Radio Free Éireann at Percy’s in the Village
March 24, 2011
Radio Free
Éireann (RFE) will broadcast the fourth and final special on-the-road show on Saturday, March 26th from
Percy’s, on First Ave and 13th St. in Lower Manhattan. After
that they will return to the WBAI studios on Wall St. where
they will resume their regular Saturday schedule from 1pm-
2pm.
Hosts John Mc
Donagh and Sandy Bowyer along with the technical staff have
taken the show on-the-road for the entire month of March.
The first
on-the-road show on March 5th from Percy’s was packed for
the two-hour live broadcast. Guests included Pete Hamill
who held the audience spellbound with his great story
telling about the old Irish neighborhoods in New York. Mary
Courtney, Bernadette Fee, Gerry Enright and Brian Fleming
provided the usual excellent entertainment throughout the
show.
The second
on-the-road show on March 12th featured the Druids,
direct from Ireland. Their knowledge of the
Republican struggle delivered through song was extensive and
thorough. Many of those in attendance expressed their belief
they were the best Rebel band they had heard and seen in a
very long time. Fr. Pat Maloney (The Shepard of the Lower
East Side) was also a guest. He spoke of the history of the
Lower East Side neighborhood. He also reiterated his
commitment to human right and a just and genuine peace in
Ireland. Belfastman, Ray Collins sang a song that was very
well received. Many in the audience took the opportunity to
purchase t-shirts produced by the NIFC to commemorate the
30th Anniversary of the 1981 H-Block Hunger Strike.
The St Patrick’s
Day five-hour show on March 17th from 10am -2pm
was live from the studios on Wall St. Guests included John
Stokes,
Ristéard Ó Dómhnaill
(Richie
O’Donnell), Pat Ó Donnell and Martin Galvin. John Stokes
told how he was ordered by a judge sitting in an Irish court
to remove a banner from outside his Dublin sports bar that
stated that the English Queen was not welcome at his
establishment. Ristéard Ó Dómhnaill the producer of the
film ‘The Pipe’ a three-year inside look at the
Shelltosea campaign spoke about his experience producing
the film. Mayo fisherman Pat Ó Donnell, a veteran of the
ongoing Shelltosea campaign explained about the
issues involved including his own involvement and
experiences. Martin Galvin explained about the case of Gerry
McGeough and how he was targeted by the British and their
cohorts in the occupied Irish counties for special judicial
treatment.
The third
on-the-road show returned to Percy’s on March 19th.
Guests included author TJ English who spoke about his new
book “The Savage City – Race, Murder and a city on the
edge’. Peadar Hickey, Pio Ryan and Pat Robinson of the
Itinerants provided the entertainment.
The fourth and
final special on-the-road show will be broadcast from
Percy’s on Saturday March 26th. Guests will
include Frank Lopardo and Richie Ó Donnell.Frank Lopaardo,
a New York native will speak about going from the hood of
Queens to the high class Opera Halls of Europe. Richie Ó
Donnell returns to talk about the opening of his film ‘The
Pipe’ at the NY Film Forum just days before it opens on the
March 28th.
Photogallery
