Bugsy McMahon - all his world's a stage.
Currently enjoying a sell-out run with The Snapper, actor, director and all-round stage devotee Bugsy McMahon enjoys a chat with Ronan Mac and TwoMacs producer Oliver, also a theatre veteran.
Bugsy (why Bugsy?!) recalls a childhood inspired by his late mother Eithne RIP, a fabulous musician, and father Aidan a great Tyrone midfielder and hugely popular school teacher.
From Donaghmore, his introduction to the stage was at the Bardic Theatre. He pays tribute to Sean Faloon, the father figure of the Bardic and many who thread the boards, including Malachi Cush, Conor Grimes and Emma Hetherington, who have gone on from the theatre to excel in their pathways.
Bugsy also remembers being handed the script to play the iconic role of Bull McCabe, by Brian ('Munroe') Faloon RIP as well as directing classic productions including Evita and The Ferryman (staring a live goose!) that invariably received standing ovations.
It is a fascinating insight into the world of local drama.
Bugsy was also thrilled to appear with his brother Liam in the ITV crime series Joan and won the prestigious Gabriel award with 'Faith of our Fathers' an epic movie based on Penal times that he scripted and played the role of the main protagonist Fr Loughran. It was a movie had a private viewing by no less than Pope Francis.
A life embedded in the stage, Bugsy brings acting workshops to schools with his company: 'Be Dramatic' giving young people wonderful skills and development.
He is currently directing 'American Idiot' a rock/punk musical based on the album by Green day. It opens at the Bardic Theatre this week and looks to be another great hit for Bugsy and the crew, with tickets selling fast.
For Bugsy McMahon the shows go on...

Pearse Kelly - When Coalisland was snooker loopy

Dennis Taylor's epic World Snooker title win is all of 40 years ago this week.
We celebrate a time when snooker in Coalisland was vibrant with players of all abilities and ages on the green baizes.
Snooker aficionado Pearse Kelly recalls men like Jim Joe, his son Joe, Vincent Gervin and Louis Conlon who ran Gervin's Hall a bastion of snooker and billiards in the North.
Lads turned back the clock to nick more time, got a swish of Jim Joe's feather duster when they climbed on the table, the hall packed and names listed as they waited to get a free table.
There were also superb cue-men including Johnny Rea, Sean T Hughes, Hugh Gerard Coney, the phenomenal Harry Morgan, Pearse's brother Colm, the Cullens with multiple snooker leagues in the area.
We recall local man Jackie Rea who reached a world final and appeared on the famous BBC2 Pot Black series where Dennis made his first TV appearance in 1975.
Those days stars like Terry Griffiths, Doug Mountjoy, Kirk Stevens, Graham Miles and Steve Davis played exhibitions in Gervins while the best players in the North took part in competitions in front of packed audiences: Joe Swail, Eddie Swaffield, Tommy Murphy...
The pinnacle was the 1985 World final when Dennis Taylor potted the last black ball to spark unbridled celebrations in the town. A week later, he came home with the trophy in a never-to-be-forgotten day as a packed Coalisland was top of the world and Dennis donned the Mayor's robes and was regaled with a song written in his honour by Dessie Symington.
Then came Eamonn Andrews' red book when Dennis was the subject of the celebrated TV show 'This is your Life' and his former team-mates and local characters joined famous snooker players and celebrities ..
Pearse managed to scoop the script from that show, a brilliant memory!
Those were the days! A world title when Coalisland was snooker loopy....

Bernadette McAliskey (Devlin) Part 2

Still campaigning for justice and equality for all.

Bernadette continues her journey as she advocates for justice and equality, not least for the bombarded population of Palestine, and all those downtrodden by capitalist greed and the rise of fascism.
She recalls 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali requesting to meet her and attending 'The Fight of the Century', Ali versus Frazier in 1971 at Madison Square Gardens, during an incredible era for heavyweight boxing.
Bernadette and her husband Michael were shot by loyalists, and she tells how, as she lay injured, a British soldier told her he was ordered by his superiors to allow the gang into her home and arrest them on the way out.
Out of such trauma came the bizarre story of her crafted walking stick that was lost during a Hunger Strike protest riot in Dublin only to re-emerge years later in a retired Garda officer's Bed & Breakfast in Tipperary.
Bernadette suggests the 'Troubles' years, as they were labelled, will reverberate through generations.
Producer of the TwoMacs podcasts, Oliver Corr reads a beautiful and powerful piece he wrote, inspired by a photograph of a mountain scene; however a goldmining company, driven by greed, may be set to destroy that idyllic scene.
Bernadette is also writing an insightful and highly popular newspaper column these days... and gives a nod to 'Ronan's Rants' back in the day!
Despite the rise of fascism, billionaire avarice, local and global exploitation and the Trumps and Musks of this world, Bernadette still believes in the basic decency and goodness of people... a decency if harnessed, can give everyone their civil rights.
And there's always the joy of making blackcurrant jam and 'the best occupation of all', spending time with her grandchildren!

Bernadette McAliskey (Devlin) Part 1 -

The early years and making her mark.

Born in Molesworth Street in Cookstown, by the age of 21, Bernadette was the MP for Mid Ulster and on the front line of the march for Civil Rights in the North of Ireland.

Just nine when her father John died, she recalls her parents love and a note they sent annually to school to protect their children from corporal punishment. She also speaks of the strength and fortitute of her mother Lizzie, who instilled many of her traits in Bernadette.

Dungannon Academy was a happy time when Bernadette made many friends and relished the opportunity at learning. However at Queens University she went along to a Civil Rights march and soon saw the injustice and brutality being inflicted on those calling for equality. It was an activism that would define her life.

A jail term after a show trial didn't quell her passion.

Bernadette recalls slapping smirking Home Secretary Reginald Maudling when she was stopped from speaking in the House of Commons the day after she was in Derry on Bloody Sunday, when 13 civilians were murdered by British paratroopers.

It is a fascinating insight into Bernadette's formative years and becoming a world renowned Civil Rights' leader and orator.

Sean McCabe & Sean Quinn - Part II
The second half of our Podcast with the Two Seans (McCabe & Quinn), Clonoe and Brackaville stalwarts.
They recall how clubs often sought Joe McCabe's advice when facing difficulty with the rule makers while Sean McCabe also pays tribute to his wife Dolores, who had a fantastic football and camogie career.
Credo award recipient Sean Quinn talks about decades attending Tyrone County Board meetings and the great administrators down the years. He also recalls glory at Brackaville, including a special day when they beat the mighty Omagh in the senior championship. Poignantly he fondly remembers young Josh Griggs RIP who he coached and presented with the Player of the Year award.
Did you know Sean McCabe scored the winning goal in an All Ireland final when judo ace Harry McGuigan was manager?! He also had a great career as player and coach, despite the sledging from a few Crossmaglen lads.
The new rules of course get scrutinised with Ronan Mac suggesting a point he scored in Eglish would now be worth five points!
Prediction time as well as the lads look forward to another year of club and county football and hurling: before birthday boy Sean McCabe gets the smallest present he's ever received!
The Seans know their GAA! ...and enjoy the craic!

Part 1 - The Two Sean's.
GAA stalwarts Sean McCabe from Clonoe and Sean Quinn of Brackaville join us for a wide-ranging discussion filled with hurling and football stories and memories, local and All Ireland.
On the weekend Naomh Colum Cille held their dinner dance and presentations, Sean Quinn reflects on a great night with a poignant tribute to their player Caolan Devlin RIP, marking his first anniversary.
They trace the history of Naomh Colum Cille as Sean McCabe remembers lining out in their first game with the U16s in 1986 and a youth trip to Dungiven, while Sean Quinn was between the posts for the first senior team in 1993.
They reflect on hurling in Tyrone, the difficulty of being a dual player and Sean McCabe, also a goalkeeper, following in family footsteps winning an O'Neill Cup medal when he was still a teenager.
Great days at Munster hurling finals are recalled and they hail Cork legend Jimmy Barry Murphy who sent a special message on the passing of a dear friend, another hurling enthusiast, Fergie Harte RIP.
Behind all the great players are the clubs with Clonoe and NCC currently fundraising at the doors. Sean Quinn emphasises the importance of developing skills with a hurling ball wall while Sean McCabe talks enthusiastically of the new field and facilities at O'Rahilly Park.
A lovely conversation... and it's only half-time.
Part II to come...

Malachy Falls - Reeling in the Memories.
Malachy remembers way back to being lifted by his mother to look across Lough Neagh at the blitz on Belfast during World War II.
Born in Aughamullan, Falls' family bar, post office and grocery shop was a hub of activity. His father died when Malachy was just five and he recalls being taught by his sisters in primary school, being carried to Coalisland on the bar of a bicycle, dangerous swimming in the Lough, the disbanded Washingbay Shamrocks GAA club, that preceded Derrylaughan Kevin Barrys, and being measured for a coffin when a young friend died.
Then came the rock'nroll '50's when Tyrone almost reached the All Ireland final, making friends at Armagh College, with many who joined the priesthood, while he studied pharmacy before establishing and managing Falls' Chemist in Cookstown for five decades.
Tragically Malachy's brother Patrick was murdered by loyalists in 1974, just months after his MacRory Cup (1944) winning team-mate, Jim Devlin (and his wife Gertie) were murdered by the same gang. Their 50 year anniversaries were commemorated last year.
Many spoken of in the podcast, including Malachy's wife Therese, have gone to their eternal reward. They are remembered with great love.
His ticket is secured for the Ireland-Italy rugby game in Rome to add to the list of marvellous sporting events he has attended, including the famous 1960 European Cup final, the great John Caldwell - Freddie Gilroy fight of '62, a football World Cup, Euro finals and never to be forgotten GAA breakthroughs by club and county.
When he's not travelling the five continents, Malachy enjoys writing classes, composing poetry and going to the leisure centre.
An inspiring, moving and uplifting podcast with decades of memories recalled by an absolute gentleman.

Tommy Corr - boxing history maker and football star.

Tommy Corr from Clonoe excelled in the boxing ring, in 1982 becoming the first fighter to win a medal for Ireland at the World Amateur Championships. In a stellar football career, he played in a raft of county finals with his beloved O'Rahilly club.
The former Olympian, who was a household name in Ireland, shares memories of his introduction to boxing under the tutelage of Frank Gervin, the fabulous young local boxers, through to competing at the highest level and meeting icons of world sport.
While training at elite international level, he continued to play Gaelic football forging his way onto the Tyrone minor team and for many years with the club seniors.
TwoMacs producer brother Oliver Corr joins in the banter as they recall the historic day 'the 'Rahillys' beat their great rivals the Fianna in the 1991 county final. Outnumbered, there's no begrudgery from Ronan Mac!
Tommy has great pride in his son Caolan and daughter Aísling who played in All Ireland club finals and recalls a schemozzle when he lined out alongside his other son Tomás. His wife Margaret was also a formidable camogie player.
A wonderful podcast, Tommy Corr fierce in battle and an absolute gentleman out of the ring, talks of his love of singing and the joy of being involved in not one, but two choirs.
The years pass and the memories are forever. These days he's enjoying family life and his beloved grandchildren while keeping healthy with the Park Runs and Walks.