‘An G-TEAM’ The Biggest Irish Language Competition In History. SUNDAY 05/02/2012 – 8:00P.M., TG4

‘An G-Team’ is a new 10 part series on TG4 that’s all about getting the country speaking Irish. We’ll be throwing down the gauntlet to small towns and villages throughout Ireland to compete in a battle to become TG4’s top Irish speaking town – outside [...]]]>

‘An G-TEAM’
The Biggest Irish Language Competition In History.
SUNDAY 05/02/2012 – 8:00P.M., TG4

‘An G-Team’ is a new 10 part series on TG4 that’s all about getting the country speaking Irish. We’ll be throwing down the gauntlet to small towns and villages throughout Ireland to compete in a battle to become TG4’s top Irish speaking town – outside the Gaeltacht. One town will walk away with a €40,000 prize.

This week it’s Donabate, Co. Dublin versus Castlewellan, Co. Down. Only one town will progress to the quarter-final. Find out who that will be on Sunday, 05th Feb on TG4 at 8pm.

In early 2011, the call went out for applicants and 12 towns were chosen. Over a number of months these towns had to use their best efforts to incorporate Irish into their daily routines. They were preparing for one day when the judges would roll into town – G-DAY.

G-DAY was the day where the cameras watched everything. The entire town was rigged with CCTV and everyone was under scrutiny. From dawn to dusk the community used every effort they could to speak Irish and to impress the judges.
The fathers read the bedtime stories in Irish, the butcher dealt with his customers through Irish and the local guys chatted up the girls ‘As Gaeilge’. On top of this, the towns were tasked with hosting a festival on the G-DAY. All events were organised and hosted through Irish. With 2 towns competing against each other to take a place in the quarter-finals, the rivalry was palpable.

While the main focus of the show is on the use of Irish language, it’s also about giving small communities throughout Ireland an opportunity to showcase their towns, their heritage and their plans for the future in a very positive light. Those towns who took part have put themselves on the map.

The three judges deciding on who goes through to the quarter-finals are: Mary Hannafin – Ex. Minister for Tourism, Culture & sport. Rossa Ó Snodaigh – Irish language activist & founding member of Irish language rock band Kila. Lorcán Mac Gabhann – CEO of Glór na Gael who champion the use of Irish language.

It seems our very own Peter and his garden podcast have made the jump to real radio. Which is kind of funny – as he puts the audio from the live radio show on his blog as a podcast after – just in case you couldn’t tune in

That said… you have to give the [...]]]>

It seems our very own Peter and his garden podcast have made the jump to real radio. Which is kind of funny – as he puts the audio from the live radio show on his blog as a podcast after – just in case you couldn’t tune in

That said… you have to give the chap credit for it. Straight from his own garden website I nabbed this and threw it up here.

Nice one Peter, me oul’ flower

Here’s a taster of his first live show:

The #SodShow – Fridays 3pm – 103.2 Dublin City Fm

listen to the podcast – via iTunes – via the garden blog

listen live via the radio dial on 103.2fm or online at www.DublinCityFm.ie

Contact Dublin City Fm

• Use the hashtag: #SodShow
• Text the show: 0879771032
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Or write to us:

• via email to : info@dublincityfm.ie
• or by pen or pencil to:

The SodShow,
Dublin City Fm,
Unit 6, Docklands Innovation Park,
128-130 East Wall Road,
Dublin 3

Of course you can also just hit the contact page on this blog and get me there

Eric Lalor. Gentleman. Comic. Genius

Proud to have made him [...]]]>

Eric Lalor. Gentleman. Comic. Genius

Proud to have made him coffee.

...

You may remember I mentioned the Fingal folk Club that had recently started….?

I had heard that singer songwriter Martin Byrne was due to turn up…. I like Martin. I like his stuff. A gentleman. An absolute legend. And a serious talent.

Take a look and the man behind the music and see what you think…. [...]]]>

martin

You may remember I mentioned the Fingal folk Club that had recently started….?

I had heard that singer songwriter Martin Byrne was due to turn up…. I like Martin. I like his stuff. A gentleman. An absolute legend. And a serious talent.

Take a look and the man behind the music and see what you think…. He has just launched his debut album called My Ireland.

And finally, songs are written to be sung. You don’t have to be a singer to be able to enjoy them. Hum along and do what ever it is you do, and if our paths cross up ahead, do come up and say hello.

It’s only 2 seasons ago that the boys took the entire country by storm [and for those of you who have never heard them], ladys and gentlemen may I [re] introduce [...]]]> been a while since I saw these guys play live…. I thought there were more songs of theirs on youtube….. ? But I only found 2….

It’s only 2 seasons ago that the boys took the entire country by storm [and for those of you who have never heard them], ladys and gentlemen may I [re] introduce 21 demands

Cracking song, cracking band….. enjoy!

and of course there was this….

alright… its called cheer me up Friday for good reason; and this invterview only gets better… wait until he starts speaking Irish… bulaidh [...]]]> Dara O’Brien: this was a toughie – Dara is another genius, similar to last weeks Jason Byrne – but the clean stuff…. well this was at good at it got…. [part 1].

alright… its called cheer me up Friday for good reason; and this invterview only gets better… wait until he starts speaking Irish… bulaidh bós Dara.

I was talking to a friend of mine recently about this. He does some work in Cricklewood. Its a great town. I’m still very fond of the place. Such good memories for me and I’m still saddened that it closed. As the galteemore website says:

For countless thousands of Irish emigrants to London during the [...]]]>

I was talking to a friend of mine recently about this. He does some work in Cricklewood. Its a great town. I’m still very fond of the place. Such good memories for me and I’m still saddened that it closed. As the galteemore website says:

For countless thousands of Irish emigrants to London during the 20th century the Galtymore in Cricklewood, London was more than just a dance-hall. It was a home from home, a piece of Ireland where each weekend they could meet Irish friends from all over London, hear the music from the Irish country and showband scene and better still, get to see the showband stars in person.

Holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas were always special at this venue for those who were exiled in London. Stars like Dickie Rock, Big Tom and Joe Dolan were all frequent visitors. The Galtymore was the original Ballroom of Romance and many a lifelong relationship began at this famous dancehall.

The Galtymore website is still live – click here – and brimming with pictures and memories of [not so] old. As one comment on the guest book puts it

good bye galty.sorry 2 see it gone.thats the last is dance hall gone

Even the late great Joe Dolan played there. I myself, I remeber seeing Declan Nerney and his band. You’d might think I would think different – but he was brilliant! I was at Peggy Gordons send off there too. How fitting for such a lady. So what happens now.

I haven’t been in a while. I missed the place to be honest. Tommy Moran in the Crown [Moran] Hotel usually lools after me – as do all the staff. I should give the place a call… I think i’ll go there soon for old times sake, because it makes me smile fondly. Home from home.