Our new radio show ‘The Emerald Arts‘ launches this evening. It’s a 6 part series purporting to be episodes from a legendary long running arts show. The first episode will go out tonight at 9.25PM GMT on Dublin’s Near FM, and each episode will be podcast at our site shortly after it goes on air. Everything is creative commons or public domain, from the art on the website to the sound effects in the show.

The Emerald Arts is the oldest running arts show in Ireland and indeed the world. For over 220 years the programme – initially released as sheet music, then later on telegraph, wax disk, player piano, and finally the wireless (on Dublin’s own Nero FM) has brought Ireland news from the worlds of art and entertainment.

It’s main presenters – Hawthorn White, an ancient and mysterious figure. Bellicose as a bear and aristocratic as a Tudor. Lenny T, gaeltori, scholar of Irish history, staunch defender of the traditional arts. Sally Gob, a sprightly young woman of 60, dead set on having her generations voice added to the show’s conservative coverage.

For six brief episodes the producers have agreed to experiment with the podcast format.

Our first episode goes out tonight, Friday 11th November, and each Friday night for the next six weeks.