It is said that in 1627 the friars return to dwell among the ruins of the Abbey. The Catholic Confederate forces who had taken control of the Castle in 1642 , helped to repair part of the structure and it was re-established in 1643. Jerome Herbert was guardian of Askeaton Abbey from 1645 to 1650, Owen O'Callaghan was guardian to 1661 and William Hurley from 1661 to 1670. The last guardian was Francis Hickey in 1714. Part of the Abbey was used as a local parish church up to 1847 until it was accidentally destroyed by fire. Askeaton’s Franciscan Friary was always considered of very high ecclesiastical importance and a provincial chapter of the Franciscan order was held there in 1564.

Caherconnell is located in the heart of the Burren UNESCO Geopark and is owned and run by the Davoren family who have lived in this area for over 1000 years. A site of international archaeological importance, Caherconnell was inhabited up to the late 16th century. Finds uncovered during excavations of the site indicate that this was a high-status settlement and include jewellery, glass from Venice, and amber from the Baltic. Today, Caherconnell Stone Fort is one of the Burren’s premier tourist destinations and attracts visitors from all over Ireland and the world. Through interaction with expert local staff the traditions and heritage of Caherconnell are brought to life for the visitor. Situated in the heart of the Burren, 30 minutes drive from the Cliffs of Moher and Ireland’s stunning Wild Atlantic Way, this unique Irish ring fort offers you the opportunity to explore an exceptionally well preserved example of an ancient Irish stone fort. From generation to generation, stone lined pathways and drystone walls have been crafted with care. The ancient pathways will guide you around this prehistoric site as archaeologists work to unearth the secrets held within their magnificent walls.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary Blessed Virgin has had a long and eventful history. It was founded in 1168 on the site of a palace donated by Donal Mor O'Brien King of Munster. Experts believe that parts of the palace are incorporated into the present structure of the Cathedral. The most prominent is the West Door which tradition has it was the main entrance to the palace. The palace had been built on the site of the Viking meeting house. This had been the centre of government in the early medieval Viking city. The Cathedral has seen many changes as the city expanded around it and it remains today the oldest and most historic building in Limerick.

The Hunt Museum preserves and exhibits the original artefacts gathered, over a life time, by John and Gertrude Hunt and known as the Hunt Collection. The Museum also displays its own collections, as well as visiting exhibitions of Local, National and International significance with the overall aim of maximizing their cultural and educational potential for the people of Limerick and Ireland.

Anthony O'Gara CEO Rose of Tralee International Festival. Since last year’s postponement, we have been working on how best we could safely deliver some, or all, of the 2021 Rose of Tralee International Festival events at home and abroad. It has been a long and difficult 15 months for so many as a result of Covid-19, and its impact continues to be felt worldwide. The development, and the roll out of vaccines has brought much needed hope that a return to normal is in sight. Sadly, the timeframe envisaged to safely steer our communities out of this pandemic, and our responsibility to positively support those efforts, mean that we will not be able to have a Festival again this year, which is immensely disappointing for all of us involved. Last year was the first time in our history that the Festival was postponed, and doing so again is difficult for everyone involved and of course for those supporters that look forward to celebrating our global Irish community each August, but we are confident it is the right decision as we all play our part right now in keeping each other safe and well. The Rose of Tralee International Festival operates on a yearlong basis, in Irish communities worldwide; and we will continue to harness the goodwill of our extended Rose Family in supporting communities and charitable efforts over the next 12 months. Similarly, we will each have a role to play in restoring our community and local economy following this pandemic, and we look forward to coming together in celebration in August 2022.

Neil O'Dwyer Artist Working from my native County Tipperary since the early 1980s (except for four years with Ellis Displays in Adelaide, South Australia), I paint murals all over Ireland. My murals and artwork have featured in the press and on national television, in documentaries about renowned sports personalities such as Micheál O Muircheartaigh and the late great Moss Keane. I also featured on ‘The ‘Afternoon Show’ with a live interview by presenter Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh on RTE TV, and some of my work has also appeared on the Late Late Show. My work has also appeared on TV3, and in Ann Lane’s publication ’By The Way’, a photographic book about public art in Ireland. As well as painting murals all over Ireland, I also offer people the opportunity to commission original Paintings of their own, which might feature a loved one, favourite scene or whatever is desired. Murals are usually painted directly to a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface whether it be indoors or outdoors. They are ideal for creating a unique mood or ambience for a business, club or private home. Local history and sports achievements are just two of the popular themes which are often illustrated, but any subject under the sun can feature. Typical clientele include: Tidy Towns & Heritage groups Pubs & Bars Restaurants Hotels Sports Clubs Gyms & Leisure Centres Churches Private Homes Business Premises Schools Creches

Lourda Talty's Junior Art Students help out with Miltown Malbay Gets a Facelift. St Joseph's Secondary School Spanish Point students and Ms Talty volunteered to help out with the local community to bring a new lease of life to Miltown Malbay with their Creative Touches and Artistic Techniques. Thanks to all for getting involved and creating such a beautiful masterpiece not to mention building up a vibrant community spirit and atmosphere.

From Generation to Generation, a wonderful new Visitor Experience opened in 2019 and tells the stories of the many generations of people who have lived, worked, studied and prayed inside Kylemore Abbey’s solid granite walls.  The new Visitor Experience brings these stories to life in stunning fashion with the use of historical photographs, audio-visual presentations, displays of artefacts from the Kylemore archive, historical costumes, and beautifully restored period rooms. New visitors and old friends of Kylemore will be delighted with this fascinating experience which brings the story of Kylemore to life for this generation and many to come. Kylemore Abbey's Victorian Walled Garden is an oasis of ordered splendour in the wild Connemara Countryside. Developed along with the Castle in the late 1800s it once boasted 21 heated glasshouses and a workforce of 40 gardeners. One of the last walled gardens built during the Victorian period in Ireland it was so advanced for the time that it was compared in magnificence with Kew Gardens in London. Just a five minute walk from the Abbey, along the shores of Lough Pollucapal lies Kylemore’s enchanting neo-Gothic Church. Described as a ‘Cathedral in Miniature’, this fourteenth century style, elegant building is a lasting testament to the love of Mitchell Henry for his wife Margaret. On your visit you may be lucky enough to enjoy one of the many musical performances that take place here throughout the year.

Desmond Castle Newcastlewest Many of Ireland’s surviving medieval halls are in west Limerick. The Desmond Banqueting Hall in Newcastle West is one of the most impressive among them. It was begun in the thirteenth century by Thomas ‘the Ape’ FitzGerald, so named because of the story that an ape took him from his cradle to the top of Tralee Castle – and delivered him safely back again. However, most of the spacious, imposing structure was created in the fifteenth century, at the height of the Desmond earls’ power, and used as a venue for frequent and lavish banquets. The oak gallery, from which musicians would provide a raucous soundtrack for the revelry below, has been fully restored. Thanks to the Office of Public Works for granting permission for this recording

In a single breath, a childhood of dreams irreversibly changed into a life of challenges. It was a beautiful, warm summer on a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland. Fields of wildflowers, rock walls to climb, old forts to explore, wild blackberries and fuchsia plentiful and delicious, horses in the fields always hopeful for a clover from the other side of the fence, and warm cookies from Nana’s oven every day – a childhood of dreams for any 5-year-old. Until that morning when Ronan ran out into the road in front of his Nana’s house and was hit by a car. His parents and brother watched helplessly over his tiny, mangled body praying that he would live. Ronan tells the story of his long recovery, his physical and mental challenges, his happiest memories, and his journey to acceptance. His book will inspire you to look at the challenges in your own life and look for opportunities to grow from them. Ronan hopes to inspire other people with disabilities to try to embrace the gifts in their life instead of focusing on the challenges.