Mayo 'Heroes, Poets and Villains' recalled in new radio series ^Featured

It was produced by Stephen Dunford and Tony Conway for Erris FM and was made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

The 12-part series details the lives and legacies of 12 Irish men and women whose stories remain largely overlooked to this day, yet influenced the world as they knew it and as we know it today.

“Irish Heroes, Poets and Villains” features several Mayo names such as Abbey Theatre director Frederick Robert Higgins, better known to Patrick Kavanagh as

the "Gallivanting Poet", Michael Mac Ruaidhri - author, folklorist, horticulturist and 1916 rebel, as well as Barney Moran - a member of the travelling

community and former British soldier who assisted in the execution of Robert Emmet.

While telling the tales of these individuals, the series also incorporates various aspects of heritage, folklore traditions, local and academic history with contemporary music, song, and poetry all of which has been speficially recorded for the series.

 

Musical Director for the series was Ballina native, Padraig MacNally, with special guest musician Steve Wickham of the Waterboys.