The winner of our super trip to Ireland over St.Patrick’s Day sponsored by Aer Lingus and Dan Dooley Rent a Car is Kathy Callahan from New Jersey an Irish American radio host and community activist.
According to Kathy her Irish roots run very deep. “My family is from Galway and left shortly after the famine and traveled off the beaten pathways in England before coming to Jersey City NJ.
Growing up I was deeply and profoundly influenced by John F Kennedy and his work, I was with my family and sitting on my Da's shoulders in Dallas in 1963 and I was cheering JFK and his car on and then all hell and chaos broke lose.
I was very aware of Kennedy being Irish Catholic and also heard again and again
that is who I am and where I come...and all the way home on flight from Dallas Ft Worth To La Guardia I sat on a plane filled with people wailing and thrust into the experience of abject grief and mourning.
I can still see it like a movie running through my mind...My parents tried hard to console me and explain why they were sobbing.
I host an Irish Radio Program on Saturdays 11am - 1pm live on WHVW radio which features in studio, interviews with artists, movers shakers, broadcast cd release parties in studio celebration, live performance of local Irish American and Irish musicians at Irish festivals, on cruises, and authors, film artists who want to promote and sell their music, books films In Ireland we are looking forward to fully appreciating and exploring all of the natural Irish wonders such as: Cliffs of Moher, Yeats country, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula.
Kathy says “I love Irish Central as it is the hub of all hubs -a virtual community that attracts, connects and promotes great writers, reporters, political commentary, community blogging that moves forward and influences so much.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.KathyCallahan | Dec 14, 2010, 11:46 AM EST
Happy to Announce All Things Considered Irish Radio show host is enroute to John F Kennedy Performing Arts Center Washington DC to cover An Irish Christmas Musical Solstice at 6 pm with Mick Maloney, Billy McComiskey and surprise guests. Please tune in on Saturday at 11 am on 950 am WHVW and listen to insights, observations and recording of a few songs, stories.
KathyCallahan | Dec 12, 2010, 07:00 PM EST
Orla Fallon was a very special guest on WHVW 950 am All Things Considered Irish radio show. Listeners have been calling and emailing the station raving about Orla's Celtic Christmas CD duets and engaging presence on the air. Thanks Orla...Merry Christmas!
jacersagain | Dec 11, 2010, 07:35 AM EST
@Kathy – Silly me, I didn’t note that yr visit is over the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The festival runs from Friday 12th to Saturday 20th March. Lots happening all over the country and you can see all the planned events at stpatricksfestival.ie. You could catch the fireworks display in Limerick on Sat 13th before going on to nearby Cliffs of Moher next day. I suggest too that you try the free, open-air Festival Céilí at St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin on Tues 16th, it’s always great craic. If yr feet have not been trampled on too much at the Céilí you might run in the fun 80 meter (85 yds) Stiletto heels dash in aid of the fight against cancer on St. Patrick’s Day. In between you can try for that TV guest spot on 'Four Live' or 'The Daily Show' or similar. It’s all before you, enjoy... and you'll have lots to tell your listeners on WHVW 950 afterwards; you could also use the visit to make contact with future Irish guests for your own show.
KathyCallahan | Dec 10, 2010, 12:05 PM EST
Orla Fallon is my very special guest on WHVW 950 am All Things Considered Irish radio show Saturday December 11 at 11 am.
Jeaniegreen | Dec 10, 2010, 08:47 AM EST
Kathy have a great time in Ireland and nothing but the best for you and those you meet.
KathyCallahan | Dec 10, 2010, 12:08 AM EST
i appreciate all that you have to share...
jacersagain | Dec 09, 2010, 05:14 PM EST
@Kathy – Well far be it for me to plan your trip! Use the website discoverireland.ie to see what might interest you as a tourist. If the timing of yr visit is your own choice, I’d suggest late May or early September when we are likeliest to have nice weather. Since you are in radio, you might also like to offer your appearance on Irish radio or television as a guest, especially if you have a beef about certain topics or want to publicise a book that you might have written. Explore the website rte.ie which is the National Public Service Broadcaster for radio and television and see how you might contact it (RTE = Radio Television Eireann). Two live daytime TV programmes that are popular are The Afternoon Show and The Daily Show, both of which could be very interested in having you as a guest (you can look at what they do through rte.ie/player). There’s also probably the most popular Irish TV show, The Late Late Show which airs live on Saturday Nights (not during summer) and is totally based around having guests on it, discussing almost any topic under the sun. If you twitter (I don’t) you might connect with IrishCentral’s John Fay, who blogs on ICentral as ‘An American in Ireland’ and who might advise you better from an American perspective. One more thing: we drive on the left hand side of the road, so you’ll have to adjust to that! Slán leat agus go mbeigh Céad Míle Fáilte romhat anseo (pron “Slawn lat awgus guh meg Kade Meela Fawlt’ya rowat anshuh” - Good Luck to you (or Good Health) and may you have a Hundred Thousand Welcomes before you here).
mangood | Dec 09, 2010, 11:24 AM EST
I am happy for you! Enjoy. You'll give it all you got.
KathyCallahan | Dec 08, 2010, 11:52 PM EST
I don't think more than one Kathy Callahan would post a wide array of comments in her own name! Jacersagain thanks for the good word, again! Any suggestions as to where to do research...
jacersagain | Dec 08, 2010, 04:10 PM EST
Congratulations to Kathy. If this lady is the same KathyCallahan that contributes to ICentral, then I am doubly delighted for her. Though we don’t always agree on some topics, I’ve found Kathy’s comments highly enlightening, thoughtful, thought-provoking and even enjoyable most times. May you have a most enjoyable trip Kathy! Don’t forget to research for your plans while here. Yes, that’s a PS – I didn’t enter the compo either... I’m already ensconced by birth and life in this wee beautiful part of the world called Ireland.
Madeleine | Dec 08, 2010, 05:33 AM EST
Have a nice trip Kathy, I didn't enter this contest but I'm jealous, wish I were going too. Let us know how your trip was, we can live vicariously. Bon Voyage.
KathyCallahan | Dec 07, 2010, 11:59 PM EST
more like a journey than a trip. there is so much to feel and do
w.dugan | Dec 07, 2010, 07:46 PM EST
Congratulations Kathy, I hope you enjoy yourm trip. Have a Guiness for me.
irishdan | Dec 07, 2010, 07:10 PM EST
Nice one Kathy, well done. Enjoy!
Laura Wilson | Dec 07, 2010, 06:39 PM EST
what a set up
jpirish | Dec 07, 2010, 05:54 PM EST
Kathy Callaghan is a lucky lady indeed. She has the look of someone who is leading a very colorful life! I wish her success in all that she creates. I listen to WHVW 950 am at home in Rhinebeck and while driving through Kingston, Newburgh and Westchester!
beachline | Dec 07, 2010, 04:24 PM EST
Congratulations Kathy !! Enjoy the trip.
downinthebasement | Dec 07, 2010, 04:11 PM EST
The lady seems kind...I don't begrudge...
downinthebasement | Dec 07, 2010, 04:11 PM EST
hahahaha...maybe the contest was rigged... I voted about a thousand times... do you have to be from the Old Sod to play?
patriciarea | Dec 07, 2010, 03:48 PM EST
Congratulations! I'm jealous!! Have a great trip!!
Advocate | Dec 07, 2010, 02:32 PM EST
Congratulations Kathy. May Yahweh/God be with You & Yours...
acmelvin | Dec 07, 2010, 01:44 PM EST
Congrates. Have a grand time touring around the country. Visit discoverireland.com to research your trip.
Amante2me | Dec 07, 2010, 01:21 PM EST
Congratulation to Kathy, the host of a New Jersey radio program who will be able to broadcast about her trip to Ireland to everyone who listens to her show. I can see how this person will be able to bring much needed tourism for Irelands economy. You picked wisely.
Searlit | Dec 07, 2010, 12:32 PM EST
Congratulations Kathy, you lucky one! Have a wonderful trip!
bronxjames | Dec 07, 2010, 11:25 AM EST
It's nice to see a nice and pretty lady win a decent prize. Too many times it's people who are well off and can afford a trip on their own. This time the good guy won. Congrats
mhichil | Dec 07, 2010, 11:23 AM EST
dont miss Sligo, or Kerry, Kathy! best wishes!
allicat4u2 | Dec 07, 2010, 09:44 AM EST
Lucky Lady...I think most of us that entered have a story to tell about our Irish families...but my family was from Northern Ireland and began life in the U.S., in poverty. They worked hard tending horses, selling ice, and being discriminated against. In spite of all, their children moved forward in life and their grandchildren did even better taking advantage of the American dream which used to be available to Whites. They never took welfare but they didnt have to fight Affirmative Action to get a job. Things are different in the U.S., now and those in Ireland who thing they will find gold at the end of the rainbow in the U.S., should take note...jobs are only available here to minorities and being Irish groups you as "White," only inspite of immigrant status. Enjoy your country; it is beautiful, clean, and beleive it or not, less violent than the U.S. I wish my Dad and Grandfather would have kept up the citizenship they were entitled to from Ireland.
Lorcan1916 | Dec 07, 2010, 05:40 AM EST
Congratulations Kathy on yer prize , might i suggest to ya a sweet watering hole where you can wet yer lips and hear some live irish music ? The celt pub on dublins talbot street is great craic and its not far from O'connell street where the parade takes place .