The Limerick Lady Podcast

Emma and Ann speak to Jenny McDonald, theatremaker and facilitator originally from Toronto, Canada now based in Dublin. Pandemics and performances haven't really gone together and the industry has been left adrift, so Jenny explains how she and a group of women chose to build their own boat - as such. She is the creator and director of SoloSIRENs, a Tallaght based collective of emerging and establ...

Emma and Ann try all year round to keep the guests diverse, interesting and brilliant, but Pride Month is always an extra special occasion - this June, we hear from vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter and merch-packager Pamela Connolly of Choice Prize nominated Dublin band Pillow Queens. The trio cover in one jam-packed hour the importance of queer representation in mainstream music, the diff...

We may not hold on forever to past feelings of joy, grief or loss but every chapter, every song is a performance of that memory - be it personal or collective.  In this month's podcast Emma Langford and Ann Blake talk to writer and academic Emilie Pine about her no.1 bestseller "Notes To Self" (2018), a collection of personal essays about alcoholism, family, relationships, sexual abuse and miscarr...

Broadcaster, podcast, youth worker, animal lover and DJ Olivia Chau has been stalwart of the music scene in Limerick for over 13 years now. If she isn't running, promoting, or playing at gigs, she is at gigs. Having started as an Indie DJ over 13 years ago, she now plays a blend of Disco, Nu-Disco, '80s, and '90s R&B. In 2019, Olivia became a Craic Mechanic of Sing Along Social, a no commitment ch...

This time last year Ann and Emma hosted their first ever live Limerick Lady podcast with an audience in the beautiful, historic surrounds of erstwhile supermarket Ormston House. The building was opened as a supermarket in 1961, closing in 1982, only to be reopened in 2011 as a Cultural Resource Centre to create new opportunities for artists and arts workers. This International Women's Day, we meet...

Ann and Emma caught up with a woman who has interwoven her way into both of their lives in various ways: the ordained interfaith minister who married Ann and her wife Jenny; a tutor and mentor to Emma in University; and a friend to both. During this month's podcast we learn why Reverend Nóirín Ní Riain has such respect for the arts of silence and of listening.  Nóirín generously shares the story b...

Sharon Slater, Limerick historian, joins our hosts Ann Blake and Emma Langford to talk about the brand new Women of Limerick app, created alongside the team at local creative hub Ormston House. The app is interactive and brings the user on a walking tour of Limerick city and the women of Limerick who have shaped the world through innovation, creativity and philanthropy. The discussion explores the...

It's the most wonderful time of the year; the season of giving; a season full of magic and surprises. On the December episode of the Limerick Lady Podcast Ann Blake and Emma Langford talk Santa, stardust and space-toilets with budding astronaut Dr. Norah Patten. We're proud to say that the aeronautical engineer from Ballina spent a large chunk of her adult life at the University of Limerick, and i...

Ann Blake and Emma Langford sat down with shining star of the Irish hip-hop scene Denise Chaila to talk the creative process, finding your voice, and learning to love it. If you haven't heard of Denise yet, allow us to introduce you to her wild and wonderful mind through this month's podcast! Follow all things Denise Chaila at facebook.com/DeniseChaila and https://denisechaila.bandcamp.com/album F...

Your hosts Ann Blake and Emma Langford are joined over zoom by composer and conductor Eimear Noone. Originally from the village of Kilconnell in Galway, Eímear has spent a large portion of her adult life in LA and is based now in Dublin with her husband and kids. Eímear is best known for her award-winning work on video game music, and composed the score for " World of WarCraft : Warlords of Draeno...

Emma and Ann have experience behind the scenes and in front, but nowhere near the level of experience of Una Molloy - agent, artist manager, event booker and founder of Turning Pirate. Una has looked after tours and events for Lisa Hannigan, Wallis Bird, Cathy Davy and many many more internationally renowned artists.  In September, Ireland's live music and performing arts sector is rallying behind...

Recorded in early August, as Ireland was on the cusp of coming out of lockdown, grief and loss weighed heavy on the hearts of many. All three of this month's podcasters have been bereaved, so the conversation naturally took in that experience, but they also discussed the grief that accompanies a loss of normalcy, and loss of livelihood.  If you are in need of grief support, free-phone Samaritans a...

In recent weeks, social media has seen a surge in accounts of sexual assault and misconduct within performing arts circles in Ireland, not to mention the publication of a devastating new report by Linda Coogan Byrne on gender disparity in Irish radio. Legends of the screen & stage, musician Áine Tyrrell and writer-actor Roxanna Nic Liam join our hosts over zoom to talk turkey (or tofu) about the e...

Lockdown continues apace in many respects, and our hosts are still limited to virtual hang-outs with their special guests - no huggin' or pints! This month, Ann and Emma dropped boat-dwelling DJ and Today Fm presenter Claire Beck a line. A familiar name to many, Claire is a stalwart of Irish radio and tells our hosts about getting her start in pirate radio in Dublin in her teens. June is Pride Mon...

Ann and Emma chat via the magic medium of Zoom with Kildare-based community musician Sadhbh O'Sullivan (AKA performing artist Sive). As we enter into the third month of pandemic restrictions, our hosts and guest explore the value of music right now for fostering a sense of community, and ask what elements of our dramatically different lives do we want to carry out of this pandemic as restrictions...

In the first remotely recorded episode - made possible by technology - Ann and Emma talk to Zia Bergin Holly. Zia is an award winning Lighting and Set Designer. She works internationally and has a base in both London (UK) and Dublin (Ireland). She designs for theatre, dance, opera and live music events. The day of publishing, April 16th 2020, marks one year since all three were involved in Bread N...

In this International Women's Day Special the Limerick Ladies host their first ever live podcast with special guests author Helena Close and broadcaster Petula Martyn. In the wonderful surrounds of Ormston House, an incredible Cultural Resource Centre in the heart of Limerick City, Ann and Emma chat about women in the media and the arts with Helena and Petula in front of an enthusiastic audience o...

Ann and Emma talk to Jenny Blake, who just ran in the February General Election for The Social Democrats. Jenny has worked and studied and lived in Limerick for 20 years. She was canvassing coordinator for Yes Equality Limerick in 2015, has previously worked with NOVAS, PALLS and is currently Student Support Coordinator in UL Student Life. She also happens to be married to Ann. Jenny was a first t...

The first episode of the 2020 has Emma questioning whether we are in a new decade while Ann challenges a popular 'misconception'.   More importantly though, Emma and Ann chat with Jean Langford and Andrea Habenicht about living with Type 1 Diabetes They discuss the current resources in Ireland, and the misunderstandings surrounding the invisible condition.   Would a touring artist be able to manag...

Ann and Emma wrap up the year chatting to Sinéad Carey of NOVAS: Homeless Help, Shelter and Respite. Sinéad chats about the day to day realities of working in frontline support for the homeless and practical ways the public can support them at this cold time of year. To donate to NOVAS click here: https://www.novas.ie/donate/ Freephone Number for homeless/at risk of homelessness: 1800 606060 Email...

Emma Langford is very busy so Ann Blake is in conversation, on her own, with Emer O'Toole. A well known feminist writer and academic, she's also the face of female body hair as well as being the voice of 'everyone'. Join her and Ann as they chat about Patriarchy being the ties of love and many other fascinating things. Find Emer at www.emerotoole.com and get her book 'Girls Will Be Girls' in all g...

Ann Blake and Emma Langford discuss the implement invented in the 1840's which plays a leading role in the cervical smear test process; We have brand new music from Gráinne Fahy, Feibhár and Sive; and in honour of Mothers' Day Emma chats at home with her mammy about her experiences of motherhood and some questionable work experience in Cork in the 70's. We'd like to thank the women who contacted u...

This episode Ann and Emma are joined by Dr. Sindy Joyce. Her twitter bio reads: Indigenous Mincéir Beoir/ She/ Her, Human Rights Defender, sociologist, lecturer, activist, and Member of the Council of State. A tireless campaigner for Traveller human rights, Dr Joyce is working to enlighten the wider public about the mincéir Community. She is the first mincéir to graduate with a PhD in Ireland, was...

Ann and Emma discuss the magic of Amanda Palmer and she, herself, chats to The Limerick Lady about her song 'Voicemail for Jill'. Other topics covered include: getting out of typical comfort zones, especially if outnumbered genderwise and why 'girl stuff' is kind of considered lesser aka 'a bit shit. Amanda Palmer is coming to Ireland - namely Limerick in UCH on October 27th:  https://www.ticketma...

Ann and Emma are back together in the same place - the wonderful cosy and lovely Limerick Post (thanks for the support) - for this episode and are joined by the amazing musician Kathleen Turner.  Kathleen discusses her new album, 'Like A Lion' and even volunteers herself (and us) for an impromptu 30 Second Song Challenge - Emma is still recovering. Follow Kathleen on Twitter @kturnersong The podca...