APRIL 2008

Bank Holiday weekend entertainment on Inishowen Community Radio.

The Lenten season is not long over and many people will have attended local station masses in their area, as has been the tradition since way back in the 1600's. But what has been the significance of these masses since they began and is this tradition dying out? These issues and many more are addressed in an upcoming ICR radio documentary to air this Friday the 2nd May at 4:00pm. Produced and presented by ICR's Susan Logue 'The Station Mass - A Dying Tradition' gives an entertaining insight into a rural community institution focusing on Inishowen. Susan follows one local family as they prepare to host the station for their area and sees first-hand the enormous amount of work that goes into the event, both in the run-up and on the night itself. Audio recorded on-location at the station itself along with interviews with the local parish priest and local station goers also feature in the documentary, bringing the event to life for the listener and highlighting the importance of the station mass. The project was funded by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland through the Sound and Vision Scheme. Susan has been an assistant producer with ICR since 2005 and is currently responsible for producing the daily surf reports, local news bulletins and many of the weekend shows at the station. Susan also produces a weekly slot 'Community Focus' each week concentrating on the work done by a Community Group in Inishowen and she even finds time to present 'The Lowdown', a music show covering everything from rock and metal to rap, each Wednesday afternoon on ICR 105 and 107.6 fm.

Local actor and director Stan McGowan has recently enjoyed a sell-out run in The Playhouse Theatre in Derry with the stage production of his play 'The Tragedy of Dunkeer House'. This followed on from the success of his adaptation of John B Keane's 'Moll' and the first drama written by Stan himself - 'Knock - the Hill of Mary' which ran to critical acclaim around the north-west. Along with the stage production, Stan adapted the drama 'Knock - The Hill of Mary' into a script suitable for radio and approached Inishowen Community Radio with a view to producing it for this medium. A successful application was made to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for funding through their Sound and Vision Scheme and production with many members of the original stage cast began in January of this year. The radio play was produced by Trudy McLaughlin at ICR fm and will air on Bank Holiday Monday the 5th May at 12pm. The finished drama is highly entertaining and well worth a listen, especially given that May is the month of our Lady. This project has been a fantastic way to highlight local writing, acting and production talent and ICR look forward to working with Stan and other local actors and writers in the future.

The Sound and Vision Scheme is a funding initiative, beginning in 2006 and run by the BCI. It actively encourages the production of new, quality radio and television programmes on the subjects of Irish heritage and experience. ICR have been highly successful in all rounds of funding so far. The next round opens in June and we would like to invite anyone with an interest in becoming involved with programmes that may fit the scheme, to come along to a meeting on Tuesday the 6th May at 7pm at the ICR fm studios in Pound Street, Carndonagh. More details of the types of programme that can be funded can be found on the website www.bci.ie and following the link for the Broadcasting Funding Scheme.

So anyone with an idea for a programme or a script for a radio drama etc., please get in touch. No previous experience is necessary as the ICR staff and volunteers are on-hand to train and give help. Even if you have an idea but cannot make the meeting on the night, please phone Emma at the station on 93 29105 or email emma.mcdermott@icrfm.ie. Also, a reminder that ICR's AGM will take place in the offices of the IDP (formerly the IRDL) in Pound Street Canrdongh on Thursday the 8th May at 7:30pm. Inishowen Community Radio - Your Community, Your Radio!