In this episode of Irish Stew, host Martin Nutty connects with key figures from Solas Nua, a dynamic Washington, D.C.-based arts organization devoted to contemporary Irish culture. Recorded during the Capital Irish Film Festival, the conversation features:

• Kate Meenan-Waugh, Board Co-Chair
• Andrew Dolan, Executive Director
• Rex Daugherty, Artistic Director of Theater

Kate recounts her Irish upbringing, her background in education, and the path that led her to Solas Nua. Andrew delves into the opportunities and hurdles of running an arts organization without a permanent venue, highlighting the power of partnership-driven programming. Rex shares his journey of reconnecting with Irish heritage and describes how Solas Nua nurtures the growth of Irish theater and artists.

Together, they explore Solas Nua’s mission to promote Irish voices, innovative approaches to community engagement, and upcoming initiatives, including events spotlighting renowned playwright Enda Walsh.

As Solas Nua marks its 20th anniversary, the guests reflect on the organization's evolving impact, the significance of cultural storytelling, and the enduring influence of Irish arts in the U.S.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Lee, the Irish King and beloved brother of John Lee.

Links

Solas Nua

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter (X)
• Facebook
• Enda Walsh Festival - June 21 - 22

Kate Meenan Waugh - Board Co-Chair

• Profile at Solas Nua

Andrew Dolan - Executive Director

• LinkedIn
• NEA - Artful Life Interview

Rex Daugherty

• Website
• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 19; Total Episode Count: 122

Join us in jail, or is it gaol, as in the Crumlin Road Gaol, the last Victorian era prison relic in Northern Ireland, now being put to better use as the home of the Belfast Distillery Company, working to revive the classic old McConnell’s Whisky brand and creating a major new hospitality and tourist attraction in the process.

We stop for “just the one” in this all-too brief episode, where CEO John Kelly lays out the twin goals for the distillery: “Restore the legend of McConnell’s Irish Whisky that was and will be again, and bring distilling back to Belfast.”

The 22-year veteran of Guinness and Diageo knows the spirits industry…and the neighborhood, having gone to school just over the prison wall, back in the bad old days of the Crumlin Road Gaol.

John shares insights on why Irish whiskey lost favor, how it is now roaring back, and the immersive experiences drawing visitors to this dramatic new distillery.
And BTW—it isn’t a typo—McConnel’s spells it “whisky” without the “e”.

Links:

McConnell's Whisky

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter (X)
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

John Kelly

• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 18; Total Episode Count: 121

When you’re in a UNESCO City of Music, you expect to hear some great sounds, which we did when we found our way to the Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts to hear the Belfast singer, songwriter, performer, and musical explorer Suzanne Savage.

Hooked at age seven by an Ulster Orchestra concert, she picked up a violin at age eight. Within a few years, she was practicing classical music by day and gigging with Belfast bands by night.

Suzanne talks about her deep connections with Belfast and its music scene, her varied musical influences, and how she balances her artistic endeavors with practical considerations. Suzanne tells of her jazz influences, international experiences, noteworthy performances, and the important community initiatives she supports in Belfast.

In the Duncairn concert, she was backed by her Savage Five string ensemble for an evening of her contemporary art songs, a reminder that there’s more than Trad to be had in the first UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland.
Join us for a journey through the marvelous musical landscape of the stellar Suzanne Savage!

And thanks to the Belfast Music Society for their warm welcome.

Links

Suzanne Savage

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X
• Bandcamp
• YouTube
• Performance: Singing Leonard Cohen with RTÉ Concert Orchestra

Savage Five

• Website
• Facebook

Seamus Plug - The People's Kitchen, Belfast

• Facebook
• Album: Kindness on the Streets

The Duncairn Centre for Arts & Culture

• Website
• Facebook

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 17; Total Episode Count: 120