Episodes

In todays extended musical episode - called "The Evolution of Irish Music in 12 Tracks" - we bring you a very personal selection of Irish music from Mike. As he works (enjoys!) his way through a very personal selection of music, he chats about Irish history, culture and just why he selected each track for inclusion in this show. Enjoy!

Have you ever wondered how the Irish surnames in your family tree came about? Understanding just HOW your Irish surnames developed is KEY to understanding more about your Irish origins and likely locations in Ireland. In this episode we take two very different Irish surnames and use them to illustrate the sometimes simple - and sometimes unlikely - evolution of the surnames into their present form. Also, we have lots of great music and chat along the way!

In this episode we take a trip inside the "Hedge Schools" of Ireland - places of learning that were dotted around Ireland right up to the mid-1800s. We also look at the prevalence of so many biblical/latin first names in Ireland - names such as Jeremiah or Cornelius - and explain just why they were so popular. And lots of great music to enjoy along the way!

What do Laurel & Hardy, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Mary Black and Carina Collins all have in common? They all feature in this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast where we focus on two recent movies and look at some of their surprising Irish connections. Enjoy!

Welcome to Series 7, Episode 20 of The Letter from Ireland Show. In this episode, Carina talks with a very unique individual that we discovered in the wilds of West Cork! Cormac Lally originally comes from Tullamore in County Offaly - but now resides in Skibbereen in County Cork where he makes a living as a modern Irish Bard. We worked with Cormac recently on putting one of our Green Room member's Family history to verse - and were delighted with the outcome! So, if you would like to hear the st...

Today we tell the story of two Irish men who ended up fighting on the opposite sides of the American Civil War. One was Patrick Cleburne - also known as "Stonewall of the West" - who was born in the same village as Carina. The other was Thomas Francis Meagher - who came from Waterford - who escaped from his open prison in Tasmania to America where he was involved in leading the "Fighting 69th" before becoming the deputy governor of Montana. Two amazing stories of Irish emigrant men!

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we take a literary turn! First off we have a look at that literary masterpiece of Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice - having fun with some of the Irish versions of the character's surnames. Then, we trace our way from County Down to Yorkshire in England to visit one of the outstanding literary families of modern times - and share more on their surprising Irish origins. With lots of great music along the way!

Do you have ancestors who originated in the counties of Ulster? In this episode we interview Janet Hancock who is the Deputy Head of Public Services at PRONI (The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland). We chat about: Janet's role at PRONI and her own background. How and why was PRONI set up? How useful is PRONI online to family history researchers? What sorts of resources can be found at PRONI? Surprising things you will find at PRONI. Plans for PRONI for the future. Many thanks to J...

We start this episode by hitting the high seas in the company of Saint Brendan the Navigator - a man who roamed the known (and unknown) world using the simple boats of his day. We then come back onto dry land and embark on a pilgrim trail towards Mount Brandon (named after the earlier mentioned Brendan) in County Kerry and reflect on how these trails mirror so much of our journey in life. All this and lots of music to enjoy along the way!

As we approach Easter here in Ireland, the thoughts of many Irish people turn to the historic events around the Easter Rising of 1916. In this episode we talk about that time as well as another Irish leader who was killed 100 years ago this year. We also feature Irish rebel songs commemorating many of the rebellions and individuals who gave their lives down through the centuries.

In today's episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast, we take a trip up along the St. Lawrence River in Canada with two stories linked to that part of the world. First, we stop off at Grosse Île just outside Quebec City and then we hear the story of two musical sisters and their Irish-descended family who were brought up not too far from the city of Montrèal in Quebec. Along with lots of chat and music along the way!

Here in Ireland we are getting ready to fill in the population census for 2022. We use this opportunity to chat about the census down through the years and it's usefulness to genealogists and family historians. Carina also reads a letter all about an unusual question that the population were asked before the 1911 census and we dig a little deeper into the census records for her own homeplace at that time. All along with lots of music of course.

This is a musical episode (with a running commentary) of the Letter from Ireland show. Over 10 tracks, Mike takes you through an Irish musical journey that shaped his growing awareness and appreciation of the Irish music that surrounded him. As he plays the tracks, he chats about Irish history, surname, culture and much more. You will hear references to the Green Room members as this episode was previously released inside the Green Room. However, I think everyone enjoys a little Irish music. Wh...

In this special episode we celebrate St. Patrick's Day! The parades and celebrations are returning in Ireland after a 2 year absence. Along with some very appropriate music, we chat about the first and sur-names that have come into being in honour of the Saint. We then go on to ask you "what do you enjoy most about your Irish heritage" - and then go on to share replies from our readers and listeners. Enjoy and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we visit the beautiful islands off the west coast of Ireland. For many centuries, these islands grew in population as the natives of Ireland were forced off good land on the mainland wandering even further westwards until they arrived at the sea. The islands offshore were the only option left. The islanders had an isolated and hard life, but this isolation also brought about a unique sense of community and many islands became places that preser...

Today we take to the streets of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Edinburgh was the home to Seán Connery, the actor who played James Bond for many years. We also examine another native of Edinburgh - Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the immortal detective Sherlock Holmes. We chat about their Irish roots - and share lots of great music along the way.

In this episode we cover two infamous real life murder cases in the west of Ireland during the 1800s. The first murder was as a result of mass evictions from an Irish estate during the famine - and the second involved a travesty of justice where the accused were tried in a language they did not understand. We've selected three pieces of music to accompany these letters: "The Great Hunger" - performed by The Wolfe Tones. "The Fields of Athenry" - performed by Paddy Reilly. "The West's Awake" -...

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we look at the place the humble Irish club called the "shillelagh" has in Irish history and tradition. Also, did you know that Shillelagh is also a place?The ancestors of a very special singer came from those parts - or did they? Lots of LOVELY Irish music also...

In this special St. Valentine's episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we share the story of Saint Valentine's association with the city of Dublin - and the tale of love and loss of a young couple who were married in Kilmainham jail shortly before he was executed for partaking in the Easter rising of 1916. Lots of LOVELY Irish music also...

In this special musical episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we celebrate the music of the Irish traditional group known as The Chieftains. Following the death of their leader late last year, Paddy Moloney, we have come to the end of a musical career that has seen The Chieftains popularise Irish music around the globe and mix it magnificently with so many other musical genres. Their music, however, will live on!

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we celebrate the upcoming season of Celtic spring here in Ireland - known as Imbolc. We choose music and stories to understand more of this significant time in the celtic calendar - a time that has been supplanted by the festival of Saint Brigid over time.

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast we look at the overlap culturally between Ireland and Scotland. This is especially relevant as we approach the annual Robbie Burns night - what has effectively turned into Scotland's national day. Join us for plenty of chat, music, entertainment and a bit of education along the way!

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland Podcast, we look at the life and works of two of Ireland's most famous literary giants - George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce. We take an unusual angle on the stories of both and throw in some music to help set the mood for the time through which these iconic authors lived.

In this first episode of the Letter from Ireland Show for 2022 we share stories and music that highlight the esteemed place that animals have in Irish mythology and folklore, music and family surnames.