Ceol na nGael

Music, news and sports from Ireland, Sundays from Noon-4pm.

Connecting a village of millions:

The most popular Irish radio program in New York celebrated its 30th anniversary in February, 2004. Ceol na nGael ("Music of the Irish") began as the brainchild of two Fordham students, Gerry Murphy and Mary Maguire, back in 1974. Over the years it has continued to be hosted by students, who have kept the tradition alive.

Nearly 75,000 listeners tune in to 90.7 FM every Sunday between 12 noon and 4 pm to hear all kinds of Irish music, often accompanied by dedications, and to stay connected through the community bulletin boards. Two of the program's highlights are the weekly news from Ireland, reported by Declan O'Byrne in Dublin, at 2pm and the sports from Ireland, with Brendan Tier, immediately following.

Gerry Murphy had first proposed an Irish music program on WFUV in 1973, but it wasn't until the winter of 1974, when the station needed to fill time during a fundraiser, that he got his chance. The show was an instant hit with listeners. "We were going to give them a slice of the music they loved," says Gerry, who has since served as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County.

The current hosts of Ceol na nGael, Kerri Gallagher and Colleen Taylor exude enthusiasm about continuing the show's tradition of celebrating Irish music and culture.

Kerri Gallagher hails from Rockaway Park, Queens, an area known for its rich Irish heritage. Her position as host on Ceol na nGael lets her pursue an interest in Irish culture that began in her childhood. "I grew up surrounded by Irish music and have really developed an appreciation for it since being a part of Ceol na nGael," she said. "Hosting the show is a great opportunity to continue the Irish tradition through music and I am grateful to be a part of it."

Irish traditions have also been a part of Colleen Taylor's life from an early age. Since her childhood in Sherman, Connecticut, Taylor has been involved in Irish step dancing. Though the bustle of college life has lessened her participation in Irish dancing, Ceol na nGael keeps her tapped in to Irish culture. An avid reader, Taylor also enjoys books by writers hailing from the Emerald Isle, including the works of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Frank McCourt.

One of the best aspects of her Fordham experience thus far has been Ceol na nGael, according to Taylor. "Not only has it given me a taste of the real, professional working world, but it is also something for me to focus on and work at outside of my academics," she said. "It's a relaxing and enjoyable way to escape the stress of papers and tests."

Aside from being a refuge from the stress of college life, Ceol na nGael has expanded Taylor's knowledge of and interest in all things Irish. "Being an Irish dancer, I thought I had a strong understanding of Irish music and tradition," she said. "Ceol na nGael has taught me how little I knew and how much I still need to learn."

Gallagher agrees. "Being a part of the show has already given me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the music [of Ireland]," she said. "I look forward to continuing that."

Many of the Ceol na nGael hosts over the years continue to work in the media, long after they've graduated. They include Marie Hickey, Anne Bowen, Gerry Lavin, Mary Snow, Jim Driscoll, and Eileen Byrne. The program was hosted in the mid-80's by Patti Anne Brown, an anchor at Fox News Channel, and by Kathleen Biggins, a CBS Radio producer who is also the host of A Thousand Welcomes, WFUV's popular Saturday morning program of traditional Irish music.

Kathleen is proud that she and Patti Anne introduced listeners to many new artists who are still popular today. She remembers a musical tour of the 32 counties (by news and 'Celtic Closeup' presenter Paul Farry) as a listener favorite, and fondly recalls live remote broadcasts from the United Irish Counties Feis at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. "I learned there that the bagpipes are really loud," Kathleen laughs. "And when you get a group of five or more together, you should never cue them to play while a politician is speaking!"

Past CNG Hosts with Frank Patterson

Liz Noonan and Maggie Dolan are the program's producers, working with the hosts on the music, booking interviews with figures in the Irish community, and developing new features. Both producers hosted the show when they were students at Fordham. Noonan, who hosted the show from 2002 through 2005, works at the station full time as the assistant promotions directior. Dolan, who hosted Ceol na nGael from 2004 through 2007, works in fundraising for Catholic charities. Their longtime commitment to the program can be attributed to their love of Irish culture and their knowledge of Ceol na nGael's merits.

Irish musicians understand just how special Ceol na nGael is. According to singer Cathie Ryan, "Ceol na nGael reconnects us to our roots and reinforces our values as a community. There are millions of us in the tri-state area, but Ceol na nGael, with its music, news reports, and community bulletin boards, makes us a small village."

For more information, email Ceol na nGael.

Our man in Dublin:

Though the show's title translates as "Music of the Irish," Ceol na nGael listeners also enjoy hearing about goings-on in the homeland each week with newscaster Declan O'Byrne.

A Dublin native, Declan taught English in Spain before beginning a career in journalism in 1980. A senior journalist at The Irish Independent for 10 years, naturally he's a fan of soccer, rugby and the G.A.A.

Declan's glad that 90.7 provides news, and considers his position a privilege. "I hope my reports to WFUV help bridge the miles between the U.S. and home for both recent immigrants and those with links to Ireland through the generations."

Hear Declan's reports every Sunday at 2 pm on 90.7 FM. You can also write to him by e-mail.