10 episodios
Heartbeat of Ireland Brian Nolan
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- Sociedad y cultura
Stories from Ireland, a little taste of Irish history, culture, past and contemporary, and above all fun. A commentary on yesterday, today and tomorrow. Brian Nolan is a story-teller and a tour guide. His walking tours of Galway, @Galwaywalks have been written up and recommended in National Geographic magazine, The New York Times, The Irish Independent and many other publications. Irish Tourist Board recommended.
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Sitting by the turf fire in the cottage, sipping a hot whiskey, chattin' into the wee hours
Before I tell my fireside stories in O'Connor's bar in Salthill, I start by lighting the turf fire, using some 'cipins' (small wooden sticks) and peat briquettes, and slowly adding the bigger sods of turf as the fire begins to catch. The turf fire and the smell of burning peat has been a ubiquitous sensory reminder of growing up in, or visiting Ireland. That sweet smoky scent is onomatopoeic, instantly transporting one to a country farmhouse or a welcoming pub in Ireland. However the turf fire is under threat and will soon be just a memory as our government moves ahead with plans to ban all burning of fossil fuels such as turf or peat in Ireland. There was nothing more satisfying than looking out on the turf stacked, drying in the field by the bog, ready to be brought home to the turf shed, a year's supply to keep the fire lit, the bread baked, the kettle boiled, the clothes dried, the children, the dog and the cat warm, and the house a home!
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family.
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill' because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
You can find more of my stories on my website blog www.galwaywalks.com or on Facebook @walkingtoursofgalway and twitter/instagram @galwaywalks
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message -
In for a penny, in for a pound, or is it a punt, or even a euro?
Fifty years ago this month, Ireland adopted its very own currency for the first time, the Irish Punt, breaking the link to the Pound Sterling, and essentially going it alone, forging our new independent identity as a democratic republic, with our own central bank and our own money. Since that we have scrapped the new punt currency, abandoning it for the Euro currency, tied to the European Central Bank. Anyone over the age of sixty in this country is actually a mathematical genius!
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family.
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill' because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
You can find more of my stories on my website blog www.galwaywalks.com or on Facebook @walkingtoursofgalway and twitter/instagram @galwaywalks
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message -
When the going gets tough, ask for Thomas O'Connor!
O'Connors Famous Pub in Salthill, Galway, Ireland, is one of my favourite places for a pint, a friendly chat, and to listen to some live Irish music, but that's not the only boost for us all in this popular Salthill hostelry. Here in this story, I tell how in 1942, Thomas O'Connor, Snr, the Don of the O'Connor family, survived the crisis that was WWII, (we called it 'The Emergency'), and thrived in its aftermath.
Take heart if you own a business that is closed these days because of the Covid restrictions. There are better days ahead.
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family.
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill' because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
You can find more of my stories on my website blog www.galwaywalks.com or on Facebook @walkingtoursofgalway and twitter/instagram @galwaywalks
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message -
Lost the head!
Are you losing your head over the Covid_19 lockdown restrictions? Spare a thought for poor King Charles I who really lost his head, in 1649. And there is a Galway connection, of course!
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family. You can find more of my stories on this podcast, and on my website blog www.galwaywalks.com or on Facebook @walkingtoursofgalway and twitter/instagram @galwaywalks
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill', because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message -
In 531 AD, Saint Brendan discovered America, and nobody believed him!
The story of Saint Brendan, or Brendan the Navigator, is fascinating and probably mostly true. He was a holy man from Dingle, in Kerry, who possibly was the first European to visit America and come back to tell the tale. And all this happened in 531 AD!
Think of Marco Polo, the first European to visit the Chinese court, and return! Well Brendan was anothe rsuch explorer. He was a pioneering monk, a great man for one man!
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family.
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill' because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
I am Brian Nolan, and usually I can be found as @Galwaywalks or 'Walking Tours of Galway'.
Check out www.galwaywalks.com or @galwaywalks on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
#Brendan #Clonfert #Irish #Ireland #OConnorsbar
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message -
Candlemas and Saint Blaise
In Ireland February 2nd is Candlemas day, and February 3rd is St. Blaise day. Both are related to the arrival of Spring, the lengthening of the daylight hours, and the traditions surrounding having blessed candles in the house, not just for light, but for all sorts of celebrations and traditions.
I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your friends and family.
I record these stories with Tom O'Connor of O'Connor's Bar, in Salthill, more commonly known as 'O'Connor's Famous Bar, Salthill' because of its unique atmosphere, friendly welcome and amazing music each night!
You can find more of my stories on my website blog www.galwaywalks.com or on Facebook @walkingtoursofgalway and twitter/instagram @galwaywalks
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-nolan0/message