Podcasts about Castlecomer

Demand for rural hubs has increased over the last year as a growing number of people are working remotely two to three days a week. Della Kilroy visited a former school in Castlecomer in co Kilkenny, which has been repurposed into a remote working hub

While Ireland has developed into an international tech hub in recent years, we still have our fair share of artisans and craftspeople, plying their trade and honing their skills with tangible pieces of glass, ceramic, and wood. For this week's Industry Review Bobby spoke to three people who embody that spirit, Tony Hayes, glassmaker & co-owner of The Irish Handmade Glass Company, Rosemarie Durr of Rosemarie Durr Pottery in Castlecomer, Kilkenny & Thomas O'Loughlin MD of The Wood Factory

In this #BPT extract Sharon Noonan talks to Peter Wilson, GM of Avalon House Hotel, a beautiful 19th-century manor house in the centre of the heritage town of Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny. Q: DID YOU KNOW THAT THE BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS CELEBRATING 10 YEARS ON AIR IN 2023!!!!

The Castlecomer Discovery Park is situated on the site of the former pleasure gardens of the Wandesforde Family, members of the landed gentry, who for 300 years, were central to the farming and coal mining activities in the area. Some of the trees that they brought back from their trips in Europe and elsewhere still stand at the park and a favourite among many people is the giant Redwood - with its soft spongey bark. Len Brophy is the maintenance man at the Discovery Park, and he introduces us to a few favourite trees in the area.    The Discovery Park was developed as a tribute to the mining traditions in the area and over the years it has evolved to incorporate adventure activities like Zip Lines, kayaking, boating and of course the Tree Top Walk.  According to Jo McCarthy, Activities Manager at the Park, nature, the trees and the successful completion of the challenge of the Tree Top Walk can bring huge benefits to children and improve their confidence and connections with each other.  Learning is also accelerated in the outdoors and while forest bathing and other outdoor activities are almost mandatory in other countries, Ireland is only beginning to embrace it.    The Discovery Park has responded to the magic of the woods by building an elf village where fairy houses and wooden toadstools capture the imagination of all visitors including the craft workers who sell their wares at the retail centre in the park.  Dominika Stoppa makes lino-prints inspired by the trees and fairies.  She also painted the - 'Be A Climate Change Hero' artwork at the entrance to the park.  Kathy Purcell, General Manager of the Discovery Park believes that they have a powerful role to play in spreading the message about climate change, especially given the carbon history of the area in relation to coal mining; coal being a major cause of the global warming we are experiencing now.  The 80 acres of woodland, managed by Coillte, might help them reach their target of balancing out the carbon extracted, and carbon sunk back into the soil through the efforts they are making  Like all non-profit organisations, the Discovery Park is dependent on funding to keep themselves going in the off-season.  Leader, Pobal, Kilkenny County Council have all been important in this regard.  More recently they have been successful in obtaining funding from the Department of Agriculture to run a mental health and wellbeing course for farmers in the park.  Manager Kathy Purcell believes that the park and woodland's continued presence in the area adds to what Kilkenny has to offer in relation to a tourist destination.  

The life of Nicholas Boran was extraordinary. Known as 'Nixie', he was born outside Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny in 1904. At the age of 18 he fought in the Civil War alongside Dan Breen in Tipperary. The harrowing violence he witnessed in the conflict permanently scarred him and challenges the romanticised myths that often surround the life of Dan Breen. While this had an enduring legacy, Nixie would gain a national reputation for his actions following the Civil War. After the conflict he returned home but soon found himself in another struggle in Castlecomer. The town was built around coalmines and many of the mine workers toiled in appalling conditions.The pay was poor, the hours were long and conditions were extremely dangerous. With limited legal protections, children as young as 14 were sent to work in the mines. From the 1920s Nixie set about changing this. This began a decades long struggle with the Catholic Church, the Irish government and the local mine owners.In this episode I interview Nixie's daughter, Anne Boran. Anne has recently published a fascinating biography of her late father. In this episode she provides fascinating details about life in the Castlecomer Coalfields and how the Civil War changed her father. Perhaps most interesting of all is how his attempts to improve life in Castlecomer resulted in the Catholic Church attempting to excommunicate him. Its a fascinating story.The history of Castlecomer and its coalmines up until 1921 is the focus of this series https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/category/podcast/communism-coal/Anne's book "Challenge to Power: Nixie Boran (1904-1971), Freedom and the Castlecomer Coal Miners" is available here http://www.geographypublications.com/product/challange-power-nixie-boran-1904-1971-freedom-castlecomer-coal-miners/ Sound by Jason Looney. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Other European countries are blessed with a long tradition of planting trees.  We lost this tradition somewhere along the line and the Irish state is now trying to encourage private landowners to plant trees.  For some farmers and landowners this is a big decision to make, and, in this programme, we speak with retired forester from Coillte Barry Comiskey. He used to go around and visit farmers and talk to them about the benefits of planting trees.  He recalls the misgivings that farmers would have had at the time and benefits and supports available to the farmer to plant trees.  We also speak with Jim Carroll, a farmer from Castlecomer who was one of the first in his area to plant forestry on his land back in the 1990s.  Despite some ups and downs between licences and other issues 'he has never been sorry that he planted trees'.  'The trees have been good to me'.  Finally in this programme Nicholas Sweetman, farmer and Director of the Irish Wood Producers lays out the importance of trees to mitigate against climate change and calls on the government to ease some of the regulations in the licensing system to make it easier on farmers to join the afforestation programme.   The programme ends with a response from Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, to some of the issues raised by the participants in this programme

Young Laois Jockey Julie McDonald has had a winning summer after her first big at Fairyhouse. Just after her Leaving Cert the 18 year old from Spink in County Laois tells Ann Marie on Monday's Open Door how much she wants to be a winner. Recorded at Pat Murphy's stables in Castlecomer, where she is an apprentice jockey, Pat explains what it really takes to be a winner.

In episode 2 of Not Sponsored by the Luftwaffe, we get up close and personal with retired Commandant Larry Scallan as he helps families re-remember the lost lives of their relatives who died in WWI. Ben is our guide as he tells how he heard Larry give a lecture and it jogged his memory about his great-granduncle from Castlecomer in Kilkenny, he reached out to Larry who pieced together the lost story of James Heffernan. Larry points to our new Irish Republic and the identity politics that tried to bury these stories and punish their families. Stay, have a listen. The Hedgeradio Podcast is produced by Crannog Media, for more information visit the website at www.crannogmedia.ie Instagram: @crannogfilms Facebook: @crannogmedia

Fin Dwyer has always been interested in history. He grew up in Castlecomer, Kilkenny surrounded by the vestiges of the past and so  when he went to college, he pursued this passion, graduating with a master's degree in archaeology. However, the best laid plans often go awry, the freshly minted graduate started out in his chosen field only to have his career prospects crushed by the financial downturn of 2008. Coincidentally, Fin was stricken with a health crisis that left him unable to work as an archaeologist.While  attempting to recover from his illness, Fin opted to harness his interest in history to the newly emerging field of podcasting. What started out as a distraction from his illness morphed into an alternative way to pursue his passion for times past. Join John Lee and Martin Nutty as they chat with Fin about his career and how an understanding of history is crucial in navigating the unsettled political times we live in

The Parlour Castlecomer which offers luxurious handmade gelato opened its doors to the public at the beginning of April, and Majella Dempsey joined John to tell her story of how she went from a career in midwifery to opening an ice cream shop in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. 

Tom Molloy, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Trinity College Dublin spoke with John about the business stories making the news this week. They chat through the news around the banking sector, economic growth, stimulus packages and lots more.DPD is one of the largest companies in the parcel delivery and distribution business with its vans and driver's familiar sights all over the country. Over the last year, parcel delivery and distribution has experienced amazing growth due to the enforced move to online caused by protracted lockdowns. Des Travers, Chief Executive of DPD Ireland joined John to discuss how the organisation has adapted throughout the pandemic. Just over two weeks ago The Parlour Castlecomer, which offers luxurious handmade gelato opened its doors to the public, and Majella Dempsey joined John to tell her story of how she went from a career in midwifery to opening an ice cream shop in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. During the week Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland announced funding of €19 million for the development of new outdoor water based facilities across 22 locations nationwide. Kilkenny Water Sports Hub is to be developed under this scheme and Fiona Monaghan, Head of Activities at Fáilte Ireland spoke with John about what this means for this area and how tourism products need to adapt to meet changing tourism in the post Covid World.  With thanks to O'Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.To contact the show, email: thebottomline@kclr96fm.com

Described as a "DIY experimentalist" and "dream pop queen", Cosette Gobat was signed to her first record label, Decapolis Records, at age 14 in June 2012. Within that first year she released an EP called Moving On, which took off her career as a performer. Cosette started touring the east coast of the US when she was in high school and moved to Philadelphia after signing another contract with the label, KBM Productions in August 2015, with the release of an electronic pop EP, "Blindside". In Philadelphia, she went to pursue a degree in Media Production at Temple University and started playing in local bands. In 2017 she began to self-produce music and released an experimental solo project called "i tried my best" in May of that year. Cosette was working at radio stations as an on-air talent and photographer, and as an audio engineer at recording studios. She began to collect her own clients and worked with well-known artists such as The Wombats, Caroline Rose, Ali Barter, The Beths, Castlecomer, and more. In September 2019, Cosette toured the UK playing shows, primarily in the London music scene. In July of 2020 she released her sonic debut album, Couteau, which captures transformative sounds in a calm, engaging melody. She has now gained much attention for her unique and dreamy sound working with artists and producers across Europe. She released a track with Dutch producer, Van Elst, called 'Daydreamer' in January 2021.   Find more of Cosette: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VmjwDyJ0qdoJ64KShlA5W Instagram: @cosettegobat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosettegobat/ Website: https://linktr.ee/cosettegobat   A Statement from Cosette: "This track was released in July 2020 on the debut album, Couteau. This track was created to showcase dream and indie pop while expressing a bad ending to a relationship. I am excited to share this with you! Check out my debut album on Spotify and all streaming services now!"   Written, produced, mixed, and mastered by Cosette Gobat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Created during a time of quarantine in the global Coronavirus pandemic, A Moment Of Your Time's mission is to provide a space for expression, collaboration, community and solidarity. In this time of isolation, we may have to be apart but let's create together.  Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter Created by CurtCo Media Concept by Jenny Curtis Theme music by Chris Porter A CurtCo Media Production See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first episode in a 24 part series on the War of Independence. Today's show focuses on the First World War and how it destablised Irish society, following the lives of several people in one Irish town - Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny (where I grew up). It includes never before published letters from soldiers at the Front and accounts from life back in Ireland at the time. The episode also reveals how the legacy of the Famine, the Land War and growing labour unrest were adding to growing tensions in the country.Written, research & produced by Fin DwyerAdditional Research by Sam McGrathSound by Jason LooneyAdditional narrations by Aidan Crowe & Therese MurrayArtwork by Keith HynesFollow the show on socials @irishhistory on insta & twitter.Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mick Dowling came from a family of 16 and is a native of Castlecomer in Kilkenny. From an early age' Mick needed to be resilient and he showed that by winning eight national boxing titles in the bantamweight division- as well as competing in two Olympic Games. Mick tells his story to Frank Greally in this episode of Heroes & Friends Podcasts.

Coming up in this almost to the end of the week episode, we’ll find out how well Stump knows his World War 2 Trivia and also revisit our Murderer or Drug Dealer feature. And as promised we will do a live taste test of the Impossible Whopper and figure out how impossible it actually is. New music from Kevin Devine, Castlecomer, Landon Cube and a really shitty band called Dirty Heads. Live feature and a cover song that makes us not want to play cover songs anymore. Stick around for the long haul, and we may talk about things we think are Hot or Not in a brand new segment called “Hot or Not”. Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3iUaKg5 Free Gatorade - (15:06) World War II Trivia (28:59) Murder or Drug Dealer - (47:00) Impossible Whopper - (61:56) Hot Or Not - (75:54) Music From: Wallows | Kevin Devine | Kids In America | The Mowgli's | Dirty Heads | Castlecomer | Barns Courtney | Incubus | Glass Animals | Lucia & The Best Boys | Machine Gun Kelly | Travis Barker | EVAN GIIA | Landon Cube | Matt Maeson | Lana Del Rey | Jaden | Adam Jensen | Type O Negative

Rick Milenthal hosts Castlecomer, the hot Indy rock band from Australia, as they tell their story of how the pandemic cut their world tour short.  What does the future hold for the band that began together as children and grew to millions of downloads worldwide as they launch their second album?

From hurley holders to keyrings to perfumes, Castlecomer Community School has an array of products going forward for the Student Enterprise Programme

This week I've been spending time in the kitchen and gardens with chef Keith Boyle of Restaurant Lady Anne, Castlecomer who whips up a sweet treat using ingredients sourced 90 seconds from the restaurant.

On The Bottom Line this week we hear from Rory Gannon from CakeFace about the new venture from this Kilkenny coffee and cake phenomenon. Jo Browne tells us about her Hackettstown-based perfume company which is taking on the world. John talks wine lists with Richard Lowry from Aroi Asian Fusion in Kilkenny and during the week John attended the Rural Tourism Conference in Castlecomer where he had the opportunity to catch up with a number of business operators.Produced by Deirdre Dromey.To contact the show, email thebottomline@kclr96fm.com.

Programme 4 delves in to the industrial relations in Castlecomer in the 20th century. We hear about the main characters of the time, the mine owner Captain Wandesforde and his adversary, union leader and later ally Nicholas Nixie Boran. We hear about the strikes, the miner's health struggles and the fight for compensation.

The third programme is all about impact the mines had on life in Castlecomer. We hear about the life over ground, the miners social life and hear from the wives and daughters of the miners.

Hear from producer Martin Bridgeman as he introduces his documentary Three Miles Over, Three Miles Down, exploring the mining life of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Poetry reflecting on temporary teaching job in Castlecomer school, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

A taste of home, overhauling healthcare, and dropping verbal bombs with Castlecomer, Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance, and Luke Dick of Republican Hair.  One song can really change your life. That's at least the origin story for Australian based band Castlecomer. Bede and Neel of the band let us in how touring the states have been going, how their song "Fire Alarm" and 8 shows in 3 days changed their lives. We also dive into the music and how pop sounds are just the palette for lyrics that have deeper meanings. They just released their self-titled album and you have to stream it now. Check out  for everything about the band and follow them @castlecomer.    We all know healthcare needs an overhaul but rarely do we talk about or even know the current resources that are available to musicians. In steps Tatum Allsep, CEO and founder of Music Health Alliance.  Tatum has major street cred before founding non-profits. Her career includes six years with MCA Records, artist management for the legendary Americana band, The Derailers, and the launch of the first-ever Vanderbilt Medical Center/ Children’s Hospital Music Industry Relations Department. After years of research and development, Tatum founded Music Health Alliance, a non-profit organization designed to provide solutions to the immense need for affordable healthcare access to the music industry. Tatum and I converse some of the troubles of healthcare and what MHA's response to these situations are. She also shares the stories of why they exist. For everything about this life saving non-profit organization, visit  if you need help navigating healthcare.  Also, follow them @musichealthalliance.    Some will remember Luke Dick from Season 2 as the philosophical, hit songwriter ("Kill A Word" and "Pink Sunglasses"), documentarian, and frontman of Republican Hair. He comes up to the attic to talk where Red Dog (his documentary about his childhood and an infamous strip club in Oklahoma) and what his band is up to. Republican Hair is looking at global domination in 2019 but until then the newest single "Chaotic Good" will have to pacify you. Be on the lookout November 16th for the newest track and video. We do tackle the songwriting process and is it worth solving the puzzle or throw it away. You can follow Luke @lukedick, but everything about the band @republican_hair and www.republicanhair.org.

'Letters from Dakota' is the story of my grandaunt Mollie Dwyer who emigrated to the USA when she was 15 years of age in 1906. Her emigrant experience was very different to most. Within two months she found herself in a convent in South Dakota training to be a nun. She would never return to the town she grew up in, save for the very occasional visit. However for over 40 years she wrote to her brother Jack Dwyer (my grandfather) in Castlecomer revealing intriguing insights into her unusual life as a nun in rural Dakota. I recently discovered her letters where she writes about prohibition in the 1920s, World War II but also her lonely life in the Midwest of the USA as well as her struggles with depression. These are her Letters from Dakota. My sister Ruth narrates her letters in this episode.Become a patron of the show today and for a small monthly subscription you can get lots of bonus content. Find out more at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The centenary of WWI seen through stories and events. A mine owned by the Wandesforde family in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny, gives up more than coal for the war effort.

In 1919 the War of Independence broke out in Ireland. In Castlecomer, Ireland’s largest mining community, this had a profound effect. While the I.R.A. fought the British Army in the surrounding countryside, below ground the miners waged their own revolution. This brought not only ambushes and assassination to Castlecomer but strikes, industrial Sabotage & kidnapping. Listen to the full show to hear this enthralling story!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

'The Road to War' returns to my series on the Castlecomer Coalfields. It takes you on a gripping journey through life in one small Irish town and the surrounding coalfields between 1894 & 1918. From the relative peace of the 1890s to the dark years of World War I and the tumultuous days of the Easter Rising, life in Castlecomer and its mines was never dull.This show also reveals for the first time the attitude of R.H. Wandesforde (one of of Ireland's most famous businessmen & mine owner) towards the 1916 Rising. He voiced some pretty controversial opinions when writing to his wife Florence. While he never thought these letters would see the light of day, they are (for the first time in a century) published in this episode.The research and time needed to produce this episode was funded by listeners like yourself. You can help me research the next episode by donating towards the costs of making the show at www.Irishhistorypodcast.ie.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bede from Sydney lads Castlecomer joined Adam, Matt & Holly on the phone to talk about their new single Escapsim, as well as the release of their Double A-Side 7" Vinyl on December 19.

In the aftermath of the famine the people of Castlecomer were shell-shocked, reeling from years of death, disease and emigration. However by the 1880s this had changed. When yet another famine threatened in 1879, and landlords threatened eviction, tenants across Ireland rose up in rebellion. The miners of Castlecomer, not to be left behind, launched the Great Coal Strike of 1881. Hear this fascinating story here in this latest episode of Secret Societies, Communism and Coal – Life in the Castlecomer Colliery.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1845 life in the Castlecomer Coalfields was racked by economic recession and grinding poverty. When the potato crop, the staple diet of millions across Ireland, failed disaster struck. In the following years around one million Irish people died and over one million emigrated.In Castlecomer the fate of thousands lay in the hands on one man - Charles Wandesforde - the mine owner and local landlord. His decisions were controversial but it not easy to decide whether they were good bad. One thing is for certain life in the coalfield would never be the same again.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For three centuries the town of Castlecomer in North Co. Kilkenny staged one of the most fascinating but forgotten struggles in Irish history. Miners who worked in some of the most harsh working conditions constantly struggled against the mine owner. Given it was often a matter of life and death this struggle was often bitter and conflict was never far from the surface. This saw the miners form secret societies, trade unions, republican and indeed even communist organisations. This is the first of four podcast to tell their story being in the 17th century.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tom Shaw wound up in Rathdrum Co. Wicklow; he began his working life at 14, working in the coalmines of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. In between he worked in Canada mining uranium and gold; in agriculture and farming in Kildare and Offaly. He also developed a very personal philosophy on life. (First Broadcast 2010)

Castlecomer in Kilkenny is synonymous with coalmining. In 1802 alone - there was eighteen working pits and the miners who worked there were known as the ‘Moles of Moneenroe.’ (Broadcast 1979)