1. BBG Poltergeists PG
5m Jul 26, 2021
5m
2. BBG - The Fire Stoker
7m Jul 26, 2021
7m
3. BBG - Bob's dead
2m Jul 26, 2021
2m
4. BBG - mystery of the wrench
6m Jul 26, 2021
6m
5. BBG - the levitator
2m Jul 26, 2021
2m
6. BBG - witches PG
The late great Bertie Bryce from Inch Island in Inishowen, Co. Donegal telling us about witches way back in 2008 in his kitchen. From our Samhain lore playlist: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4634161-samhain-lore #Samhain #Halloween #Otherworld #Supernatural #Witches © 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar (https://www.racontour.com/celtic-calendar/) a...
1m Jul 26, 2021
1m
7. BBG - Joan of Arc PG
1m Jul 26, 2021
1m
8. BBG - skull sweethearts PG
6m Jul 26, 2021
6m
9. BBG - fairy trees
2m Jul 26, 2021
2m
10. BBG - the ghost of Willy McMyle PG
Bertie's longest and most detailed story at nearly 30 minutes, this is one that requires your full attention - and maybe a stiff drink. 
31m Jul 26, 2021
31m
1. DHS - the Drowes river and the first salmon
Shrine One: the angler's first salmon. Location: 54.473728, -8.312702 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.473728, -8.312702) Speaker: Shane Gallagher, Lareen, Kinlough Theme: gathering to be the first of the season. Right on the border with Leitrim is the River Drowes, duly famous for regularly producing the first salmon of the year, being one of the few rivers opening on the 1st January. Rar...
3m Aug 04, 2021
3m
25. DHS - Lough Derg
Shrine Twenty five: time out with a difference. Location: 54.607471, -7.859516 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.607471, -7.859516) Speaker: John Cunningham, Belleek, author of Lough Derg, legendary pilgrimage. Theme: gathering to cleanse the soul. Located on Station Island in the middle of Lough Derg, this is believed to be where St. Patrick fasted and so do 30,000 pilgrims from June to mi...
7m Aug 04, 2021
7m
14: Famine Pot BSW1 and 24. DHS
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
4m Aug 04, 2021
4m
5. DHS - St. Colmcille Turas
Shrine Five: station to station. Location: 54.710193, -8.720312 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.710193, -8.720312) Speaker: Shane McIntyre, Glencolmcille, author of Guide to Turas Cholm Cille. Theme: gathering annually to salute Donegal's very own saint. St Colmcille brought Christianity to the north-west corner of Ireland and the area is named and this annual pilgrimage is held in his ho...
5m Aug 04, 2021
5m
19. DHS - Malin Head
Shrine Nineteen: a parent's farewell. Location: 55.377184, -7.367148 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.377184, -7.367148) Speakers: Sean McMahon (RIP), Derry/Tony McLaughlin, Ballyhillion. Theme: gathering to say a final farewell to loved ones. Ireland's most northerly point overlooks the crashing waves of the Atlantic - you'll be looking out for the tower on Banba's Crown in the photo to p...
7m Aug 04, 2021
7m
12. DHS - Teach Hudí Beag's
Shrine Twelve: the genesis of 'ceol agus ol'. Location: 55.062301, -8.30054 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.062301, -8.30054) Speakers: Seoirse O'Dochartaigh interviewing Dinny White Harra McLaughlin. Theme: gathering in the home of the session to hear good music. No visit to Ireland is complete without a proper traditional Irish music session. Only an idiot would call it 'diddley-i music...
4m Aug 04, 2021
4m
22. DHS - Beltany Stone Circle
Shrine 22: saluting the Sun. Location: 54.851216, -7.604685 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.851216, -7.604685) Speakers: Mary Harte in conversation with John Ward. Theme: gathering of our ancestors to salute the cosmos. Raphoe is the smallest cathedral city in Europe, but it a site of worship over a mile south of the 'city' that there stands one of the best preserved stone circles in Irel...
9m Aug 04, 2021
9m
21. DHS - Amelia Earhart's landing
Shrine 21: when Inishowen became Paris. Location: 55.037622, -7.302966 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.037622, -7.302966) Speaker: Sean McMahon (RIP) (bonus material added by Sean on two other aerial visitors in that decade.) Theme: gathering of the locals to salute a true heroine. Pedants out there may note we're into another jurisdiction, but as we are five fields from Donegal and in li...
2m Aug 04, 2021
2m
18. DHS - St. Eigne's holy well
Shrine Eighteen: All's well that ends well. Location: 55.2338, -7.49924 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.2338, -7.49924) Speaker: Sean McMahon (RIP) and John Hegarty. Theme: gathering to collect sacred water. At the top of Mamore, you should stop off to view St. Eigne's Holy Well, renowned for its healing qualities and situated beside shrines to the Virgin Mother and St. Padre Pio. There's...
10m Aug 04, 2021
10m
16. DHS - Grianan of Aileach
Shrine Sixteen: the forgotten dynasty. Location: 55.02526, -7.424698 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.02526, -7.424698) Speaker: Sean McMahon (RIP) and Dessie McCallion Theme: gathering where once the mighty reigned. Grianan of Aileach, the stonehouse of the sun. According to legend, it was built by Daghda, an ancient King of the Tuatha de Danann. A hillfort that once was at the historical...
10m Aug 04, 2021
10m
17. DHS - Lough Swilly from Dunree
Shrine Seventeen: the lost souls. Location: 55.197781, -7.553101 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.197781, -7.553101) Speaker: John Ward Theme: gathering to remember momentous historical events. Certain landscapes, such as the Boyne valley or Kinsale harbour, have borne witness to seminal dates in Irish history. Lough Swilly, whose name appropriately derives from the Gaelic for eyes, "suile...
2m Aug 04, 2021
2m
3. DHS - Surfing and Donegal Bay
Shrine Three: surf's up. Location: 54.552528, -8.211036 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.552528, -8.211036) Speaker: Dr. Easkey Britton, author of Saltwater in the Blood   (https://easkeybritton.com/books) Theme: gathering to experience the full wonder of the ocean. Donegal Bay made the headlines in recent years for having a 20 metre wave off its coast - the highest recorded in Irish water...
8m Aug 05, 2021
8m
20. DHS - Kealy's Seafood Restaurant
Shrine 20: Breaking Bread. Location: 55.203627, -6.981327 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.203627, -6.981327) Speaker: Tricia Kealy, proprietor, Kealy's Seafood Restaurant (http://www.kealysseafoodbar.ie/) Theme: gathering to eat, drink and thrash out ideas through conversation. In the Bible, the breaking of bread refers to how members of the early communal church, gathered together almost...
7m Aug 06, 2021
7m
10. DHS - Daniel O'Donnell and the Viking House
Shrine Ten: the first son of Donegal. Location: 55.012867, -8.400807 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.012867, -8.400807) Speaker: Jacqui Sharkey Theme: gathering to salute the county's favourite son. This is Donegal's version of Graceland with maybe a hint of Father Ted thrown in. This hotel, formerly owned by legendary local singer, Daniel O'Donnell, has become a shrine to the great man, ...
3m Aug 10, 2021
3m
4. DHS - St. Asicus's Grave
Shrine Four: in a league of his own. Location: 54.570482, -8.132844 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.570482, -8.132844) Speakers: John Ward/Pierce Ferriter Theme: gathering to salute a talented, but humble man. Tucked up the top of a hill on the outskirts of Ballintra, look out for the unlikely burial site of the Elphin diocese in Roscommon's patron saint. St. Asicus, the patron saint of c...
6m Aug 12, 2021
6m
23. DHS - MacCumhaill Park
Shrine 23: the pride of all. Location: 54.801427, -7.77935 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.801427, -7.77935) Speaker: Michael Murphy Theme: gathering to cheer on their local heroes in battle. There is nothing that unites the people of Donegal like its much loved Gaelic football team. The home of the team is in Ballybofey, the centre of the county and it is here that regular training occur...
5m Aug 12, 2021
5m
2. DHS - Rory Gallagher international festival
Shrine Two: Hometown boy. Location:  54.501652, -8.190329 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.501652, -8.190329) Speaker: Donal Gallagher Theme: gathering to salute great music from a musical legend. It's hard to believe, but Rory died in 1995 aged 47 from complications after surgery. His memory lives on every June with a three day extravaganza that is the festival named after him, the Rory G...
17m Aug 12, 2021
17m
9. DHS - Kerrytown's visitation
Shrine Nine: a blessed encounter. Location: 54.993551, -8.35788 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.993551, -8.35788) Speaker: Jimmy Duffy Theme: gathering to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For a considerable time in 1939, numerous people, including the parish priest, saw visions of the Virgin Mary at this very spot. Note the mementos that people leave behind of loved ones. The shrine...
9m Aug 12, 2021
9m
6. DHS - The Croaghs
Shrine Six: all things bright and beautiful. Location:  54.787225, -8.088684 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.787225, -8.088684) Speaker: Michael Gallagher in conversation with John Ward. Theme: gathering to survive and thrive against the odds. One of the great ambassadors of the county was affable postman, Michael Gallagher, renowned for his canny ability to forecast the weather by a care...
11m Aug 12, 2021
11m
8. DHS - Inishkeel and St. Conal's bell
Shrine Eight: For whom the bell tolls. Location: 54.845484, -8.450546 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.845484, -8.450546) Speaker: Bart Whelan Theme: gathering to pay homage on a tidal island. The magical tidal island of Inishkeel is the seat of a pilgrimage in honour of St. Conal Cael, one of Ireland's early saints. According to the Genealogiae Regum et Sanctorum Hiberniae, St Conall was ...
9m Aug 12, 2021
9m
7. DHS - The Laurels
Shrine Seven: dance to the music of time. Location: 54.800685, -8.285022 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.800685,%20-8.285022) Location of graveyard: 54.787994, -8.274946 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.787994,%20-8.274946) Speakers: John Ward and Catherine Byrne Theme: gathering to be in touch with some otherness. "When I sixteen, I remember slipping out one Sunday - it was this time...
11m Aug 12, 2021
11m
Bonus DHS - Jacqui introduces The Light
Donegal's own Jacqui Sharkey introduces her new single, The Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_1ZZrJ0jqI) .  'The Light' is a powerful melodic and emotional ballad that captures the turmoil of the  world today and offers hope and inspiration that showcases Sharkey's hooky and  well constructed songwriting technique. The clever arrangements by John Reynolds  feature brilliantly constru...
1m Aug 13, 2021
1m
Bonus DHS - Biddys O'Barnes
Bonus shrine: the traveller's rest. Location: 54.709499, -7.970839 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.709499, -7.970839) Speaker: Megan Slevin Theme: gathering to rest up on a long journey. After completing most of the 'shrines' in the county, you are on the last stretch and as anyone in the know would tell you, it is unlucky to pass by this hostelry without stopping to sup. Megan is the per...
9m Aug 13, 2021
9m
14. DHS - Mount Errigal
Shrine Forteen: I can see for miles and miles. Location of base car park: 55.029203, -8.106537 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.029203, -8.106537) Speaker: Nikki Bradley, motivational speaker Theme: gathering to climb an icon. N.B: take careful note of Nikki's wise advice on preparing properly to climb Errigal - it is not easy, but it so rewards! In a land famed for its hills, there's one...
6m Aug 13, 2021
6m
Bonus DHS - Fishing in Doagh Island
Bonus shrine: spud-u-like. Location: 55.308901, -7.33582 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.308901, -7.33582) Speaker: Pat 'Doagh' Doherty Photo: Mark Nolan Theme: gathering to stock up for the Winter. Pat 'Doagh' Doherty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me28-GDDxPg) tells us about the unorthodox way folk used to fish up in Doagh in the old days. Along with sister Majella, he runs the famous ...
1m Aug 13, 2021
1m
15. DHS - Doon Rock
Shrine Fifteen: O'Donnell Abú Location: 55.024702, -7.822309 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.024702, -7.822309) Speaker: Sorcha O'Donnell Theme: gathering to hail the chief. The O'Donnell clan ruled over most of Donegal, known as Tir Chonaill (excluding the Inishowen peninsula) from the castle, but were inaugurated as heads of the clan here at Doon Rock near Kilmacrenan in north Donegal. ...
6m Aug 13, 2021
6m
11. DHS - Leo's Tavern
Shrine Eleven: it's a family affair. Location:  55.026448, -8.273392 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.026448, -8.273392) Speaker: Moya Brennan Theme: gathering to entertain and enjoy. Moya Brennan took time out from recording to tell us how Leo's came about, how the locals were a bit sceptical, but how over 50 years later, this place is still buzzing to the sound of live music. One of the...
7m Aug 13, 2021
7m
13. DHS - Tory Island
Shrine Thirteen: sacred clay in the real kingdom. Location: 55.264055, -8.23082 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/55.264055, -8.23082) (Magheroarty pier) Speakers: Marjorie Carroll and Henry Doohan Theme: gathering on a rock against the elements. From the moment you see it for the first time from Magheroarty, your eyes are drawn to the magnificent island of Tory - home to the mythical Balor of...
9m Aug 14, 2021
9m
Bonus DHS - Lough Swilly and the goddess
Inishowen historian, John Hegarty, tells us some more about the origins of the name to Lough Swilly as well as telling us about its many visitors over the centuries. URL: West Inishowen History and Heritage Society (http://www.buncranahistory.com/wordpress/) Audio taken from Donegal's Hallowed Sites on the Racontour Archive. (https://audioboom.com/channels/4992315/playlists) Spotify URL: Done...
7m Aug 14, 2021
7m
Rab Fulton's top storytelling tips
Storytelling maestro Rab Fulton shares a few pointers on what is needed to tell a good story or two.
20m Aug 17, 2021
20m
Keith Corcoran's top storytelling tips
Donegal's great storyteller, Keith Corcoran, divulges eleven of his (and Maura L's!) tips on what it takes to do so well.
20m Aug 17, 2021
20m
Bonus DHS - the boys are back in town
Bonus DHS shrine: the boys are back in town.  Location: 54.481732, -8.277495 (http://www.google.com/maps/place/54.481732, -8.277495) Speaker: Raymond Britton Theme: gathering for an unlikely birthday party location. Few people realise that Stairway to Heaven got its world premiere (https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/how-led-zeppelins-classic-song-bombed-on-its-belfast-premiere...
4m Aug 19, 2021
4m
Inishowen placenames
Mary Murphy tells us the placename in English, Sean McMahon tells us how it is pronounced in Irish, then Mary tells us what that Irish wording means thus giving the etymology of the place. Starting with 'Inishowen', we finish the piece with 'Urris' being the place Brian Friel had in mind for his 1981 masterpiece, Translations, which dealt with Britain's attempts to remove the Irish placenames a...
3m Aug 23, 2021
3m
A sort of homecoming
In our audio piece, award-winning actress, Catherine Byrne, who played Chris in the original Abbey Theatre production of Dancing at Lughnasa, tells us how she recalls the famous play coming home to the real life Ballybeg.
8m Sep 17, 2021
8m
1: BSW1 The Diamond
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
1m Oct 20, 2021
1m
The Dobhar-chú
Speakers: Patsy McNulty and Shane Gallagher In the audio piece, Patsy McNulty tells us about the Dubh Dobhar-chú as he understood it to be in Donegal. Shane Gallagher on the Donegal/Leitrim border is talking about the same creature, but with a different phonetical emphasis. Patsy includes the word ‘dubh’ meaning black in Irish adding to its sinister presence.   The Dobhar-chú meaning 'water ...
2m Oct 21, 2021
2m
2: BSW1 The Hiring Fair
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
1m Oct 21, 2021
1m
3: BSW1 Famine graveyard
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
1m Oct 21, 2021
1m
4: BSW1 Eske river
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
1m Oct 21, 2021
1m
5: BSW1 Walking in the hills
From The Bluestack Way Audio Guide, Part One: https://www.racontour.com/Bluestack/
1m Oct 21, 2021
1m