Sydney Irish Radio “bits” 2008

The Sydney Irish Radio Programme has once again finished 2008 as one of the top Irish radio programmes in Australia and around the world on www.2ser.com

As usual we had many visitors to the studio and on the phone. Lots of  highlights in 2008 culminating in the annual radio Mass on the 7th December celebrated by Bishop David Cremin with the largest studio audience so far in this the eleventh year of the Mass
In his homily this year Bishop David spoke about the pain of loss that many are experiencing at present because of the global economic down turn. Bishop David talked about what gives us hope now that the trusted support systems like Governments and Banks have let us down and the world’s great minds can not come up with an answer. The Bishop mentioned that that now more people are using” God talk” and searching for answers through spirituality and in this we can see hope and that all is not lost!

In January one of Ireland’s favourite singing stars Joe Dolan died. Many of us danced to Joe Dolan and the Drifters Showband in the sixties remember Tar and Cement, My Own Peculiar Way, Make Me an Island and many more.

During early 2008 another singer songwriter with a very distinctive voice also passed away, Christy Hennessy from Kerry. His album the “BOX” was a huge hit in the Irish charts.

In February Bro. Bernard Bulfin joined us on the show to inform listeners about the Patrician Brothers Bicentenary celebration. What a year it was for the Patrician Brothers and so fitting and well deserved

Una O’Neill and John Hennessy from The St Patrick’s Day committee appeared many times on the programme. In March the committee hosted a very successful 2008 parade and concert, with the highlight being the nomination of “the Bachelor of the Year” Micky Quail from Co Down. Micky made his radio debut on our show following his success.

One of Sydney’s popular singer and guitarists Kate Maclurcan joined us live in the studio. What a professional lady, great talent and all round nice person. The great Irish stage play” Beauty Queen of Lennane” came to the Seymour Centre in Sydney and the only Irish born actor in the cast was Tom Connolly from Dublin. He was the star of the production if I may say so! Tom was a guest on our program and great craic.

Business woman and a past sponsor of our program Bridge Tuite joined us on the Sunday show. Briege was the recipient of “Excellence in Business Careers 2008” The award was announced and presented at the Lansdowne Association annual St Patrick’s Day dinner. Well done Bridge, a great supporter of many things Irish and Australian . Niall Cantwell visiting from Ireland and CEO of the Irish Rugby League called in to talk about the October Rugby World Cup Series that was going to be held in Australia. Ireland went on to make the quarter finals in the series which was eventually won by NZ over favourites Australia.

Touring Australia was Luke Kelly impersonator Chris Kavanagh following his interview on the show he played to a packed house at the Manning Theatre Sydney Uni. Promoter Alan Prunty visited the programme frequently to let us know about Chris and other Irish artists that were touring.

We were delighted to have www.penrithgaels.com.au  joined us as a major sponsor in April. Thanks to President John Grieve, spokesperson Noel Donohue, PA Dianne Cassim and the committee for working so hard to promote the Irish culture and heritage through the Gaels club.

ANZAC Day march is coming up and our own Paddy Armstrong President of the “United Irish Ex Services Association Australia” called to remind the Irish contingent of the details for the day.
Sri Lanka born Mahesh performed live in the studio a number of songs in ‘as Gaeilge and Elish informed listeners about Scoil Gheimhridh

Sad news again from the Irish field of entertainment with the passing of another singing star of the sixties Cork’s Brendan O’Brien. Brendan O’Brien and the Dixies with the legendry drummer Joe McCarty, how could you forget!

It’s June and Rose of Tralee time. The lovely Kate Donovan spoke to us on the show about her year as the Sydney Rose.
Irish man and author Maurice Whelan joined us on the programme to talk about and promote his latest book “Boat People”
The leader of the Battlefield Band appeared on the program to promote their Sydney gigs!

Visiting Australia from BBC Northern Ireland was the delightful Kate O’Shea. It was a wonderful experience to have such a professional and warm journalist appear on the show. We may do some work with Kate in 2009 from her station in Ireland
Peggy Murray phoned from Cork to inform us about “ceolcds” an on line DVD-CD supply of artists that may not be available in the usual music stores. Check the link on www.sydneyirishradio.com

It’s July and World Youth Sydney 2008 is all the buzz! Fr Tom Deveraux joined the program to confirm the Irish attendance which will include many Priests, Bishops and Cardinals.

Martin Doherty a star of the Irish Australian scene and living now in the mountains outside Sydney, appeared on our show. Martin is great advocate for social justice which comes across very strongly in his music writings.
 
In August I got the whiff of a talented singer from Co Clare, she was visiting Australia. Maria Griffin was her name and a few Sundays later she was on the programme with her guitar and beautiful singing voice. Maria has played at many concerts since and was a surprise guest on the Daniel O Donnell show in the State Theatre Sydney. Marie made a second live appearance on the program some weeks later.

The great Irish singer Ronnie Drew died following a battle with throat cancer. Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners topped the Irish music charts for decades, remember seven drunken nights?

I’m open to any suggestion that will enhance the program if it’s informative and entertaining so what about a Physic? Well Mulligan’s have thousands of them so why not have one on the show. Resident Mulligan’s physic Kate Barnes joined the programme and took calls from many listeners. She was very popular, but may I say not with all! Some one did complain that it was anti-Catholic or words to that effect. Nothing wrong with freedom of speech!

Tom Power phoned in to let us know about the 2008 Famine Commemoration Ceremony at Hyde Park Barracks’
 
One of our favourite modern Irish singing stars Daniel O’Donnell joined us. He had just commenced his Australian tour. What a lovely generous man Daniel is and deserves the world acclimation that he receives.

Sligo’s Tommy Fleming called to talk about his official tour of Australia in 2009. Tommy is now one of Irelands top recording artists. He is also featured on the Ovation on Foxtel

More sad news with the passing of the author of Four Green Fields and many more great songs, Tommy Makem. We all remember the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Liam Clancy is the only one alive now!

We ended August with an interview from Dublin with Harpist and singer Claire Roche. I had the pleasure of meeting Claire at a St Vincent’s hospital concert and she is as lovely as she sounds and so giving of her time and talents.

Christina Henri, The lady who asked the world to make 25 000 bonnets to honour convict women joined us in September. What a story and achievement. I will look forward to having Christina back in 2009.

Co Cork singer John Spillane was on his way to Sydney following his live rendition of the Irish National Anthem at Subiaco oval Perth prior to the International Rules test between Australia and Ireland. He contacted us for an on air chat from Mt Isa. John made a big name for himself whilst in Australia.

Brian Dean President of the NSW GAA called in to remind listeners of the appearance of the Irish International Rules team at the GAA grounds Auburn on the 2nd November

Ted King and the Dargle River Band made a second live appearance on Sydney Irish Radio, hot from their guest spot on the Kerri Anne Kennerly morning TV show.

Another guest singer that entertained us live in the studio that morning was young Cameron Mather. What a talented young man!
From Co Leitrim we spoke to Ronan Gallagher a producer of documentary type films. Great man to chat with and I will have to catch up with Ronan again, I’m sure.

Br. Peter Higgins phoned to thank all the supporters of his can collection which to date has raised around $30 000 for schools in Kenya. Marvellous effort! That

From the many interviews I have done in 2008 the author of “Angels in your Hair”, Lorna Byrne was so special. Her connection to the spiritual world through angels was fascinating and we had huge response to the segment.

On that morning I also had the pleasure of speaking to the delightful Marilyn Kearney in Co Cavan. Marilyn is a composer and she had a lovely Christmas song recorded with the children from local area schools backed by professional musicians. I featured her song on many of my programs including the special request program on the 21st December.

December we had the annual Mass with Bishop David. The new President of the Australian Welfare Bureau Brendan Kearney joined us to thank the sponsors and supporters of the IAWB during 2008 and of course ask for that support to continue in 2009.
I spoke to Antrim born Joe McGarry who was visiting Sydney to address the “20/20 Vision” seminar in the town hall. Joe is a survivor of 20 years of living on the streets of London. A great story of how we can change if we just be true to ourselves and seek help!

Marianne O’Connor called from Melbourne. We featured a number of carols from her CD “Carols For a Cure”. A fine arrangement of Christmas carols. The proceeds from sales were donated to The Children’s Hospital Melbourne.

2008 also saw a change in our broadcasting time form 7:30 start to 8am start. All program users had to apply again for air time and I was informed that a guarantee could not be given that an Irish presence would remain on 2serfm. The number of emails, phone calls and letters from Australia and other parts of the world in support of an Irish programme on 2serfm stunned me. My thanks to you one and all for the encouragement and support during that period. I would like to thank Philip Shine station manager, and the programming department of 2serfm for their consideration of my request in the rescheduling of the various programmes.

Well that was the year that was!
Again 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.

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 and presenter of Ireland Downunder on 100.1fm Fridays 9am-11.30am. Your assistance with sponsorship production has been much appreciated. Thanks Gerry to you and your team.

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 who also took on the newsreader role, to Helen, Eva, 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!

In conclusion my sincere thanks to the listeners on 107.3fm for the continuing support, not forgetting the listeners around Australia and the world who listen in on www.2ser.com

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: www.sydneyirishradio.com

So we go into 2009 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.

As a great late Irish comic Dave Allen would say “May your God go with you”
Regards
Michael Lyons
2/1/2009