Miscellaneous

Weeshie Fogarty is a rare treasure and a delight to listen to

August 16th, 2011
by Sheila Fitzgerald, Harp Newspaper, Birmingham

The indefinable wonder and excitement, the lifeblood which rushes through the veins of every lover of Gaelic football, the rush which kicks in at the beginning of every big game which is akin to a shot of adrenalin. This tradition is rich indeed in every Irish county, but down in the Kingdom of Kerry, it is most definitely a religion in itself.

The players, the spectators, and the venue play a part, but for countless thousands of listeners the man who has given spectacular new life and sparkle to match commentaries is Radio Kerry presenter and sports expert Weeshie Fogarty. Indeed, most viewers turn down the sound on their TV sets so that they can enjoy the unique vision and life which Weeshie brings to the game.

Weeshie was born in Mallow, Co. Cork. His father was a Garda and the family relocated to Killarney when Weeshie was just three months old. When he reached adulthood Weeshie pursued a career in psychiatric nursing and worked in nearby St. Finian's Hospital throughout his life.

When the new Radio Kerry was established in 1990, Weeshie who was well known for having great insight into all sports was asked to participate in some programmes. Managers who quickly spotted his potential and excellent presenting skills soon offered his a full time job at the station. The first Terrace Talk programme was aired in 1998, fast forward thirteen years and he is now one of the most respected and best loved sports presenters not only on Radio Kerry but throughout the world anywhere Irish people log on the Web to catch up with all the relevant happenings at home.

Currently Terrace Talk is a weekly show on Radio Kerry airing on Monday evenings between 6 and 8 pm and can be accessed online at www.radiokerry.ie  The show features studio guests who chat about their sporting careers, Weeshie gives up to date information on sporting fixtures, and listeners are invited to call the show in relation to any local or national sports related query. Weeshie has produced many outside broadcasts and has even presented his program live from London and New York. The show has won several accolades including the prestigious GAA McNamee award in 1999, and the PPI Sports Programme of the year award in 2008

Weeshie's Website www.terracetalk.com is a treasure trove of facts and not only for devotees of Gaelic football as it contains details of several other sports as well. Commenting on the site he said "I wanted to archive all the information and make it available to Irish people all around the world."  A great friend Alan Groarke from Moyvane married and living in America is the man behind the project and only for his great expertise the site would not exist.

Included herein are numerous match commentaries from the past, audio interviews with some of Irelands greatest sporting legends and personalities, all his writings on Kerry football and other sports, details of every match Kerry played in the championship from 1928 until 2010, as well as a comprehensive guide to all the National League games since 1950.

There are many historic GAA photographs, as well as a collection of songs recorded in praise of Kerry footballers. Most of the material is available free for download and is a priceless contribution to Irish sport currently, and for generations to come.
As well as his Terrace Talk programme, Weeshie hosts another weekly show called In Conversation, an hour long presentation which is broadcast on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. The programme which was initiated on a trial basis three years ago has gained such popularity; it is now a firm favourite with guests booked months in advance.
Interesting people from all walks of life come in to the Studio and chat about their lives, work, and interests.

Weeshie has interviewed Alice Taylor, Mick Lally, John Giles, Bertie Ahern, Micheál O Muircheartaigh, Brendan Kennelly, Mick O Dwyer, Mick O Connell, Irish Rugby Captain Mick Galwey, and colourful Kerry footballer Paul Galvin among others.
In the autumn of 2010, Weeshie along with well known Videographer Christy O Riordan from Cahersiveen, produced a wonderful DVD entitled A Captains Secrets of Kerry Story, which documents in great detail the story of Kerry football from the team captains perspective beginning with Thade O Gorman in 1903 and ending with Darren O Sullivan, captain of the 2009 team which claimed Kerry's 36th All Ireland title.

The video offers many fascinating insights into the lives and times of the Captains who have passed away, with detailed information provided by their descendants. Weeshie interviews all the Captains from later years and they share their special memories and thoughts on the glory years. He spent many months travelling all over the county interviewing people and collecting data for the production. Even viewers who are not avid sports fans will be enchanted by the priceless content of old film footage and photographs of many towns and villages in Kerry as well as Dublin and New York. There are many old photographs of the teams, and also their families as well as clips of all the important matches down through the years.

All proceeds from the DVD go to various Kerry charities and of course Weeshie is well known for his dedication to fundraising for cancer care, as he has lost several family members to the disease.

Weeshie is certainly a major contributor to the world of sport and in particular Gaelic games, with a heartfelt passion for Kerry football. In answer to the many compliments and accolades he has received he replies; "It is an honour and a privilege for me to be involved in sport, and apart from my family, it is the most important part of my life."
And of course - there is a strong Birmingham connection as Weeshie visits the city several times a year to spend time with his sister Sheila Mulholland who lives in Great Barr. Weeshie can be contacted through his Website www.terracetalk.com



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