music – Karen J McDonnell

The Western Skyline Podcast – Spring Podcasts

March 6, 2020Karen J McDonnell

We go by the old Irish/pagan calendar on this website! Spring is February, March, & April.

FEBRUARY 2020

Kinvara-based poet Mary Madec joined me on the Western Skyline to discuss poetry, the other work!, and to read from her new collection The Egret Lands With News From Other Parts (Salmon Publishing). Mary also read several of poems from earlier collections. Good music too, of course, and the show is book-ended with arts news.
Not bad going, considering the studio had had a technical meltdown! Hope you enjoy the show.

The Western Skyline Podcast – Autumn podcasts

November 17, 2019November 17, 2019Karen J McDonnell

There was no Western Skyline in August as the I was working on the day it was due to go out. And as it was a live outside broadcast during the Cruinniú na mBád weekend … well, I couldn’t even pre-record a show for you!

So, here are links to the two Autumn shows:

05 OCTOBER 2019

October’s show showcased the debut album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Brigid O’Neill, and there’s news of festivals for children and adults, new exhibitions, and a preview of the Kinvara Talks. Plus the long-promised play of Hurricane and other great tracks from Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, & Bruce Springsteen,.

07 SEPTEMBER 2019

Marion Cox dropped into the studio to chat about this year’s Lady Gregory/Yeats Autumn Gathering. There’s more arts news, and music from Badly Drawn Boy, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Billy Joel, and Paul Weller. Enjoy!

Poet’s Corner Readings – June 2019

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019Karen J McDonnell

Cover for This Little World
© Karen J McDonnell & Doire Press

Hard to believe this baby is nearly two years old!

Sinéad continues to host monthly readings at the Record Break Café tomorrow 1 June – with turns from yours truly and musician Brigid O’Neill, who is on a UK & Ireland tour at the moment. Read more about Brigid here.

We will be splitting the time into fifteen minute slots – so I promise not to bore you with too much ‘recitation’! I’ve decided to read some short fiction too.

It’s a mix-it-up kinda gig!

Hope some of you can make it.

The Western Skyline Podcast – 09 February 2019

March 2, 2019Karen J McDonnell

Mags Brehony came into studio to chat to me on The Western Skyline about Kinvara’s mini festival in solidarity with the poets and people of Nicaragua. Also on the show: music by Anastacia, Big Country, Destiny’s Child, Sigrid and others. Plus some arts news. Keep informed – check out what’s happening in Nicaragua; what caused the cancellation of their poetry festival for the first time in its history.

The Western Skyline Podcast – 22 September 2018

November 1, 2018Karen J McDonnell

PLAYING TRACKS BY

Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Little D, The Beautiful South and Simon & Garfunkel.

Another guest live in the studio on The Western Skyline this week: Artist Christopher Banahan joined me to discuss an exhibition of paintings inspired by his travels in India. That’s me and Chris in this week’s photo! The paintings are on view in Ishka Cafe in Kinvara. And FOR SALE! Other arts news includes a photography project with teenagers here in Kinvara, and a photography competition for national school children. Plus theatre, film and music gigs in Galway and Clare. Music by R.E.M., Sting, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, The Beatles, and Paul Simon.
A busy Western Skyline on Kinvara 92.4 FM, live and streaming online. Share us with your friends …

The Western Skyline Podcast – 07 April 2018

April 8, 2018April 8, 2018Karen J McDonnell

#music #arts round up #writing competition news

Tonii Kelly of Guaire Magazine joined me in studio today with an update on their children’s writing competition, and deadlines. Workshops have taken place during the winter and the closing date for the competition is 20 April. Full details and entry forms at guaire.org

Also on the show – news of ballet, theatre, gigs and concerts around Galway and Ennis, with more info on exhibitions in Kinvara.

Plus music from The Black-eyed Peas, Robert Palmer, Aimee Mann, The Script, The Beautiful South, Roxy Music, Rufus Wainwright, and Rickie Lee Jones.
Thanks for listening!

The Western Skyline Podcast – 10 March 2018

April 8, 2018Karen J McDonnell

TAGGED

#arts news #mother’s day #poems #classical

This Western Skyline is all about The Mammy. Four poems this week, by Irish poets. And we play your requests for your mum. Plus some arts news, and wonderful classical music; instrumental and vocal.

The playlist includes Vivaldi, JS Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Elgar and Satie.
Enjoy. Hope you spoiled The Mammy!

Highfalutin’ in Capital City

January 28, 2018Karen J McDonnell

Just booked my train tickets to Capital City – and I’m high as a highfalutin’ gal can be!

SO looking forward to joining the rest of the gang for the gig tomorrow at the Liquor Rooms on Wellington Quay. It’s organised by the amazing Anne Tannam, so we know that it’s going to be fantastic. Still haven’t finalised what poems I’ll read from This Little World. There’ll be a few copies for sale, by the way. The fun kicks off at 7.30pm – so bigí linn!

Now, where did I put my ‘good’ handbag …

The Western Skyline Podcast – 13 January 2018

January 22, 2018Karen J McDonnell

The first Western Skyline of 2018 has an eclectic mix of music spanning 60 years – from the Beatles, Cockney Rebel, the Alan Parsons Project, Carly Simon, Sting, The Script, and others. There are details of the Music for Galway Midwinter Festival and of the planned commemoration at Kiltartan of Major Robert Gregory, on the 100th anniversary of his death in WWl (see image). I hope you enjoy the show.
Feedback is always welcome!