Sydney Irish Radio "bits" 2009

The Sydney Irish Radio Programme has once again finished 2009 as one of the top Irish radio programmes in Australia and around the world.

Mary Delahunty at 2ser fm	Louise Morrissey	NI conflict

In January 2009 we got off to a flying start when Mary Delahunty (on holidays from Ireland) the daughter of the great Irish Orchestra master of the 50's and 60's Mick Delahunty joined us live in the studio. Mary's recollection of her fathers times were most interesting and made for great radio. Touring Australia was current Tipperary and Ireland star of country music Louise Morrissey who phoned in while on her way down from QLD. Louise played to packed Smithfield RSL and also took part in the Tamworth country festival.

On the 18th January I featured the complete documentary "Awakening from History" by 2008 Walkly winning journalist Dr Colm McNaughton. Huge response to the program, the doco went back over the years of conflict in Northern Ireland

Mike O'Sullivan faxed me with the idea of featuring an Irish county segment each Sunday on the programme, great idea. I must admit Des Kennedy and Cyrl McNickloas had mentioned this idea to me some time ago as well.

Maureen McLaughlin was the first off the mark to join us on air and talk about her father's birthplace Co Antrim, and she did a mighty job. Maureen is well known in the community as treasurer of the Ashling Society of NSW and general supporter of most things Irish.

The next week Teresa Delaney gave us a great and informed summery of county Armagh, the orchard county. Teresa was herself a member of the Sydney Armagh Association for many years

Talk about a busy morning on the 8th of February! Tina King was the Carlow representative and gave us the run down the county which of course is famous for "Richie Kavanagh" among other things, great stuff Tina.

We then linked up with the lovely Roscommon born singer Caroline Eaton in Ireland. Caroline had just released her big hit Fair Blows the Wind a nice recording and what a delightful young girl.

County Fermanagh actor Ciaran McMenamin was in Australia to promote his latest TV Movie and DVD "The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce". He joined us on the phone for a chat, before he returned to Ireland. Ciaran has appeared in many other movies including, Co Kilburn and Titanic City

Co Cavan was next off the blocks on February 15th and John Connolly from the Cavan Association did his county proud! I didn't Cavan was shaped like a frying pan?

Dublin singer songwriter David Rooney spoke to us on the phone from Temple Bar in Dublin about his forthcoming album "This is my Home". David has played and sung all round Europe and is now settled back in Dublin

The big news on the 22nd February was that we were broadcasting from new 2ser studios at 11 The Broadway, Sydney. After a nervous start trying to work out all the switches etc we settled down and off we went!

The county of Clare featured on February with Mick Hanrahan doing a great job; yes we all know that Clare is the home of Irish traditional music.

Talking about traditional music Australian fiddle player Mick O'Connor joined us live and played some reels and gigs. On the phone we spoke to Cliona Molins a harpist from Dublin and now living in Australia

Cliona Molins	2009 Irish Bachelors	David Rooney

March the 1st was our second Sunday in the new studio and after a few hiccups we got on the way. Well known Irish business and Co Cork native Phil Garde told us about Ireland's largest county, Cork!

March 8th we are still battling with new studio but I think all is under control now!

The 2009 Irish Australian bachelor of the year Will McCauley called in for a chat. Will is from Dublin and working in OZ on a visa. He will lead the St Patrick's Day Parade this year. Talking about the parade Una and Gerard from the committee stopped off to inform listeners on last minute arrangements for the big day. Its parade day and the 15th March. All the gang are in the studio except Helen. Her daughter Kathy got married on Saturday, any excuse!!!Lots of community announcements, busy programme!

It's the 22nd March and yes the studio phone system is up and running! Ann McFadden gave us the good oil about county Donegal. Robert Edwards was on the phone from Tullamore NSW to talk about the Easter weekend Irish Festival. From Dublin Clodagh Donnelly from Barnardo's spoke about the "Origins Information and Tracing Service" which has a close link with Irish emigrants who came here from Industrial schools in Ireland. We had huge response toTommy Fleming give away, 7CD'S

Sad news to announce this morning: following a short illness our own Shay O'Hara passed away in Sydney. Shay was part of the music scene for many years in Australia. His early life was the front man for The Royal Blues Showband in Ireland. Interviewed author Anne Henderson who had just launched a book on the life of Enid Lyons the wife of ex Australian PM Joe Lyons

Anne Henderson	Shay O'Hara

Cathy Brazil gave us the run down on Dublin and did a fine job too.

Our good friend Mike Bailey joined the programme on this Sunday 5th April. Mike is at true professional and always popular with the listeners. It was the kingdom of Kerry's turn to be the featured county, Tom O'Keeffe was the presenter. Tom is well known in the community and is President of the Kerry association on NSW. Robert Edwards rang in the programme from Tullamore to give us the updates

Finola Carey did a mighty job this Sunday to tell about the beautiful county of Fermanagh, the home of Bellek pottery!

It was Easter Sunday and Dennis O'Flynn, President of the INA called to remind listeners of the Easter Service at Waverley Cemetery. Fr.Tom Deveraux called in with his Easter message as did Bishop David Cremin. We played plenty of good Irish songs of freedom, to be sure!

Did you hear about the truck Driver from Cookstown Co Tyrone? Well Diarmuid Scullin phoned from Tyrone to inform us about his site www.K9friendsunited.com it's for dog lovers and Diarmuid has emails from over the world to register on his site, which is free! His office is in the cabin of his truck!

Sunday 26th April and a busy programme. Kay Saunders visiting from Dublin called in for chat. Kay was the guest speaker at the Gaelic Club on the subject of famous manuscripts including The Book of Kells and The Cathach. Eilish from the Irish Language School Sydney also joined us

Ringo is a K9 Friend	Mike Bailey	Kay Saunders visits 2ser

Gerry Faulkner informed us about his native Galway and with great passion may I say. Anne Tomlin did her monthly book review and Mike Bailey called to assist. As usual Eva was busy on the phones and is a great asset to the show. Sandra completed the morning's 90 min programme with the news from Ireland.Sunday 3rd May and we were flat out! Brendan Locke brought us all the news on County Derry and in particular historical Derry City.

We had the draw for Tommy Fleming shows complete with CDS DVD'S etc.

International composer and speaker Monica Brown was back in Australia and joined us. Monica is the founder of Ministry of Monica Browne and spends a lot of her time in Ireland.

Taste Ireland donated a $90 hamper for Mothers Day and the phones ran hot. Pam O'Mahoney was the winnerIt's the 10th of May and mother's day, the show is so busy, poor Sandra on her own to do the phones etc. Tommy Fleming phoned in for a chat. Tommy is always so pleasant and great craic. No wonder his shows are selling out all over Australia. Eilish called in to remind listeners about the Irish Language School in June. Mick O'Neill gave us the run down on Kilkenny and didn't he do his research!! Well done Mick

Author Ber Carroll from Co Cork is based in Sydney and called to discuss her latest book The Better Woman and her life generally. Maurice Whelan gave us a very well researched segment on Co Laois

Tommy Fleming	Ber Carroll	Monica Brown

Sunday the 24th May, Derek Warfield founder member of the legendary Irish group The Wolftones, rang form New York. Derek is on his way down under with The Young Wolftones. What a gifted Irishman.

From Co Cork I spoke to healing visionary Mary Malone, the most travelled woman in the world and it was a great privilege to share some of her stories.
The situation with Immigration from Ireland is consistently changing; Anne O'Donohue from Immigration Solutions joined us

Mary Malone	Anne O'Donohue	Derek Warfield

Monica Zadro gave the good oil on the wee County Louth, well done Monica.

Being the last Sunday of May Anne Tomlin did her monthly book review.

June the 7th we were joined live in the studio by Hannah Bradley the 2008 Sydney Rose and also two of the 2009 entrants Bronagh Jordan and Romy Farrelly. Hannah who is originally from County Down did the County segment.

Conor McPherson's production St Nicholas is playing at Bondi Pavilion and the led actor Patrick Connolly joined us on air. Patrick is now one of Sydney's best known Irish born actors.

Patrick Connolly on right	2 Mikes and 3 Roses

Maurice Whelan who last year wrote an award wining book about the boat people and Australia rang to inform the listeners about his latest book of poetry The Lilac Bow

County Leitrim was the featured county on June the 14th and Peter Bohen's wife Jan did a marvellous job on her presentation

It's the 21of June and yes! the Hucklebuck led us into this morning's special Showband programme. Brendan Bowyer joined in from Las Vegas and Mary Darcy-Wilson from Ireland.

Myles Mooney ex Pat Lynch and the Aircords and Eamonn McRory ex Two's Company were live in the studio. A great hour of reminiscing on the years of the Irish Show bands.

Brendan Bowyer & Elvis	Twos Company	Myles & the Aircords

International Rose of Tralee Aoife Kelly is in Sydney for this years Sydney finals and she called the programme to have a chat. Aoife is from Tipperary and is a fine ambassador for the 50 year old pageant.

Michael Healy lead off today with his run down on Co Offaly, King's County. Anne Tomlin was sick so Eva and I played lots of Irish music.

It's the 5th of July and I'm off to Ireland-Europe for a 5 week break so we played lots of music and song. Mike Bailey and the crew are keeping the show going while I'm away-safe hands!

Venice	with comedian Jim Owen	Clonmel-Frank Patterson

Back on deck, it's 9th August. Sad news while I was away, the passing of Tim O'Shea, also Ned Keating from Tipperary.

Kath Healy gave us a detailed and informative run down on her native Limerick. Gerry Faulkner called to tell us about The Turning Wave festival at Gundagai in September. Annalisa Kerrigan is becoming a major recording star and we talked to her from Melbourne about her Sydney concert tour. Tom Power phoned in to remind listeners about next Sunday's 10th Famine Celebrations ant Hyde Park Barracks

I interviewed Derek Leinster, author of Hanna's Shame. Derek lives in the UK and is very involved in a movement to recognize the abuse of children in "other" faith institutions'

Aoife Kelly	Hyde Park Barracks	Derek Leinster

Eva covered details of her native Monaghan and may I say very well done!

It's the 6th of September its father's day and All Ireland hurling day. Betty joined us from Dublin and predicted a Kilkenny win! Unfortunately she was right!

Irish fiddle Ruori McGorman just off a flight from Ireland joined us in the studio and played a few tunes, nice lad from Co Meath.

Carmel Nugent told the listeners about Co Waterford, well done Carmel.

It's the 13th day of September and Tyrone man Frankie McGuigan from Townsville does a great on the county segment. We talked to Sean O' Farrell in Ireland about his latest CD

Sinead, Dee and Patrick called in to tell us about the newly formed Irish Brekkie Club in Sydney,

Patricia from Sligo joins us live in the studio to present the Sligo segment, and also talk about her Scottish programme on 2RRR.

Van Diemens Land move is just released and we talked to lead actor Oscar Redding. The movie is getting great reviews.

It's All Ireland Football day in Dublin, Cork V Kerry.

It's the last Sunday in September and Anne Tomlin has a big line up of books to review. Tom Power does a mighty job presenting Co Tipperary in our special segment.

Our old friend Michael Regan joined us in the studio to present his native Co Roscommon. Good one Michael! Big response to MUNDY gives away.

Co Kildare arrange by the programme was featured on 11th October with Sandra doing the presentation (where was all the Kildare folks?). Damien Leith also dropped in and talked about his new album "Remember June". Phone went mad when we gave away tickets for Damien's concert in the State. He is a popular lad!

Sean Keenan from Co Longford informed us about his county on Sunday 18th October and did a fine job, may I say!

Ann Tomlin returned with her book reviews and Sandra presented Co Meath (no Meath people to present their county?). I talked to Aaron Dunne about his new book "GAA around the world" and the big news Mulligan's was voted the 2009 best restaurant in Sydney, Eileen was on the phone and thanked all the listeners for the support.

Oscar Redding	Anne Tomlin	Damien Leith at 2ser

Talking about books on the 1st of November I had Christine Horgan on from Kinsale, Co Cork to talk about the book "Dear Sebastian". We had unprecedented response and took over 50 orders for copies of this remarkable story!

It's count down time for our county segment with only 3 counties to go! Sandra did a fine job with Wexford, so it's Mayo and Wicklow left!

Spoke to actor Alan Faulkner today who is starring in "The Christian Brothers" opening in Sydney soon.

Tom McNamara did the Mayo segment and sang a song! It's 15th November, Myles Mooney is back from tripping around Ireland and South Africa. John Hennessy called in to talk about "Inspire" an organization helping to fund a program for youth suicide.

It's the Co Wicklow segment presented by Suzie Toomey and she did a fine job. That concludes the 32 Counties of Ireland and the segment has been accepted very well. Michelle and Catherine from the St Patrick's Day parade committee came in to get things going for 2010 parade. We had a give away for Wolftones Sydney concert tickets and Tasteireland.com gave us a Xmas hamper to give away.

The last Sunday of November and Anne Tomlin's monthly book reviews! Easy programme lots of music and song.

December the 6th and Bishop David celebrates the live studio Mass with a studio audience. Very popular and now part of our annual presentation.

Bishop David	2ser-fam logo	Team at 2ser Mass 2008

I had a break this Sunday 13th. Anne Tomlin presented the programme with Sandra and Annie.

It's the Sunday before Xmas Day 20th December and we had a great craic presenting the 2009 Xmas special. Request, music, song, stories and give always.

The final programme was on the 27th December. Anne Tomlin gave a run down of books of 2009

That's a run down on 2009 Sydney Irish Radio

I would like to acknowledge the financial support of our major sponsors: Liverpool Smash, Eblana Travel, The Mercantile Hotel, Penrith Gales Club, Catholic Weekly, Mulligan's Irish Restaurant and Taste Ireland

Our web sponsors: Garde, Anti Damp, and The Gaelic Club. Ann Donohue and Associates. The Irish Shop

I would like to also thank Mike Bailey who assisted us during the year especially when I needed a break. Mike is a great friend, a true professional.
Gerry Faulkner one of the most professional MC's going around .Your assistance with sponsorship production has been much appreciated.

To my own team on Sydney Irish Radio I'm indebted to you for your generosity of time and loyal support. To have a dependable team is paramount to the production of live radio and we have the best!

Thanks to Sandra, Helen, Eva and Annie. To Ann Tomlin who continues to bring all the latest in books to the listeners and helps out in the technical dept. when I'm away. Thanks Myles who is our resident once a month historian and has knowledge on many and varied subjects, Irish and more. And of course all the overseas and local guests who appeared on the shows over 2009

I would like to thank station manager Philip Shine and the 2ser team for the continued support of our programme.

In conclusion my sincere thanks to the listeners on 107.3fm and www.2ser.com. who listen in every Sunday, you are fantastic.

Irish radio has a presence on 2serfm for over 30 years. It's important to keep the programme informative, interesting and relevant. In this vain I really do value and invite constructive comments from listeners.

Contact me: sydneyirishradio@ser.com or 0414 423 533

So we go into 2010 another year older but still with energy and enthusiasm to do the best we can, and that's all anyone can ask, be the best you can!

"May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back"

Regards
Michael Lyons