‘Radio Rock’ - Reimagining the birth and broadcast of ‘Radio Carrick’ amidst the pulse of 1980s Life – is an original short drama written and directed by Mary McGrath echoing Carrick-on-Suir's local Radio Station ‘Radio Carrick’ that was on air from August 1980 until October 1981. Radio Carrick was run voluntarily, covering every genre of music and programme type. It was a voice to and for the town and served the Community with local news and interests.
Radio Carrick presenters and founding members interviewed that inspired this drama included Gerry and Maryann Gannon, Peg Power, Mary O' Hanlon, Liam Butler, Johnny Irish and Nicholas De Paor.
Click here to listen to the interviews with the founding members and presenters
“Radio Carrick was not just a medium of entertainment and communication but a vital mirror reflecting the unique character and spirit of our town" Gerry Gannon.
‘Radio Rock’ will be performed by Sheenagh and Michael Raggett, Aileen O'Keeffe, Pat Quinn Bolger, Jacquie Ahern, Dennis Barry, Enda O'Driscoll, Peter McGrath and Paula O’Dwyer.
Produced by Linda Fahy, Tudor Artisan Hub, is supported by drama consultants Maria Clancy and Barry Comerford.
Radio Rock will be staged on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th, 2025, 8pm in Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary E32 HD74.
Booking opens Good Friday - 18th April, 2025. Call 086 2560609 to book your seat - or stop into the Tudor Artisan Hub at 42 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
Photoshoot by Noreen Duggan Photography during rehearsals in the upstairs art gallery, Tudor Artisan Hub.
Meet the leading artists on this project.
Mary McGrath, a talented writer and director from Carrick-on-Suir, has been an integral part of Margaret O'Brien's writers’ collective, Writing Changes Lives, for several years. Her longstanding collaboration with the Tudor Artisan Hub and the Arts Collective has resulted in numerous creative projects over the past decade, showcasing her dedication to the arts and her community.
Mary's passion for theater is evident in her performances at the renowned Brewery Lane Theatre. Her work there has not only highlighted her acting and directing skills but also her ability to weave compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
This latest project marks Mary's third foray into social history dramas centered around her beloved hometown of Carrick-on-Suir. These dramas are more than just historical explorations; they serve as heartfelt love letters to the town and its people, reflecting Mary's deep connection to the place where she was raised. Through her work, Mary captures the essence of Carrick-on-Suir, celebrating its rich history and vibrant community.
Mary works best with deadlines and cake!.
'Radio Rock' Producer Linda Fahy, owner of the Tudor Artisan Hub in Carrick-on-Suir, is a fervent advocate for the arts. Her dedication to community involvement, artisan support, and cultural promotion enriches lives.
Collaborating with writer/director Mary McGrath on another social history initiative, Linda aims to preserve cultural heritage, foster community connections, and inspire appreciation for local narratives.
OUTCOMES FOR ‘RADIO ROCK’ AN ORIGINAL SOCIAL HISTORY PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION:
Echoes of the Airwaves from a garage at 13 Dunbane, Carrick-on-Suir broadcasting on 1512kHz from 8 am to 6pm in 1980/1981.
To bring to life the stories gathered from ‘Radio Carrick’ founders and show presenters from Heritage Week 2024 and give audiences further context in imaginative ways into this pivotal era in our social history.
To remember, honour and celebrate the founders and presenters of Radio Carrick, these trailblazers were as diverse as the shows they hosted. Each brought their unique flair and passion, creating a tapestry of voices that resonated with listeners. The station became a living chronicle of Carrick-on-Suir's social history, reflecting the hopes, challenges, and triumphs of its people.
To remember, honour and celebrate the founders and presenters of Radio Carrick, these trailblazers were as diverse as the shows they hosted. Each brought their unique flair and passion, creating a tapestry of voices that resonated with listeners. The station became a living chronicle of Carrick-on-Suir's social history, reflecting the hopes, challenges, and triumphs of its people.
Radio Carrick's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of local radio to inform, connect, and inspire. Through the stories of its founders and presenters, we catch a glimpse of a time when a small town dared to dream big, and in doing so, created a lasting impact on its community and beyond.
Creating a live social history drama offers a powerful and vivid way to connect with our past and keep our heritage alive. By transforming historical events and figures into a theatrical experience, we engage audiences in a dynamic exploration of history. It creates a bridge between the past and present, fostering a deeper understanding of our heritage in creative ways. By bringing the history of Radio Carrick to life, we hope to honour and celebrate the stories shared by its founders and show presenters and ensure their legacy continues to resonate with future generations.
PRESS RELEASE
BEALTAINE FESTIVAL - 'RADIO ROCK' NEW SOCIAL HISTORY DRAMA BY MARY MCGRATH
'Radio Rock’ - Reimagining the birth and broadcast of ‘Radio Carrick’ amidst the pulse of 1980s life is an original short drama written and directed by Mary McGrath, produced by Linda Fahy, the Tudor Artisan Hub to be staged during Bealtaine Festival 2025. This new work of fiction echoes Carrick-on-Suir's local pirate community radio station ‘Radio Carrick’ which was on the air from August 1980 until October 1981. Radio Carrick was run voluntarily, covering every genre of music and programme type. It was a voice to and for the town and served the community with local news and interests.
Last Summer we interviewed Radio Carrick presenters and founding members Gerry and Maryann Gannon, Peg Power, Mary O' Hanlon, Liam Butler, Johnny Irish and Nicholas De Paor in-person and online, their stories and memories inspired the script for this new social history play. “Radio Carrick was not just a medium of entertainment and communication but a vital mirror reflecting the unique character and spirit of our town" says Gerry Gannon. The local news and events in the play were sourced from the 'Carrick Opinion', the local newspaper at the time, put together by a dedicated team led by John and Kay Denby.
‘Radio Rock’ will be performed by Sheenagh and Michael Raggett, Aileen O'Keeffe, Pat Quinn Bolger, Jacquie Ahern, Dennis Barry, Enda O'Driscoll, Peter McGrath and Paula O’Dwyer and is supported by drama consultants Maria Clancy and Barry Comerford. This latest project marks Mary McGrath's third foray into social history dramas centered around her beloved hometown of Carrick-on-Suir. These dramas are more than just historical explorations; they serve as heartfelt, humorous love letters to the town and its people, reflecting Mary's deep connection to the place where she was raised. Through her work, Mary captures the essence of Carrick-on-Suir, celebrating its rich history and vibrant community.
Radio Rock will be staged on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th, 2025, 8pm in Brewery Lane Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary E32 HD74.
Booking opens Good Friday, April 18th, 2025. To book, call Linda 086 2560609 or stop into the Tudor Artisan Hub, 42 Main St., Carrick-on-Suir E32 FW66.
This is a FREE event supported by the Tipperary Arts Office and Tipperary County Council in association with Bealtaine - which is an Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, funded by the Arts Council and the HSE.
We will hold raffles nightly to help support the running costs of the Tudor Artisan Hub Arts Collective and Creative Enterprise - supporting over 100 Creatives from Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterlands since 2014! This is an event for your calendar that you don't want to miss! Thank you for your continued support of Community Arts.
