Karl McGuckin - a calling to sing.
Classical singer Karl McGuckin from Edendork, takes time out from his busy festive schedule.
The much heralded 'Candlelight Christmas' shows at Clonard Monastery, with his dear friend Malachi Cush, sold out within hours.
Karl also recently performed at the Royal Variety Show, an 'exhilarating experience' that will be on televised to millions on ITV on December 21st.
A bass baritone, he gives great credit to his mother Marguerite, a former showband singer, who most encouraged him to fulfil his potential. Both sides of his family (the Ballinderry McGuckins and Coreys from Brackaville) are laden with musical and football talent, among them his godfather Joe Brolly, an accomplished pianist and GAA All Star!
Karl's father Mick captained Derry while his uncles, cousins and brothers were also renowned footballers.
Karl regrets his GAA career ended at the relatively early age of 29, however he did win a MacRory Cup medal and Ulster Colleges All Star.
After winning an Intermediate club championship medal, he hung up the boots as combining football with life as a singer and barrister became too demanding.
On the podcast he selects a beautiful and poignant song 'Fall On Me', performed with Malachi, in memory of his brother Paddy's beloved wife Marie, who tragically passed away three years ago.
His choice of iconic song 'Old Man River' at the Proms in the Park was a revelation.
Karl also talks about the songs that most move him and pays tribute to other great artists.
He has performed in musicals and operas while his shows are acclaimed. It is a 'calling' to sing that so enraptures his audiences.
That tradition is being handed on as Karl and his wife Emma are introducing their toddler daughters to different types of music, the musical 'Frozen' a particular favourite!
With Santa Claus arriving soon it is a magical time in the McGuckin home.
An end of year podcast that includes fabulous songs performed by Karl McGuckin!
* We wish all our listeners a merry and peaceful Christmas.

Pádraig (Paudie) Hampsey - leader, role model and inspiration.

Tyrone captain Paudie Hampsey lived the dream when he climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.
It was the cumulation of years of commitment and dedication.

National recognition, however, has never dimmed his passion for his beloved club Coalisland Fianna and local community.

Two times an All Star, he recalls sharing the joy of winning All Ireland finals and club championships with his family and friends. Special memories.

Paudie also looks back on his days in the boxing ring. Future pros Feargal McCrory and Conrad Cummings trained at the club with him. Three-times Ulster champion, he came close to winning All Ireland titles before putting all his efforts into football.

It soon brought reward as he captained Tyrone minors to a provincial win and won an All Ireland U21 medal.
There was also disappointment with club and county, losing finals, before winning the O'Neill Cup and the Sam Maguire. He pays tribute to all those he played alongside as well as the managers who guided them on the way.

In 2021, as we made our way out of Covid restrictions, Tyrone reached the promised land for only the fourth time. An unforgettable day. Paudie recalls the key plays, other great leaders on that team, the winning speech, joyous scenes with family and his partner and very special memories of his son Cillian joining him on the field afterwards.
The scenes bringing the Sam Maguire Cup to Coalisland (along with club-mates Michael McKernan and coach Peter Donnelly) are now part of the town's folklore.

Paudie also remembers the joy returning to Coalisland, along with his clubmates, with the O'Neill Cup.

This is a local chat with Ronan Mac, a fellow Coalisland man, as Paudie reflects on an incredible GAA career and they share special memories of family and friends, some who have sadly departed.
However, the idea of a GAA Royal Rumble is a hard sell...

In this episode of the TwoMacs, Martin is back in the chair talking to acclaimed
novelist Anthony J. Quinn. Born on a farm in Kileeshil in 1971, Anthony was
drawn to books from an early age. As a child, he would construct a wee canopy
in a nearby field and lose himself reading stories by Enid Blyton. He also
started to write at a young age.
However, the Troubles cast a long shadow over his formative years and indeed
his nine noir novels deal with this dark subject and its legacy. His work is set
around the shores of Lough Neagh and presents an alternative view of the area
to the N.I. Tourist Board. His debut novel, Disappeared (2012) first appeared in
the US, introduced readers to Inspector Celsius Daly who would go on to appear
in three subsequent novels.
The fascinating discussion covers the nature of the writing process and how it
can often be a journey of discovery for the writer to arrive at the “emotional
truth” of a story. They also talk of the importance of telling stories that address
the wrongs of the past and thus allow people to feel that they have been heard.
Anthony’s latest book, Murder, Memoir, Murder (2022), his most personal novel
to date, was one of the Daily Mail’s Books of the Year. At present he is
working on a historical novel set in New York.

Anthony's Website www.anthonyjquinnwriter.com/