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Dympna Heron - Talking the talk and walking the walk.

Dympna Heron, from Stewartstown, has been a busy woman in recent years, with her involvement in a range of local community initiatives.

Currently she is flat out, as they say, helping organise the Coalisland Camino which takes place on Sunday, August 16.

It was the brainchild of Feargal O'Donnell, the Manager of Coalisland Community Hub & Foodbank.

Another group most connected with the walk is 'Friends 2 Talk' that meets and walks regularly in order to offer mental and physical wellbeing to participants.
The history and origin of the groups, which have many overlaps, is all explained in the podcast!

The Coalisland Camino is based on the famous Camino de Santiago that stretches across Portugal, Spain and France and is renowned for helping bring pilgrims to a mindset of peace, oneness and spiritual awareness.

The Coalisland Camino as well, provides wonderful booklets with explanations and depictions of local historical landmarks, mythology, wildlife... and is stamped at locations along the scenic 26.4km route.
Over 200 people from all over Ireland took part in the first walk last summer.

This time there will also be booklets available in the Irish language as well as Irish speaking volunteers at the various stations and refreshment stops.

Dympna also recalls the setting up of Friends 2 Talk in 2019 following a number of tragic deaths.

Then came the dreadful Covid lockdown in 2020, when boxes of food and goods were delivered to those 'sheltering' and the realisation that many in the locality were struggling financially, some actually in work but unable to meet rising costs.

This eventually resulted in the Communty Hub and Foobank as it is today. Based in St Patrick’s Hall, Coalisland, it confidentiality helps struggling families and has a range of schemes including the school uniform exchange and the Christmas hamper appeal.

Oh! There's was also the fascinating 400 year enactment of the Flight of the Earls embarked on by Dympna and others in costumes of that time (1607), and we explain why Tullyhogue Fort with its most significant history is well worth a visit.

There's a lot in this podcast!
It brings home the great community work being done and the decency of local people towards their neighbours.
Dympna Heron - a busy woman!

* Contacts for the various organisations are on the podcast and their Facebook pages.

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Bert Mohan - still whistling after all these years

Some thought Tyrone referee Bert Mohan and Martin Mohan were two different people.

'They' are indeed one-and-the-same, and in this podcast, Bert explains how he attained the name.. Bert!.. it goes back to the 1970s!

Thirty years a GAA whistler, that includes taking charge of three senior club finals, he recalls an approach on Scotch Street in Dungannon that started it all off.

That was shortly after he thought he'd hung up the boots, having won an Intermediate championship medal with Eglish.

From the Brantry his early playing days were at the Aghaloo club but they were different times and later his mother felt it safer he make the move. It was a transfer didn't please everyone at Aghaloo!

Bert gives us an insight into the world of the referee, many funny stories included, and shares his thoughts on more recent high-profile controversies.

He also played and managed the Tyrone Crystal soccer team and Ronan Mac, a fellow employee back in the day, recalls signing the form to join the team. However on reflection, he's sure the Saturday morning games, after a night at the Clubland, might not have passed the alcohol test!

A master glass cutter, Bert toured America on behalf of the company giving demonstrations of the art.

They remember the conman from Plumbridge, a self-made millionaire apparently, who was going to save the factory in 1980 but vanished after being wined and dined and put up in fine hotels on the company's expense.

Dungannon Co-Op saved the day and it did get another lease of life but eventually faded out of existence in 2010. A sad finish to what was a celebrated local institution and employer.

Bert would encourage younger lads to take up the whistle and recalls the fulfilment of refereeing those big games.

This is a podcast packed with memories and tributes to great local referees.

He continues to enjoy life with his wife Kate, children and 13 grandchildren who keep him on his toes!

Bert Mohan a hugely popular referee and character.

* Big call! TwoMacs producer Oliver is on the hunt for an All Ireland football final ticket for his cousin Sean McAndrew based in Birmingham (with St Brendan's GAA club there).

* Sean's late father, John RIP, (Oliver's uncle) was on the last Mayo team to win the All Ireland in 1951. He later emigrated to England.

* If anyone...

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Gerry Timlin - Bringing It All Back Home.

We were delighted to be joined by Gerry Timlin, on a visit home from America, where he has lived for more than 50 years.

This is a wonderful podcast as he recalls growing up in Coalisland, local characters, football with the Fianna and joining folk group The Jolly Tinkermen as a teenager after winning a major talent competition.

He recalls his beloved parents, and the devastating loss of his father Joe a barber, who passed on the trade to Gerry's brother Malachy who continued on Main Street for more than 60 years.

Gerry also remembers his team-mates on the winning U16 championship team of 1966 and the heartache his brother Niall and the senior team endured when defeated by Carrickmore in the 1969 county final.

Music was Gerry's great passion meeting local greats on stage, including the irrepressible Birdy Sweeney, before he made his way across the Atlantic.

A carpenter by trade, he eventually carved a full-time career in music. It wasn't easy, when home was so far away, long before the era of social media and texting.

Gerry found a whole new freedom getting off alcohol and now over 40 years sober, his enthusiasm for life is infectious.

He rubbed shoulders with Irish legends such as The Clancy Brothers, Finbar Furey and Paddy Reilly and performed in front of the American President.

These days, accompanied by his wife Lois, he brings tours of American visitors to sample the delights of Ireland, performs on luxury cruises and gets great joy from his daughters and grandchildren.

It's as if he was never away. A regular visitor to Coalisland, he likes to catch up with family and old friends.

A huge thank you to Gerry for joining the TwoMacs podcast and regaling us with a few songs. A fabulous performer!

* Further research has revealed that Coalisland NaFianna did play Brackaville in the first round of the 1970 O'Neill Cup, winning 3-7 to 0-8. Whether Malachy Timlin was marking his brother Niall, we don't know, as reports are scant.

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From darkness to light: a survivor's story.

A huge thank you to Eamon Devlin who took time out from a flying visit to guest on the TwoMacs Podcast.

It was a catch-up of sorts, as Ronan Mac and Eamon were friends as children, however Eamon's life was forever changed, at the age of 12, when his parents were brutally murdered by loyalists, acting in collusion with the 'security forces'.

The double murder, on 7th May, 1974 of a most popular couple, who made a great contribution to the community, devasted people in the locality and across the county, while the shock and sense of revulsion reverberated throughout Ireland.

Jim Devlin was a household name in the GAA, a former Coalisland Fianna and Tyrone star. As we're reminded, 'one boy's football hero is another boy's Daddy'.

His wife Gertie was known by all as a most friendly and affable librarian in the town. They also appeared on stage in plays and musical productions.

Eamon recalls an idyllic childhood growing up in Congo, a townland in Edendork, happy school days, family trips to Portrush with his loving parents and sister Patricia and brothers Colm and John, the many cats around their home in the countryside and his mother's porridge.

He recalls the harrowing events that changed his life, and that of his siblings, overnight and moving to live with his uncles and to boarding school.

The victims of those, and many other murders, have not received justice and truth from the British government. Eamon talks of their delaying tactics and cover-up masked as "for national security reasons".

He has lived in England for over 40 years and is "content", however the trauma of May, 1974 also remains a vivid experience.

Eamon's credo these days is to get out for a walk and meet people, wave at the passing bus and you might get a wave back, say 'hello', enjoy a cup of tea in a café and greet the waitress, as isolation is not good for us.

With its terrible tragedy, this podcast is also on the side of life and hope.

May Jim and Gertie Devlin, Rest in Peace.

* We were delighted to present Eamon with a copy of the history of Coalisland Fianna GFC, that includes great photographs of his father and uncles, and tells of their exploits on the football field.

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'Crafty Young Things' First Steps Women Centre

A delightful and most uplifting podcast with 'Crafty Young Things', a dynamic group of women who meet weekly in Dungannon. And it is open to newcomers!

Based at First Steps Women’s Centre, they are vibrant mix of local ladies from across the community and those who have moved to the area.

CEO Michael McGolderick explains how First Steps Women’s Centre began and has grown to provide programs for up to 350 women a year.

These include counselling, health & well being, with many geared towards economic migrants and refugees, from war torn countries, who have moved to mid Ulster. Information also on Firststepswomenscentre.org website.

Nuala Montague, facilitator of the Crafty Young Things, recalls her journey to the centre after she retired, how it brought her so much fulfilment and the fun and many activities she organises.

Margaret found the Crafty Young Things during a difficult time of bereavement. She has made lasting friendships and enjoys the crafts and day trips as well as excursions they've made to Glasgow and Benidorm.

Gillian tells us about her grandfather Joe Webb who owned the ropeworks in Union Place, Dungannon from 1900 until 1980’s. She brought a wonderful black and white photograph of her grandparents at their craft.

She has learnt reflexology and Spanish since joining the group!

Mouna compares life in Dungannon with her native Morocco and is also delighted to have made friends, studied English and learnt new skills.

Isobel, who has lived in Dungannon all her life, has fabulous memories of growing up with trips to Bangor and Portrush, the parades, cattle being walked up Thomas Street and watching the style of the girls going to Dickies, the Commercial, the Viceroy and the local dance halls.

The headmaster giving her six pence to buy a cane that was 'swishy' to slap the boys was definitely of its time!

She brings such fun and stories to the group.

Maria from East Timor found adjusting to life difficult when she arrived 15 years ago. She has learnt English and crafts, including crocheting.

She is part of the community choir Gathered Voices, and sings a beautiful love song in her native language.

There is an infectious joy, vibrancy and camaraderie among the Crafty Young Things.

For further information contact First Steps Women’s Centre on 028 8772 7648 and is also on Facebook.

The group meets every Friday from 10am to 12pm.

* This podcast was recorded before the recent horrendous attack on a man in Belfast, that was cynically used to promote racist violence. The podcast is an antidote to such toxic hostility.

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Patsy O'Hagan - the Loughshore Bard

Three times Bard of Armagh and Hall of Fame recipient, Patsy O'Hagan is a legend among storytellers.

You only has to listen to his recitations and jokes, to hear the howls of laughter and enjoyment from his audiences.
His sense of observation is hilarious.

By Lough Neagh all his life, Patsy a proud Moortown man, lives on the 'border' with Ardboe.
The podcast pays tribute to the late great Frank McGuigan, Ardboe's most famous son, recalling some of his incredible performances, including a semi-final against Moortown when he was marked by his brother Stephen.

Patsy's father was a fisherman, alas many of the boats have gone from the lough. He was also a trained butcher and he recalls the killing and cutting up of a pig every year, not for the squeamish!

Not a great student but schooldays are fond memories, mostly the joy of walking home and exploring the local nature.

The podcast includes several recitations that won Bard of Armagh titles as well jokes, some 'close to knuckle' that brought tears of laughter, but didn't meet with one Parish Priest's approval!

The prose was not always comedy, with a most poignant poem 'The Child I Did Not Know' later the winning entry for a teenage girl in an All Ireland competition.

Football too brings its fun with a narration before the 2021 All Ireland final meeting with approval of Tyrone manager Feargal Logan!

There is some talent on the Loughshore as Margaret Anne Conlon also features with her beautiful singing of The Old Cross of Ardboe.

Enjoy this podcast!

* Patsy's writing is so good that professionals have been reciting his prose. Please give him the credit when you do so - it's only right!

Thank you to Patsy for gifting us copies of his fabulous CD: 'The Hilarious Holiday In The Sun'.

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Music as Gift and Calling

Martin's guest this week is Mairead Duffy - teacher, musician, singer/composer and director of Dungannon community choir Gathered Voices, which she founded in 2019.

A native of Tuam, County Galway, Mairead came north in the early 1990s to study music at Jordanstown.

Her musical formation began early, with Mairead's grandmother teaching her some piano chords. It was love at first sound. She practiced constantly and soon took up the harp.

Mairead's practice would eventually bring her to the famed stage of New York's Carnegie Hall, a venue she played twice - once in the august company of the Chieftains.

Mairead obviously loves performing. As a rookie music teacher in Enniskillen she put on Westside Story (her favourite musical). She has a great gift for bringing people together. Last Christmas, Gathered Voices, which includes members of the East Timorese community, sang 'Silent Night' in Tetum, the language of East Timor.

Mairead sees her music as a calling, closely related to her faith, which is evident from her second choice of a piece of music, "Sweet Surrender" by Luke Parker.

There were to have been three pieces of music, but the conversation between Mairead, Martin and Oliver flowed along with such joy and gusto that we had to settle for two. Truly, this podcast is a delight from start to finish.

To listen to more of Mairéad's music check out these links

https://maireadduffy.bandcamp.com/album/silver-tin-house

Little Bridge

https://youtu.be/dmF0EaDbtIU?si=-vfSaby3EVWAKYyJ

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Malachi Cush: Family, faith and fame.

It's a long podcast, and a good one! recorded in Malachi Cush's studio amidst the scenic beauty of Drummond.

Just weeks away from a concert (with his good friend Karl McGuckin) to mark the 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Church in Dungannon, this is a wonderful podcast packed with reflections, memories and fabulous songs recorded by the 'crooner' himself. Is he a crooner?!

He has written a song to mark the anniversary of the chapel with its great history and sacred significance to Dungannon.

Malachi reflects on his overnight rise from trainee gas fitter to stardom through Fame Academy and the unyielding encouragement he received from his parents.

Out of 50,000 entrants he reached the top 12 and his life was changed forever.

Huge record sales, chart successes and offers of radio work flooded in but it wasn't all a bed of roses as he decided to move back from London to his own people.

He pays a moving tribute to his father Paddy, 'his best friend', who passed away three years ago and recalls his parents waltzing in the kitchen as he sang a ballad he penned to celebrate their love.

As well he has special memories of manager Feargal Logan bringing the Sam Maguire Cup to the house when his father was ill and also remembers great family days supporting his cousin Adrian Cush, a brilliant player with Tyrone.

Malachi also talks about his journey in faith and an accident in Dungannon that put his whole life into perspective.

A phone call from the legendary Phil Coulter with an offer to record and go on tour was a dream come through while he has rubbed shoulders with stars of the music world.

A born entertainer, it has been a quite a journey for Malachi who finds most fulfilment performing and sharing life with his wife and family and dear friends.

* Thank you to Malachi for his hospitality and gifting Ronan and Oliver with two of his fabulous CDs.