Danny Houlihan‘s Irish Experience

Ballybunion Pier Landing Place 1892 Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience Show

Danny Houlihan historian and Author of Ballybunion An Illustrated History explores events that happened during the later stages of the 1800s in Ireland delving into the faded newspapers of the those bygone days uncovering hidden gems of the past a part of our Irish Heritage.

Welcome once more to my podcast series which is going from strength to strength exploring the rich history of our famous countryside of Ireland.

During the course of my research I have uncovered many historical events that have taking place in areas today which are well established from the 1800s, way back in olden days developments to enhance these places which are now forgotten in time took place in villages and towns in Ireland.These events are important to historians and students alike as they introduce us all to the foundation stones of these special places of interest.

In this podcast I will use my own place in Ballybunion yet again as an example of the work that went into promoting and developing a seaside town in Ireland circa 1892 and the outcome that transpired or did not.

In 1892 there was a proposal to built a pier or Landing Place in the resort of Ballybunion which at that time was becoming famous around the World as a traditional seaside resort promoting heath & wellness. This episode explores what happened and a brief background of the proposed project in 1892 using archival newspaper clippings now faded brown, then fast forward into the year of 1918 when the idea was put forward again. History repeating what happened in the past.

Through its people its heritage and its rugged coastline this is truly Danny Houlihan'd Irish Experience

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Christmas Show 1 Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience

Happy Christmas to you all from Danny Houlihan's Irish Experience Ireland from the banks of Shannon River. In this special show I will travel back to a few episodes I recorded this year which was my first year podcasting. I hope you all will enjoy the places I visited and the history that is still in these special areas of North Kerry. In the podcast I will travel back to the times of the famous castles in the area of North Kerry fused with some of my music on the my pipes.

Happy Christmas to you all Danny Houlihan

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Abbeydorney & Its famous Abbey Danny Houlihan

I travel out once more on one of the arteries of the famous Wild Atlantic Way Route which is one of the Worlds longest coastal driving routes which stretches from Donegal in the North to Cork in the south punctuated with World famous views that will take your breath away.

Inward I travel from my Baile Bhuinn An Abhainn Studio, In this episode I will again explore more of the hidden parts of our country's rich built heritage.

On the outskirts of the famous village of Abbeydorney a few miles from Tralee, there is located shrouded in history the impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey which was founded according to historians in the year 1154 and dedicated to Saint Bernard the famous Kyrie Eleison Abbey of Abbeydorney.

In this episode I take a short walk around the Abbey which has captivated many who visit its ruins each year from around the World. I have consulted many references for this episode Annals of Ireland by The Four Masters etc just to mention a few. Again this is just a taste of what can be seen.

The Lights of Lisseen Rua Bromore Cliffs Danny Houlihan

Ballybunion Podcaster & Historian Danny Houlihan relates a story possibly one of the last related oral folklore tales of the Doon, Bromore Cliffs & Kilconly area which was related to him by a local historian & Folklorist now departed.

The coastline of Doon, Bromore and Kilconly was not a place at night where one should wander its was according to the ancients the realm of the other world a place not to venture. In this folklore tale a local man making his way from Ballybunion had an experience which left a mark on his life forever and the few that saw the Lights of Lisseen Rua

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

The Sea Lark & The Great Irish Holocaust of 1846 /1847 Ballybunion Danny Houlihan

In this episode Danny Houlihan opens a page in his local history forgotten and confined to an old faded book, a period of immense hardship that was put and executed military style on our local Iraghticonnor people of the area in 1846 and 1847 this was called Droch Shaol (The Bad Life).

The Great Irish Holocaust of 1846 & 1847 commonly known as The Famine. This period heralded the extermination of the Irish language its people and our native culture and music to an extent many more years will have to be dedicated to research to uncover the full truth and whole truth of the area.

The Sea Lark was a ship that met her fate on the golden strand south of the present Ballybunion in 1846, she gave hope to starving people at that time .The incident highlights the massive population over 4000 people upwards that was living in the area including Military, Coastguards & so called Landed Gentry and a few rouges that were present on that day as reported by the newspapers and handed down history. All researched from historical accounts of the period newspapers oral and written. This is The Sea Lark Part 1 of Droch Shaol.

Dedicated to our people who died and those who left our shores forever music by Danny Houlihan.

The name of the Captain of the ship was locally known as Hutchinson which was related to me by a local historian years ago, I have consulted other newspapers of the period which note the name Hutchins.

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

High Crosses of Ireland Tonaknock Cross County Kerry

In this episode Danny Houlihan travels out onto the landscape of North Kerry to a famous High Cross a part of North Kerrys Heritage in Killahan, once a site of an ancient Early Christian settlement. The cross can be seen on the side of the main road which draws visitors each year to this special iconic feature of our Irish Past.

This is the first visit to the cross and more will follow during the year, a short history of high crosses is covered in the episode just a taste is what in store in the episodes to follow

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Carrig Island Ballylongford Danny Houlihan

Danny once again travels along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline, this time to another holy island of Carrig Ballylongford North Kerry. Danny has visited this special place on numerous occasions and has experienced the rich history and atmosphere that is Carrig.

Consulting many historical sources such as the Latter Regista, Papal Madate for the year 1477 and the hand written records of the famous Antiquarian and writer John O Donovan  who visited the area in the 1800s, coupled with Ordnance Survey, SMR maps and google earth Danny weaves a historical story of the island which is just again but a taste of our North Kerry coastline.

Danny will return again to Carrig Island as its history which is so special along the Wild Atlantic Way and our O Connor Kerry Clan History.

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Cliff Walk Ballybunion Danny Houlihan Wild Atlantic Way Champion

Wild Atlantic Way Champion Danny Houlihan takes us on a Journey from the Castle in Ballybunion to the famous caves of the town which in 1834 was visited by famous writers and Geologists both William Ainsworth and writer Alfred Tennyson and later many more.

Leaving the historic strand Danny follows in the steps of many famous people onto the walk where the views are extensive of the town and its Wild Atlantic Way landscape. This area is where Danny Houlihan’s famous Wild Atlantic Way Tour was founded. We follow Danny as he relates his story and unearths the past and weaves a tapestry of the hidden Ballybunion forgotten for decades and now there for all Irish diaspora to hear and enjoy.

Tales of smugglers and the deeds of the old Clan Chieftain O’ Connor of Doon are many, and that of the walks rich Irish Myths & Legends which Danny Houlihan painstakingly has researched without local funding for the last 40 years.

Along the way Dannys music enhances to the show with music he composed and traditional too on the Ulleann Pipes,Low Whistle which adds to the experience.

Danny has specially recorded the sounds of the waves in the Grand Cave Ballybunion, a first in the series of highlighting our natural environment.

Through its people its heritage and its rugged coastline this is truly Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Listowel County Kerry Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience

In this episode Danny travels inland from the Wild Atlantic Way nine miles to the famous market town of North Kerry Listowel Ireland. Listowel Castle is at the centre of its proud history combined with its famous writers the late John B Keane & Brian McMahon who have left a legacy of writing for all of us to enjoy and explore our rich diverse history.

Listowel each year hosts its writers week which promotes the art of writing coupled with a fine hotel and accommodation makes Listowel a must when you visit Ireland. Danny has played his pipes many times in Listowel and has won many All Ireland awards on the bagpipes there, so the connection with Danny and Listowel is a happy one indeed Danny has been welcomed with hospitality anytime he visits Listowel. This is short visit and but a taste, in the future  Danny will return to Lovely Listowel

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Marconi Radio Station YXQ Ballybunion Anniversary Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience

On the 19th of March 1919 Marconi Radio Station YXQ transmitted the first East to West Voice Speech Transmission from a wireless station on Sandhill Road Ballybunion North Kerry Ireland to a receiving station at Louisbourg Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada.

Transmissions were successful with Marconi Engineer W T Dirchem’s voice heard at Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada using pioneering Valve technology and a Telephony transmitter.

Prior to the Marconi Company and engineers arriving in Ballybunion, the station was owned and operated by Universal Radio Syndicate LTD of London using pioneering Arc Technology designed by Vladamar Poulsen inventor. 

 

This station transmitted morse messages during the first  world War to its sister station at New Castle New Brunswick in Canada. Ballybunion YXQ augmented the war effort and played her part as a wireless station after this period our story of YXQ Station begins.

Danny Houlihan has researched the station over the years from documents and ground research and has to date uncovered more and more history , quote I am convinced the story of this famous wireless station will be transmitted for hundreds of years to come unquote.

This episode is just but a brief transmission of the stations history and will be updated accordingly and is dedicated to all Marconi local workers and those in Canada.

After 103 years technology has advanced to a stage that to build a Trans -Atlantic Station like Ballybunion and New Castle New Brunswick would have cost in the region of 250,000 English Sterling each in 1912, now we can webcasts globally for several thousand pounds.

This episodes proves it, as this show is being streamed today around the globe from Ballybunion YXQ Wecasting Radio Talk Show home to Danny Houlihan’s Irish Experience.

The YXQ  Journey Lives on. (Music Danny Houlihan Low Whistle Pipes

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny