Program 597a: Dublin Walk; The Immortal Irishman; Aran Islands

It's an all-Irish hour on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.

Guides from Dublin and the west of Ireland point out the highlights for a walking tour of the Irish capital.

We'll also hear why the rugged Aran Islands are among the top sites to explore rural Irish traditions. Plus, author Timothy Egan explains the legacy of the most famous Irish-American immigrant of the 19th century.

• Joe Darcy, Dublin-based tour guide
• Kieran O'Hare, musician and Maine-based tour guide to Ireland
• Tim Egan, author of "The Immortal Irishman" (Mariner) and "A Pilgrimage to Eternity" (Viking)
• Irish tour guide Stephen McPhilemy
• Dublin-based tour guide Peter Byrne

• Rick recommends additional sites to see when walking around Dublin.
• Kieran O'Hare is an expert on the uilleann pipes, which he plays with the ensemble Open the Door for Three.
• "The Immortal Irishman" by Timothy Egan details the life story of Irish immigrant Thomas Francis Meagher. The Great Falls Tribune lists sites to visit in Montana related to Thomas Meagher.
• Tim's latest book is "A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America and the Woman Who Stopped Them."
• Stephen McPhilemy is a tour guide who also operates the Milltown House Guesthouse on the Dingle Harbor.
• The Rick Steves online guide to Ireland.

• "As a high school teacher, I take a group of students on a Civil War-themed trip each April. While at the Antietam battlefield, our guide always makes it a point to stop at the Irish Brigade Monument. To what extent do the Irish today know about and celebrate the contributions of the Irish in the American Civil War?" (Joshua in Bow, New Hampshire)
• Caller points out the contributions to the Labor movement in the US by Irishwoman Mother Jones. "Mary Harris Jones was a fearless union activist who founded the Social Democratic Party, and helped establish the Industrial Workers of the World. Do you know of her work and perhaps find it inspirational? Any chance you might write about her in the future?" (Judy in Seattle)
• "My husband and I spent four nights on Inishmore during our honeymoon in October. We spent most of the trip hiking and exploring. We loved feeling like we were all alone at the end of the world. We loved the desperate beauty of the last colors of fall, and having places like Dun Aengus and the Black Fort all to ourselves." (Erin in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
• Caller visited Inishmore or a few years ago. "It is one of my favorite places due to the rugged beauty and how amazingly quiet it was. We stayed two nights in the Kilmurvey House, rode bikes around the island, and hiked to Dún Aonghasa before the ferries arrived. What would you recommend as activities for a second visit?" (Terry in Philadelphia)
• "We toured Inishmore in 1998. The ferry ride to the island was memorable for the number of people who were seasick, and watching a helicopter practice rescue maneuvers off the side of the ferry. A van drove us all over the island; we visited Dun Aengus, marveled at the miles of stone fences, drank a beer with the locals, and bought sweaters that we still wear today. I'm guessing Inishmore is more touristy now?" (Donna in Delaware, Ohio)

• Altan, "An Grianán (Horse with a Heart)," Celtic Tides (collection) / Putumayo
• Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, cond., "The Irish Washerwoman," Celtic Spectacular / Telarc
• Open the Door for Three, "Church Hill," The Joyful Hour / (self-released)
• Cathie Ryan, "Óró, 'Sheanduine Dóite," Through Wind and Rain / Mo Leanbh
• Punch Brothers, The Chieftains, "The Frost is All Over," The Chieftains: Voice of Ages / Hear Music
• * Clannad, "The Golden Ball," Landmarks / WEA-Atlantic
• Rita Connolly, Shaun Davey, "Death of Richard-An-Iarainn (Intro)," Granuaile / Tara Music
• James Galway, "Carrickfergus (Air)," The Celtic Minstrel / RCA Victor
• John Doan, "Lamentation of Turlough O'Carolan," Eire-Isle of the Saints (A Celtic Odyssey) / Hearts of Space
• Lorenna McKennitt, "Bonny Portmore," The Visit / WEA
• Kieran O'Hare, "The Girl I Left Behind Me," A Celtic Spectacular (collection) / Telarc
• O'Malley's Folk Music Players, "Lament for Stalker Wallace," Irish & Celtic Folk Classics / Big Eye Music
• Kathryn Mannyng, "The Parting of Friends," Tara's Halls – Harp Music of Ireland / (self-released)
• Gregory Harrington, "The Battle of Kinsale," Reflections / Estile
• London Symphony Orchestra, "Marcradh Shíodha (Fairy Cavalcade) (from 'The Children of Lir,' composed by Patrick Cassidy)," Patrick Cassidy: The Children of Lir / Celtic Heartbeat
• * David Russell, guitar, "The Bucks of Oranmore (reel)," The Emerald Isles (collection) / Telarc
• L'Orchestra Numerique, "Blarney Jig," Sunday Sessions: 40 Classic Irish Songs (collection) / SFO
• Dublin Screen Orchestra (harpist unnamed), "Journey to Inisfree," The Quiet Man (film score) / Silva America
• The Spirit of Eden, "Legend of Cuan," Celtic Heartbeat Collection 2 / Celtic Heartbeat
• Dublin Screen Orchestra, "This Way!," The Quiet Man (film score) / Silva America
• The Snake Charmer (aka Archy Jay), "Galway Piper," (single) / (self-released)

* Indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• The "all-Irish" themes on program #597 are designed to air adjacent to the St. Patrick's Day holiday, though the holiday is not specifically mentioned during the show.
• In the segment A intro, Rick notes that Dublin has "nearly 2 million people."
• The significance of Easter Monday in Ireland's history is mentioned a couple of times in segment A.
• Caller Joshua in New Hampshire says at 3:15 that he takes a group of his students to Antietam "every year in April" to view American Civil War sites, including the contributions of the Irish Brigade.
• At 37:08 Tim Egan compares the issues Meagher advocated for with contemporary issues over immigration in the United States.
• Stephen McPhilemy says at 41:09 that 1200 people live on the three Aran Islands. He adds that the Irish government recently built a state-of-the-art fishing facility there, to help preserve its lifestyle.
• Stephen says at 48:16 that many tourists often tell him the Aran Islands is "one of the top three sites" in Ireland. Caller Erin then adds that she had called in to an interview with Barry Moloney "last year," and took his advice on accommodation on the islands.
• Peter notes that the Aran Islands have become popular with younger travelers in recent years, many from the university in Galway.