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 f

In for a penny, in for a pound, or is it a punt, or even a euro?

Feb 23rd, 2021 5m 10s

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 o

When the going gets tough, ask for Thomas O'Connor!

Feb 20th, 2021 5m 14s

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

Lost the head!

Feb 19th, 2021 4m 44s

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

In 531 AD, Saint Brendan discovered America, and nobody believed him!

Feb 11th, 2021 5m 2s

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 i

Candlemas and Saint Blaise

Feb 9th, 2021 5m 22s

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 lig

Superbowl LV, an Irish success story.

Feb 8th, 2021 3m 33s

So many Irish left these shores with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and through their sacrifice, hard work and selflessness, provided a platform for their children and grand-children and generations more, to survive, to succeed, and to

The Lost Hooker - Episode 3 in the Heartbeat of Ireland Story series

Feb 4th, 2021 7m 23s

Truth is often stranger than fiction. Four men left Galway in their Hooker, to catch some herring. They ended up in New York, 3,000 miles away, were presumed dead, and eventually made their way home, penniless to Galway. The year was 1876. One

Many Rivers To Cross

Feb 3rd, 2021 9m 24s

Ireland has literally thousands of rivers. We pass over them every day, mostly unnoticed. I was asked what is the river I had crossed over most often in my life, and it got me to thinking, and writing and telling a story that started in Galway,

Heartbeat of Ireland - Saint Bridget's day and Imbolc, the first day of Spring

Feb 2nd, 2021 8m 41s

In this story I talk about Ireland's female patron saint and how her feast day came to be the 1st of February. It's really a Celtic story of strong women.I hope you are enjoying these stories, oh, and if you are, do please share them with your

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