Program 557a: Speaking in Irish; On the Wind; Irish Craic

Hear how the Irish language, once banned by English colonial rulers, has re-assumed its place at the heart of Irish identity. Then listen in as musician Kieran O'Hare explains why he finds Irish bagpipes more pleasing than the better-known Scottish ones, and plays a few traditional tunes on the Irish tin whistle. And eavesdrop on a pair of Irishmen from opposite ends of the island as they share a beer and a little banter with Rick.

• Pub owner/musician/tour guide Dara Herlihy, from Dingle, Ireland 
• Musician Kieran O'Hare
• Irish storytellers feature, produced and narrated by Sarah McCormic
• Hotelier and tour guide Stephen McPhilemy, from Dingle, Ireland 
• Singer Liam O'Riordan from Blarney, Ireland

• Dara Herlihy operates Neligan's Bar at No. 2 Main Street in Dingle, and his family runs the Dingle Music Shop.
• Kieran O'Hare and his wife Liz Knowles are two-thirds of the traditional Irish trio Open The Door for Three.
• The National Folklore Collection in Dublin includes traditional stories and music of Ireland.
• Stephen McPhilemy is a tour guide who also operates the Milltown House Guesthouse on Dingle Bay.
• Liam O'Riordan occasionally performs as "Big Liam" at pubs in Blarney and in County Cork.

Celtic Vacations Haiku

Winding mountain roads
Through sun and shadow framing
Stories as we go
— Kerry Dexter, Tallahassee, Florida

A great murder crows
Ancient and louder than thought
From the Irish oak
— Sarahlynn Nichols, Lincoln, Nebraska

Clear green sea rising
Ancient mother and shaper
of a patient shore
— Theresa de Belder, Herblay, France

Beautiful Gower
Wild Horses Roam Like Big Pups
We ate so much lamb!
— Jessica Salmans, Weatherford, Oklahoma