Encore with Claire O' Brien

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Coming up tonight on Encore with Zoe Ryan Comedian and Activist Ailish McCarthy on her ongoing battle for comedy to be recognised as an official artform and her search for midlands venues to bring her new tour to. Encore on Tour strikes again! Earlier this week Zoe joined the Nomad Players dynamic duo that is Director Eilish Rafferty and Actress Maeve O’Donovan at rehearsals for their production of 'My Name is Lucy Barton' at Esker Arts in Tullamore this coming weekend (May 2nd) and in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Saturday June 13th Westmeath-born (now living in Jersey) Writer Yvonne Heavey discusses her short story collection 'The Wake of Yer Man' being adapted for the stage ahead of the plays upcoming stint in Mullingar Arts Centre (May 1st & 2nd) Irish Traditional Music Legend Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, reflects on 40 years with folk group ALTAN ahead of their concert to mark the milestone at Dunamaise Arts Centre on May 1st as part of Portlaoise Tradfest.

This week on Encore with Zoe Ryan - stepping outside your comfort zone, putting on a sacred jacket and bringing a bit of class to the midlands. Proud to say, "she's from Tullamore" Actuary turned Comedian Ciara Izuchukwu joins us to reveal her path to comedy and what's coming down the tracks for her. Creative Jack of All Trades Mick Donnellan discusses his latest one-man play, ‘The Crucified Silence,’ ahead of its premiere curtain call at Athlone Fringe next week. And Ballinea-based Author Chele Crawley on her debut novel Lady Dixon’s Niece and recalling the moment she topped the best sellers chart. It's all coming up on Encore!

Encore with Zoe Ryan

On tonight's show with Zoe Ryan- honouring our heritage through song, caring for your voice and recognising your 'hobby' can be a viable career. Historian James Scully joins us in-studio ahead of Banagher Brontë Group's premiere of, 'Brontës: Love and Honour,' a collection of 10 songs composed to honour the Brontë family and their connections to the midlands town. Westmeath-based Vocal Coach Emma Goulding of Emma G vocals gives us her top tips and tricks for looking after your vocal cords, something that will no doubt be of interest to you if you rely on your voice for work. Offaly-raised Artist Sarah Fahey discusses her latest artistic venture - launching her new illustrations page.

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Encore with Claire O'Brien

Tonight on Encore National recognition for a Midlands-shot film - Writer and Director of 'The Light Within - An Irish Quaker Story' Denis McArdle joins us to discuss filming the piece in Laois following the announcement it has been added to the RTÉ Player library. Encore On Tour strikes again - Host Zoe Ryan sits down with Director of Tullamore Amateur Dramatics Society's upcoming production 'Rabbit Hole' Mary Sherwin to talk about tackling tough subject matter. A show first - We'll attempt to execute a live report from 'Come from Away' rehersals with Chair of Portlaoise Musical Society Angie McNulty. Original music - Up-and-coming Musician Makayla Chloe will be dropping by the studio to chat about being the supporting act for one of her idols and to perform her latest track.

On tonight's show - the attraction of one acts plays, seeing the 'terrible beauty' in art, branching out into another artform and an open call for artists based in the Hidden Heartlands to create works with a sustainable focus. Ann-Claire (better known as 'AC') Reynolds of Ballyfin Players joins host Zoe Ryan to discuss the group's upcoming production at Mountmellick Community Arts Centre. Birr Theatre and Arts Centre's Emma Nee-Haslam explains the theme of this year's Common Ground Exhibition, for which they are currently seeking submissions for. . With his performance in Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of Leaves Festival of Writing almost upon us, Music Musician (and recently published author) Keith Donald tells us about trying his hand at writing. Organiser of HeARTlands Anna Atkinson reveals the reason behind the project ahead of its second installment taking place this month.

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

This week on Encore with Zoe Ryan: You've heard of dancing on ice but what about GAA on stage? Multidisciplinary Artist Nora Ní Anluain Fay tells us of the lenghts she is going to to finance her tour, 'Ham Sandwiches and Discipline.' This year's Midlands Young Curators David Vesey and Ellie Lee Henry talk us through the events taking place at Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of Lasta Festival, created by young people for young people. With spooky season just around the corner, Marketing & Box Office Manager Lee Hamilton fills us in on what's in store at Esker Arts for Eagla (fear) Fest.

An 'Encore on Tour' special - a walk through of the Cut From The Same Cloth exhibition, a merging of art, science and community, in residence at Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise until October 25th. Captured at the launch event, Host Zoe Ryan asks Elaine Quinn of the UCD Conway Institute why they decided to embark on such an artistic venture. Artist Lorna Donlon offers us an insight into the artwork itself and reveals why she's stayed loyal to tapestry over the years whilst Biomedical Researchers Assoc Prof Niamh O'Sullivan and Dr Carol Ahern discuss their involvement in the project.

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Photographer Terry Conroy joins host Zoe Ryan to talk about photographing your artwork ahead of his workshop on the topic in Dunamaise Arts Centre later this month, Blueball-based Illustrator Julie-Ann Carroll discusses her role in helping bring Westmeath Teacher Eileen Loughlin's book Annabel to life and Monegall Writer and Director Patrick Fogarty and Tullamore-born Actor Daniel Murray drop by the studio to chat about the upcoming premiere of their midlands-shot film Dairy Babes at Esker Arts as part of Culture Night.

Furniture flair, Bigfoot on film, and a musical nod to Joni — it’s a night of creativity and surprises on Encore with Zoe Ryan.

Artist Emma Barone brings us on a journey through her latest exhibition 'Orb', in situ at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre until September 10th. 'The Dollmaker of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ Teresa Doyle tells us how she fell into doing the uncommonly practised craft. Naomi Draper discusses bringing seemingly insignificant items together to form an evocative work of art for her 'As One Leans into Another' collection, currently on display at Esker Arts in Tullamore. And a quick rundown on who of note is taking to the Electric Picnic stage in Stradbally this weekend to top things off!

This week on Encore with Zoe Ryan, a walk and talk style interview with David Fox's through his Marked Lands exhibition currently at Esker Arts ahead of his 'meet the artist' event at the venue this weekend. Westmeath-based Contemporary Landscape Painter Joan Mulvihill reveals the unlikely inspiration behind her latest body of work and Tara Prendergast, Founder of The Biscuit Factory, discusses the Basic Income for the Arts payment scheme.

Host Zoe Ryan gets to know Dee Mulrooney, the performer behind the alter ego ‘Growler’ ahead of her upcoming performance in Westmeath, discusses sculpting giant bunnies from crocheted material in Laois with Fibre Artist Courtney Jean Murray and chats about chasing highs with Nigerian-born Offaly-raised Musician Tolü Makay following the release of her new single Highnote.

Willow weaving in Laois, poetry in Westmeath and jewellery crafting in Offaly. In this week's episode, Zoe Ryan explores the tradition of willow weaving with Community Artist Beth Murphy ahead of her upcoming workshops in Abbeyleix and Mounthmellick as part of Heritage week, Tullamore-based Designer Rita Daly discusses the art of millinery and launching her new jewellery collection and Mullingar Poet Brendan Martin reveals the inspirations behind his recently released book.

This week on Encore with Zoe Ryan we explore the concept of music therapy with Musician and Educator Tracy Bruer ahead of her workshop in Athlone, we hear the tale of the boomerang-esque piano that found its way home to Tullamore, Rhode-based Artist Michelle O'Donnell gives us a crash course on glass art and Aindrias de Staic kicks off his bardic style storytelling tour in Birr.

This week on Encore, Zoe Ryan is joined by Artistic Director of the Tullamore International Summer Organ Series Charles Marshall ahead of their final concert of 2025, members of the Midlands Photography Group Marie Kearns and Willie Burns talk about their club's origins and activities and internationally acclaimed Irish Flute and Tin whistle Player Musician Brian Finnegan discusses breaking the boundaries of music.

This week on Encore with Zoe Ryan, Director at the Samaritan's Athlone/Midlands branch Anne McGrath tells us why they are encouraging people to 'craft for a cause' this July, Lady Alicia Clement reveals some of the pieces featured in The Rosse Drawings Exhibition opening at Birr Castle this week, Seanie Morrissy of Midlands Astronomy Club discusses the significance of such a discovery and Artist Neil Selby talks about the idea behind his recently unveiled mural in Mullingar.

On this week's episode of Encore Zoe Ryan talks to Twin Trees Organising Committee Member Frances Roche about the addition of outdoor movie screenings to the annual event, Castlepollard Librarian Rory Meegan highlights innovative ways to 'read' and Playwright Dee Roycroft discusses the challenges and joys of the job ahead of her workshop in Birr this weekend.

Tullamore-born Actress Aisling Kearns reflects on performing at The Old Vic in London alongside Chris O’Dowd, Westmeath crime fiction Author Patricia Gibney discusses the launch of her latest book ahead of her appearance at Mullingar Literary Festival, Organiser of the Edenderry Music Festival Ken Logan gives us a run down of what they have on offer at this year’s event and Durrow-based Artist Marie Moylan and Musician Jerry Fish talk about what taking part in The Folly Festival means to them.

Encore with Zoe Ryan

Encore with Zoe Ryan

On this week's episode of Encore, fronted by Zoe Ryan, comedian Anne Gildea takes a trip down memory lane, composer Frank McNamara describes the magical scenes at a candlelight production and Chair of Mullingar Literary Festival Laurence Meehan gives a rundown on their upcoming event.

Encore with Claire O'Brien

The Le Cheile Singers' Michael Cushen joins Claire O'Brien ahead of their summer concert in St Catherine's Church. One Town One Voice comes to Westmeath this weekend - Natasha Muldoon from Family Resource Ireland talks about solidarity through music. Arthur Broomfield diversifies from poetry to short stories with his new collection Rising Dust, launching this week.

She loves her teaching job but she's also taking to another audience. Mullingar's Colette Brady-McEntee talks about her latest release and her upcoming work with the superb Charlie McGettigan. David Corri of Laois Fourth Wall Theatre has the down-low on I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell, Bernard Farrell's hilarious comedy, and a break from the group's usual Irish drama. It's touring the Midlands right now. Enda Wyley is a poet of considerable renown and she's working on material for a new collection - some of which you'll hear on this week's show. Also, Enda chats about the value of poetry, whatever our age.

Encore with Claire O'Brien