Mairead Kenny: Mairead Kenny Politics and More podcast. I’m here at the ‘Connaught Gathering’. It’s in my hometown at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Town.[3] I’ve called in to speak to some people here. Lately It’s all going on in Roscommon!
Commentator: The event is inspired by the work of Desmond Fennell[4] and a book that he wrote 40 years ago. We were able to gather a large group of people for discussion about the past, present and future of Ireland.
BEN SCALLON (JOURNALIST) [5]
''Gript are collaborating on it and sponsoring it. It's a great event and it's still amazing to see so many people turning out for something like this on a Sunday. There's a lot worse ways you could be spending your time. It's terrific that events like this are going ahead that they seem to be getting bigger. The last few years we've held events like this, and they always seem to be on an upward trajectory. I'm delighted that we are living now in a culture where people have growing interest in these sorts of issues. ''
KEN O’FLYNN TD[6]
''Last night was my proper introduction to Roscommon. I did leave the hotel, and I walked down the town, and we had a bite to eat in Regans [7], I think it's called. I'm very impressed with the whole place in fairness and they've done a lot of work in the center of the town as well. It's very nice. It’s a lovely town I have to say.
Politics was discussed morning, noon and night in our house. Politics was always part of the day to day, not just national politics, international politics. Everything was discussed and everything was debated and there was plenty of heated arguments, I can tell you around our kitchen table growing up.''
Continued in the transcript.
Join me Mairead Kenny and others, Full Episode out soon.
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[1] Mairead Kenny, Politics & More podcast at https://politicsmore.podview.com/
[2] 2026 Connacht Gathering Roscommon at https://gript.ie/a-connacht-gathering/
[3] Abbey Hotel Roscommon Town at https://www.abbeyhotel.ie/
[4] Desmond Fennell at https://desmondfennell.ie/
A Connaught Journey Book - A description of the culture and social life of Connacht in 1986. Published by Gill and Macmillan in 1987.
24 July 2021 Desmond Fennell obituary: An independent thinker and purveyor of ideas
Lecturer, columnist, author and commentator, Fennell was also a gifted linguist at https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/desmond-fennell-obituary-an-independent-thinker-and-purveyor-of-ideas-1.4626717
[5] Ben Scallon Senior political correspondent at Gript Media, Irish journalist and commentator.
[6] Ken O’Flynn. Deputy Ken O’Flynn is an Independent Ireland TD who represents the constituency of Cork North-Central. He also serves as his party’s Chairperson and Spokesperson on Urban Affairs. Prior to being elected as a TD in 2024, he had been a member of Cork City Council for 18 years.