*PJ Curtis. Photograph: Mike Mulcaire
A Christmas tale of nostalgic Burren Yuletides as seen through the eyes of Kilnaboy’s PJ Curtis has been included in a national audio essay series.
Christmas in the Burren features in The Without Prejudice Podcast Audio Essay series produced by Donegal based Breezy Point Productions.
“Serene, beautiful and strangely mysterious” is how PJ Curtis describes the festive period in The Burren. The extract is taken from his book of essays, The Music of Ghosts. “A white Christmas in the Burren is extremely rare” with the oldest locals only able to recall one or two such instances. Curtis describes Mullaghmore as “the beating heart of The Burren” in the essay.
Broadcaster and musician, Pat Costelloe was given the task of narrating the essay with the observation from producer Marie-Ann McLoughlin Dwyer that Costelloe “creates the perfect festive atmosphere on this busiest of days during your Christmas calendar”.
Music from Bellharbour’s Chris Droney (Corcomroe) and Dublin born Máire Breathnach (Angels Candles) features in the podcast which can be listened to below.