Joe
Mahon's tranquil wanderings through the nine counties of Ulster entertained UTV
viewers for several decades. Through townlands, villages and small towns, Joe
took the road less travelled to shine a spotlight on places unfamiliar. In so
doing he opened up a treasure trove of old stories, traditions and crafts in
danger of slipping out of memory.
In the second of two consecutive episodes in the Burt/inch area of Co Donegal, Joe takes a boat trip with Boyd Bryce, born and bred on the island of Inch and a local conservationist who tells the story of a starfish invasion decimating the area’s shellfish. Joe tells the story of the First World War tragedy of the sinking of the Laurentic before sailing with peter Gurrie to Inch Castle.
Joe then heads back to Burt where Manny Whoriskey shows him how to make a St Brigit’s Cross from reeds and he attempts to play the spoons. He finishes up the evening taking part on the sport of horseshoe throwing.