Mary Pat Kelly Galway Bay Book

How to describe the good time I had on Chicago Irish radio? The studio is on the top floor of the Oak Park Arms, once an elegant hotel that is now a retirement community. The Haggerty family has been broadcasting for 60 years, every Sat from 9 to 11. Denise, the host today, tells me she helped her father when she was 7, answering phones and taking the name of the lucky sixth or 12th or 20th caller who had won tickets or a record or a book. Today, May 9, her daughter does the job and Galway Bay is the prize. Denise interviews me and the give and take is easy and fun. Soon other guests arrive--a musical group, representatives of the Irish Centers-- Gaelic Park and the Irish American Heritage Center-- and the director of a theater group. A lot goes on of Irish interest in Chicago and from here the news goes forth. At 11 the O'Connor family takes over. Siobhan and her mother Margaret and their friend Bridgid continue the mix of music and information. I do feel as if I am in a family's living room. I tell them about the two book signings today--The Irish Shop nearby in Oak Park, and Paddy's on the Square in Long Grove. But we spend most of the time on both shows talking about the Famine Commemoration at the Grainne statue in the park across from Old St. Pat's on May 17th. I'm so pleased to be part of the event and then to be able to present the songs and stories of Galway Bay with Catherine O'Connell. She gives so much to this community. Imagine celebrating joyous occasions with her beautiful voice and from- the- heart delivery as an accompaniment. And then when comfort is needed she is there too. So many people have told me how much her singing meant to them at a parent's funeral. On the 17th she will be singing a lament for the one million who died but also honoring the two million who escaped and saved us all.