45. Noel O'Grady: Singer & Raconteur
Episode 45 is a conversation largely framed around the poetry of James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Kennelly with singer and raconteur Noel O’Grady.
Conversation includes: introductions; Noel’s 35 years in the army; President Michael D. Higgins; Bloomsday; John McCormack; W.B.Yeats; James Joyce’s singing voice; Eileen Joyce; "the tyranny of the metronome"; Con Houlihan who spoke “English on a Gaelic loom”; the prose of Joyce; how Joyce placed music in his writings; Bellini’s bel canto ‘La sonnambula’ placed in Sirens in Joyce’s Ulysses; Christy Moore asking Noel how did he know which note to start on; adrenaline and performance; Noel’s close shaves in the army; Roger Casement; ‘The Island’ by Paul Brady; Úna Bhán; ‘Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away’; Peter Kavanagh; Hilda Moriarty; Noel’s brief analysis of the poem ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh; Lord Dunsany; Francis Ledwidge; County Kerry; Ben Kiely; Brendan Kennelly; Noel’s motivation to give Brendan Kennelly the celebration that he deserved with guests including the President, John Sheahan and Mary Black; “The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away, ” Pablo Picasso; memories of Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew and John Sheahan of The Dubliners; Luke Kelly; Frank Greally and his brother Tom from Ballyhaunis; Irish Runner; Noel’s insight into President Michael D. Higgins; the President’s intimate insight of ‘Mo Ghile Mear’; Sabina Higgins; Nora Barnacle’s ex boyfriend Michael ‘Sonny’ Bodkin; ‘The Dead’ by James Joyce in his book ‘Dubliners’; an old African adage; Brendan Kennelly’s improvised poem; Noel’s one-man show ‘Ode To James Joyce: Portrait Of A Tenor’; Carl Jung and Lucia Joyce; Noel’s one man show ‘Remembering Brendan Kennelly; Bono as a writer; Raglan Lane by Brendan Kennelly; Irish people being storytellers; Noel performing ’On Raglan Road’, and other topics.
Recorded in Dublin overlooking Christ Church on Saturday night on 5 April 2024, the 12th anniversary of Barney McKenna.
Relevant Links
https://www.youtube.com/user/leonairs
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enchanted-Way-Tribute-Patrick-Kavanagh/dp/B001VGDA6I
https://poetryarchive.org/poet/brendan-kennelly/
https://patrickkavanaghcentre.com/
Additional Links
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5i7vAJseR-/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DMdPds7qH/?hl=en
Photo: Richie McCann
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The Ireland Podcast is a celebration of arguably the coolest island on the planet. It is a force for good for all four provinces of the island, and beyond! Launched in October 2023 The Ireland Podcast is hosted by Northern Ireland born Fender Jackson and produced by Salthill Media. Please help secure the future of The Ireland Podcast by sharing and rating favourably. For more information please visit www.theirelandpodcast.com. Celebrate the island!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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