Tag: Eurovision 1993

Oral Testimony Research Recruitment – Especially Regarding Eurovision 1993

We’ve received the following request from Greg Cotton.   It sounds to be a very interesting project and he appears to be especially interested into hearing about our memories and the effect of Millstreet’s Eurovision 1993.  (S.R.)
My name is Greg Cotton, and I am a PhD student at the University of the Highlands and Islands. I am currently looking to complete interviews on the topic of Irish diasporic identity as part of my research. I am interested in finding out about participants recollections of Ireland’s cultural, social and economic transformation in the 1990s, particularly in relation to Ireland’s successes at the Eurovision Song Contest and the Riverdance phenomenon. Personal testimonies will offer a unique insight into this period of history. 
I am hoping to interview Irish people who watched Eurovision 1992 – 1997 both from within and outside of Ireland. If agreeing to take part in the study, an oral history interview with me would involve spending as little or as much time as a participant is comfortable with talking about their experiences, their memories of the contest and their Irish identity. The interview will be conducted remotely over Microsoft Teams.
Of course, Millstreet hosted the contest in 1993 and I’d love to speak to any residents (or former residents) who have memories (good or bad) about the experience.
Is there anywhere I can advertise this call for participants through millstreet.ie community page or your Facebook page?  (This request is now granted by sharing Greg’s message.)
My research project has been subject to my university’s Research Ethics Committee and has been approved. All participants will be given participation sheets, consent forms and recording agreements before any interviews go ahead. The University will be processing the personal data within your interview and transcripts/summaries thereof as part of the performance of a task carried out in the public interest in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR May 2018).
There are no financial benefits of taking part. By participating, respondents will have an important role in the shaping of this project and helping build up collections of testimonies documenting the Irish diasporic experience, and the connection between Irish identity and the Eurovision Song Contest.
Regards,
Greg Cotton
(he / him)
Centre for History,
University of the Highlands and Islands

Magnificent “Grease Lightning” Musical Continues Tonight (exact Anniversary of 1993 Eurovision!)and Tomorrow Night at MCS

Magnificent “Grease Lightning” Musical Continues Tonight, 15th May 2025 …. exactly to the very day 32 years after the 1993 Eurovision in Millstreet…. and Tomorrow Night, 16th May at Millstreet Community School.  We share a selection of images from the first performance of “Grease Lightning” on Wednesday morning, 14th May.  The two Shows begin at 8pm.  Tap on the photos to enlarge.  (S.R.)

Press Conference at Green Glens, Millstreet on 15th May 1993 when Niamh Kavanagh had won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland.   Exactly 32 years ago today, 15th May 2025!

[read more …] “Magnificent “Grease Lightning” Musical Continues Tonight (exact Anniversary of 1993 Eurovision!)and Tomorrow Night at MCS”

“Newstalk”‘s Henry McKean’s Truly Brilliant Eurovision 30th Anniversary Feature

Henry McKean, Broadcaster supreme from “Newstalk” visited Millstreet on Friday, 28th April 2023 to prepare a Radio Feature on the 30th Anniversary of the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest in Millstreet.  Having enjoyed a delicious flat white coffee which Henry praised very highly at “Capabu” in The Square, he proceeded to interview a wide variety of people asking them to recall favourite memories of such a prestigious and very famous event.   In the above recording of Henry’s Broadcast which was firstly aired on “Newstalk” on Monday, 8th May, listen out for Catherine Hartigan, Margaret Kelleher (Mountleader), Paudie Healy, Fionnuala Sweeney,  Noel D. Duggan, Niamh Kavanagh and our recording at Millstreet Museum.   We would be delighted to learn who were the other people who feature in the above recording – two further gentlemen were included in the broadcast.   Well, well done to Henry on such a superb Radio Feature from Millstreet so brilliantly edited and presented.   When Henry left Millstreet he travelled to London for the Coronation and later to Liverpool for the Eurovision to present further excellent reports for “Newstalk”.  Tap on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)

Catherine Hartigan being interviewed by Henry McKean of “Newstalk” on 28th April 2023.
Paudie Healy also features in the superb “Newstalk” Radio Feature.
We were delighted to welcome Henry McKean to Millstreet Museum on Friday, 28th April 2023.

[read more …] ““Newstalk”‘s Henry McKean’s Truly Brilliant Eurovision 30th Anniversary Feature”

“Memories of Millstreet” 1993 Video Now on YouTube

Produced and Directed by the Fitzgerald Family in 1993 in advance of the Eurovision Song Contest at Millstreet’s Green Glens Arena on 15th May 1993 the wonderfully interesting and colourful Video “Memories of Millstreet” may now be viewed above or on YouTube.   Just Google “Memories of Millstreet” to access.   It will evoke lots of special memories for many.  (S.R.) [fb1] [fb2]

Linda Martin plants a special tree at The Square in 1993 seen with Noel C. Duggan and Brendan O’Keeffe as well as a wonderful gathering of local people.


One of the many happy memories of the 1993 Eurovision in Millstreet – Jonathan O’Connor appearing on the live transmission on 15th May 1993.   (S.R.)
Here we recall Eurovision Week in May 1993.

[read more …] ““Memories of Millstreet” 1993 Video Now on YouTube”