★Eleanor, Countess of Desmond (1545-1638) and her Sligo Connection★


The Abbey's very own Trad-Fusion duo - the Cloister Boys - will play from 1:30 a.m.; talk begins at 2:30. Bring a brolly, just in case!

Eleanor’s biographer, the acclaimed author Anne Chambers, presents the life of this extraordinary woman and her association with County Sligo.
Eleanor Countess of Desmond (1545-1639)

2024 is the 400th anniversary of an impressive burial monument which was installed in Sligo Abbey in 1624. The monument commemorates one of history’s most remarkable, if forgotten, heroines, Eleanor Butler, Countess of Desmond, as well as her second husband, Sir Donogh O'Connor.

Lady Eleanor was an active participant in a period of immense social and political upheaval, chaos and change, to save her family and inheritance, Eleanor’s heroic efforts become embroiled in the final struggle between the outmoded world of Gaelic Ireland and the acquisitive Machiavellian world of Tudor England.

Further Information contact Sligo Abbey
0719146406 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/eleanor-countess-of-desmond-1545-1638-and-her-sligo-connection

 

 

Connemara Community Radio

 

Author Anne Chambers with presenter Brendan O'Scanaill Connemara Community Radio on the occasion of a programme about her life as a biographer.. to be broadcast Sunday 13 July at 7p.m.

Greetings fans of Adorable Diva, Margaret Burke Sheridan.

 


Thank you so much to all my friends, connections and family who listened to the RTE - "The Lyric Feature" last Sunday, then contacted me to let me know how much you enjoyed the show. My phone, email and what's app was buzzing all evening and today. Thank you so much. And special thanks to the production crew at RTE Lyric FM for doing a brilliant job pulling it all together.

If you did not get a chance to listen live, you can download the podcast from the following link.

https://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_thelyricfeature.xml

 

 

Maggie from Mayo Puccini's Favourite Butterfly |The Lyric Feature

 

In the ★Lyric FM Feature on Sunday 16 June at 6pm★ biographer Anne Chambers, author of 'La Sheridan: Adorable Diva’ presents the life story of Ireland’s great Diva, Margaret Burke Sheridan – Maggie from Mayo’ and her connection with the great Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini, whose centenary occurs this year.


In adulthood my interest and knowledge of opera was confined to the more ‘easy listening’ popular arias and duets. Consequently I suggested to the Committee that they might approach someone with a more professional knowledge of the genre. With just two years to write that ‘something’ there were un-surprisingly no takers and so, somewhat reluctantly, I agreed.

PUCCINI AND IRELAND’S FORGOTTEN DIVA



‘You cannot speak of Puccini from an international point of view without reference to Margherita Sheridan who in my opinion…is one of the greatest interpreters of Puccini’s work.’
Dott. Giorgio Gualerzi, Milan 1989


In this the 100th anniversary year of the death of the famous Italian composer and her own anniversary which occurs on 16 April, the words of one of Italy’s most eminent operatic critics above confirmed the composer’s own tribute to Margaret Burke Sheridan who, as Puccini’s daughter revealed, considered this Irish diva ‘the outstanding Butterfly of all time’.

T.K. Whitaker: Portrait of a Patriot

In 2002, an eighty-five-year-old former civil servant was voted 'Irishman of the Century'.

RANJI MAHARAJAH OF CONNEMARA

Indian Prince KS Ranjitsinhji was the most famous cricket-player of his generation

GRACE O’MALLEY

Fearless leader by land and by sea, political pragmatist and tactician, rebel, pirate and matriarch, the ’most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland’ GRACE O’MALLEY challenges and manipulates the turbulent politics of the 16th century

Grace O'Malley: The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen, 1530-1603 is the sole published biographical account of Grace O’Malley, sourced from original manuscript material, both in public and in private domain. For the latter, the author, Anne Chambers, had sole and exclusive access. Much of this material was located and decyphered in its original form (i.e.16th century manuscripts) by the author and is exclusive to her book. Furthermore, the presentation, opinions and analyses in the book are exclusive to the author. The author reserves all her rights in this book. No part of her book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or media, written or oral, or by means digital, electronic or mechanical, including photographic, film, video recording, photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system. Permission from the author and publisher must first be obtained to reproduce any part of or quotations from the book. Any transgression in this regard will be addressed. For more information, comments or enquiries please contact: Info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Copyright © 2025.

 

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