PIWeek 21May 19 - May 25 2012

BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Songbook –

150 Years Of The Ulster Hall Bronagh Gallagher completes the line-up for special BBC Radio Ulster concert

BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall Page 3Bronagh Gallagher completes the line-up for special BBC Radio Ulster concert

The Great British Story: Armagh Page 6Dermot Murnaghan’s historical quest to his childhood city

BBC NI at the NW200 Page 8BBC NI gearing up for another year of high octane coverage at the NW200

The Championship returns on BBC Northern Ireland Page 11The Championship is back and this year BBC Northern Ireland will again broadcast all games from the Ulster Senior Championship on TV, BBC Radio Ulster and online.

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Programme Information New this week

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BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster HallBronagh Gallagher completes the line-up for special BBC Radio Ulster concert

Singer and actress Bronagh Gal-

lagher has joined the line-up for

BBC Radio Ulster’s Great North-

ern Songbook – 150 Years Of The

Ulster Hall event, which is sup-

ported by Belfast City Council.

Bronagh, who releases her second album

later this month, now completes the line-

up of artists performing at the event, which

takes place in The Ulster Hall on Tuesday,

May 22 to celebrate the 150th anniversary

of the music venue.

Bronagh will join Ciaran Gribbin (INXS),

Cara Dillon, Brian Kennedy, The Answer,

And So I Watch You From Afar, General Fi-

asco, RAMS Pocket Radio, Katharine Philip-

pa, Barry Lynn (Boxcutter) and the Ulster

Orchestra at the special concert which

will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster

from 8pm on Tuesday, May 22 and streamed

live on bbc.co.uk/songbook.

At the concert, each artist will join the

Ulster Orchestra to perform a specially-

arranged cover of one of the nation’s 10

favourite, locally-composed songs. These

songs form BBC Radio Ulster’s Great

Northern Songbook, which celebrates

Northern Ireland songwriting.

The public voted for its 10 favourite songs

by a Northern Ireland songwriter via bbc.

co.uk/radioulster from a selection of 32 Bronagh Gallagher has been added to the line-up of BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Songbook – 150 years Of The Ulster Hall

Great Northern Songbook – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall, BBC Radio Ulster, Tuesday, May 22 at 8pm. bbc.co.uk/radioulster and bbc.co.uk/songbook

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which were shortlisted by BBC Radio Ul-

ster and BBC Radio Foyle specialist music

presenters. As well as performing a song

from BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern

Songbook at the concert, each artist will

perform one of their own original songs,

accompanied by the Ulster Orchestra.

Bronagh, who first rose to fame in the film

The Commitments, says: “I’m both thrilled

and very excited about being part of The

Ulster Hall celebrations on May 22. I love

the Ulster Orchestra and having heard

them play recently, I am deeply honoured

that they have invited me to sing one of my

own songs with them. It’s going to be a very

special evening.”

The concert will be hosted by BBC Ra-

dio Ulster presenters Ralph McLean and

Lynette Fay.

The 10 most popular songs as voted for by

the public will be revealed on the night of

the event.

BBC Radio Ulster’s Great Northern Song-

book – 150 Years Of The Ulster Hall will

be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster

on Tuesday, May 22 at 8pm. 92–95FM &

DAB digital radio, digital TV and online at

bbc.co.uk/radioulster

The concert will also be streamed live on

bbc.co.uk/songbook and will be re-

corded for television for broadcast on BBC

Northern Ireland later in the year.

Ciaran Gribbin from INXS will perform a specially-arranged cover version of a track from The Great Northern Songbook, as well as one of his own songs alongside the Ulster Orchestra

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Brian Kennedy and Cara Dillon will perform at the unique event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the iconic music venue

The 32 songs shortlisted by BBC Radio Ulster’s specialist music presenters Gerry Anderson, Colin Murray, Ralph McLean, Lynette Fay,

Stuart Bailie, Cherrie McIlwaine, Rigsy, John Toal, Hugo Duncan, John Bennett, Alan Simpson and Brian Mullen, which the public voted

from are: Rudi - ‘Big Time’/ The Undertones - ‘Teenage Kicks’/ Ash - ‘Shining Light’/ Brian Kennedy - ‘Captured’/ Stiff Little Fingers - ‘Alternative

Ulster’/ Them - ‘Gloria’/ The Undertones - ‘My Perfect Cousin’/ Van Morrison - ‘Madame George’/ Two Door Cinema Club - ‘Something Good Can

Work’/ Snow Patrol - ‘Run’/ Divine Comedy - ‘Tonight We Fly’/ Paul Brady - ‘The Island’/ Phil Coulter - ‘The Town I Loved So Well’/ Duke Special -

‘Freewheel’/ The Divine Comedy - ‘Songs Of Love’/ The Four Of Us - ‘Mary’/ The McPeakes - ‘Will You Go Lassie Go’/ David McWilliams – ‘Days

Of Pearly Spencer’/ Bap Kennedy – ‘Moonlight Kiss’/ Jimmy Kennedy - ‘South of the Border’/ Van Morrison – ‘Moondance’/ Van Morrison – ‘Brown

Eyed Girl’/ Henry McCullough – ‘Belfast to Boston’/ Clannad – ‘Theme from Harry’s Game’/ Jimmy Kennedy – ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’/ Snow

Patrol – ‘Chasing Cars’/ Cara Dillon – ‘Hill of Thieves’/ Tommy Sands – ‘The County Down’/ Kieran Goss – ‘Brand New Star’/ Phil Coulter – ‘Scorn

Not His Simplicity’/ Phil Coulter – ‘Congratulations’/ Jimmy Kennedy - ‘Harbor Lights’.

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The Great British Story: ArmaghDermot Murnaghan’s historical quest to his childhood city.

As part of the BBC’s Great British

Story series Dermot Murnaghan

goes on a journey to uncover his

roots within Northern Ireland. In

this programme, The Great British

Story: Armagh on Sunday, May 20

on BBC Two NI at 8.30pm Dermot

returns to Armagh, on a quest to

reveal a hidden history of the city

he once called home.

As a boy he knew much about Armagh’s

links to St Patrick and its fine ecclesiastical

credentials, but often wondered why the

Dermot Murnaghan

city streets were graced by more than their

fair share of impressive public buildings and

Georgian splendour.

Throughout the programme Dermot

learns that much of the answer lies in the

18th century; the vision of the first resident

Church of Ireland Primate, Richard Rob-

inson. On arrival in Armagh, the little de-

veloped landscape, sparked Robinson’s big

ideas for a cosmopolitan town; steeped in

learning and the centre of polite society for

South Ulster.

Keen to uncover more about Robinson,

man of God and town planner, Dermot

doesn’t lock himself away with dusty old

The Great British Story: Armagh on Sunday, May 20 on BBC Two NI at 8.30pm

history books, but lets the city streets,

buildings and local people share the story

of the man, his impact on Armagh and its

people.

This history trail takes in many of the build-

ings Robinson instigated, including Armagh

Public Library, The Observatory and The

Infirmary. Dermot learns that these new

builds of their time, were very much part of

the Primate’s plans to develop a university

town – this vision may not have been real-

ised, but the buildings are very much part of

life, even today.

They reveal the historical highs and lows

of people’s lives in Armagh; from the luxury

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lifestyle led by Robinson at the Palace De-

mense to the appalling conditions endured

by those who fell on hard times, taking up

residence at the Workhouse.

Armagh Gaol

Dermot’s walk around the city, also takes him to The Royal School, once known as the Eton of Ireland, where the role of head-master has been peppered with danger in the past – two headmasters drowned in bogs, and others confronted by gun wield-ing pupils.

Visits to the Gaol and Gallows Hill shed light on the harsh punishments endured by law breakers and street names tell the story of Armagh’s entrepreneurs and thriv-ing commercial past.

Like Dermot, you can uncover little known

stories of the place you call home. Buildings,

streets, people, even simple conversations

can unfold a hidden past. There are people

in every town like those Dermot met on his

journey back to Armagh, who are passion-

ate about local history and want to share

it with you. Get out there and discover the

history of your place.

Log onto bbc.co.uk/greatbritishstory for

more information.

The Great British Story: Armagh on Sunday,

May 20 on BBC Two NI at 8.30pm.

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BBC NI at the NW200BBC NI gearing up for another year of high octane coverage at the NW200

BBC Sport NI will once again pro-

vide bike fans with comprehen-

sive coverage of this year’s North

West 200 across television, radio

and online.

All the practice and racing on Tuesday,

Thursday and Saturday will be streamed

live around the world via the BBC sports

website. (bbc.co.uk/sportni). Cov-

erage of the NW200 on BBC NI TV will

include an extended Friday night preview

programme on BBC One NI and two one-

hour highlights programmes, all presented

by Stephen Watson with expert analysis

from Steve Parrish and Phillip McCallen.

There will also be live reports and special

features from behind-the-scenes on BBC

Newsline throughout race week. BBC Ra-

dio Ulster will have live coverage of the

practice sessions and racing on Thursday, a

special preview programme on Friday, and

the ever popular Summer Club, hosted by

Joel Taggart and Grant Cameron, will be live

throughout race day, featuring live com-

mentary on all the races.

The television coverage, provided by

Greenlight TV, will feature up to 28 camera

angles provided by trackside cameras, the

(left to right) NW200 Technical Director, Mervyn Whyte MBE, rider, Ryan Farquhar, Editor of BBC Sport NI, Shane Glynn, BBC Sport reporter, Stephen Watson & rider, Bruce Anstey.

aerial helicopter camera and exciting on-

board cameras.

Shane Glynn, Editor BBC Sport NI said:

“The team at BBC Sport NI are all very

much looking forward to what will be our

sixth consecutive North West 200 as pri-

mary broadcasters. Last year Mervyn Whyte

and his colleagues had no luck whatsoever

with the weather and other factors they

just couldn’t have legislated for – fingers

crossed for a fuller day’s racing this year on

Saturday, May 19.

“The additional two races on the Thursday

night, and the two daytime practice ses-

sions on Tuesday and Thursday, will present

us and our colleagues at Greenlight TV with

new challenges. We’ll be showing the two

new races live via our website, and you

Tuesday, May 15 Live practice online bbc.co.uk/sportniThursday, May 17 Live practice and racing online bbc.co.uk/sportni and on BBC Radio Ulster MW from 10.30am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm Friday, May 18 Live preview programme BBC One NI at 10.35pm and a live preview programme from 7pm on BBC Radio UlsterSaturday, May 19 Live racing online bbc.co.uk/sportni and BBC Radio Ulster MW from 10.30am and on BBC Radio Ulster MW and FM from 1pm Sunday, May 20 Race highlights BBC One NI at 10.30pmMonday, May 21 Race highlights BBC One NI at 10.35pm

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can also catch highlights of them on an ex-

tended Friday night preview programme on

BBC One NI which will come live from the

paddock. These highlights will also feature in

our two one-hour highlights programmes

that will be shown on Sunday, May 20 and

Monday, May 21.

“The most important element of our cov-

erage is team work, and we’re again looking

forward to working closely with Mervyn

and his team to provide race fans with the

best possible coverage of this year’s North

West 200.”

Thanking Shane and the full BBC NW200

team, Mervyn Whyte MBE, Technical Direc-

tor said: “The BBC team continue to deliv-

er a fantastic range of global coverage and

each year add new and creative dimensions

to their output. The high caliber produc-

tion provides an exciting mix of radio, TV

and online coverage which reaches millions

of people worldwide. Everyone at Cole-

raine and District Motor Club would like to

wholeheartedly thank Shane Glynn and the

team at BBC Sport NI for their hard work

and professionalism and we look forward

to another first class partnership.”

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson will be

presenting the television output for BBC

NI. He says: “I am thrilled to once again be

fronting the coverage of Northern Ireland’s

biggest and most colourful sporting event

of the year. From daily live reports on BBC

Newsline, to live practice and racing online,

with a new extended prime time preview

programme on BBC One NI, we have every

angle of this truly international event cov-

ered. With the NW in May, the Irish Open

golf in June, and the Milk Cup in July, we’re

set for a very special summer on the North

Coast.”

Stephen Watson at the NW200

Steve Parrish (left) in the commentary box for BBC NI with Philip McCallen at the NW 200

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Stephen Watson interviews Bruce Anstey

Round Up of BBC NI Coverage

Tuesday, May 15 Live practice online bbc.co.uk/sportni

Thursday, May 17 Live practice and racing online bbc.co.uk/sportni and on BBC Radio Ulster MW from 10.30am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm

Friday, May 18 Live preview programme BBC One NI at 10.35pm and a live preview programme from 7pm on BBC Radio Ulster

Saturday, May 19 Live racing online bbc.co.uk/sportni and BBC Radio Ulster MW from 10.30am and on BBC Radio Ulster MW and FM from 1pm

Sunday, May 20 Race highlights BBC One NI at 10.30pm

Monday, May 21 Race highlights BBC One NI at 10.35pm

Joel Taggart will be working on the BBC Ra-

dio Ulster output, he said: “It’s time to dig

out the sun cream, waterproofs and toma-

to sandwiches for another seven-and-a-half

hours of live North West 200 excitement

on BBC Radio Ulster. From 10.30am race

day, the Summer Club’s crack team of com-

mentators, former riders and visiting ce-

lebrities will bring listeners every twist and

turn of every race. Led by our grid team

of Chris Kinley and Adrian Coates, we get

instant reaction from the winners and all

the while painting the picture of Northern

Ireland’s great Motorcycling Day Out.”

The Championship returns on BBC Northern Ireland The Championship is back and this year BBC Northern Ireland will again broadcast all games from the Ulster Senior Championship on TV, BBC Radio Ulster and online.

The Championship starts Sunday, May 20, BBC Two NI at 7pm and on BBC Radio Ulster MW and on bbc.co.uk/sportni from 3pm

(from left to right) members of the BBC Sport NI Championship team including Jarlath Burns, Thomas Kane, Martin McHugh, Owen McConnon, Austin O’Callaghan, Editor of BBC Sport NI, Shane Glynn, Ulster GAA President Aogan O’Fearghail, Adrian Logan, Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville

The Championship is back and this

year BBC Northern Ireland will

again broadcast all games from

the Ulster Senior Championship

on TV, BBC Radio Ulster and on-

line.

The new season kicks-off on Sunday, May

20 from Breffni Park as Cavan play Don-

egal. BBC NI will be providing deferred TV

coverage of this game at 7pm on BBC Two

NI as well as the next two games on Sun-

day, May 27 (Monaghan v Antrim) and on

Sunday, June 03 (Fermanagh v Down). For

the rest of the Ulster Championship all re-

maining games will be shown live on BBC

Two NI.

All matches involving Ulster counties in

the All-Ireland quarter finals, semi finals

and final will be live on television and BBC

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Radio Ulster MW will have live coverage of

all games in the Ulster Championship, the

qualifiers and in the All-Ireland knock out

stage which involve Ulster counties.

Shane Glynn, Editor, BBC Sport NI said:

“Once again it’s shaping up to be an open

and exciting Ulster Championship, and a

hard one to call. Down, Fermanagh, and

perhaps especially Tyrone, are coming off

the back of impressive National League

campaigns, and Donegal will be keen to

build on what they achieved last year.

“All the matches in the Ulster Champion-

ship will be live on BBC Radio Ulster, with

presentation duties being shared between

Thomas Niblock and a new face to our

team, but a familiar one to GAA fans, Adri-

an Logan.

“On TV, Austin O’Callaghan will be in the

chair as the first three games are shown

in full deferred, with the other games all

live – and what a cracker, Armagh v Tyrone,

to launch that live TV coverage. Martin

McHugh, Jarlath Burns and Oisin McCon-

ville will be among the experts sharing their

views and analyses during what promises to

be a thrilling summer of Ulster Champion-

ship action.”

Ulster GAA President Aogan O’Fearghail

said: “As we approach the start of the 2012

Championship we are again looking forward

to strong TV and Radio coverage from BBC

Northern Ireland. There is an exciting se-

ries of games ahead and we are happy to

be once again working the BBC Sport GAA

team to ensure that one of Ulster’s largest

sporting events gets significant coverage

and fair analysis in the months ahead.”

Austin O’Callaghan will present the televi-

sion coverage throughout the Champion-

ship, he will be joined in studio by a host of

former county stars including Jarlath Burns

and Donegal’s All-Ireland winning Martin

McHugh. Double All Star Oisin McConville

of Crossmaglen and Armagh fame will join

Mark Sidebottom in the commentary box

to provide his opinion on the games.

On the sideline former players will join

Thomas Kane to offer their views while

Denise Watson will present a round up of

the action from the Ulster Minor champi-

onship. The programmes will reflect the

views of the match day fans and those of

the viewers at home via various social me-

dia networks

Sportsound on BBC Radio Ulster MW will

also broadcast live coverage of all the games

in the Ulster Championship. Throughout

the season Thomas Niblock and Adrian Lo-

gan will be introducing the action starting

with Thomas presenting the Cavan v Don-

egal game on Sunday, May 20 at 3pm. Owen

McConnon will be in the commentary

box with analysis during the season from

former Armagh and Ireland captain, Steven

McDonnell; former Derry manager, Adrian

McGuckin; former Down All-Ireland win-

ning captain, DJ Kane and former Donegal

forward, Brendan Devenny. Listeners can

contact the programme by texting their

views to 81771.

Fans can also keep right up to date with all

the latest news, reports, analysis and reac-

tion on bbc.co.uk/sportni. Log onto

the website for live audio streaming of all

the games available on BBC Radio Ulster.

Fans can also follow all the action on the

dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages. Log

onto bbc.co.uk/sportni for more details.

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