County Down

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Is This The Best Memorial For an Irish Ancestor? (#743)

In this episode we look at two types of storyteller. First, we have the “bard” who composes songs to honour the deeds and exploits of the great (and not so great) among us. In this case, a certain gentleman called “Thady Quill” had a song composed in his honour which has lived on long past…

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Danny Boy and the Music and Songs of Ulster (#734)

In this episode we take a musical trip around the nine counties of Ulster: Derry (Londonderry), Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. Alongside the immortal “Danny Boy”, we feature at least one tune or song from each of the counties. I refer to a map while talking – and you can see…

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Carina and a character in the folk park

Ulster Scots and the Orange Order (#727)

The 12th of July is a holiday across the 6 counties of Northern Ireland. It is the day that many celebrate by participating in marching bands, having barbecues and enjoying the holiday with their families in different ways. In this episode we look at the arrival of the Scots in the counties of Ulster –…

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Pride, Prejudice & The Irish Origins of a Great Literary Family (#718)

In this episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast we take a literary turn! First off we have a look at that literary masterpiece of Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice – having fun with some of the Irish versions of the character’s surnames. Then, we trace our way from County Down to Yorkshire in…

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PRONI – Past, Present & Future (#717)

In this episode we look at two types of storyteller. First, we have the “bard” who composes songs to honour the deeds and exploits of the great (and not so great) among us. In this case, a certain gentleman called “Thady Quill” had a song composed in his honour which has lived on long past…

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