March 2021: By the Shores of Donegal

Hello Everyone,

First of all, I want to wish you a very happy St. Patrick’s Day! It was a great plan to have it in the middle of Lent, so we are allowed to have a drink that day. But then, if you’re anything like me, I have my penance done already. I had 2 glasses of wine on Christmas Day. So I will probably indulge both St. Patrick’s Day and my namesake celebration, St. Joseph’s Day on the 19th.

 I must congratulate Paddy Homan on his wonderful show ‘I Am Ireland’. It is so well put together, with songs and stories of the history (true history) of Ireland. If there’s anyone wanting to learn about Irish history and get a musical experience of a lifetime into the bargain, then this is definitely for you. I remember saying too Paddy, in his earlier days in Chicago, “you should contact PBS, and I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms”. Well, PBS got word about his outstanding tenor voice, and the rest, as they say, is history. Wishing you well Paddy, with that mighty voice of yours and of course your witty way with the audience. Chicago is very proud of you!

There’s a lady from the same parish as me, in Ireland, Cullyhanna, South Armagh. I know her Mom and Dad, Edmond and Sheila Hoey. They were both doing the musical circuit around the same time as me, a few years ago. A very talented duo. Well, I heard their daughter singing on Facebook one day and her voice is one of those very special voices, with great resonance and feeling. Her name is Mary Hoey, and if you have access to TG4, there’s a talent show on there called Glór Tíre. Mary is one of the contestants. It would be great if you could put the free app on your phone and give Mary a vote. It takes a special talent to get a hold of my ears, and Mary Hoey is one of them that did. I really hope she wins it, she most certainly has a great talent, the judges can see she has what it takes, let’s hope the voters are the same. Good luck Mary!

 I am so delighted that Sean Ginnelly is the founder of a new radio station. I’m going to steal his website home page here so you can get an idea of what Sean is up to these days!

Welcome to Global Irish Radio (GIR.ie)...
The leading Irish platform for Irish radio from Ireland and her diaspora around the world.  A LIVE streaming platform promoting Irish Music, Heritage & Culture. Global Irish Radio showcases all kinds of Irish Music and Irish Musicians including Traditional Irish Music, Irish Folk & Ballads, Irish Country Music, Celtic Rock Music, and Irish Dancing Music.  This uniquely Irish platform seeks to bring together the global Irish radio community - a one-stop-shop or go-to platform for all things Irish. Enjoy the very best that Ireland has to offer in terms of local Irish Radio from Irish communities around the world - great interviews and music reflecting the flair and flavor of those communities. Interesting programs from  Irish podcasters - primarily Irish musicians looking to connect with, and build, their global Irish loving audience. Global Irish Radio is a 24 hour streaming Irish Radio Platform rich in the music and talk of Ireland - Enjoy! (Sean Ginnelly, Founder-Global Irish Radio)

Stephen Smyth, (master musician), and I just wrote another song together, and I really like it. We’ve must have written an album this last few weeks. Well, if you thought there is already a lot of Donegal songs, here’s another one. We’ll make it this month’s song titled - ‘By The Shores Of Donegal’

A final word, we’ve lost so many family and friends this past year. It’s hard to keep our hearts from breaking for ourselves and for our friends and families alike. If you know someone that’s putting on a brave face and not saying much, it would be a loving thing to just lift the phone, or knock on their door and give them a little of your time. It feels good, and you would be bringing a little joy, into someone’s life. It’s probably the best present you can give anyone, a kind word, and an ear to listen.

As always, be good to one another, and enjoy wetting your Shamrock, Slainte! Joe