Tag: C103 Local Radio

We thank Presenter John Greene for advance information regarding this Sunday evening’s programme.  (S.R.)

Seventeen years ago, seventeen year old George Murphy entered ‘Youre a Star’, the reality talent show on TV.

He didn’t win it, but such was his immediate success afterwards, that most people still believe that he did.

A recording deal followed from Sony Ireland, and his debut album went to number one in the album charts.  His voice was hailed as unique by the likes of the late Ronnie Drew and Peggy Seeger.  When Martin Furey left the High Kings, Murphy took his place.

And then he hit hard times.  Becoming a father for the first time, he found himself jobless.

On Where the road takes me this week, George Murphy chats to John Greene about being wise in hindsight with regard to reality TV shows, and why being a member of the High Kings could never be permanent.

We hear how he re-invented himself and formed a new band called ‘The Rising Sons’, and  we also hear some songs from his new album. [read more …] “George Murphy on WTRTM on C103 Sunday at 7pm”

Presenter John Greene tell us that Programme Two of The Piper of Crossbarry will be broadcast in “Where the Road Take Me” series on C103 this Sunday (19th Jan. 2020) at 7pm .  (S.R.)

We thank Presenter, John Greene for advance information on this Sunday evening’s programme – 5th Jan. 2020.  (S.R.)

It was certainly debatable, but they were heralded as the greatest group since the Beatles.

A bunch of scruffy youngsters from Edinburgh called ‘The Bay City Rollers’ became a tartan teen sensation in the 1970s.

By the late 70s, Rollermania followed and Les McKeown, Alan Longmuir, Derek Longmuir, Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood and Eric Faulkner were known worldwide.  

Songs like ‘Remember’, ‘Shang-a-Lang’ and ‘All of me loves all of you’ were top ten hits, while ‘Bye Bye baby’ remained at No 1 in the UK charts for six weeks in 1975. [read more …] ““Where the Road Take Me” – Bay City Rollers – C103 7pm Sunday”

We thank Presenter, John Greene for information about this evening’s programme 7 to 8pm on C103.  (S.R.)

In this week’s edition of Where the road takes me, John Greene pays a visit to a small grocery shop in Bandon, where four generations have withstood fire and floods, World War2, a recession, changes in social habits and the challenge of Multi Nationals.

We meet the West Cork based press photographer who took the iconic photograph of an eighteen year old lady Diana Spencer in the see-through dress.

And on a lighter note from the archives…….we get to impart some correct information on a new signing at Old Trafford to a mis-informed former legend of the club. [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” on C103 This Sunday Evening”

We thank Presenter, John Greene, for advance information on this evening’s programme – Sun. 17th Nov. 2019 from 7 to 8pm.  (S.R.)

A regular contributor to Where the road takes me, Bantry based GP Dr. Denis Cotter passed away on Sunday November 3rd last.

This week on the programme, John Greene chooses excerpts from the many editions he contributed to over the past seven years.

The end result is a look at the life and times of a man whose family can be traced back to 1839 in Bantry.

Coming from a well known bakery family in the town, Dr. Cotter graduated from medical college as a GP, later setting up a practice in Newtown.

In between, Denis played rugby for club and Munster, at a time when playing or attending foreign games resulted in a mandatory ban.

Playing Gaelic Football with Bantry Blues, he later became team doctor and trained the senior team to two County Senior football titles in 1995 and again in 1998. [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” on C103 This Evening”

We thank Presenter, John Greene, for advance information re this evening’s programme….10th Nov. 2019.  (S.R.)

This Sunday evening on C103, John Greene brings you another edition of ‘Where the road takes me’, as he returns to the Lough in Cork City’s Southside.

It’s the second and concluding programme which outlines the life and times of one of Cork’s best known entertainers Billa O’Connell. 

This week we hear Billa’s favourite songs and stories, and his time as entertainment manager at one of Cork’s famous hotels.

We hear about his decision to book Hollywood actor, boxer and singer, the gorgeous Gael himself Jack Doyle.

And, on hearing of the mutual admiration between Doyle and Cork hurler Christy Ring, Billa worked on bringing both stars together.  [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” at 7 this Evening on C103″

We thank Presenter, John Greene, for advance information re this Sunday evening’s programme.  (S.R.)

For well over half-a-century he’s been entertaining Cork audiences young and old.  The stage on Cork’s opera House became his second home.  

He was made a freeman of Cork City, and received an honorary MA Degree from UCC  for his contribution to Cork’s Cultural life. 

Most people don’t believe in fairytales, but he has good reason to, as he eventually got to marry Cinderella. 

On ‘Where the road takes me’ this week, John Greene goes to the Lough in Cork City to speak to Billa O’Connell. 

There’s songs and plenty of wit from the man who starred in many a Cork Opera House pantomime, and ‘Summer Revels’ which ran for two decades.  [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” at 7pm Sunday on C103″

We thank C103 Presenter, John Greene for advance information re this evening’s programme at 7pm.  (S.R.)

Over the past few years,  John O’Leary became a popular and regular contributor to ‘Where the road takes me’.

Born in Carrigroe near Clonakilty in 1923, John spent  his early years in the Garda Siochana, patrolling the streets of Dublin. 

In past programmes, we heard his views on politicians from all parties who helped to form our State. 

In this week’s edition of the programme, John talks to John Greene about the many wonderful and colourful characters he encountered while patrolling the streets of our capital city. 

We hear tales of encounters with Brendan Behan, Christy Browne, Margaret Pearse sister of Padraig and Willie Pearse, and the Queen of Moore Street Ellen Comiskey.  [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” at 7 this Sunday Evening on C103″

We thank Presenter, John Greene for advance information regarding his programme this Sunday (8th Sept. 2019) at 7pm on C103.  (S.R.)

Once voted ‘The greatest athlete of all time’,  Muhammed Ali‘s joint records of defeating  21 boxers for the World heavyweight title, and winning 14 unified title bouts stood for thirty five years.

Dubbed ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’, his fight with George Foreman in Kinshasa in 1974 ,  has been called, arguably, the greatest sporting event of the 20th century. 

This Sunday evening in a ‘Where the road takes me Special’, John Greene speaks  to his daughter Hana about the father she adored. 

Her book is entitled – ‘At Home with Muhammed Ali – A memoir of love, loss and forgiveness. ‘ [read more …] “Remembering Muhammed Ali on “Where the Road Takes Me” at 7pm This Sunday on C103″

We thank Presenter, John Greene for advance information regarding this week’s programme where the focus is on Dr. Croke.  (S.R.)

When Thomas William Croke was born in Kilbrin in 1823, the struggle for Catholic Emancipation was almost over.  Yet, his mother Isabella, a Protestant aristocrat, was still shunned by her family, because of her marriage to a Catholic estate agent.

On this week’s edition of ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene continues and concludes the story of the man after whom GAA Headquarters is named.

This week we hear how £1,872  was raised from the Croke Memorial hurling and football  Tournament in 1913.  The sum of money raised allowed the GAA to purchase Jones’s Road, which now became Croke Park.

Although his name is synonymous with hurling and football, Thomas Croke’s first love was handball, and we hear about his legacy to the sport in Fermoy.

And…………..

                  Former GAA President Seán Kelly tells us why he feels Thomas Croke would be happy about the stadium being opened up to other sports today. [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” – Focus on Archbishop Thomas William Croke”

Many thanks to Presenter, John Greene for advance information regarding this evening’s programme on C103 (14th July 2019 – Bastille Day – so very special greetings to all our French Friends)  – S.R.

In the early 1950’s residents of the Gaoire near Macroom were offered approximately forty pounds per acre under compulsory purchase of their land.

Compulsory purchase, when enforced, usually allows a public infrastructure to go ahead for the common good.  In this instance, construction of the Lee Valley Hydro Electric Scheme was deemed to be for the common good.  Electricity at the time was making its way slowly but surely into rural Ireland.

In the second programme on ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene returns to what was once the village of Annahalla, before being flooded in 1954.

Now a statutory nature reserve and a walker’s paradise, the area was once home to many families, including a future Bishop of Cork and a college president.

[read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” This Sunday Evening at 7pm on C103″

We thank Presenter, John Greene for advance information re this Sunday’s programme – 30th June 2019.  (S.R.)

Who in their right minds would consider going into business in the present economic and social climate?   It’s a very valid question being asked regularly. 

Insurance costs, rules and regulations, health and safety and changes in social habits, all add up to the many reasons why you should consider such a move very carefully. 

This week on ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene finds out if it was any easier or profitable to be in business – fifty, one hundred, even one hundred and fifty years ago. 

We look at it from the perspective of a shopkeeper in the mid nineteenth century, a doctor in a remote rural area in the 1970s, and how one man inadvertently changed a publican’s fortunes for the better.  [read more …] ““Where the Road Take Me” on C103 Sunday at 7pm”

Sincere thanks to Presenter, John Greene, for advance information on this Sunday’s programme.  (S.R.)

On Monday last, Philomena Lynott, mother of rock star Phil Lynott was laid to rest in Dublin.

A regular visitor to West Cork, she had featured on a number of editions of ‘Where the road takes me’.

On this week’s edition of the programme, John Greene looks back at a number of conversations he had with her.

Her early life was spent in what was then referred to as ‘A home for unmarried mothers’, where she was the victim of physical and mental cruelty.

The latter part was spent campaigning to have her son’s music and talent remembered, but his lifestyle avoided.

She speaks about her last few days with her rock star son,  and being the last to know about the drug-abuse that killed him.

We hear from Trevor Thompson from Douglas Road in Cork, regarded by Philomena as her son’s biggest fan.

And………….. [read more …] “Remembering Philomena Lynott on “Where the Road Takes Me” This Sunday on C103 at 7pm”

Sincere thanks to Presenter, John Greene for advance information on this week’s programme on Sunday 16th June 2019.  (S.R.)

Costing thirteen million euro and an expensive golf iron, the recent visit of American President Donald Trump was not controversy free.

Fifty six years and ten American Presidents earlier, John F. Kennedy was the first head of his country to drop by and say hello.  Unlike ‘The Donald’, Kennedy’s visit was a morale booster for a nation in the midst of a depression. 

Unlike Kennedy, it would be difficult to imagine a photograph of Trump keeping the Pope company on Irish kitchen walls. 

However, on this week’s edition of ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene discovers that the Kennedy’s had their own little skeletons in the cupboard as well.  [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” on C103 at 7pm This Sunday”

We thank Presenter, John Greene for advance information for his C103 Programme this Sunday (9th June 2019) evening at 7.  (S.R.)

This week John Greene returns to the village of Innishannon on Where the road takes me.    It’s all about gardens and gardening as we pay a visit to people who have transformed their gardens into a place of pride and joy.

This week we get gardening advice and a philosophical look at life in general from Johnny o’Sullivan or Johnny of the welcomes.

Since our last visit to the home of Seán and Ann MacSeoin, Seán who was diagnosed with cancer has since passed away.  Ann tells us how her garden has been a source of comfort to her and the family since.

And we get a version of Jimmy Rodgers hit song ‘In a country Garden’ from Roy Davis in Knockavilla. [read more …] ““Where the Road Takes Me” Returns to Innishannon”