Erin's Isle Podcast

Butter is more important to Ireland's economy than you may realize. In fact it's so important that they have a museum dedicated to it's rich history.  In Limerick, King John's Castle stands as an historic fortress and landmark, and it's playing a substantial role in Ireland's future as well. Plus, you'll meet someone with definite opinions of King John, and someone you may recognize from the Game of Thrones. All that plus A Broad Abroad...in Episode 9 or Erin's Isle.      

Galway is home to Ireland's national Communications Museum. In this episode learn all about Ireland's involvement in global communications from a man who knows it all.  Also, find out why Americans love Ireland enough to pick up and move here. And where you can find fairies without having to look very hard.  And A Broad Abroad explains why more things seem possible as we age.   

The Blarney Stone is on most people's list when they come to Ireland. But did you know the grounds are as fascinating as the castle and the stone?  Meet the man who meets all of those after the gift of gab, and the man who runs the pub at the heart of the village.

Medical Technology plays a huge part in the economy in the west of Ireland. And Medical Technology Ireland is bringing both ends of the supply chain together to fuel it's future. Cafe 37 knows the key to serving up service and the right menus for it's patrons. Healthy is their new Sexy, and they know how to make their place Your Happy Place! Marriage Stones, an Irish tradition protected for the future. And A Broad Abroad finds that where you are is often just where you're supposed to be.  

The Galway Cathedral is historic and amazing. The man in charge there is equally as charming and strongly believes in the cathedral's importance worldwide. You'll meet him and hear the Cathedral's history through his eyes. You'll also meet a man keeping the historic art of uilliann pipes alive. Not only that, he is constantly inventing, how about a walking stick that carries your instrument, just in case you have the urge to stop for a tune? And do you always put your trust in your smart phone? In my family it's a generational debate.

In this episode of Erin's Isle we meet a dentist from Drogheda who took a very long walk to school for three very good causes. Cormac McNamara knows how to make a difference. We also meet Paul Doyle who runs Haper's Boutique B & B in Belfast. It's an amazing turn of the century guest house restored to Victorian splendor. It's a real look into what it takes to run a B&B in Ireland. And we stroll through the Botanical Gardens at Queen's College.  

What's it like to own a castle? Ken and Lizanne Alan know. They bought Dardistown Castle near Drogheda 30 years ago. They say it's a never ending home improvement project with more rules than most renovations. But it is an amazing place to live! And what was Drogheda like 90 years ago? Carmel Conroy was there and has some incredible stories of how Drogheda has changed. She should know, she's lived there all her life. And she shares her stories over tea. And A Broad Abroad goes back to school.

This is the first in a series of podcasts about Ireland. I live in Galway and want to share the charming bits of Ireland you could easily miss if no one told you to watch for them. In this episode we d why locals kick the wall on the prom in Galway. I's a lovely place to walk along the sea and it raises money for charities. We'll meet a music legend named Mary McPartlan, visit a bakery in Dublin that shows how creative those living in Ireland can be. And I begin the saga of A Broad Abroad. That's me, how I got here and why I stay. You can also follow my journey on my blog called Erin's Isle. you can find that at www.ErinMeehanBreen.com The big tourist attractions will bring you here, but it's the charm of the people that will keep you here.