Welcome to Danny Houlihan's Irish Experience Show New Years Episode, as a Wild Atlantic Way Champion I have kept the best episode to open the 2024 Season so sit back and enjoy the story the hidden history the Whiskey, the landlords, Old Dexter and his Coastguards, Holy Men, Sean Peadar O Chonochubhair and the events of the area and a bit of my Irish music combined that makes up  Whiskey Galore Ballybunion 1833/1834.

In 1833 A violent storm erupted from the West as the SS City of Limerick under the command Captain Cooper and his brave crew made their way beyond the safe Shannon Estuary and the famous loop head they say 20 miles on its outward bound voyage from County Limerick Ireland, so strong was the storm that Captain Cooper and his men fought the gales and high rolling seas but due to the severe tempest took action and turned the massive SS City of Limerick back towards the Shannon Estuary and away from danger as they thought.

In the hold of the ship was bacon, meat, butter, and hundreds of barrels of Whiskey yes Whiskey.

In the hours to follow the story of the il fated ship and its cargo the landed gentry and locals and indeed the military or lack of it would go down into history in the area of Ballybunion but was forgotten by many.

I have gone through and un earthed old faded newspapers of the period and the oral history to bring to you all this unique episode and story in a local seaside resorts history, a snap shot of the area its people and the stories and history fact and fiction interwoven that makes up Whiskey Galore Ballybunion 1833.

Special thanks to all my listeners who have tuned in over the last few years more is on the way.

This is Truly A Wild Atlantic Way Story.