Daniel Cronin In Conversation With....

A special one for me this week, I got the honour of interviewing my Dad, John. Dad grew up in a Bar and Grocery on the Main St., played in Barrach street, the Temp Hall, schooled in the Boys school on Piggot street before going to the De La Salle's where the County Council has its offices now. He moved to board in Garbally in 3rd year and spent 3 years there before returning to Loughrea. He loved hurling, dogs and horse racing. These are his memories

Officially opened on Sunday May 29th 1977, St. Brendan's Pitch development was over 5years in the making. Kevin McCormick, Sean Fahy and Baa Sweeney bring us through the story of how the opportunity came about, how the club raised the money, the marquee in the Fair Green, the acts that came to play there and the stages of development.

This week I had Mougie Maher in the studio, Shane Curley couldn't make it, both are Sleeping Out For Simon next Friday. I was at LARC's Culture Night on Friday and took some recordings, it was a brilliant night. Entertaining us that night was Padraig Connaughton and Tom Murphy with the Grey Lake Quartet.

This week I catch up with Yvonne Fahy and talk about the sensation that is Trad on the Prom, with the season coming to an end it's time to get tickets. Yvonne tells us about the show, how long its been running, what's involved and we have a little chat about Michael Flatley! Also I talk with Caroline O'Connor who works with Hand in Hand, a children's cancer charity. They provide support for families with children who have cancer. The charity has recently opened up its head office in Loughrea. Caroline tells us of the incredible work they are doing, what services are on offer and also to highlight that September is Child Cancer awareness month and some buildings in town are lighting up in Gold to show their support.

Kevin McDonald has spent his life in war zones all over the world, originally from Castlebar he moved to Loughrea in 2002. He joined the Irish Army at the age of 22 and quickly moved onto the elite Rangers wing. Kevin spent years in the Middle East as a peacekeeper and then Africa. At the moment Kevin is working as a security officer with the UN in South Sudan. Kevin has a passion for archaeology and has done an extensive study on the Loughrea lake and its surroundings, he will speak about "Living with the Lake, The Archaeology of Lake Settlement in Loughrea and the Surrounding Landscape” on Sunday afternoon 28th of August as part of The Medieval Festival “Discovering our Medieval Past”.

The Seven Springs Daycentre has been closed since March of 2020 with the onslaught of Covid. The Daycentre was a place where people from the surrounding areas could come together chat, listen to music, get their hair done, get checked medically, see a chiropodist etc. But in talking with users, the abiding positive of the Daycentre was getting out from home and getting to socialize with other people. Following a protest attended by past users, their friends, family members and local representatives Geraldine Donohue and Declan Kelly the Daycentre was opened one day a week for a reduced number of users. There is huge disappointment that the service has not opened fully. Today I talk to Ciaran Cannon TD, Sean Canney TD and Geraldine Donohue county councilor to see where we are.

This week I go out to Loughrea Skateboarding Park and chat with Jake McNally and Jordan Muldoon on the reopening of the park after two years. Also I have Paddy Sweeney and Geraldine McNally from the Rugby Club, they're installing lights and hope to be ready in a month or two, they got some funding but to get over the line they are giving people the opportunity to get their ‘Names in Lights'.

This week I had Alan Cusack in the studio, all the way back from Australia. Alan grew up on the Athenry Road before heading to Manchester for Uni and then about the world for his career.

Thelma Sweeney dropped into the studio this week. Thelma grew up on Westbridge, her father was Dermot Sweeney, travel agent and her mother 'Sis' was the local midwife who assisted over 3000 local home births. Growing up in a Travel Agency it was no surprise that Thelma decided to travel, at first to England, then Europe before finally Australia where she met and married Chris. Thelma talks of School and University days, hitch-hiking about Europe, teaching in the Aran Islands, taking the slow boat to Australia and starting her teaching career in Australia. Thelma comes home as often as she can, usually once a year but with Covid restrictions, this is her first visit in a number of years. Thank you Chris and Thelma for coming in.

Following on from last week's show about the Daycare Centre's continued closure, I was out and about at Friday's protest organized by Cllr Geraldine Donoghue. The protest was attended by a great crowd of very passionate people, including Cllr Declan Kelly, past-users of the service - Asastasia Ward and friends and family of past-users like Phil Mitchell and Orla Burke. All had stories to tell of how great the centre was and how it is so badly missed. All said how unhappy they are with the situation, that our older generation was being let down and people had to come out and show support. Following on from that I called into the Temperance Hall where the Rugby Club Bingo has returned, great crowd. Paddy and Gerry and the gang brought me through how they coped during Covid and how they were getting on since they returned, it was brilliant to see it back again. Well done lads.

With a heavy heart we have an update on the Daycentre, this was to be opened, at long last, but just recently, Cllr Geraldine Donoghue has had some correspondence stating that it will not be opening anytime soon and for just 1 day a week! This is terrible news for all the service users and carers in the community, Cllr Donoghue and users are now planning direct action in the hope of highlighting this ridiculous situation. Also I had Thomas Ryan on, Maw is involved with Mr. Motivator himself Gary Kilcar, in setting up Jumpers for Goalposts in Loughrea, a wonderful initiative and if any of Gary's past endeavours are to go by, this will be a success as well. I can't wait to get down myself.

In the studio this week was Steve Dolan, head of GRD, telling us of the fight to better utilize the RSS and Tus projects. Because of the existing narrow parameters of both schemes, rural communities are being disadvantaged hugely, Steve and his cohorts have instigated a campaign to highlight these. These schemes are both beneficial to the communities and participants, a win-win situation for all. The government must take action. Then we have Kerrie Gardiner, who is instrumental in the running of Bord Bia's Bloom in the Phoenix Park. Kerrie brings us through her duties and responsibilities and the festival's attractions. This is Bloom's first year back and it's incredibly busy, I can't wait to get to this. Also we have Michael Fahy's upcoming Book launch in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa this Friday 10th of June at 7.30pm, all are welcome. Michael has written a book on his uncle Frank Fahy Revolutionary and Public Servant. Finally we give a shout to the Predator Triathlon Club, who are launching their race, Loughrea Triathlon, to be held at the end of the summer.

In the studio this Sunday was Ian Marmion, Ian, well-known son of Peggy and Lexi, will tell us of his career, taking him all over the world. His passion for horse racing, his wonderful success at Cheltenham. We'd been trying to make this happen for a long time so it was great that Ian could make it.

A wonderful interview with Emma. 14yrs ago Emma took it upon herself to raise money with the help of her family and friends for a project in Zambia. She wasn't sure as to what she would put the money to until she arrived there but finally decided to build a refuge for young girls so that they could attend school without fear of being attacked. In the 14yrs the facility, that was originally meant to house 44 girls there, now had nearly 150. Emma is hoping to raise some funds to facilitate the community to build an extension. Emma, originally from Coscorrig, daughter of Pat and Ann Gilchreest is now married to Nico and has two children. She lives in Moate. Emma talks us through her time going through St. Raphael's, hanging out in JP's! Going back to college and working in areas that have made such a difference to many communities. Thanks for coming in Emma, lovely chatting with you.

Loughrea Boxing Club has been running for nearly 70 years and there has been a Whelan there from the start. Ferdy's Dad was on the committee who formed the club, Ferdy boxed and then coached. He talks of it as a pastime or hobby! He's there for decades, this dedication to the club is only matched by his continuous enthusiasm for the club decades later. The Club has had it's own number of All-Ireland titles, Ferdy brings us through them all, and also the man who won one before the club was formed, a real Rocky story, he didn't train in an abattoir but a Bakery! Ferdy brings us through the tournaments, moving to the club house, the personalities involved and the fighters throughout the decades.

Seven Springs Daycentre Re-opening update. This week I brought together some past interviews re the Seven Springs Daycentre. Anastasia Ward, who has used the service for years kindly took my call at the ungodly hour of 10am! And I was delighted she did, She explained and described how vital and important the Daycentre is to so many people. Then I chatted with Cllr. Geraldine Donoghue who has championed this for a while now. Last week she got word that they hoped to open the Daycentre in early June, staffing is the issue. Finally a Reading Challenge! We are inviting anyone to come along with us as we read Joyce's Ulysses, plan is to complete 2 chapters a week and finish just in time for Bloomsday. Keep up with our progress on the Arts Show, Saturdays at 7pm and join the conversation.

Great to meet up with my cuz Cora Ryan this morning. Cora just arrived back from Australia with her new baby, Laoise. Little Laoise had her very first birthday this week. Cora recalls growing up on Main Street, all the families about the place, Fahy's, Magee's, Wade's, Dervan's. Rollerskating on the Main St! Drifting off to sleep with the music from Keary's and all the other Main St pubs filling the night air. Right in the middle of it. The popular haunts about the town, The Temperance Hall, the Lake, Cinema, the arcade at the back of the Casket, the tennis club. Summers that ran for ever. Leaving for Australia in 2007 and making a life on the other side of world. Welcome home Cora.

This week I chatted with one of our newest people in town, Uliana from Ukraine. Uliana tells us about her home, about the invasion and her flight to Ireland. A young woman full of life and energy and positivity. Her home is the city of Zaporizhzhya straddling the Dnieper river. A city full of industry, she tells how the country continues to try and work and function while under attack. Also I look back on the Patrick's Day Parade in Loughrea last Thursday which was an incredible success and Loughrea Community Radio were delighted to be part of it.

This morning I had Dan Doorhy and John Carrig in from The Barn Owl Project Galway. Two guys giving a huge amount of their time to preserve and protect these wonderful creatures. Loss of habitat and secondary poisoning have had a devastating impact on them and they are now on the Red List for critically endangered animals. The lads also brought in a little visitor as well, Erin, a one year old Barn Owl, who was very well behaved.

Daniel Cronin In Conversation With… Anthony Delaney. Anthony emigrated in the 80's, firstly England then the States. He talks of life in America, rugby at home and abroad, school days and friends. Anthony has been a wonderful supporter of the radio since we started, we reached out to him last Paddy's Day programme for a quick chat so when I heard he was coming home I had to get him into the studio.

Brian Nolan came to the studio this week. Brian who runs Galway Walking Tours grew up on Main Street where his mother ran a shop and his father was a school teacher in Duniry. Brian has been a wonderful presence on Social Media throughout Lockdown with stories and tales on the social history of Loughrea and Galway. He left these shores, like many of his generation, for the US where he worked with Bord Failte before going on to start his own travel company. He had travelled with his fiancé and started a family over in New York, finally returning to Galway in 2007. Brian, a very keen rugby supporter can be regularly seen at The Sportsground shouting on Connacht. He was part of the revival of rugby in Loughrea along with many others and looks back on the fun and laughter they shared, along with the sadness on the tragic passing of their teammate PJ Forde, on what was Loughrea's finest hour in over 50 years. Thanks Brian for coming in.

Great to meet up with Aengus Devine this week. Just back from Vegas, Aengus chatted about growing up on Abbey Terrace, playing round the back in the Pound and Pat Morrissey's Field, running about the town with the infamous Abbey Lane gang, working in Kennedy Larkins, before leaving for London at 17. He worked in pubs before moving onto other things in London and then decided to move to Las Vegas where he has been for 20 years. Great to have him back and great to have him in the studio.

Joe Loughnane came into the studio this week, Joe grew up on Dunkellin street, he goes through his school days, his neighbours, starting his career in Athenry, moving to London and back again and then moving from the kitchen to the classroom in GMIT. Joe is part of the Loughrea Memorial Group, they had a plaque erected outside the council offices in memory of the local people who died in World War 1, he is a regular contributor to talks on the subject and continues to research the local connection between the Loughrea area and World War 1.

This Sunday I have a wonderful guest in the studio Martin Fahy from Ballinakill. Martin, who cannot be idle for five minutes, would not let Lockdown slow him down. So he compiled over 30 short videos on local history about and around Ballinakill and he has a website that has just recently gone live https://www.martinfahyballinakillheritage.com where people can access them. From recalling the formation of the Ballinakill Ceilidhe Band in the 1920's to local heroes Michael & Paddy Rafferty and Johnny Broderick, Martin has brought the richness of the past to life. Martin talks about his lifelong passions, the Irish language, Traditional Irish music and local history.

In the studio this week I had Noel Mullins. Noel grew up in Moore street, went to school locally before heading to Garbally College. He could turn his hand to most anything, working with Josie Morgan on his milk round, Holiday camps in England, Bank of Ireland in Dublin before joining IBM as Head of Marketing. Noel finally moved to Paris to head up IBM's Marketing office there where he was responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa. The one constant throughout Noel's life is his passion for horses, show jumping, hunting, eventing etc. Wherever he went he was always involved in all things equine. Fr. Keyes' horse in Garbally, bringing horses for Willie Leahy to the Blazers Hunt with Pat O'Neill and he went onto RDS. His first visit there was at the tender age of 11, he made a week long trip on his own! Staying in a room in Leeson street! He has written for the Irish Field and has published a number of books. A lovely man and wonderful to chat with

I had my fellow Loughrea Community Radio presenter in this week and it was super fun. Carmel, known far and wide, is a super musician. She chats about growing up and her career in music. Music has brought her all over the world. A wonderful woman and full of energy and enthusiasm.

This week in the studio I have two local writers. Brendan Fahy, who recently had a short story published in the Irish Independent The Strength, has always had an interest in writing, this is his second published short story, his first one The Cuckoo was published in a literary magazine called Sonder. He is now working on a novel. Also we talk with James Coughlan, James, in collaboration with Marian Lyons, has just published Leonard McGrath A Forgotten Gael. The only Galway player to have won All-Ireland Medals in both hurling and football. Leonard's story is fascinating, whatever he turned his hand to he excelled, an incredible athlete, singer, actor, teacher and he had his own radio programme in the 40's. He taught in the Boys School in Loughrea and also married Aggie Madden's sister, Josephine Madden, after his untimely death she returned to live with Aggie in the pub. Many people still remember her. His medals were auctioned recently for a huge sum. His widow wore his medals as a bracelet, my own father, John Cronin, can attest to that, having asked her one time what they were!

Noel is a long standing member of Loughrea Golf Club, having joined it in 1955. He tells us of how the club has grown over the years.

I had my first Outdoor Broadcast this week with an onsite visit to Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese in Abbey. The weather was wonderful, warm and bright, but not half as warm as the welcome we received. Teresa Roche and her team were super, none of us wanted to leave. I chatted with Teresa about her journey from swapping nursing to cheese-making and all that goes with it. I also chatted with Therese Murphy, a local artist who works there and you can buy some of her beautiful artwork in the farm shop there, check her out at www.theresemurphyartist.com, as well as that I talked with Ailish O'Reilly, a small farmer and a management contractor, who will be launching her website in the next month. And finally Brian Murphy, who took up bee-keeping 5 years ago and it's safe to say he's caught the bug, wonderfully knowledgeable and tells us how people could get into bee-keeping. Great day, can't wait to return.

This week I had Maura Kelly Stewart into the studio, Maura talked of her memories of the pantos in the Town Hall, Conradh Na Gaeilge, Macra, working in the ESB and growing up on Cross street in Loughrea.

Tommy Warde was born in Tuam Mother and Baby Home, he was fostered by farming family at the age of 5. Tommy went on to find his maternal mother with help from a Carmelite priest. Tommy talks of growing up with the stigma of being an orphan, finding his maternal mother and finding a passion and love for traditional music.