Podcasts about ballinamore

RTÉ Northwest Correspondent Shane O'Curraighin reports on a community council meeting in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, discussing the aftermath of Storm Eowyn and measures in the event of a similar cataclysm.

Enda McGloin, Fine Gael Councillor for the Ballinamore district in Leitrim // Declan Conboy, Principal Carrigallen Vocational School, Leitrim // Michael Healy Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with Special Responsibility for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety

David Kelly, son of army Private Patrick Kelly who was killed by IRA kidnappers 41 years ago today, discusses the unveiling of a memorial monument in Ballinamore, County Leitrim.

Listeners discuss whether or not it is right to commemorate Republican activist, John Joe McGirl during a family festival at Ballinamore. Martin and Des have both had different issues with holidays booked through Love Holidays. Olga gives Joe an update on life in Mariupol.

Listeners discuss whether or not it is right to commemorate Republican activist, John Joe McGirl during a family festival at Ballinamore. Martin and Des have both had different issues with holidays booked through Love Holidays. Olga gives Joe an update on life in Mariupol.

Listeners discuss whether or not it is right to commemorate Republican activist, John Joe McGirl during a family festival at Ballinamore.

You've probably seen the signs across every lamppost - yes, local elections are back in full swing… but what are they all about? And, what does a local councillor actually do? Joining Anton on the show now are three first-time candidates from across the country to discuss. They are - Adam O'Ceallaigh, Green Party candidate for Ballinamore, Leitrim, Ali Morris, Soc Dem candidate for Mullingar in Westmeath and Lynda Prendergast, Fianna Fáil candidate for Tallaght South.

Galway's U20 Footballers have gone top of the Connacht U20 Football Championship following a hard fought 2-16 to 2-12 win over Sligo in Tuam Stadium on Wednesday Night.  With Leitrim shocking Mayo in Ballinamore, Derek Savage's side tops the group with two games left against Leitrim and Roscommon.  The score was 1-11 to 1-6 at half time with Galway scoring 1-5 without reply with the goal coming from Conor Heneghan after Sligo found the net through Conor Walsh.  Galway upped their game in the early stages of the second half and a goal from Colm Costello gave them the perfect start.  However, Sligo responded with a goal from Ronan Noland to set up a storming finish.  Here is the commentary from Tommy Devane and Kevin Dwyer. 

Kieran Dineen reports from Ballinamore in Co Leitrim, fours years after protests there ahead of the arrival of asylum seekers

The Dail is in recess, and that means no Friday wrap today. Instead, we're going to bring you a conversation that was originally published on the feed of our sister podcast In the News, hosted by Bernice Harrison, all about a story that gripped 1980s Ireland. You can subscribe to In the News for free here.On December 16th, 1983, after 23 days in captivity, kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey was rescued. He had been taken by members of the Provisional IRA posing as gardaí while driving his daughter to school in Dublin. With the whole country transfixed by the kidnapping, Garda intelligence tracked the culprits and their victim down to Derrada Wood outside Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. And while the release of Tidey safe and well was a success, the day was shrouded in tragedy because during the rescue his captors shot dead Private Patrick Kelly and recruit Garda Gary Sheehan.The murders shocked the country and no one has been brought to justice for them. Most of the kidnappers got clean away. While the event has been the subject of much media attention over the years, Tidey has never spoken about it until now. This year he talked to Tommy Conlon and Ronan McGreevy for their new book, The Kidnapping, A Hostage, a Desperate Manhunt and a Bloody Rescue. They talk to In the News about the events in 1983 and the aftermath. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On December 16th, 1983, after 23 days in captivity, kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey was rescued. He had been taken by members of the Provisional IRA posing as gardaí while driving his daughter to school in Dublin. With the whole country transfixed by the kidnapping, Garda intelligence tracked the culprits and their victim down to Derrada Wood outside Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. And while the release of Tidey safe and well was a success, the day was shrouded in tragedy because during the rescue his captors shot dead Private Patrick Kelly and recruit Garda Gary Sheehan.The murders shocked the country and no one has been brought to justice for them. Most of the kidnappers got clean away. While the event has been the subject of much media attention over the years, Tidey has never spoken about it – until now when he talked to Tommy Conlon and Ronan McGreevy for their new book, The Kidnapping, A Hostage, a Desperate Manhunt and a Bloody Rescue. They talk to In the News about the events in 1983 and the aftermath. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Joe McGirl – an unbreakable FenianIn the course of almost 60 years of activism I have been very lucky to meet many wonderful, committed, compassionate republicans. On Saturday, in Ballinamore in County Leitrim, Republicans from Leitrim and beyond will gather to celebrate the life of one of these – John Joe McGirl. The annual John Joe McGirl commemoration is one of the highlights of the Ballinamore Festival Week and the participants will walk from John McGahern Square to the monument to John Joe opposite Amharclann an Oileáin (the Island Theatre). The monument was designed by Robert Ballagh.A master class on campaigningFéile an Phobail was a resounding success and in particular it provided a wonderful range of debates and conversations on the many issues surrounding constitutional change. Well done to Harry and Kevin, Sam and all the Féile team. Maith sibh. The quality of the debates was excellent. All were packed out. The breadth of speakers – academics, journalists, political and community activists, sports people, - and the many shades of opinion, including a greater number than before of people from the broadly cultural Unionist/Protestant tradition, was uplifting.

In August of 2000, Gerry McGinley disappeared from his home near Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. His wife Julie said he had packed up a plastic bag and had taken off. The police investigation came up with numerous leads. Had Gerry fallen foul of the Real IRA? Or maybe he'd crossed drug dealers? Was his former lover - or indeed her husband - enraged enough to make him run, or worse? It also seemed likely Gerry had been blackmailing local men with videos they'd rather not exist... Or perhaps the answer was much closer to home, and to be found in the newly re-decorated master bedroom of the McGinley's bungalow... This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin. ******** Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store! ********* Theme Music: Quinn's Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Additional Music: Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ********* Sources: Michael Breslin, ‘Renewed search for missing man', Fermanagh Herald, Sept 13th 2000 Martin Breen, ‘Reveal; our son's secret grave', Belfast Telegraph, Feb 26th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Wife of missing man is arrested', Belfast Telegraph, Mar 21st 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Missing man: trio quizzed', Belfast Telegraph, Mar 23rd 2001 Martin Breen and Ciaran O Neill, ‘Lakes searched in hunt for body' Belfast Telegraph, Mar 24th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Wife and second man are quizzed by detectives', Belfast Telegraph, Mar 24th 2001 ‘Three charged with murder', Fermanagh Herald, Mar 28th 2001 ‘Three charged with murder', Ulster Herald, Mar 29th 2001 ‘Murder accused trio are remanded in custody', Belfast Telegraph, Apr 2nd 2001 Jerry McLaughlin, ‘Woman on charges of murdering husband', Irish Examiner, Apr 3rd 2001 ‘Three accused of murdering Manorhamilton native' Leitrim Observer, Apr 4th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Murder rap in sex film, court told, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 6th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘Sex video twist to murder rap court hearing, Belfast Telegraph, Apr 7th 2001 Martin Breen, ‘RUC divers search for missing man', Belfast Telegraph, Apr 9th 2001 ‘“Serious concerns” regarding bail for wife of murdered Manor native', Leitrim Observer, Apr 18th 2001 ‘Crown claims sex in a car couple killed her husband', Leitrim Observer, May 9th 2001 ‘Murder trial hears of sex blackmail racket claims, Belfast Telegraph, May 19th 2001 Ann O'Loughlin and Isabel Hurley, ‘Body link to sex triangle', Evening Herald, June 4th 2001 Aideen Sheehan and Ann O'Loughlin, ‘Body in woods may be link in sex triangle trial mystery', Irish Independent, June 5th 2001 Leonie Gohery, ‘Decomposed body believed to be missing McGinley', Leitrim OBserver, June 6th 2001 ‘Ballinamore body linked to sex triangle trial riddle', Anglo Celt, June 7th 2001 Liam Collins, ‘A sorry tale of sex, blackmail and death', Sunday Independent, June 10th 2001 ‘Three co-accused in case sent forward for trial', Fermanagh Herald, Jan 30th 2002 ‘Submission heard in McGinley case', Fermanagh Herald, Mar 27th 2002 ‘Murdered McGinley received three severe blows to the head', Leitrim Observer, Apr 3rd 2002 ‘McPadden walks free in McGinley case', Fermanagh Herald, Apr 17th 2002 ‘McGinley murder trial gets underway', Fermanagh Herald, Sept 11th 2002 ‘Wife and lover deny murder', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 16th 2002 ‘Husband murdered by wife and lover', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 17th 2002 Michael Donnelly, ‘Wife and her lover killed husband to keep affair secret', Evening Herald, Sept 17th 2002 Aileen Murphy, ‘Plastic wrap link to body', Fermanagh Herald, Sept 18th 2002 John Keogh, ‘Lovers killed husband in a fit of passion', Evening Herald, Sept 18th 2002 Aileen Murphy, ‘Murder trial told of family debt', Ulster Herald, Sept 19th 2002 Phil Jones, ‘Girl found skeleton in woodland', Evening Herald, Sept 19th 2002 Louisa Nesbitt, ‘Babysitter weeps over photos of children', Irish Examiner, Sept 20th 2002 ‘Last hours of murder victim are recalled', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 20th 2002 ‘Real IRA threat to murdered man', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 21st 2002 ‘Murder accused flirted with hotel boss, court told', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 24th 2002 Michael Donnelly, ‘Accused flirted with hotel owner, murder trial told', Irish Independent, Sept 24th 2002 ‘Business partner caught with pants down', Fermanagh Herald, Sept 25th 2002 ‘Jury hears motive for murder was passion and money', Leitrim Observer, Sept 25th 2002 ‘Court hears murdered man got his dues', Evening Herald, Sept 26th 2002 ‘Victim got what was coming to him', Belfast Telegraph, Sept 26th 2002 John Keogh, ‘Murder accused said the victim would be pushing up heather, court told', Evening Herald, Sept 27th 2002 ‘Accused feared for her husband', Evening Herald, Oct 1st 2002 ‘Court hears murder victim hired a hitman', Leitrim Observer, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Murdered man friend with ‘criminal fraternity'', Fermanagh Herald, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Jury told Gerard McGinley was a convicted rapist', Leitrim Observer, Oct 2nd 2002 ‘Scraps of love note found in accused's van', Belfast Telegraph, Oct 3rd 2002 ‘Wife not told she was suspect', Belfast Telegraph, oct 4th 2002 ‘Priest tells murder trial of warning', Belfast Telegraph, Oct 8th 2002 For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com

Glencar/Manor co-manager Gerry Hickey reflects on a third consecutive Leitrim LGFA senior 'A' title following Sunday's 5-7 to 2-11 win over Ballinamore in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Former Garda Michael Hanley recalls how he was held at gunpoint while on duty, and his involvement in the Don Tidey kidnapping shootout at Ballinamore, during his 34 year career. Part of our series of interviews to mark the centenary of An Garda Siochana

Mohill manager Eamonn O'Hara pays tribute to his players after knocking holders Ballinamore in Saturday's Leitrim SFC quarter-final, on a final scoreline of 2-15 to 1-11.

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's Tom Prior kicked the matchwinning score in injury time to give his side a 0-14 to 1-10 win over Mohill in the senior championship on Friday night. He spoke to Ray Lannon about that matchwinningn score.

Mohill manager Eamonn O'Hara reflects on Friday night's one-point loss to holders Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's (0-14 to 1-10) in the Leitrim Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship.

Glencar/Manorhamilton women's co-manager Gerry Hickey pays tribute to his side's second-half comeback against Ballinamore in Sunday's Division 1 league final (Glencar/Manor winning 2-14 to 2-10).

Our guests are multi-instrumentalist and singer, Brídín, who plays the Hawk's Well next week and country music legend, Chris Meehan, who plays with his Redneck Friends in Ballinamore. We also take a look at What's On and What's Happening in the arts world North West. All Podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Soundcloud or wherever you find your podcasts. Just search OceanFmIreland.

We discuss Leitrim's Local Live Under the Night Sky by Treasa Nealon, which takes place June 21/22nd at Manorhamilton Castle, and Eleanor Shanley with Garadice at the new Island Theatre in Ballinamore, June 18th. Tara McGowan, Director of Cairde Arts Festival fills us in on the myriad events taking place in Sligo July 1-10th and we look at What's On in the North West, inc. Cruinniú na nÓg, The Dock, Yeats' Day & McKenna Festival. All Podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Soundcloud or wherever you find your podcasts. Just search OceanFmIreland.

On this week’s Business Matters, Ciaran O’Donnell talks to Pamela Kearney, Business In The Community’s North West Regional Coordinator, and Nuala McCool, business studies teacher at Gairmscoil Chú Uladh in Ballinamore, about Business in The Community’s ‘Saothar an tSaoil’ (World of Work) Programme which is being delivered to second-year students in partnership with Optum, through … Business Matters Ep 83 – Pamela Kearney, Nuala McCool & Eamonn McFadden Read More » The post Business Matters Ep 83 – Pamela Kearney, Nuala McCool & Eamonn McFadden appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Leitrim Senior Ladies Footballer manager Hugh Donnelly speaks to Ocean FM Sport's PJ Leddy after his side began their National League campaign with victory of Fermanagh in Ballinamore

Supporters of Dromahair St Patrick's GAA/LGFA club in Leitrim face a Connacht club championship dilemma this Saturday. The women's gaelic footballers play Eastern Harps of Sligo in their semi-final at 1pm. The men take on Naomh Anna Leitir Moir of Galway at 1:30pm in Ballinamore. Club Chairperson Dermot O'Donohoe says that while the clash is 'unfortunate', both teams plan to make the most of Saturday's double opportunity.

Easkey hurling manager Colum O'Meara pays tribute to his players following Saturday's Connacht junior club semi-final win against Leitrim's Cluainín Iomáint in Ballinamore, on a final scoreline of 2-15 to 1-15.

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's manager Dom Corrigan has nothing but admiration for his players after Sunday's narrow 0-16 to 2-8 Connacht club quarter-final loss to Galway champions Mountbellew/Moylough.

Wooly, Niall and Lee round up all the club stories and Dean McGovern joins on the line after captaining Ballinamore to their first county title in 31 years.

A gracious Mohill manager Liam Keenan reflects on Sunday's county final defeat to Ballinamore - with PJ Leddy.

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's manager Dom Corrigan pays tribute to his side after they regained the Leitrim SFC title for the first time since 1990, following their 1-16 to 0-17 win over Mohill in Sunday's final.

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's manager Dom Corrigan reacts to his side's 3-15 to 0-9 Leitrim SFC semi-final win against St Mary's

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's manager Dom Corrigan speaks to Ocean FM Sport's PJ Leddy, following Sunday's 4-10 to 0-8 quarter-final win against Glencar/Manor.

This week's guest is former county librarian Seán Ó Súilleabháin drops in for a chat with Tommy about his life in the town having moved from this native Longford decades ago. They chat about his love of the Irish language and his work promoting the language in Ballinamore. They touch on his involvement with the promotion of gaelic games and specifically hurling as well as other cultural activities through scór. Tommy and Sean reminisce about their shared experiences threading the boards as part of the All Ireland winning Novelty Act with Sean O'Heslins. You can follow the show on www.leitrimdaily.com or by searching for 'Leitrim Daily' on Youtube or Spotify. Join the 'Leitrim Daily' Facebook group to get the latest episodes direct to your phone, ipad or computer.

This week's guest is former county librarian Seán Ó Súilleabháin drops in for a chat with Tommy about his life in the town having moved from this native Longford decades ago.They chat about his love of the Irish language and his work promoting the language in Ballinamore. They touch on his involvement with the promotion of gaelic games and specifically hurling as well as other cultural activities through scór.Tommy and Sean reminisce about their shared experiences threading the boards as part of the All Ireland winning Novelty Act with Sean O'Heslins.You can follow the show on www.leitrimdaily.com or by searching for 'Leitrim Daily' on Youtube or Spotify. Join the 'Leitrim Daily' Facebook group to get the latest episodes direct to your phone, ipad or computer.

It's been a rough weekend for most of Leitrim Gaelic Games with national league defeats for the county senior footballers and hurlers although the Ladies footballers did manage to put some sunshine with an eight point victory on Sunday afternoon. This week's co-host Colin Regan (1:01) takes a look back at the National Football League defeat with Breifne Earley. Leitrim manager Terry Hyland (3:02) joins the show to reflect on his side's reversal at the hands of Mickey Harte's Louth side in Carrick on Sunday afternoon. He talks about his experience of the game, what went wrong and the route from here for a side who saw their interest in the promotion hunt ended with that defeat. One of the few bright spots was the return to action of Ryan O'Rourke (15:42) and we hear his thoughts after his return to the playing pitch after a long injury layoff. Maeve Quinn (17:42) drops in to chat about the Ladies fine performance and big win over Louth in Ballinamore in their first League game of the season as they reversed a defeat to the same opposition last season as they pick up last season's efforts to get promotion from Division 4 which was cut short by the pandemic restrictions. We also hear from Leitrim Captain Clare Owens (23:12) & Manager Hugh Donnelly (25:36) after the game. Finally Colin and Breifne chat to Games Development Administrator Stephen McGurrin (41:25) about the roll out of the Turas programme across 16 of the counties clubs with over 400 youth coaches taking the first steps on their coach education journey. Colin finished with a look forward (56:22) to the weekend's National Football League clash with Antrim and taking the positives from the current situation.

It's been a rough weekend for most of Leitrim Gaelic Games with national league defeats for the county senior footballers and hurlers although the Ladies footballers did manage to put some sunshine with an eight point victory on Sunday afternoon. This week's co-host Colin Regan (1:01) takes a look back at the National Football League defeat with Breifne Earley. Leitrim manager Terry Hyland (3:02) joins the show to reflect on his side's reversal at the hands of Mickey Harte's Louth side in Carrick on Sunday afternoon. He talks about his experience of the game, what went wrong and the route from here for a side who saw their interest in the promotion hunt ended with that defeat. One of the few bright spots was the return to action of Ryan O'Rourke (15:42) and we hear his thoughts after his return to the playing pitch after a long injury layoff. Maeve Quinn (17:42) drops in to chat about the Ladies fine performance and big win over Louth in Ballinamore in their first League game of the season as they reversed a defeat to the same opposition last season as they pick up last season's efforts to get promotion from Division 4 which was cut short by the pandemic restrictions. We also hear from Leitrim Captain Clare Owens (23:12) & Manager Hugh Donnelly (25:36) after the game. Finally Colin and Breifne chat to Games Development Administrator Stephen McGurrin (41:25) about the roll out of the Turas programme across 16 of the counties clubs with over 400 youth coaches taking the first steps on their coach education journey. Colin finished with a look forward (56:22) to the weekend's National Football League clash with Antrim and taking the positives from the current situation.

Leitrim LGFA captain Clare Owens spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan about the return of the Lidl national football league this Sunday. Leitrim begin their Division 4 campaign against Louth in Ballinamore at 2pm.

This week Melvin Gaels & Leitrim footballer Darragh Rooney, County Hurling captain David McGovern and Ladies Football manager Hugh Donnelly join hosts Aidan Rooney and Breifne Earley to discuss the opening weekends in their respective national league campaigns. In the second episode of the new look Leitrim GAA Podcast, a partnership of Leitrim GAA and Leitrim Daily. It's a weekly hour or so look into the world of Leitrim County Club Gaelic Games, available in both video and audio versions. Former Leitrim player Aidan Rooney (6:15) gives his view on the defeat to Sligo in the opening round of the National Football League on Sunday, the split loyalties of watching his Son Nathan feature for Sligo and the disappointment of the second half collapse. Melvin Gaels sharp shooter Darragh Rooney (13:42) joins Aidan and Breifne to carry out a post mortem on Sunday's defeat to Sligo, how the tide turned in the second half and where next for Leitrim's plans for what remains of the National Football League season. Darragh discusses the challenge ahead with the visit of Louth and Antrim to Carrick, the mood generally in the camp and the work that's been put in behind the scenes by players and staff to continue to build the squad. The full back and captain of Leitrim hurlers David McGovern (26:16) drops in to look back at the soul crushing injury time defeat at the hands of Louth in Avant Money Pairc Sean MacDiarmada. McGovern discusses his 'very, very South Leitrim' accent, growing up as a Leitrim supporter in Blanchardstown and the progress made in Leitrim Hurling in recent seasons. With the Ladies team starting their season on Sunday against Louth in Ballinamore, their manager Hugh Donnelly (42:58) talks about their work in recent weeks to prepare, the impact of lockdown on the squad and competing with other sporting opportunities for his players.

The Social Democrats political party has established a new branch in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, and they're aiming to stand candidates in the next Local Elections. Thomas Creamer from Ballinamore in Co Leitrim is Chair of the interim constituency branch of the party

jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/y7pdy3t6 320,000 students returned to schools today. 320,000 dalta fillte ar scoileanna inniu. Around 320,000 schoolchildren returned to the State's primary and secondary schools today for the first time since Christmas. Dfhill thart ar 320,000 dalta scoile ar bhunscoileanna agus ar mheánscoileanna an Stáit inniu den chéad uair ó bhí an Nollaig ann. 260,000 primary school students returned to class today and 60,000 Leaving Certificate students returned to the classroom. 260,000 dalta bunscoile a bhí ar ais sa rang inniu agus tháinig 60,000 dalta Ardteiste ar ais chuig an seomra ranga. All the special schools are back today as well. Tá na scoileanna speisialta ar fad ar ais inniu chomh maith. 140 students attending Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh in Ballinamore in the Central Donegal Gaeltacht. 140 dalta atá ag freastal ar Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh i mBéal an Átha Móir i nGaeltacht Láir Dhún na nGall. The first morning of March could not have been nicer for the thirty Leaving Certificate students who were back here after 33 days at home since Christmas. Ní thiocfadh leis an chéad mhaidin den Mhárta a bheith níos deise don tríocha dalta Ardteiste a bhí ar ais anseo i ndiaidh 33 lá sa bhaile ó bhí an Nollaig ann. Leaving Certificate student Caoimhe Nic Fhloinn from Gleann Fhinne says it's nice to be back and to be with her friends and teachers again and to talk to people again. Deir an dalta Ardteiste,Caoimhe Nic Fhloinn, as Gleann Fhinne gur deas a bheith ar ais agus a bheith i measc a cairde agus na múinteoirí arís agus a bheith ag caint le daoine arís. "It was easier to sadly unlock this, as the teachers had Google Meet and Zoom fixed. It was hard to be at school at home but it's nice to be back again." "Bhí sé níos fusa sadianghlasáil seo, mar bhí Google Meet agus Zoom socraithe ag na múinteoirí.Bhí sé deacair a bheith ar scoil sa bhaile ach tá sé deas a bheith ar ais arís." It is a relief for the teachers of the students to be in front of them again in the classroom. Faoiseamh atá ann do mhúinteoirí na daltaí bheith os a gcomhair arís sa seomra ranga. Business Studies teacher, Pádraigín Ni Fhaoláin, says: "It 's closer to what is natural for us as teachers. Deir an múinteoir Staidéar Gnó, Pádraigín Ni Fhaoláin: "Tá sé níos cóngaraí don rud atá nádúrtha dúinn mar mhúinteoirí. Working online is difficult as much of the communication between people is lost on screen. Tá an obair ar-líne deacair mar go bhfuil cuid mhór den chumarsaid idir daoine caillte ar an scáileán. At the same time, it was a good thing that the facilities were there. Ag an am chéanna, is maith an rud é go raibh na háiseanna ann. It wasn't perfect - we weren't able to do group work, for example, but it's nice to be back and see young people back after a long time without them "Subject teachers had a particular challenge to teach practical. Níl sé raibh sé foirfe - ní raibhraibh muid in ann obair ghúpa a dhéanamh, mar shampla, ach tá sé deas a bheith ar ais agus daoine óga a fheiceáil ar ais tar éis tréimhse fhada gan iad" Dúshlán ar leith a bhí ann ag múinteoirí ábhair phraiticiúla a mhúineadh. Enda Manning is the teacher of construction and woodwork - subjects of which 30% are theoretical and 70% practical. Is é Éanna Ó Mainnín an múinteoir foirgníochta agus adhmadóireachta - ábhair a bhfuil 30 faoin gcéad díobh teoiriciúil agus 70 faoin gcéad praiticiúil. "They have done a lot of work at home. "Tá go leor oibre déanta acu sa bhaile . We haven't missed many times to be honest about it. Níor chaill muid morán amanna le bheith fírinneach faoi. Many of my junior classes have had problems with broadband in some areas and that is one of the biggest flaws in the west of the country more than anywhere else .. that is, there are major problems with broadband. Go leor de na ranganna sóisearachaa bhí agam,

Co. Leitrim native John O’Connell who runs a mixed sheep and dairy contract rearing system in Ballinamore joins Ciarán Lynch on this week’s episode of OviCast. John who is also a participant in the BETTER farm Sheep Programme starts by discussing the importance of having ewes in the right body condition and maintaining this during mid-pregnancy. John discusses his scanning results and subsequent management. He also explains the role of high-quality silage in his system and the ration specification he is using this year. John puts great emphasis on ensuring ewes have sufficient quantities of high-quality colostrum and takes us through his feeding regime, in particular how he manages singles to facilitate cross fostering. He moves on to discuss managing pregnant ewe lambs in his flock before finishing up explaining how these and triplet rearing ewes are managed post-lambing. For more episodes from OviCast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast/

Drivetime's John Cooke reports from the direct provision centre in Ballinamore.

Something was written in the stars this weekend for last year's beaten finalists in the Leitrim Ladies Football Championships finals as Glencar/Manor, Mohill and Drumkeerin finally got their hands on silverware just twelve months after each side experienced heartbreak on county final day. It was third time lucky for Glencar Manorhamilton as they overcame the challenge of final debutants Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in the decider while Mohill's firepower was too much for a young Dromahair side in the Intermediate decider. Drumkeerin edged out Fenagh St. Caillins in the Junior showpiece in a tight game that took an injury time goal in extra time to decide the winners. We run through the Ladies Football (0:40) results, the scores from Junior A, B & C Men's Football (2:09) and the second round of games in the Sligo Leitrim 7 District Soccer League (3:51). Over the weekend we spoke to some of the winners and runners up in the Ladies Football (7:22) finals including one of the winning co-captains of Glencar Manorhamilton Eimear Feely (8:34), their free scoring forward Muireann Devaney (11:17) and their manager Padhraic Corrigan (13:47) while Ballinamore captain Laura O'Dowd (17:30) shares her disappointment at her side's defeat in the game. At Intermediate level Mohill had too much strength up front for a Dromahair side who struggled to match the eventual winners for the entire 60 minutes of the encounter. After the game we heard the thoughts of Mohill midfielder Denise Stenson (21:06), player of the match Dearbhaile Beirne (25:29) and their manager Barry Lupton (27:00). In the final ladies game at the weekend last year's beaten finalists Drumkeerin faced the challenge of Fenagh and the underdogs flew into an early lead but couldn't hold the lead into the final stages and ended up losing the game to a last minute goal in extra time, after the game we spoke to their captain Charleen Maguire (32:01), player of the match Ann-Marie Gallagher (34:52). We also hear from both managers Fenagh's Paidh Rowley (36:48) & Drumkeerin's Tom McGinty (40:00). Finally we take a look at the action for Carrick Town (43:23) in the Sligo Pallets Premier League on Sunday morning with their centre half Cormac Smith (43:45) and manager Alessio Mignone (45:27).

This week is all about Ladies Football with deciders at Senior, Intermediate and Junior level in the county. We're also looking at cycling and golf with features covering National Bike Week with Patricia Forde of Leitrim Local Sports Partnership and Michelle Hackett of Ballinamore Golf Club. We're detailing the complete fixtures of Ladies Football (2:28), Junior Football Quarter and Semi Finals (4:27), Sligo / Leitrim (7:29) & National League Soccer (9:03) and Connacht Branch Rugby fixtures (9:59). Bornacoola native Michelle Hackett joins us to discuss her recent successes on the golf course. The Ballinamore club member won the Ballyconnell leg of the Irish Golfer Magazine Tour which sees her progress to the national final in the K Club in late October. She's also got the small matter of the Intermediate Ladies Football final to worry about as a member of the Mohill squad for tomorrow's game. Finally, we are joined by Patricia Forde of Leitrim Local Sports Partnership to discuss the range of activities which will be on offer across the county for National Bike Week which runs from tomorrow to Sunday week with events to suit all ages from toddlers to teenagers and the young at heart. Check www.leitrimsports.ie for more information.

It was all about the final four in gaelic football this weekend. Mohill and St. Mary's will meet in two weeks time in the Senior County Final but we'll be getting reaction from all the games played over the weekend as well as looking over the local soccer action from opening weekend. We start with a look at the results (0:26) of the entire weekend across the two Minor (2:11) football championship finals, Senior (3:27) & Intermediate (4:28) gaelic football championship semi finals and Ladies Football featuring at Senior (7:06) and Junior (9:50) championship level. We'll also be taking a look at the soccer scene at local (10:36) and national level with Niall Morahan's red card (14:42), Dearbhaile Beirne's title challenge with Peamount United (16:16) and Muireann Devaney's winner for Sligo Rovers WU17 (16:50). After the GAA games played over the weekend we hear from Fenagh's Donal Wrynn (17:41) and Joe Flynn (20:07) while Mohill's Keith Beirne (24:31) and Liam Keenan (26:55) share their delight at securing their final place. From the other Semi Final we hear from player's on both sides, last year's winning captain Conor Dolan (33:23) and Carrick stalwart Jonathan Cassidy (30:14) as well as their respective managers Sean Boylan (36:06) and Denis Connerton (39:33). On the ladies side of the sport Ballinamore secured their berth with a hard fought victory over Kiltubrid on Sunday morning. Kiltubrid's Sinead Tighe (47:04) spoke to us about her pride at their performance against the favourites while we were joined by Katie Duignan (49:10) and Conor Harte (51:12). At Intermediate level Carrigallen ran out of road chasing the concession of 3 early goals to Annaduff. We spoke to players Gary Reynolds (54:51) and Sean McNabola (60:03) as well as their bosses Brian Doyle (62:48) & Karl Foley (65:43). In the other side of the final four draw, Gortletteragh needed extra time to see off the challenge of Dromahair. A battered and bloodied Cian Clinton (70:35) of Dromahair and Francie Flynn (74:40) gave the players perspective while Padraig Clancy (76:35) and Paul McGuire (79:21) also give the sideline view on the game. Finally we hear from Thomas McDonald (81:31), player / manager of Manor Rangers after his side drew their first game in the opening weekend of the Sligo Leitrim & District Super League.

This weekend we're blessed amongst women once again as we look towards the Semi Finals of the Ladies Championships at all adult levels and we speak to one adventurous Rooskey woman ahead of her 660km cycle adventure next week. With breaking news (0:58) that some sports clubs in the county have been in close contact with covid cases and 48 hour closures of all activities in 2 clubs (Kiltubrid GAA / LGFA & Carrick Town) we'll be discussing the impact of covid on our games. We'll be outlining the fixtures over the weekend with action in Ladies Football (3:52) at Senior, Intermediate and Junior while the Junior A, B & C competitions continue in Men's Gaelic Football (5:32). The show will also include updates on National League & Women's Youth Inter League Soccer (7:09), Trident Swimming Club (10:11) and Carrick Rowing (11:22) activities across the county. Ahead of the Gotham Dry Wall Leitrim Ladies Senior Football Championship semi finals (13:03) we speak to Bronagh O'Rourke (13:33) of current champions St. Josephs, Mellissa Hewitt (22:24) of their opponents on Sunday, Glencar/Manor and group toppers Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins centre forward Roisin McHugh (29:37) ahead of their semi finals this weekend. Finally Rooskey’s Lorraine McGlynn (37:19) joins us to share details of her marathon cycle next week where she will be cycling 660km over 4 days in aid of Cycle Against Suicide. Her long distance ride will finish in Dublin on Thursday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. Full details available at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/844609092737677/?fundraiser_source=external_url

This week we're celebrating a fifth national title for hurdler Gerard O'Donnell while the Gaelic Football Senior and Intermediate Championships reach the final four stage after the weekend's action. We run through the results of the weekend in Gaelic Football (2:10) at Senior and Intermediate football across the county. Meanwhile in Dublin's Morton Stadium, Carrick on Shannon Athletic Club's Gerard O'Donnell (5:57) landed his fourth consecutive national 110m hurdles title and his fifth in total, with a commanding run leaving the rest of the field in his wake. He joins us to discuss the race, his season and what's next as the prospect of Olympic qualification looms large. At home at the quarter final stage (18:15) Mohill eased past Allen Gaels despite a spirited revival from the Drumshanbo side in the second half of their clash on Saturday. After the game we heard from Mohill's manager Liam Keenan (18:56), player Keith Keegan (21:07) and Allen Gael's Colin Moran (24:03). In the second game (26:14) Leitrim Gaels first championship at this level came to an end at the hands of a strong, fast Fenagh St. Caillins side who were slightly flattered by the final score of the game. We hear from Leitrim Gael's manager Mal Guckian (26:36) and goalkeeper Benny Flynn (29:19) while Riordan O'Rourke (32:35) and Joe Flynn (34:57) give us the reaction from within the Fenagh camp. In a carbon copy of the 2019 draw (37:39), Melvin Gaels faced up to St. Mary's , but the Kinlough side were unable to replicate their preformance from last year and saw their season ended by the Carrick side. We hear from Denis Connerton (37:59) and full back Conor Farrell (42:06) as well as Melvin Gaels brothers manager, James Phelan (46:06) and goalkeeper, Gareth Phelan (48:41). In arguably the most anticipated tie of the round (51:59) champions Glencar/Manor had the obstacle of last year's beaten finalists Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins to navigate to progress and three early points from Ballinamore suggested they might gain revenge for their final defeat last year. A solid defensive display from the northerners meant a very late goal for Ballinamore couldn't change the outcome. We spoke to Glencar/Manor Sean Boylan (52:37) and Evan Sweeney (54:46) as well as Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins chairman Michael Quinn (57:19) In the Intermediate grade there were victories for Annaduff, Gortletteragh, Dromahair and Carrigallen. We spoke to Gortletteragh manager Paul McGuire (60:07), player Jack Heslin (61:57) and Martin McHugh (63:23) of Aughnasheelin after their defeat to Gortletteragh. After a titanic local battle between Bornacoola and Annaduff we spoke to Bor's boss Seamus Mallon (69:30) as well as Annaduff's captain Alan Glancy (72:03) and manager Karl Foley (74:15) who was relieved after the final whistle.

It's a bumper weekend for gaelic games in the county and with fixtures coming back from very late postponements due to horrendous weather to getting played 48 hours later to a large number of games seeing large margins eliminated or overturned, it was all about the comeback this weekend in the Leitrim Football Championships. In the Senior Championship St. Mary's completed a double comeback, their original fixture against Aughawillan fell foul of the weather with all players and supporters inside Aughawillan's beautiful new look club grounds on Saturday evening. When everyone returned on Monday the Carrick side turned the form book on it's head to take control of the tie, but a late Morgan Quinn goal and an injury time penalty looked to have sealed the victory for the home side. Carrick won the kick out and completed their own recovery with a point from Ray Mulvey and a last minute goal from Daire Farrell who outjumped the goalkeeper to find the net. We hear from both Mary's manager Denis Connerton (11:45) and Aughawillan selector Gerry Flanagan (16:16) after the heart attack inducing closing stages of the game. Also in the Senior Championship's Group of Death Fenagh St. Caillins and Mohill met on Saturday with Mohill placing one foot in the Quarter Finals. We'll hear the thoughts of Daniel Beck (17:44) and Eanna Madden (21:25) from the winning side while manager Joe Flynn (23:12) and his centre back Jack Gilheaney (25:40) give the Fenagh point of view. We'll also hear from James Flynn (28:49) of Allen Gaels, where his personal tally of 0-9 helped close an eight point deficit to share the spoils with their neighbours Leitrim Gaels who lost Colm Moreton to a red card in the first half of their clash. In the Ladies Football Senior Championships, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins made a massive statement about their title ambitions with their blistering start against 3 time champions St. Joseph's. Conor Harte (35:29) & Eilish O'Dowd (38:59) tell us about the work that's gone in behind the scenes in Ballinamore. St. Joseph's Clare Owens (40:54) & Ray McBrien (43:41) share their relief at clawing their way back into the encounter by keeping the scoreboard ticking over in the second half and setting it up for another clash later in the summer. We also hear from the St. Francis victory over St. Brigid's. Gavin Durkin (45:40), manager of St. Francis returns to the show to give his view on his side's first win in the championship. In Intermediate football we're joined by Barry Costello and Paul McGuire (48:40) of Gortletteragh and Mick McCormack (51:19) of Kiltubrid after Gortletteragh edged the tight game in atrocious conditions. Cloone continued their bright start to the Junior championship with a victory over Gortletteragh's second string. We speak to Gavin Reynolds (54:25) of Cloone and captain Padraig McGarry (56:16) of Gortletteragh after the game. Finally we feature the junior ladies clash of St. Francis II and Fenagh on Monday afternoon. Roisin O'Toole (59:47) of Fenagh and Emma Dunne (1:01:40) of St. Francis chat about the different approaches of a first team and a second string in the ladies game in the county.

We're back reviewing an eventful few days in sport across the county with the return of the Ladies Football Championships and the second round of games in the Men's Senior & Intermediate Championships taking place from Dromod to Kinlough and everywhere in between. It's ladies day on the show as we hear from the clubs involved in the opening weekend of the LGFA calendar with one sided encounters proving to be the story of the weekend in a large number of cases. Wins for defending champions St. Joseph's, last year's finalists Glencar / Manor and a statement making victory for Sean O'Heslins saw them rack up big margins of victory in the opening weekend's actions. Sean O'Heslins player Emma McGovern (13:22) talks to us about their rivalry with neighbours St. Brigids which played out on Sunday morning in Ballinamore and from the game in Ballinaglera we hear from St. Francis manager Gavin Durkin (16:14) and Leah Fox (17:47), Karen Connolly (19:28) and manager Padraic Corrigan (20:47) of Glencar/Manor. In the men's competition we were in Carrick for the clash of Mohill with the home side St. Mary's Kiltoghert. In a fantastic setting with a live streaming option and a capacity crowd it was a disappointing performance for the home side with Mohill having plenty to spare at the final whistle despite the dismissal of Keith Keegan in the second half. The free scoring Keith Beirne doing the bulk of the damage heading a fine team performance. Strong rumours circulated about the future of the St. Mary's manager in a tense environment after the game but no comment was provided by Denis Connerton, the players or the club after the game. We did speak to Mohill's Domhnaill Flynn (26:36) and manager Liam Keenan (28:08) after their victory. We also caught up with Glencar / Manor's James Glancy on Sunday evening, 24 hours after his involvement with their 3 point victory over Drumreilly on Saturday in Boggan. We chatted about Covid-19, squad injuries and his own future plans on the field. In the Intermediate Championship, Bornacoola and Eslin met in Dromod in the early throw in on Saturday with both sides needing a result to kickstart their own quarter final hopes. Despite a cagey opening quarter Bornacoola weren't made to rue their wasteful early finishing and emerged with a victory which has them looking up the group table rather than through the trap door. After the game we spoke to Eslin captain Eamon Stenson (35:50) and Bornacoola's Shane Mallon (37:07) and his manager Seamus Mallon (40:06). Seamus Gallagher was in attendance at the Drumkeerin V Aughnasheelin IFC clash where last year's finalists had a comfortable victory at home. He got the thoughts of Drumkeerin mentor Michael Forde after the game which puts one foot into the knock out stages of the competition for the North Leitrim side with a couple of games to spare. In the Junior grade Sean O'Heslins was the venue for their third encounter with Aughawillan representation in Ballinamore this weekend. Having won the Senior Men's and Women's clashes they completed the hat trick with a facile victory over their rural rivals who were struggling for numbers. Despite the one sided scoreline there were some interesting tussles and Ballinamore's manager Adrian Gallogly (47:02) shared his thoughts after the game. Our final featured game of the weekend was in the Sunday sunshine in Boggan as Drumkeerin provided the opposition to Glencar/Manor's second ladies side in the Junior Grade. A blistering paced, high scoring encounter played in a great athmosphere in front of a capacity crowd had everything you'd look for in a game. Some great scores, fantastic saves and loads of entertainment for the fans of all ages in attendance. The fairest result in the end was the draw which the two sides shared with no fewer than 11 goals spread between the teams. We spoke to Manor centre back Michelle McNulty (51:58) and Drumkeerin Manager Padraig Murphy (54:13).

After the excitement of getting our sports back up and running last weekend, it's the turn of the ladies as the Leitrim Ladies football championships kick off this weekend alongside the Men's Junior Championships. We'll also be featuring a look at the second round of fixtures in both the Leitrim GAA Senior and Intermediate Football Championships as the group tables will start to take shape with another series of games to come tomorrow evening. We'll be talking to members of all six senior ladies sides in the county ahead of the competition starting on Sunday morning alongside the secretary of Leitrim Ladies PJ Ryan (10:30). The reigning Champions St. Joseph's face a trip to Kiltubrid in a repeat of the 2017 county final and are represented on the show by Shannon O'Rourke (14:30). While twice beaten finalists Glencar / Manor face a trip to Drumshanbo to play St. Francis in their attempt to make it third time lucky in 2020, we're joined by their captains Eimear Feely and Rebecca Rooney (17:25). In alphabetical order the rest of the clubs are represented by Kiltburid's Michelle Guckian (20:13), Laura O'Dowd (22:19) of Sean O'Heslins, their opponents on Sunday in a newly amalgamated St. Brigid's side Carla LaGuen (24:59) who'll chat to us about life as a new entity in the game and finally St. Francis pair Dara Morahan & Roisin McGrenaghan (26:23). Mohill's Deirdre Ward (29:22) also had a chat with us about her sides hopes to go one better than last years Intermediate final appearance this time around. In the Men's Junior grade which starts on Sunday also we hear from Glenfarne Kilty boss Aidy McCallion (31:54) and we close the show with the last club to get their adult campaign up and running. Fintan McBrien (40:46), manager of Aughavas who don't have their first game until Sunday week in the Junior ranks.

It seems like forever since we saw a full weekend of sporting action across the county but with the start of the Senior and Intermediate Football Championships this weekend we finally have some sport to review on the show. On today's show we catch up with Fenagh Manager Joe Flynn after his side had three points to spare in a 2-12 to 2-9 victory over his former team St. Mary's Kiltoghert on Saturday evening. Championship new boys Leitrim Gaels saw off the challenge of last season's semi finalists Melvin Gaels in their first ever game at the top table. A final score of 1-15 to 1-07 saw the home side record the most comfortable margin of victory of the entire weekend. Their first scorer Eunan Tracey and manager Mal Guckian spoke to Breifne after the game while the Kinlough side's Killian McGloin shared his disappointment with the performance and the result. Mohill went down by a single point to 2019 finalists Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins 0-16 to 0-15. Ballinamore selector Adrian Smith recaps the game. In the final game Allen Gaels were beaten by Glencar/Manor 1-12 to 0-08. That entire game is available to view at www.leitrimgaa.ie In the Intermediate grade Annaduff emerge successfully from their opening night clash with Kiltubrid. Three late unanswered points saw them overturn a deficit to a single point victory, 0-10 to 0-9, in Cloone on Friday night. Annaduff's Dillon Keane and Kiltubrid manager Ciaran McTague are on the show with their thoughts on how the game went. Francis Davitt spoke to Seamus Gallagher after his Drumkeerin team had a comfortable 1-16 to 0-10 victory in Eslin while only a point seperated Ballinaglera and Bornacoola. The North Leitrim side winning at home 2-15 to 2-14 on the shores of Lough Allen. Gortletteragh held on to a slender two point lead despite a second half rally from Dromohair. The final score was 2-11 to 2-09 to Gortletteragh. In soccer the final game of the weekend was the Sligo Leitrim Superleague clash between Manor Rangers and Carbury. The table topping fixture ended 1-1 after Aaron Hickey's early header for the Manorhamilton side was cancelled out when Aaron Murrin's cross found the back of the net just a few minutes later. Both sides had opportunities to snatch a victory which would have put them into the driving seat for the league title but both goalkeepers proved on top of their game to leave the scores even at the final whistle. This result gives the advantage in the league title race to the Sligo side but with a number of games left any slip ups will be pounced on. Goalscorer Aaron Hickey and player/manager Thomas McDonald join us on the show today.

We're celebrating the return of competitive sport to the playing pitches and sporting arenas of Leitrim this weekend with the much anticpated start of the Leitrim GAA Club Football Championships. In today's show we're looking at the teams participating in the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship which throw's in tomorrow afternoon. Today's show is in partnership with Leitrim Local Enterprise Office & LocalMedia.ie On the show we talk about the #AllInForEanna campaign to raise much needed funds for the family of Eanna Caffrey, a 17 month old child diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). You can support the GoFundMe campaign here: https://gf.me/u/ygrbg9 On today's show we'll be chatting to each club gearing up to compete for this year's Senior Championship with players and managers joining Breifne to let us know how they are preparing for the blistering pace they're facing into over the next five weekends. Eight of the ten teams will start their campaign this weekend with four fixtures taking place tomorrow evening at 7pm. We'll be chatting to reigning champions Glencar/Manorhamilton and man of the match in last year's final Conor Dolan (8:51) about their preparation ahead of their opening Group B game in Drumshanbo. County goalkeeper Diarmuid McKiernan (14:49) gives the home sides point of view. Also in Group B, Leitrim Gaels will field a team in Senior Championship for the first ever time, we spoke to their captain James Flynn (18:24) ahead of their big game. Veteran Emlyn Mulligan joins us as captain of their opponents Melvin Gaels for the clash in Leitrim Village tomorrow evening. In Group A in what is arguably the clash of the round Mohill host Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in a high octane clash which should set the championship alight from the off. Keith Beirne (30:09) spoke to us earlier in the week ahead of the all ticket affair and we're joined by Adrian Smith (36:05), a selector for Sean O'Heslins ahead of the tasty encounter. Our final interview of the show is Fenagh captain Donal Wrynn (41:41) who host St. Mary's Kiltoghert in their opening game on Saturday.

This week for our Sports Preview show Brendan Guckian and Seamus Gallagher join Breifne Earley to run the rule over what might lie in store for all twenty clubs taking part in the Leitrim Club Football Championships. Current U17 Leitrim Manager Brendan Guckian runs the rule over the teams taking part in the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship, a competition the former inter county midfielder won on three occasions (1995, 2003 & 2007) with his own club St. Mary's. Former County Board Secretary, Seamus Gallagher, himself a Championship winner with Drumkeerin in the second tier in 1975 talks us through what lies ahead for the secondary grade of the game in the county. In the Senior grade Group 1, his own club, St. Mary's, facing into a particularly tough group against three of the fancied sides in last season's beaten finalists Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and Mohill and Aughawillan who have won the competition two and three times respectively in the last six years. Those four will be joined by Fenagh St. Caillins, managed by Joseph Flynn, who oversaw St. Mary's last season with both those sides clashing in the first round of games on Saturday week. Aughawillan will get the opportunity to watch their upcoming opponents with a weekend off while Mohill and Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins will clash in what promises to be the tie of the opening round. Group 2 sees Glencar/Manor favourites to top the group as winners although Allen Gaels will be looking to regroup after a disappointing season in 2019, Leitrim Gaels will be relishing their first ever crack at this level in their 24th Championship season, they host Melvin Gaels in their opener next week, while the Kinlough men seeking overall redemption for their Semi Final defeat last season. Drumreilly have developed a knack of not knowing when they are beaten and it would take a brave their evergreen squad will be looking to secure their quarter final spot and their guaranteed survival at the top table. A lot will be decided based on how teams finish in their groups and who they face in the quarter final draw as to who might be the top dogs when the Championship runs it's course at the end of September. In the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championship Group 1 sees Eslin, Ballinaglera, Bornacoola, Drumkeerin and Aughnasheelin face off over the five rounds of games to attempt to qualify for the championship quarter finals while Group 2 will require Kiltubrid, Gortletteragh, St Patrick's Dromahair and Carrigallen to battle it out with last year's semi finalists Annaduff to provide their opposition at that stage. With Gortletteragh and Dromahair having dropped down to the Intermediate grade and always competitive Eslin led by the Beirne brothers promoted to the trio of Ballinaglera, Drumkeerin and Annaduff they will be the favourites to challenge for the most competitive championship in the county this year. Aughnasheelin's challenge will depend as usual on the numbers they might available for this years campaign while Carrigallen, Bornacoola and Kiltubrid will fancy causing an upset against the fancied sides. It's amazing to think those three teams combined featured five times in no less than four Senior Championship finals from 2005 to 2009. Both Seamus and Brendan discuss the effect of home advantage, a new addition to the championship for this season, and whether full crowds will return as expected to the sidelines for these early season games.

Our 348th episode, which aired on April 5, 2020. Gerry O’Connor – O’Mahony’s Reel, Myriad NEW TO YOU: Siobhan Miller – Now You Need Me, All Is Not Forgotten Teada – Delia Keane’s/The Horse’s Leotard/Sean Bui/The Dawn Chorus, Inne Amarach Kris Drever – Navigator, Black Water Seamus Ennis – Salamanca/Duke Gordon, Forty Years of Irish Piping Buille – Mullacreevie, Buille Howie MacDonald – Highway and J.P., Shades of Tartan Cherish the Ladies – Keg of Brandy, New Day Dawning Antoin Mac Gabhann – Last Train to Loughrea, Tunesmith Triona – Kitty from Ballinamore, Triona CLOSET CLASSIC: Rare Air – Onward Blindly Onward, Hard to Beat The Outside Track – Safe Home, single release

This week on Faces & Places we're casting our minds back to the recent Leitrim's Health is Wealth event held in the Landmark Hotel in February 2020, we hear from some of the speakers and participants including Nora Owen, Paul Williams and Charlie McGettigan. We start with event organisers Valerie Cogan and Hubert McHugh as they remind us of the concept of the event and the reason for gathering almost 1,000 people together to hear from phenomenal speakers about their own battles and experiences with their mental and physical health. The event Masters of Ceremonies, Crime Journalist and Ballinamore native Paul Williams talks about returning to this extraordinary event boasting some phenomenal speakers on the issue of mental health, especially in rural Ireland. Former Minister for Justice Nora Owen discusses the impact her husband, Brian's, dementia had on his quality of life of the entire family and herself, Brian's main carer up to recent times. She speaks about the signs of dementia including loss of memory, confusion, forgetfulness and hesitancy in speech. She also discusses the process of making the decision to place Brian in full time residential care. The musical entertainment for the evening, Charlie McGettigan tells us about why he continues to be part of the evening on an annual basis with bereavement, depression and mental health on the agenda for the evening. Norman Hamilton, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, joins Breifne to discuss why he travelled across the country to join Hubert and help spread the message of the importance of positive mental health in our communities. Terence Boyle, Vice Chairman of Leitrim GAA, discusses the impact the open discussion of mental health issue has on it's clubs and members in the 23 GAA clubs across all communities and geographical areas in the county.

This week we're talking to one of Leitrim's favourite citizens. A former school principal, steeped in the GAA and no stranger to a microphone as one of the counties most called upon Master of Ceremonies, Ballinamore man Tommy Moran is a very welcome guest on the show. A former Inter County gaelic football referee, Tommy was one of the foremost officials in Gaelic Games at club, county and provincial level. He talks about his background in amateur dramatics with the Carrigallen Players winning Best Supporting Actor in the National Drama Festival. He talks about how he found himself in the position of County Secretary and Connacht Council President almost by accident after the passing of two of his colleagues and friends, Stanley Cox and Leo Kenny, left a vacancy in each of the roles. Tommy talked about his life in the classroom and dealing with growing children as the entire profession developed during his career in terms of discipline, resources and support within the education sector in the country. We discuss his current project, the development of the Island Theatre, in Ballinamore with a massive push to raise the €300,000 matched funding to complete the redevelopment of the community centre on the approach to the town from Carrick on Shannon. The interview was recorded just before Christmas and Tommy reminisced about the memories of the changes of Christmas over the years.

This week's Sports Roundup show takes a look back at the action which did take place over a frost affected few days. Manor Rangers repeated their heroics of last weekend while Leitrim's U14 female footballers got their season up and running as St. Clares Comp prepare for a Connacht Final on Wednesday in Athlone. After their table topping victory last weekend Manor didn't rest on their laurels yesterday in their Connacht Cup victory over Renmore of Galway in the Bee Park in Manorhamilton. Conceding a sloppy goal after ten minutes and some wasteful finishing from the home side certainly made it look like it wasn't going to be their day. A last minute header from Seamus Ryder would ensure the game went to extra time where Ryder would score again to give Manor the lead. A well finished move from the Galway side would tie up the game with less than ten minutes remaining and it was to be settled on spot kicks on the day. After 8 successful strikes from each side 16 year old Diarmuid Giblin stepped up for Manor only to see his effort saved, but the post came to his and Manor's rescue, before a combination of a converted penalty from player / manager Thomas McDonald and a save from Gilligan in the Manor goal left the home side smiling at the end. We caught up with Robbie Cunningham and Brian McDonald as well as the gaffer Thomas McDonald after the game. Declan Boyle, Coordinator of the Leitrim Sports Partnership, tells us all about the Operation Transformation walks which took place around the county with over 300 participants getting out and active for a 5km walk in Ballinamore, Carrick, Dromahair and Manorhamilton. Leitrim Ladies U14 side got their season up and running with a very competitive challenge game against a Longford side in Keenagh on Saturday. We speak to manager Adrian Murphy about his charges and how they have been gelling since they got together as an U13 development side back in late 2019. We also speak to Anthony McDonald of St. Clare's Comprehensive about their victory in their Connacht Semi Final last week and their upcoming U17 Boy's 'B' final to be played in Athlone Town on Wednesday afternoon.

Today's event guide show takes a look at everything happening in The Dock Arts Centre and Carrick Cineplex as well as the Operation Transformation walks and the launch of Faye Hayden's book 'Bedtime Stories for Mother's and Others' in the Reading Room. Paul Cunningham of The Dock Arts Centre walks us through all the offerings in the venue for the rest of the month with Jack L, Donal Lunny, First Fortnight and if you catch it early in the day Sharon Shannon this evening. Faye Hayden joins Breifne to recap her book 'Bedtime Stories for Mothers and Others' which will be launched officially on Saturday afternoon in The Reading Room on Bridge Street, Carrick on Shannon at 2pm on Saturday. Local Arts Activist Mary Blake will be introducing the book. We take a look back at the conversation we had with Trish Forde of the Leitrim Sports Partnership about the Operation Transformation walks taking place in Ballinamore, Manorhamilton and Carrick on Shannon on Saturday (11am) and Dromahair on Sunday afternoon (1pm). She'll be giving us all the other details in the show. We also have our weekly check in with Justin Farrell of Carrick Cineplex about the new releases and some of the Irish interest on the silver screen this week.

It's the first sports preview of the year and we're looking at the three main field sports as the senior Gaelic Footballers rejoin the action a week later than the rugby and soccer sides across the county. We're chatting to Gary Donohoe, the manager of the County U20 side, as well as a selector with Terry Hyland's senior county team about the FBD Semi Final against the Rossies on Sunday and his own charges in the U20 Philly McGuinness Cup against Longford as a curtain raiser for the O'Byrne Cup visit of Dublin to Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon. We'll be casting an eye back at their defeat last weekend to Fermanagh also. Thomas McDonald, Player / Manager with Manor Rangers, will be telling us about their season so far and their crunch top of the table clash with defending league champions Carbury on Sunday morning in Sligo. Patricia Forde of the Leitrim Local Sports Partnership will be filling us in on all the opportunities for the general public to get out and active this spring with Operation Transformation walks taking place next Saturday (18th @ 11am) in Ballinamore, Manorhamilton and Carrick on Shannon as well as Dromahair (Sunday 19th). We also find out more about coaching and child protection courses, their Swim 4 All programme and plenty more of the work they carry out with their various partners across the county. We'll also find out about who are our first weekly nominees for our inaugural Sports Person of the Month Award, with Athletics, Rugby, Soccer and Gaelic Games all featuring this week.

This week Breifne Earley is joined by Cllr Felim Gurn and Mairin Martin of the Ballinamore Community Council to discuss their delight at their respective regions of Manorhamilton and Ballinamore receiving a total of €3.3m in government funding. The St. Felim’s Junction Project in Ballinamore has been a priority for the community council over the last number of years with an Art School, Digital Hub and youth club resources all part of the overall plan for the new facility at the site of the old narrow gauge railway. The project got the green light with the awarding of this grant last Wednesday. Mairin Martin reminds us about the details of the project and what people in the Ballinamore area can hope to gain from this very initiative. At the same time Manorhamilton were awarded a sum to help with the development of the approach to the north Leitrim town, the town square, a new car park and the development of access to a new 13 acre industrial development facility which is planned to encourage more investment in the area. Felim Gurn, a business owner and a local representative in the town speaks to Breifne about how important continued investment in the county is and how it will take a team effort from the government, the county council, local business and the general population. He spoke about the recent increase in Local Property Tax and how commercial rates will be under the microscope this week in the council budget discussions.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny's car was torched a few days after he spoke out against rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the Dáil. Kenny, who has supported the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers in the town of Ballinamore in his constituency, talks to Fiach Kelly and Harry McGee about his fears that real issues are being twisted to win support for extreme views.  And Irish Times journalist Jennifer O'Connell talks about why two towns,  Borrisokane and Ballinamore, have reacted differently to the arrival of direct provision centres. How can the government better engage with communities? But first, London editor Denis Staunton on the forthcoming UK general election. Could this election throw up a worse Brexit than Boris Johnson's deal from an Irish point of view? And can Jeremy Corbyn repeat the trick of 2017 and outperform expectations?

This weekend all eyes were on the small ball with the Senior Hurling final between Carrick Hurling and Cluainín Iomaint of Manorhamilton on Saturday afternoon. Carrick Hurling secured their 33rd county senior title with a 1-20 to 0-21 win after extra time and Breifne Earley caught up with their coach Olcan Conway, captain Cathal McCrann, goalscorer Stephen Goldrick and man of the match James Glancy after their victory. Cluainín's Declan Ryan shared his disappointment after they probably edged the encounter but ending up on the losing side. Sean O'Heslins Ballinamore slipped up in their bid to secure a league final place when despite a number of scorable chances late in the game they were unable to close a single point gap to get the draw they needed to reach the final. Mohill, their opponents yesterday will now face St. Mary's Kiltoghert in the league final next Saturday afternoon in Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada. Breifne spoke to Shane Quinn & Liam Keenan from Mohill as well as Keelan McHugh of Sean O'Heslins after the game. Niall Morahan and Sligo Rovers were on the losing side of a 2-1 scoreline against high flying Derry City in the Showgrounds on Saturday evening for the last home fixture of this season. Rovers took the lead early in the encounter but were unable to hold on to their lead and eventually lost out by the odd goal in three. Both Glencar / Manor and Carrick Town recorded 4-3 victories in the Sligo / Leitrim & District League over the weekend while local referee Emma Cleary has been selected to act as 4th official for the Women's Senior FAI Cup Final in which Dearbhaile Beirne will feature for Peamount United. In what was a disappointing weekend for Rugby, Matthew Earley was unable to prevent his Sligo Rugby side slipping to a 20-15 defeat to Wanderers in Dublin on Saturday in Division 2B of the All Ireland League.

This week it's all about the county finals as the Leitrim GAA Senior & Intermediate championships came to a conclusion yesterday. Glencar / Manorhamilton overcame Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins by the margin of a single point in the senior decider while Leitrim Gaels secured their first Intermediate Championship victory over a resolute Drumkeerin side. Breifne Earley speaks to Glencar / Manor trio Shane Ward, Conor Dolan & James Glancy and a frustrated Ballinamore Manager Dom Corrigan. We also hear from victorious coach Mal Guckian, Brendan Flynn and club chairman Mark Chandler after Leitrim Gael's win over Francis Davitt's Drumkeerin side. Francis also shares his disappointment after the defeat. St. Joseph's fell short at the last hurdle in their bid to secure the Connacht Ladies Intermediate crown while Drumreilly ended their season with a Division 2 league title with one point victory over Ballinaglera on Saturday evening. Longford Town crashed out of the SSE Airtricity League promotion playoffs on penalties at the hands of Cabinteely after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Locally Manor Rangers secured a 2-1 victory over Aughanagh Celtic in the Sligo Leitrim Superleague. Muireann Devaney and Leah Fox saw their U17 National League season come to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Galway in the Semi Finals of the league, we speak to both girls after the game. In Rugby, Carrick on Shannon Rugby Club saw their first home game of the season end in a 12-0 victory over OLBC on Sunday evening, while former club man Matthew Earley was a substitute in a 45 - 14 victory over Belfast Harlequins in their first home game in Division 2B of the All Ireland League.

Last Tuesday night in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton we held our first ever Live Episode Recording previewing this weekend’s Leitrim Football Finals at Senior and Intermediate level. This is the second part of that show. Órla McNabola starts proceedings with a conversation with secretary of North West STOP, Deirdre O’Hagan, about the fantastic work that they carry out in the region with their counselling service for those who are feeling depressed or suicidal or those who have been bereaved by suicide. Their work is entirely supported by charitable donations and many, many events like Tuesday’s to support their efforts across Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Donegal and Cavan. As it is World Mental Health Week, you can make a donation directly at www.northweststop.ie/donate/ Youth Olympic medallist Dearbhla Rooney brings us behind the scenes in the Glencar/Manor camp Breifne Earley took a trip to Ballinamore to see how Sean O’Heslins were faring up ahead of their first senior final in 21 years. Cormac O’Suilleabhain and Sean Boylan join Breifne for a panel discussion about the game, with some contributions from and about our other guests on the night including Joe Honeyman and Aidan Rooney. The Senior Final between Sean O’Heslins and Glencar/Manorhamilton will be played at 3pm on Sunday afternoon in Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada. This will be immediately preceded by the Intermediate Final between Leitrim Gaels and Drumkeerin at 1pm. Tickets are available at the venue on the day.

Last night in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton we held our first ever Live Episode previewing this weekend’s Leitrim Football Finals at Senior and Intermediate level. Breifne Earley and Órla McNabola host the show and today’s edition will focus on the first half of the live show which featured the Intermediate Final Preview and our look back at the 1994 Connacht Championship. Órla McNabola takes a look inside both camps ahead of the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championship Final between Leitrim Gaels and Drumkeerin with recorded contributions from Mal Guckian, Aidan Flynn and Brian Treacy of Leitrim Gaels and Francis Davitt, Colm Clarke and Cathal McCauley of Drumkeerin. Live on the show while looking forward to the game on Sunday, Bryan Whitney and Gerry Spellman of Leitrim Gaels shared their experiences of the foundation of the club, the impact it’s made on their lives and the lives of the entire community of Leitrim Village while Seamus Gallagher and Joe Walpole talked about their memories of being part of Drumkeerin’s Junior Championship success in 1975 and the club’s other titles in 1966 and 1985. Joe Honeyman and Aidan Rooney had the audience in stitches throughout their look back at the 1994 Connacht Championship success. The long time friends reminisced about their happy and funny memories of that period in Leitrim football, of course it’s not long before the club rivalry kicks in and they are comparing notes for next Sunday’s senior final between Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins and Glencar / Manor. Both men talk about the impact of Gaelic games in their lives with Joe managing the Leitrim Minor team this year and Aidan fresh from a disappointing county semi final result with his St. Mary’s side in Sligo.

Welcome the What’s On! Guide for this week. We are already at Episode 92 of the podcast and we are getting closer than ever to our Leitrim Daily Live event next Tuesday, 8th October. With a wide range of things to see and do around the county, Órla McNabola presents just what Leitrim has in store this week. Graham Allen from Carrick on Shannon Athletics Club is tells us about their Couch to 5K programme which starts next Monday. The programme will train beginners to complete a 5K run. The Alcohol Forum are a national charity dedicated to preventing and reducing the harms caused by alcohol misuse. They are providing a seminar titled “Realising Rights & Responsibilities: Alcohol and the Rights of the Child”. That takes place in The Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon on Friday 11th October. Paula Leonard has all the details. Taragh Donohue from The Corn Mill Theatre in Carrigallen speaks to Órla ahead of their upcoming productions at the Carrigallen venue. This Sunday, 6th October, it’s ‘Celebrate Leitrim Day’. A day to honour our great little county - its people, places, projects, plants and animals. Jo Sachs-Eldridge gives us a taster of what’s in store. Justin Farrell from Carrick Cineplex brings us up to speed on what’s on the screens for the coming week. These include Carrick Film Society showings of Birds of Passage (tonight, 3rd October) and Sunset (next Thursday, 10th October). Breifne rounds off our What’s On! Guide with a peek at all this weekend’s fixtures for Gaelic football, soccer and rugby. Players from Glencar Manor, Ballinamore, Leitrim Gaels and Drumkeerin will play guests to our Leitrim Daily Live event next Tuesday, 8th October. A night of looking back but also forward to the future of Leitrim GAA. Audience tickets are €10 and available at theglenscentre.com. All proceeds go to Northwest STOP.

This week we're putting the town of Ballinamore In Focus. Máirín Martin and Ruairi Sullivan join Breifne to discuss the development of the facilities and projects in the town. Chairperson of the Ballinamore Community Council, Máirán Martin chats about the origin of the Area Community Council around Aughawillan, Aughnasheelin, Corraleehan, Drumreilly and Fenagh as well as the town of Ballinamore. After first developing a scenic area at Poll an Easa Waterfall and creating business units on the golf course road, the community council are now looking towards the development of a number of projects within the town, namely the community hall development into the Island Theatre and the creation of a new town centre at the site of the old railway station at St. Felim's. Ruairi Sullivan joins us to talk about the Cavan Leitrim Greenway project which will be building a demonstration stretch from the town towards Aughawillan in a trail which will eventually lead from Ballyconnell to Mohill across the entire region.

There is also action in Ladies Football with county champions St. Joseph's in action in the Connacht Quarter Final, Mohill and Aughawillan locking horns in the Intermediate Final and Keeldra Gaels facing Drumkeerin in the Junior decider. In Soccer, Niall Morahan and his Sligo Rovers team mates faced League Champions Dundalk in the Semi Final of the FAI Cup in a sold out Showgrounds in Sligo yesterday evening. A last minute Michael Duffy winner in a 1-0 victory put paid to their Aviva Stadium dreams for this season. Glencar / Manor and Sean O'Heslins progressed to the Senior County Final at the expense of Melvin Gaels and Mohill respectively, we discuss the games with Conor Dolan & Shane Ward (Glencar / Manor), Emlyn Mulligan (Melvin Gaels), Luke Murphy & Dom Corrigan (Sean O'Heslins) and Liam Keenan (Mohill). In the Intermediate grade Leitrim Gaels overcame Annaduff yesterday while Drumkeerin will be their opponents in the final after defeating local rivals Ballinaglera on Saturday evening. We hear from Mal Guckian & Enda Moreton (Leitrim Gaels), Karl Foley (Annaduff), Francie Davitt & Colm Clarke (Drumkeerin) and Kevin Nolan (Ballinaglera). Aughawillan took home the Intermediate Ladies crown with a tight victory over Mohill as Keeldra Gaels left it very late against a resolute Drumkeerin side to seal their own silverware in the Junior Championship. Breifne spoke to player of the game Shaylyn Ward (Keeldra Gaels) as well as both managers Tommy Ginty (Drumkeerin) and John Campbell (Keeldra Gaels). Not a day for goalkeepers as St. Mary's managed to secure the Minor 13-a-side championship in a goal fest against Dromahair with both sides scoring at least ten goals. Carrick Town picked up a good league point against Calry Bohs as Manor Rangers bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup at the first round stage to Ballaghaderreen of Roscommon. We also feature the underage soccer results including Carrick Town's first ever girls game at U16 level. In Rugby, Carrick still waiting for their league season to kick off next weekend, but former player Matthew Earley was a member of the Sligo second's side who got their Connacht J1A league campaign up and running with a 66-7 victory over Buccaneers ahead of the start of their Division 2B All Ireland League campaign which starts next week against Galwegians.

This week for our Sports Preview show Breifne Earley is focusing on the last 4 of the club championship at Senior and Intermediate grades as well as Sligo Rovers’ FAI Cup semi final against League champions Dundalk. Melvin Gaels boss James Phelan and Glencar Manor’s Shane Ward compare notes on their preparations while Daniel Beck talks about the ups and downs in Mohill’s season so far. Patricia Forde, captain of Keeldra Gaels joins us to talk about her sides chances of replicating their league success in their second final of the season against Drumkeeran tomorrow evening. Niall Morahan joins Breifne to talk about his big weekend with a sell out crowd expected in the Showgrounds for their semi final against Dundalk. The Bit o’ Red have already beaten Dundalk this season back in April, but with Dundalk on a 29 game unbeaten streak since then the odds are stacked in their favour. Breifne also looks briefly at the Intermediate semi finals between northern rivals Drumkeeran and Ballinaglera and Annaduff face Leitrim Gaels in the other game. He also touches on the ladies intermediate final between Aughawillan and Mohill.

Today's Face's & Places episode takes us to the shores of Lough Rynn, and more specifically the grounds of Lough Rynn Castle for the Harvest and Vintage Festival held there at the end of August. A great day's entertainment and excitement for all ages as the modern met the historic in the most scenic of locations. Breifne first caught up with Captain Jack Sparrow or , of Corvenieos Entertainment, who entertained the younger folks during the day, allowing the parents to take their time drifting through the various stalls and exhibits on the fabulous grounds of Lough Rynn Castle Hotel. Johnny Brady talks about his summer exploits which saw him play at many of the counties numerous festivals over the last few months including Manorhamilton, Leitrim Village and Ballinamore before his afternoon performance at the festival here. Tommy from Shannon River Adventure has us heading to the sky on his movable climbing wall. John McGuinness, chairman of the festival, looks back at the success of the day celebrating the biggest crowd in the events history with attendees from far and wide across the north west. He thanks the Lough Rynn Hotel for hosting the event and permitting the festival use the grounds of the hotel all in aid of the Bornacoola Community Development group who provide community facilities in the parish of Bornacoola. We hear about Rooskey After School's attempts to raise funds to develop the facility and provide a quality service for the community of Rooskey, looking after the youngest generation of local children. Their fundraising draw includes a top prize of a Charolais heifer. Joe Blount, the head beekeeper of Lough Rynn Bee Keepers association shares with us a little bit about how they create their own honey from local bees just half a mile from the hotel grounds. Author and Illustrator Dolores Keaveney tells us about her children's books including 'If I Were A Bee' and 'The Little Sunflower Seed' as she talks about her next book, her 15th publication, 'Dee The Bee'. Woodturner Martin Reilly discusses some of his own work, a collection of bowls, bread boards and cake stands, which has been flying off the shelves at the crafts tent in the festival. Patrick McDonagh from Boyle talks about his restored Jeep which served in World War II in 1943. The journey it took from France and the low countries at the tail end of the war to north Roscommon and how cool it makes him the coolest dad in the playground in his son's school. Finally we chat to Mike Oliver and his owl Enid as they move around the fair ground and take pictures with the children who are captivated by Mikes buddy.

Today's Sports Round Up takes in the Senior and Intermediate Football Championship Quarter Finals which were played yesterday. Breifne Earley talks to players and coaches from each of the fixtures played over the weekend. Melvin Gaels secured their place in the Quarter Finals with a victory over St. Mary's as Glencar / Manor will meet them in the last four with a heavy defeat of Allen Gaels. In other other Semi Final Mohill and Ballinamore will lock horns after defeating Aughawillan and Drumreilly respectively. We hear from Killian McGloin, James Phelan (both Melvin Gaels), Joe Flynn (St. Mary's), James Flynn (Allen Gaels), Shane Ward, Adrian Croal (Both Glencar / Manor), Dom Corrigan, Wayne McKeon (Both Sean O'Heslins), Olly Maguire (Drumreilly), Liam Keegan, Domhnall Flynn (Both Mohill) and Tommy McCormack (Aughawillan) after the Senior games. Breifne also takes a look at the Soccer action with Muireann Devaney in scoring form for Ireland's second U17 qualifier against Lithuania with their final game against Greece this afternoon, Niall Morahan in league action with Sligo Rovers on Friday night and how Carrick Town and Manor Rangers got on this weekend. Hannah Johnston and her U18 Connacht Rugby team-mates were beaten by Ulster in the Inter Provincial Championship Semi Final by Ulster as Sligo RFC First Team secured a top 2 finish in the Men's Connacht Senior League with a victory over Corinthians to set up a possible first league title win with the final game next week against Galwegians. Finally we take a look at the two minor finals played last weekend, In the Ladies U18 final between Allen Gaels and St. Felim's in Cloone. First we speak to St. Felim's joint captains Genevieve Canning and Grainne Prior, their coach Ray McBrien after their victory in the final while Dermot McDonagh joins us to talk about his sides performance. In the Boy's U17 final replay St. Mary's had just a single point advantage at the end of the second hour of this particular tie. We spoke to both managers, Tom Crowe of St. Mary's and Kealan McKeon of MacDiarmada Gaels. I also spoke to Ashley Mayiza and Gavin Reynolds of St. Mary's after their victory.

On today's Sports Preview show Breifne Earley is joined by Leitrim GAA's Declan Bohan to preview the weekend's action in the Connacht Gold Senior and Smith Monumentals Intermediate Football Championships. Niall Morahan also drops in to share his excitement at getting back on the playing pitch for Sligo Rovers last week after a couple of months of injury trouble. He's also raring to go for this evening's clash with Finn Harps and the FAI Cup Semi Final against Dundalk next month after yesterday's draw set the Champions on a collision course with the Bit O' Red. Muireann Devaney is also on international duty with the Irish U17 girls. James Boyle chats about his St. Felim's charges chances against Allen Gaels in the Ladies Football Minor football final under the Friday night lights this evening in Cloone at 8:30pm. The Boy's Minor final replay between St. Mary's and MacDiarmada Gaels is earlier in the evening in Carrick on Shannon. Finally Breifne talks to Aidan Heron, the chairperson of the Ladies County Board about their plans for 2020, their massive fundraising efforts with The Kube event next month and the build up to the Senior County Final next weekend. We finish with a look at the Connacht Senior League games in Rugby where Matthew Earley and his Sligo Rugby Club team mates can put one hand on the trophy with a bonus point victory over Corinthians in Galway tomorrow.

This week Breifne is joined by Ballinamore based writer Nicola Kearns, the bestselling author of the Maltese Saga trilogy. She shares the story of her love of writing from a young age and how she started writing articles and letters for women's magazines which was the first time she was paid for writing something. While her first book "Under A Maltese Sky" was relatively successful but having announced the second book's title "The Azure Window" she found herself in an online comment storm after the collapse of the international renowned geological feature in Malta which had given it's name to her second title. The result was international exposure and coverage for her work which put both her books to the top of the charts in numerous categories and countries. Her third book brought the story up to the current day and completed the trilogy. She talks about the writing community in Leitrim and how she has received so much support from her colleagues across the county and now relishes the opportunity to return that favour to aspiring writers who approach her for advice and assistance.

This week for Faces & Places we cast our minds back a few weeks to the Ballinamore Family Festival where Órla McNabola spent a day hanging out and soaking up the atmosphere of the event. Órla spoke to Tommy Moran about the history of the festival and his favourite memories of the week long series of events over the years. She also speaks to committee member Mary McGirl about the success of the festival and the reintroduction of the junior committee which has allowed a whole new generation play their part in the week. Tom Burns tells Órla about the new redevelopment of the community hall to establish the Island Theatre as a modern facility for the arts in the town, and what's required in terms of support and finances to make the concept become a reality with over half of the required finances already secured. Charlie Byrne of Rivermania tells us all about the water based fun with the youth of the town enjoying the Shannon Erne Waterway with taster sessions with Kayaking and experiencing being active on the water. Dawn McKeon tells Órla all about the Ninja Warrior event which drew massive crowds to watch local teams compete against each other to secure bragging rights and a large cash prize. Jason Prior, a member of the winning Aughawillan team, shares his experience of competing in the competition. Órla talks to Garda Jimmy Stenson about the role of the Gardai in keeping everyone attending the festival safe and sound throughout the week. Finally she bumps into local lady Shelly O'Donnell who tells her all about her '50 Firsts' project to do 50 new things as she turned 50.

On this week’s episode of A Current Affair Breifne is joined by Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn to discuss the issues affecting the people in her area and the main issues she’s been working on in her first three months on the council. She explains how despite her short career as a councillor she’s had a lifetime of an apprenticeship in politics within the Reynolds family in Ballinamore. She talks about her role as treasurer of the Leitrim Association of People with Disabilities. Ita highlighted the issue of school buses in Gortletteragh with the story of one local family being forced to send their child to a Longford school due to unavailability of space on the local school bus. They chat about the role of policing with the new CCTV cameras installed in Carrick on Shannon recently and the support to the social events such as the recent festival in Ballinamore. Breifne also sat down with two of the members of Fló Beo, the first attempt by any women to swim the length of the River Shannon. There efforts have been disrupted by very poor weather conditions making it unsafe for the swimmers and their support crews to be in the water especially in the large lakes of Lough Ree and Lough Derg. In a somewhat emotional interview Eileen Maxwell and Toni McGlynn discuss their plans to get back in the water today and get their momentum back in the challenge to create their own little part of history.

It's all about the next generation on the show today. With the Senior and Intermediate gaelic football championships on an off weekend we're taking a look at the rising generation of International and Provincial stars from within the county in some of the other sports including Soccer, Rugby and Volleyball. There is no rest for the women's football however and Breifne is chatting to Laura O'Dowd of Oughteragh Gaels about Leitrim Ladies fantastic result to secure their Intermediate status last weekend and her club's crunch clash with Dromahair on Sunday where a win is required to keep their semi final hopes alive. The show will also be looking at some of the young athletes who have been making waves on the international and provincial scene including Manorhamilton's Hannah Johnston and Leitrim Village's Matthew Earley who will be aiming to defend their respective Inter Provincial titles won in the jersey of Connacht Rugby last season. They are joined in the Connacht ranks this year with Will Whelan (U19) from Manorhamilton and Ballinamore's Eddie Coyle (U18) for the Inter Provincial series. Soccer also features with the return of the Sligo / Leitrim league and the big news from a Leitrim perspective is the return of an adult team from Carrick Town to the Premier League for the first time in a number of years, while Manorhamilton Rangers will be hoping to improve on their forth place finish in the Super League table this time around. Both sides have been watching with interest this week as their former players have been making headlines. Muireann Devaney was in great Kompany this week as former Man City skipper Vincent Kompany dropped into her Irish U17 squad training session ahead of two games with Belgium, she shares the experience with us. Niall Morahan talks about his new contract / scholarship with Sligo Rovers which sees his future in the game secure until the end of the 2021 SSE Airtricity League season. The news a welcome distraction from his current spot on the treatment table after picking up an injury at the recent U19 European Championships.

As festival season comes to a close we're rounding up the last of the major festivals of the summer with Ballinamore, Drumkeerin and the Lough Rynn Harvest Festivals. David McCabe joins us to talk about the closing weekend of the Ballinamore festival where Robert Mizzell, Johnny Brady and Lee Matthews will be entertaining the crowds in their open air concert from the festival platform in the town. There's plenty to keep all ages entertained across Ballinamore with tonnes of sports, activities and events lined up. Seamus Gallagher is back to let us know what's happening in Drumkeerin with Derek Ryan, Michael English, Seamus O'Rourke, a fashion show and magicians and hypnotists to entertain the crowds over the next ten days. John McGuinness joins us to chat about the upcoming Lough Rynn Harvest and Vintage Festival in the grounds of Lough Rynn Castle Hotel on the 25th August. Johnny Brady will be back in the county again to close the day along with vintage cars, games and activities to entertain visitors of all ages. Taking place in the beautiful gardens and grounds of Lough Rynn it's reason enough to come along on the day. Breifne also takes a look at the events in The Dock, The Glens Centre, Carrick Cinema's new releases and what's available in sport this weekend too.

It's another busy weekend across the county and for Leitrim athletes further a field. The third round of fixtures in the Leitrim GAA Club Championships takes place as well as Leitrim Ladies relegation playoff with Wicklow on Sunday afternoon. Supported by the Leitrim Glens Sportive Cycle on 18th August. Breifne sat down with Sean O'Heslins' Dean McGovern ahead of their clash with St. Mary's on Saturday evening to discuss their 100% record so far and their expectations for the game and their desire to end 29 years without a senior championship title in the town. Glencar / Manor's Karen Connolly is with us to talk about her Leitrim Ladies' side chances in their final game of the season against Wicklow in a crunch relegation decider from the Intermediate grade for next season. Ailbhe Clancy also drops in to talk about facing her former Leitrim Ladies team mate Dearbhaile Beirne as Peamount United travel to Galway WFC for their FAI Women's National League encounter in Galway tomorrow. Breifne also takes a look at the weekend ahead for Carrick Athletic Club athletes Gerard O'Donnell and Eanna Madden at the European Team Championships this weekend in Norway. Finally we discuss the Ballinamore Road Races and the Leitrim Glens Sportive cycles over 40km, 100km, 150km and 200km on the 18th August, which closes entries next Thursday, 15th August. Featured on yesterday's event guide the North West Stop 5km Run, Walk / Stroll takes place on Sunday at 3pm in Manorhamilton. Registration from 2:30pm.

This week we're visiting Ballinagleragh, Ballinamore and Drumkeerin to see what local revellers have in store at their annual festivals in the coming weeks. Supported by DiveAtlantic.ie Thomas Forde updates us on what's going on for the last few days of the Ballinaglera GAA Club Festival in the village before we talk to David McCabe about what's going on in the Family Festival in Ballinamore from Sunday for the next week. Seamus Gallagher is talking hypnotists and the old fair day in Drumkeerin as part of their festival which starts next weekend. Emma O'Hagan of North West Stop reminds us about the important of raising funds for local charities as they prepare for their annual 5/10km walk, run or stroll on Sunday to raise funds for suicide prevention. We're also checking out whats happening in The Dock and the Cinema while we remind you about Jane Gilheaney Barry's book launch in Ballinamore on Saturday evening. Finally we check out what's happening in the world of sport this weekend.

We'll be dabbling in the Art's for the first half of the show chatting to Jane Gilheaney Barry about her new book 'That Curious Love of Green', the diary of her life while she wrote her initial novel Cailleach-Witch while for the second half, we're getting into the flow of the River Shannon. Today's Episode is supported by Eoin Killackey. Breifne is talking to the three ladies of Flo Beo, Eileen Maxwell, Heather Maxwell and Toni McGlynn after 6 days they have achieved their target of hitting Rooskey despite the weather's best efforts to slow them down or bring them to a complete standstill. They explain how the amazing support along the river has helped carry them on a crest of a wave to the border of County Longford on schedule despite the setbacks.

We're jammed full of interviews this week with action in the Football Club Championships for both men and women across the county. We're also catching up with some of the growing contingent of internationals across the county. We're talking to Dillon Keane of Annaduff after their massive victory over Leitrim Gaels in the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championship last night while Sean O'Heslins Manager Dom Corrigan talks about their win over county champions Aughawillan. We also speak to Shane Walsh who impressed for Allen Gaels in a hard fought win against Dromahair. His manager James Wynne also gives his verdict on the game. Recent International Rower Ella Brogan was enjoying her day back at home at Carrick Rowing Regatta with her Queens University team mates when I spoke to her about her second appearance at the Home Internationals. Aine Tighe and Ailish Cornyn reflect on an end to end encounter between Kiltubrid and St. Francis in the McCormacks Mace Ladies Senior Football Championship while Muireann Devaney joins us to talk about her Glencar / Manor's sides opening day win as well as her recent call up to the Irish U17 international soccer squad.

Today Breifne visits the Leitrim Sculpture Centre in Manorhamilton to meet Jackie McKenna, one of the centre's founders and the undisputed Queen of the arts in Leitrim. Responsible for some of the best loved art installations around the county and the region Jackie discusses her love of art which began at an early age and when her college professor suggested she should focus on her art hobby rather than the agricultural science degree she was registered for, but not attending, she didn't need much convincing. Her 'The Meeting Place' installation or 'The Hags with the Bags' as it's affectionately known in the capital put her on the map and now her work can be seen across the county including in Carrick on Shannon, Drumshanbo, Ballinamore and further afield in the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise. Until recently Drumcliffe Churchyard was part of that list but a week prior to Christmas 2018, thieves stole the life sized bronze figure element of the installation. Jackie talks about her feeling of loss and devastation at it's destruction, believing it to have been cut up, melted down and sold as scrap metal. She details the birth of the Leitrim Sculpture Centre and it's development into a home for the creative community in the region with education courses, creative businesses and workshops all based in the facility in Manorhamilton. Jackie outlines the possible further development of the centre with the necessary resources and supports that would be necessary to make further expansion possible. Also on the show today, Breifne also speaks to Irish Under 19 International Niall Morahan from Leitrim Village fresh from his sides 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday evening setting up a semi final clash with defending champions Portugal on Wednesday.

It's the launch of Leitrim Daily with a very special guest, Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Enda McGloin joins Breifne Earley to talk about the benefits and challenges of life in Leitrim. Why people are relocating and investing in Leitrim and the benefits of a healthier work / life balance of living in rural Ireland. Enda discusses the development of the region, the lower cost of living, quality education and growing employment options around the county as the main reasons why people are relocating to County Leitrim. Breifne also talks to Ballinamore's Padraig Griffin about his new book "Leitrim Echoes of the Great War" which chronicles the impact the first world war had on the county of Leitrim and the 300 men connected to the county who lost their lives between 1913 and 1919 as members of the British, Canadian, South African, Australia, New Zealand and US Armies. In a nod to the history of the folklore and creativity of Leitrim, thirteen year old Matthew Gillard, Leitrim Village, recites the opening verse of the classic song "Lovely Leitrim" to get the ball rolling on the show. Breifne also explains what #ExperienceLeitrim is all about and how one lucky listener will win the ultimate collection of experiences around the county.

Drystock farmer (contract rearer and sheep) John O'Connell and drystock advisor Tom Coll join Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss contract rearing. Tom explains the various arrangements between rearers and dairy cow farmers and explores the various topics discussed at discussion group and the targets the group set for themselves including target weights, fertility and grassland management. Tom identifies the contract as the most important element of the agreement so that both parties have understanding of who pays for each of the costs associated with rearing, the income per animal for the contract rearer, target weights and fertility targets. John O'Connell, who is farming in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, explains the evolution of his farm from a 30-35 cow dairy herd in the 1980s to drystock in the 1990s.  John was completing the profit monitor each year and identified a lack of profitability from his suckler cows compared with his sheep flock, leading to expansion of sheep numbers. In 2015 John was approached by his local Teagasc advisor with an opportunity. John explains he had the winter housing facilities available on farm so felt this option was a no-brainer! He explains that good grazing infrastructure, grass production and silage quality drive low cost system leading to high profits. John is a member of a contract rearing discussion group where he can bench mark himself against other contract rearers across many performance metrics. For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2013/GuidelinesContractRearingReplacementHeifers.pdf https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/rural-economy/farm-management/HeiferRearingCostCalculatorGuidelines.pdf