Herosongs 8: Where History Meets Song- Episode 8 Sporting Herosongs

Songs praising a champion greyhound, a legendary hurler and a bare knuckle boxer all feature in the final episode of Herosongs. Presenter Therese McIntryre explores the songs written about these characters and the stories behind them. Veteran sports commentator and music lover Jimmy Magee tells us why sport is so important in Ireland whether it’s in the ring, on the track or in the sports arena. Professor Mike Cronin of Boston College Ireland offers us an insight into why the dog, Master McGrath could been seen as a hero “We’re in a moment where symbols of Irishness, particularly at the political level are still emerging, therefore people put in their kind of identities, their notions of what Ireland might be into this idea of a dog”. Góilín traditional singers club members Fergus Russell and Frank Nugent tell us about the songs ‘Master McGrath’ and ‘Cuchulainn’s Son’ about legendary hurler Nicky Rackard. Singer James McDonald shares his recent updated version of the song ‘Johnny Morrissey and the Russian Sailor’, and historian Lillis O’Laoire of NUI Galway, discusses how Johnny Morrissey the boxer became a sporting hero and we explore at the ballad sheet of the songs with Grace Toland of the Irish Traditional Music Archive. #rteradio1 #athenamedia #herosongs