In this episode we trace the origins of Carina's Irish grandfather - Bartholomew Cronin. He died well before she was born and she only recently realised how little she knew of his early days, the wider family and his final resting place". So, join us as we look to solve this mystery - with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way. We've arranged the show in the following 5 parts - with music and songs of County Cork along the way: Part 1: Introduction: Who was my Irish grandfather, where was he born, reared and buried - and many more questions! Song ..read more

In this episode we trace the origins - and more - of Carina's mystery Irish grandmother. I say "mystery" because Carina only ever knew her as "Granny Cronin". So, join us as we look to solve this mystery - with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way. We've arranged the show in the following 5 parts - with music and songs of Cork City and County Cork along the way: Part 1: Introduction: Who was my Irish grandmother, where was she born and many more questions! Song: "I know my love" performed by Maura O'Connell. Part 2: What I know: Where my grandmo ..read more

In this episode we explore not just the world of Irish music - but 10 tracks from the extended Celtic family. We use music featured on the TV programme - "The Transatlantic Sessions" - to bring you music and song from Ireland, Scotland, the USA and much more. With lots of chat between each song. MUSICAL TRACKS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: "Magic Foot" - Performed by Sharon Shannon and the Transatlantic Sessions house band. "My heart's tonight in Ireland - in the west County Clare" - Performed by Andy Irvine and the Transatlantic Sessions house band. "Aragon Mill" - Performed by Karen Matheson an ..read more

In todays special Christmas episode, we share a selection of old Irish Christmas carols, songs and tunes. They include: The Bells of Dublin/Christmas Eve - performed by The Chieftains Christmas in Killarney - performed by Bing Crosby Curoo, Curoo Carol of the Birds - performed by Maggie Sansone, Andrea Hoag, Sharon Knowles, Patrick Egan Christmas Angels - performed by Clannad The Wexford Carol - performed by Alison Krauss, Yo-Yo Ma, Natalie McMaster Once in Royal David's City - performed by The Chieftains, The Renaissance Singers, David Drinkel Don Oíche úd I Mbeithil (That Night in Bethlemam ..read more

This week we look at the fact that there are many, many more people of Irish descent OUTSIDE the island of Ireland than on the island of Ireland. Many Irish immigrants brought their Irish placenames with them when they settled in a new country. We look at just two cities with an Irish pedigree and chat about their Irish connections and links to specific places in Ireland. All this accompanied by music from one of the best Irish Diaspora bands - The Pogues. I do hope you enjoy ..read more

Welcome to this special musical edition of the Letter from Ireland podcast. We take a tour around the five counties - Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon - of the Irish province of Connaught. We have chosen two songs/pieces of music from each County with plenty of history and stories along the way. We hope you enjoy them very much! As we move around the counties, Mike refers to a map of the province which you can find at https://www.aletterfromireland.com/744 ..read more

In this episode, we look at the time of the Brehon laws of Ireland and take an example of just some of these Gaelic common laws that held our society together. We also chat about the Brehon families and some of the Irish surnames associated with these families. We then go on to chat about the early Irish monks and some of the monastic-related surnames of Ireland. We tie it all up by linking to the book "How The Irish Saved Civilization" with lots of good Gaelic Chieftain music and more along the way. Enjoy ..read more

In this episode, we feature two Irish Pub stories that are bound together. In the first, we chat about the book McCarthy's Bar - which gives a comical view of both the Irish Pub and the Irish by Pete McCarthy. We then travel to the pub featured on the cover of that book - McCarthy's Bar in Castletownbere - and tell the story of a special item at the back of that pub. With lots of Irish drinking songs to keep us company along the way ..read more

Today we feature two Irish movie stars from the golden age of Hollywood - Grace Kelly and Maureen O'Hara. In one story we chat about the "Two Graces of County Mayo" and then we take a trip up Maureen O'Hara's ancestry tree. We even manage to uncover songs on which they feature. Not to be missed ..read more

In this extended musical edition of the Letter from Ireland podcast, we share 15 songs performed by 15 Irish artists. Each song has a connection with the song that went before it - and the one that goes after it. Hence the title! We feature artists you may already be familiar with - Van Morrison, Mary Black, Lisa Hannigan - as well as many more you may be hearing for the first time. Lots of chat between the songs from Mike. We hope you enjoy ..read more