Tom MacSweeney's Seascapes

Determined to Finish the Tough and Loneliest ‘Race for Madmen’ On the August edition, Kerry sailor Pat Lawless talks about his determination to finish, at his second attempt, the Golden Globe non-stop around the world yacht race in old boats, with no modern technology, which has been called the “toughest, loneliest sporting event in the world’ and also, the ‘Race for Madmen.’

On the July edition the new Chief Executive of State fisheries agency BIM discusses his job; a Lifeboat Mechanic retires after 34 years; 900 shipwrecks in Dublin Bay and a Polish-Irish-Cork sailor who loves the sea more than the land.

The June edition of SEASCAPES Podcast discusses whether Ireland, an island nation, is protecting its national food supply, because of European discrimination against the fishing industry. Also, a new ferry company launching a service to France from Cork, claims there is too much concentration on East Coast Ports and, the plot to blow up the oldest yacht club in the world.

The May edition of SEASCAPES, Ireland's Maritime Programme, discusses the extent of foreign factory ships fishing off Ireland, the vast catches of many fish species of fish which they take and why there is little inspection of their operations.

The April edition of SEASCAPES, Ireland’s only maritime programme, discusses sea shanties, songs and music of the sea and an international maritime festival to be held in Carrigaline, Co.Cork – and goes to Dungarvan Sailing Club to hear how hurling helped to develop sailing in the County Waterford Harbour. 

Sally Barnes has been operating Woodcock Smokery at Castletownshend in West Cork for fifty years, the traditional art of smoking wild fish. On the March edition of SEASCAPES she challenges official attitudes to fishermen and to coastal communities, is concerned about new salmon regulations and says it is “utterly heartbreaking” that, for a country that is an island, surrounded by productive and fertile waters, the possibilities of making livelihoods from the sea have been given away. Also on the Podcast, Joe Walsh in Ballycotton discusses his new project at Paulona Seafoods – Ireland’s first online auction selling Irish fish.