Episode 22: Samhain: The Irish Roots of Halloween" (with Consul General Sighle Fitzgerald

Episode 22: Samhain: The Irish Roots of Halloween" (with Consul General Sighle Fitzgerald

Craic on the Coast — Episode 22 "Samhain: The Irish Roots of Halloween" (with Consul General Sighle Fitzgerald) Summary: Most people think Halloween is an American invention. In this special Samhain episode, hosts Michael Schilling and Shaun Morgan welcome Sighle Fitzgerald, Consul General of Ireland in Boston (serving New England), to trace Halloween's roots back to Ireland's ancient festival of Samhain. We explore end-of-harvest rituals, the "thin veil" between worlds, how Christian observances blended with Celtic customs, and how Irish immigrants helped shape the modern holiday in the U.S. Along the way: bonfires, disguises, turnips → pumpkins, and why colcannon still tastes like Halloween. Show Notes & Links Guest & Consulate (New England) * Consulate website (Boston / New England): https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/ [https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ireland.ie [https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * About the Consul General (Síghle FitzGerald): https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/about/consul-general/ [https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/about/consul-general/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ireland.ie [https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/boston/about/consul-general/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irelandboston/ [https://www.instagram.com/irelandboston/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irelandboston/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Consulate-General-of-Ireland-Boston/61579075732553/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Consulate-General-of-Ireland-Boston/61579075732553/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Consulate-General-of-Ireland-Boston/61579075732553/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Further Reading (RTE Culture) * Listen to the Land Speak — Manchán Magan (journey of return): https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0917/1522206-listen-to-the-land-speak-manchan-magan-on-his-journey-of-return/ [https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0917/1522206-listen-to-the-land-speak-manchan-magan-on-his-journey-of-return/] * Why colcannon is the taste of an Irish Halloween: https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/1014/1533202-why-colcannon-is-the-taste-of-an-irish-halloween/ [https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/1014/1533202-why-colcannon-is-the-taste-of-an-irish-halloween/] Follow Us * Craic on the Coast (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/craiconthecoast/ [https://www.instagram.com/craiconthecoast/] Father John Murphy Division (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/aohplymouth/ [https://www.instagram.com/aohplymouth/] The Local Seen by Plymouth Area Community Access Television welcomes residents of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Duxbury into our studio to produce their own show, podcast, or special to air on our community and YouTube channel. We provide production training and services as a platform for free and uncensored speech. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Local Seen's staff or Board of Directors. If you live or work in one of our four towns, and would like to produce your own content, email community@thelocalseen.media to get started! We'll see you on The Local Seen! www.thelocalseen.media [https://www.thelocalseen.media/]

Episode 21: The Commission for the Future of Ireland

🎧 Episode 21 — The Commission for the Future of Ireland Guest: Mairéad Farrell TD (West Galway, Sinn Féin) Hosts: Michael Schilling & Shaun Morgan Release Date: October 2025 This week on Craic on the Coast, Michael Schilling and Shaun Morgan sit down with Mairéad Farrell TD, who represents the West Galway constituency for Sinn Féin. Ahead of her appearance in Boston on Tuesday, October 28th at The Commission for the Future of Ireland event, we talk about what the commission is, how it builds on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and what a free and united Ireland could look like in our lifetime. We also explore the importance of the Irish-American diaspora, the role of cities like Boston in shaping this global conversation, and what steps citizens — at home and abroad — can take to be part of Ireland's evolving story. 📌 Show Notes & Links * Mairéad Farrell TD (Sinn Féin) – Instagram @mairead_farrellsf [https://www.instagram.com/mairead_farrellsf/] * Event: The Commission for the Future of Ireland – Boston (Florian Hall, Oct 28) on Eventbrite [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-unity-peoples-assembly-diaspora-boston-tickets-1592018874309?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Father John Murphy Division AOH (Plymouth) – Instagram @aohplymouth [https://www.instagram.com/aohplymouth/] * Craic on the Coast – Instagram @craiconthecoast [https://www.instagram.com/craiconthecoast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🔊 Highlights * Understanding the mission of The Commission for the Future of Ireland * How the Good Friday Agreement framework still guides the path to unity * Why diaspora voices matter in Ireland's next chapter * Opportunities for Irish and Irish-American listeners to get involved 🎙️ Craic on the Coast is produced in cooperation with Local Seen Studios and the Father John Murphy Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, both in Plymouth, MA. From coast to coast — laughter, heritage, and heart. The Local Seen by Plymouth Area Community Access Television welcomes residents of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Duxbury into our studio to produce their own show, podcast, or special to air on our community and YouTube channel. We provide production training and services as a platform for free and uncensored speech. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Local Seen's staff or Board of Directors. If you live or work in one of our four towns, and would like to produce your own content, email community@thelocalseen.media to get started! We'll see you on The Local Seen! www.thelocalseen.media [https://www.thelocalseen.media/]

Episode 20: A Fragile Peace — A Conversation with Irish-American Filmmaker Rory Duffy

🎧 Episode 20: A Fragile Peace — A Conversation with Irish-American Filmmaker Rory Duffy 🎬☘️ In this episode of Craic on the Coast, host Michael Schilling and co-host Shaun Morgan sit down with Irish-American filmmaker, historian, and educator Rory Duffy, director of the award-winning documentary A Fragile Peace: Inside Brexit and Belfast. Rory's film examines the fragile balance of peace in Northern Ireland — twenty-five years after the Good Friday Agreement — and how Brexit has reignited questions of identity, borders, and community. We dig into: * Rory's path from historian and actor to filmmaker telling transatlantic stories * The challenges and ethics of capturing post-conflict Northern Ireland * The ways Brexit tests the peace established in 1998 * Why the Irish-American community has a stake in this ongoing story It's a conversation that bridges history, identity, and hope — seen through the eyes of an Irish-American storyteller. 🔔 Housekeeping & Upcoming Events Before wrapping, Michael & Shaun share what's next: 🎃 Irish Halloween Special – The Festival of Samhain We'll explore the Celtic roots of Halloween, diving into Samhain, how ancient ritual shaped modern practice, and welcome a special guest to help bring it alive. 🍻 On-Location Recording at The Auld Triangle (Hyannis, MA) We're hitting the road again! Join us on Saturday, November 1st for a live episode at The Auld Triangle, freshly Perfect Pint Certified by Guinness. Come for the pint, stay for the craic — and maybe share a story on mic with us. 🗒️ Show Notes & Links 🎬 Rory Duffy – Official Website https://www.roryduffy.net/ [https://www.roryduffy.net/] 🎞️ A Fragile Peace: Inside Brexit and Belfast https://www.afragilepeacefilm.com/ [https://www.afragilepeacefilm.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Listen to Craic on the Coast * Spotify: Craic on the Coast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vm3skC1NgYFhNcDnhVNw7?si=Gsbf694cRgmLQYkSWVCO&nd=1&dlsi=d84b4b795caf4495] * Apple Podcasts: Craic on the Coast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craic-on-the-coast-an-aoh-podcast/id1797805001] * Instagram: @craiconthecoast [https://www.instagram.com/craiconthecoast] 🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you like what you hear, please subscribe so you never miss an episode full of history, heritage, and craic. The Local Seen by Plymouth Area Community Access Television welcomes residents of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Duxbury into our studio to produce their own show, podcast, or special to air on our community and YouTube channel. We provide production training and services as a platform for free and uncensored speech. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Local Seen's staff or Board of Directors. If you live or work in one of our four towns, and would like to produce your own content, email community@thelocalseen.media to get started! We'll see you on The Local Seen! www.thelocalseen.media [https://www.thelocalseen.media/]

Episode 19: Craic on the Road — Live from the Worcester Irish Cultural Festival

Episode 19: Craic on the Road — Live from the Worcester Irish Cultural Festival 🎶 Recorded live on location at the 3rd Annual Worcester Irish Cultural Festival at Polar Park! Host Michael Schilling and co-host Greg Shanahan take Craic on the Coast on the road for a day full of music, laughter, and great conversation at one of New England's favorite Irish festivals. This episode features: 🎤 John Curtin of the New Bedford–based Celtic rock band The Pourmen, talking about the band's roots, their high-energy live shows, and their mission to keep Irish music alive and loud across the South Coast. 🌹 Maeve Kelly, the 2025 Boston & New England Rose, reflecting on her experience representing Irish youth and the global community of the Rose of Tralee Festival. 🎵 And the legendary Derek Warfield, founding member of The Wolfe Tones, sharing stories from a lifetime in Irish folk music, his songwriting, and the enduring power of Irish ballads to connect generations. It was a day of sunshine, song, and celebration — the perfect showcase of Irish pride, community, and craic on the festival field. A great time was truly had by all! Show Notes & Links * The Pourmen — Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thepourmen] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepourmen] * Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones — Official Site * Boston & New England Rose Centre — roseoftralee.ie * Worcester Irish Cultural Festival — Event Info 🎧 Listen now on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | or wherever you get your podcasts. The Local Seen by Plymouth Area Community Access Television welcomes residents of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Duxbury into our studio to produce their own show, podcast, or special to air on our community and YouTube channel. We provide production training and services as a platform for free and uncensored speech. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Local Seen's staff or Board of Directors. If you live or work in one of our four towns, and would like to produce your own content, email community@thelocalseen.media to get started! We'll see you on The Local Seen! www.thelocalseen.media [https://www.thelocalseen.media/]

Episode 18: Inheriting the Famine — A Conversation with Dr. Oonagh Walsh

In this episode of Craic on the Coast, hosts Michael Schilling and Shaun Morgan sit down with Dr. Oonagh Walsh, Professor of Gender Studies at Glasgow Caledonian University, whose research bridges history and science. We dig into how the Great Irish Famine may have left not only cultural but biological footprints in subsequent generations via epigenetics. Dr. Walsh helps us understand how trauma from the Famine continues to echo in health, identity, and memory. Topics include: * What epigenetics is, in accessible terms * How the horrors and deprivation of the Famine may register across generations * Connections between inherited trauma, health outcomes, and family narratives * Parallels between the Irish experience and other communities affected by famine, war, or genocide * The significance of commemorations like the National Famine Way and the Brig St. John * What's next in her research, and how listeners can explore more Show Notes & Links * About Dr. Oonagh Walsh Glasgow Caledonian University Profile [https://www.gcu.ac.uk/staff/oonaghwalsh?utm_source=chatgpt.com] GCU [https://www.gcu.ac.uk/staff/oonaghwalsh] * Learn more about the Famine and its legacy National Famine Way [https://nationalfamineway.ie/] Strokestown Park & Irish National Famine Museum [https://strokestownpark.ie/] * Upcoming Events * Worcester Irish Cultural Festival — Saturday, October 4, 2025, Polar Park * Brig St. John Commemoration — Sunday, October 5, 2025, Cohasset, MA. Featuring Amy Elisabeth Day, writer/composer of In the Midst of Plenty, with performances by students from the Berklee Conservatory * Stay Connected with Craic on the Coast Instagram: @craiconthecoast [https://www.instagram.com/craiconthecoast] Email: craiconthecoast@gmail.com 👉 Don't forget to subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vm3skC1NgYFhNcDnhVNw7?si=Gsbf694cRgmLQYkSWVCO&nd=1&dlsi=dc5224f4f5914299] or Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craic-on-the-coast-an-aoh-podcast/id1797805001] so you never miss an episode! The Local Seen by Plymouth Area Community Access Television welcomes residents of Plymouth, Pembroke, Kingston, and Duxbury into our studio to produce their own show, podcast, or special to air on our community and YouTube channel. We provide production training and services as a platform for free and uncensored speech. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Local Seen's staff or Board of Directors. If you live or work in one of our four towns, and would like to produce your own content, email community@thelocalseen.media to get started! We'll see you on The Local Seen! www.thelocalseen.media [https://www.thelocalseen.media/]