Danube Delta Chorus

Storm Isha hit Ireland today and brought with it heavy rain and wind. This piece was recorded in a local wood with the winds still gaining momentum. At this point they were about 55km/hr. It was amazing to sit there and just listen to the different sounds everything made. Each tree had a unique sound, just like human voices. Almost as if each one had seen and experienced things unique to itself. Some were creaking quite heavily, which made me nervous. When you're sitting next to a tree, many times your size, as it creaks and groans in the wind, it makes you realise just how small we are in the grander scheme of things. I guess you could call it humbling. Some trees had come down, and they hadn't been down long, so I was right to feel unsafe. Despite this intense weather, there were still birds feeding and calling. As I sat still, a red squirrel ran by, and seemed to pausedas a nearby tree left out a rumbling groan, as it fought off the forces of the wind. Moments like this make me realise that nature is a far more powerful force than humankind, despite us sometimes thinking otherwise.

Storm Isha

On the 10th of November 1995, 9 activists of the Ogoni people in Nigeria were hanged by the Nigerian military government for their resistance to the Royal Dutch Shell oil and gas company. Their names were Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.

Five years later a campaign began in north west Co Mayo, in Ireland, against the same company, who were trying to build an experimental gas pipeline through the rural community. Through Sr. Majella McCarron, an Irish woman and close friend of Ken Saro-Wiwa, the campaigners learnt of the Ogoni people, farmers and fishermen like them, and the common struggle they shared. 

The Shell To Sea campaign lasted for over a decade, delaying Shell's project and costing them millions. Their campaign has been an inspiration to many grassroots campaigns in the years that followed.

This episode is an interview with Maura Harrington of Shell To Sea, reflecting on the campaign and the connections to Ogoniland. 

DDR E022 The Ogoni 9

BeithGheal - Dolcenera

The first in a series of podcasts exploring the LIFELINE territory. Journey with Valerie Vetter,  Dublin City FM community radio presenter, and Kaethe Burt O'Dea, creative director at Bí Urban, along the route formerly taken by the Royal Canal from Broombridge to Broadstone to explore how the heritage of urban waterways can inform sustainable regeneration.

As we follow the flow of the Royal Canal south, we will pass through a lush watery landscape teaming with biodiversity rarely found in cities, a pollinator desert at Cross Guns Bridge and adjacent Mountjoy Prison, over Blacquire bridge (no longer a bridge) to visit the floating ecosystems restoring Dublin's secret jewel - Blessington Street Basin.

Lifeline Podcast

Co Leitrim demonstrator, Izzy Kamikaze, was physically assaulted during an anti-mask wearing protest in Dublin at the weekend. She had been curious to see how many were attending the event but claims she was singled out, which led to her being struck on the head and hospitalised

Co Leitrim protester relives physical attack at weekend demonstration

Dublin-based podcast documenting grassroots activism in Ireland

DDR E022 The Ogoni 9

turningearthradio

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