MICHAEL: Hello and welcome to Ireland with Michael.

I'm Michael Londra, and in this show I get to tell you everything I love about my home country the best way I know how, through music.

Today we're out to experience all the adventures you can have in the northeast of this island.

Be it white-knuckle tightrope walking over the raging sea, tasting the water of life aged to perfection, or holding court on the Iron Throne.

Today, I'm all in.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael is made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

♪ MICHAEL: Behind me is the actual hulking skull of Balerion, the Black Dread built for the groundbreaking world- phenomenon TV show, Game of Thrones.

For the enormous production, they built hundreds of sets across three countries, but Northern Ireland is the one true Home of Thrones.

Now, an epic studio tour has been opened on the site where 30% of all filming took place.

And Balerion here is just one of the thousands of authentic exhibition pieces that you can see while visiting.

And as a massive fan of the series who watched every episode live, I am geeking out more than a little right now.

There's so much to see and I need to see it all.

So let's go have a look.

♪ So it's just uncanny to think that in the heart of this complex is the actual studio for all of the scenes of Winterfell.

It's amazing that they took this actual studio and built a whole amazing Game of Thrones complex all around it.

Alex.

ALEX: How you doing Michael?

MICHAEL: How you doing?

I never thought I'd end up in Winterfell.

Do you want to show me around?

ALEX: Of course I can.

So this is actually where they filmed it from season two to season eight.

Okay.

MICHAEL: This is the very site where they filmed Winterfell?

ALEX: Very site, so.

And they also filmed Pyke and the Dreadfort as well.

So what they would do is they would actually decorate it and paint it up and change it around just to suit themselves.

You can fit about 200 to 250 people in this room as well, funny enough.

But they would've-- MICHAEL: I guess you could, yeah.

ALEX: Oh, aye.

MICHAEL: For- for the large meetings with the... ALEX: That's right.

MICHAEL: Or the parties that they had.

ALEX: Yeah.

Party scenes.

And they had plenty of them in here, I'll tell you that.

MICHAEL: Yeah, Yeah.

It's fantastic.

The detail is crazy, Alex.

ALEX: Well, each one was based on something that's been worn in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, South America and so on.

Also as well, for no spoilers of course, but we have to say, this is actually where Littlefinger copped it as well.

We've argued... MICHAEL: I won't tell if you want to.

ALEX: No, no.

It was actually roughly here is where he gets killed.

MICHAEL: And boy did I enjoy every minute of that.

ALEX: Oh aye.

So what they did was, is they had like a wee red wire.

It was covered with fake blood and it was tucked under his shirt into his prosthetic.

And then obviously when they split the prosthetic, the blood would then come out as well.

MICHAEL: You mean he didn't die for real?

ALEX: No, no, no, no.

It's all pretend.

WOMAN: 3, 2, 1.

MICHAEL: And when I said (camera flashes) I geeked out, I mean I really geeked out.

MAN: 3, 2, 1.

(camera flashes) ♪ MICHAEL: Look, I'm a member of the King's Guard.

Did they have Irish dancing members of the King's Guard?

♪ One day this throne will be mine.

♪ Anyone who's really in the know, knows that in Ireland, you can have many an adventure in our pubs.

Have you heard the one about three Irish tenors?

Lads, I can't believe that I am sitting here in the center of Belfast with you two fellas.

I haven't seen you for a long time.

JACK: I know.

What took you so long?

MICHAEL: I know.

JACK: Took about nine years to get here?

MICHAEL: I know.

Well, there's America and then there's Wexford, and then there's Belfast.

There's only so many places I can get to in a couple of years.

So obviously now you're part of this new super group, Shamrock Tenors.

(Ray and Jack laugh) RAY: You said it, not us.

(Ray and Jack laugh) MICHAEL: Well, you're touring all over the world, and I know for a fact that you're finally coming to the US, right?

JACK: Yeah.

RAY: Yeah.

MICHAEL: So I know you're both theatrical singers, right?

And you've sung in great musicals.

However, this is a whole different world.

JACK: Yeah.

MICHAEL: How do you take that music that you've- you've- you're used to singing and put it into these traditional songs?

Do you- do you need to wear two different hats or?

RAY: I actually think it translates really well because for me, Irish music anyway, is all about the storytelling.

Every single song has a story.

It goes on a journey.

MICHAEL: I want you lads to tell me about what I've heard is legendary pub culture in this city.

RAY: Belfast is just the best craic.

I mean, you are talking, you can go to about 15 bars within 10 minutes walking.

So you can get live music everywhere.

You can get anything from traditional music to more modern music.

And also there's lots of great outdoor spaces now being made use of.

Belfast has just had an amazing- I think when I was a student here, which was 16 years ago, compared to where it is now, it's unbelievable how good a night out to Belfast is now.

MICHAEL: Do you think that we could visit a few pubs?

Just a casual stroll around and we can have a cup of coffee in each of those.

(Ray laughs) RAY: Coffee?

MICHAEL: Coffee.

(Jack laughs) JACK: The Irish kind of course.

MICHAEL: Let's do it.

RAY: Let's go.

Cool.

♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Lads, I bet you didn't think I was gonna be able to keep up with you today.

JACK: I cannot believe this.

RAY: You're the one getting all the drinks, Michael.

We don't drink usually.

It's definitely your fault.

(laughs) MICHAEL: We're in, I think, pub number three, four, maybe ish, now.

I've kind of lost count.

JACK: Yeah, yeah.

MICHAEL: But the reason that I'm excited is that this is the pub where you've got an amazing traditional Irish music tonight.

How do you know about this?

RAY: The Session Guide, the Belfast Session Guide.

And every night of the week it gives you a list of all the pubs and venues that are playing live traditional music all across the city.

MICHAEL: And there's music every night probably.

RAY: Every single night of the week, four or five different venues.

I mean at the weekend, I think, on this weekend it was like nine venues having live traditional music.

So it's really happening all throughout the day, all throughout the week.

Plenty of excuse to buy plenty more of these.

MICHAEL: While you probably can't catch the Shamrock Tenors in your favorite pub, the pride in their hometown of Belfast comes through every time they talk about it.

And that love for their city shines through in their song "Belfast."

♪ Of all the places I have been ♪ ♪ There's only one to fill my dreams ♪ ♪ The place that lingers in my mind ♪ ♪ Is the town I've left behind ♪ ♪ I've been away now ♪ For too many years ♪ I've read all the papers ♪ ♪ They've told of your tears ♪ ♪ Though I've left you ♪ With a heart that's been torn ♪ ♪ I'm coming home now to the place I was born ♪ ♪ In Belfast ♪ You call to me ♪ When I am far away ♪ I think of thee ♪ Your Black Mountain ♪ Cave Hill, City Hall ♪ Shaw's Bridge, River Lagan ♪ ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ ♪ That's Belfast ♪ You call to me ♪ When I am far away ♪ I think of thee ♪ Your Black Mountain ♪ Cave Hill, City Hall ♪ Shaw's Bridge, River Lagan ♪ ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ ♪ That's Belfast ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ (audience cheers) ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: One of the most stunning stories to come out of the Great Hunger is the plot to assassinate Major Denis Mahon, landlord of Strokestown Manor.

Today, the story is being brought to the stage in a new musical written by composer/ lyricist Amy Day and directed by Anne- Marie O'Sullivan of Enchanted Croí Theatre.

Touring Ireland with a stop here in Derry, there's a rehearsal on right now for the show called In the Land of Plenty.

So let's head in and take a peek.

WOMAN: Any man with half a heart will take pity on you.

I do.

And perhaps someday, not just the Major, but your own children's children will read this and they'll remember what was done to you and they'll honor you.

♪ ♪ That your mercy be shown forth Judy ♪ ♪ And this my pitiful ♪ This my pitiful kings ♪ By giving me time for this rent ♪ ♪ Time for this rent ♪ Until harvest MICHAEL: Amy, I was in Strokestown House about a year ago.

And I heard about a musical that was being developed at the time, and today I get to meet the- the creator of that musical who isn't from Ireland at all.

Tell me your story.

AMY: Sure.

So I was teaching at NUI Galway at the Irish Center for Human Rights in the summer of 2019.

And on a day off, I went out to Strokestown.

And so I just sort of- at that point in my life, was looking for the right subject matter to put my energy into for writing a folk musical.

But I just sort of had this openness to finding the right subject because as you know, if you're gonna write a musical, you're gonna devote your life to it for years and years and years.

And when I went to Strokestown, which is of course, you know this- this estate that has preserved this whole treasure trove of Irish famine- era records.

I went through the mu- museum there and was just so moved emotionally by the story that transpired there and by the sort of natural drama that you would see as you go through the museum, as you learn about the assassination of the landlord who lived there and the experiences of the people who lived on the land there.

And I thought, this is a subject that is important enough and significant enough and contains enough sort of universal lessons.

And then also just from a writing perspective, it offers that really distinctive world building, right?

That from song number one, you know exactly where you are, where in time, where on the planet, where emotionally you are.

And I thought I could learn about this.

I could live in this.

I could devote myself to this for a long time.

And that's what I set about doing.

And we're still at it.

♪ I have buried my husband, two children ♪ ♪ This month past ♪ And I lost your rent ♪ By burying them ♪ My children ♪ I lie and I have not bite ♪ ♪ Nor a sup to give ♪ Thanks be to God for all his mercy ♪ MICHAEL: Is it a terrifying journey for you, being an American telling what is quintessentially an Irish story?

AMY: It's very intimidating.

You know, I think that the easy thing that I could have done would have been to just stay in San Diego and talk to people who don't know the difference between Ireland and England, right?

And just have it be a story about good guys and bad guys.

The first day that I sat down alongside my bandmates in the musical, I felt unbelievably intimidated, right?

Who am I to take this Irish story and say, play my music?

But I was welcomed with such an unbelievable generosity of spirit by people who are not only talented performers, but just wonderful human beings.

MICHAEL: Do you write with Irish music in mind?

Or do you just write and let that Irish-ness sur- surrounding you influence the music?

AMY: Yeah, I mean, as a folk musician, that's a sort of- that's a genre that welcomes whatever sort of interpretation the people you play with want to bring, right?

Folk is inherently this welcoming genre.

So that's obviously very much sort of the- the- the musical culture of Ireland.

Sort of bring what you can, bring the instrument that you have and the voice that you have.

MICHAEL: It is.

AMY: And so the show is written with, I think, also that sort of openness.

WOMAN: How will we finish it off?

♪ ♪ Please do not close up the boughs ♪ ♪ Close up the boughs of compassion against me ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: We're at the Old Bushmills Distillery, where Uisce, water, comes alive becoming Uisce Beatha Aqua Vitae, the water of life, smooth Irish whiskey.

They've been drawing from Saint Columb's Rill, a tributary of the River Bush, and distilling on this site since 1608, when King James granted a royal license to Sir Thomas Phillips, an English knight and soldier of fortune.

The Bushmills Old Distillery itself was established in 1784, and only a century later was shipping fine Irish whiskey across the Atlantic on their very own steamship, none other than the SS Bushmills.

The US have been enthusiastic drinkers of the stuff ever since.

(tool banging) Chris, Alastair, how in the name of God do you become a cooper?

ALASTAIR: Well, in my case it was a thing just following on from my grandfather and my father.

MICHAEL: How skilled a job is it?

Did it take you a long time to- to work this out?

I just- I- I mean, I've no idea of how you're able to assemble these amazing casks here.

It seems like it's a very difficult job involving a lot of science.

ALASTAIR: Whenever you're coming in to start from scratch, that's the basic things that you've got to learn first before you move on to anything else like the hammer and the driver, which you actually drive the hooks down with.

MICHAEL: Oh yes, the tools of trade.

ALASTAIR: Yeah, you've got to learn the correct way of holding that driver so you don't mangle hands and stuff like that.

(tool banging) But as far as learning, there's always something crops up.

MICHAEL: So, assembling this, is that- is it complicated from start to finish?

CHRIS: They're all different.

The wee ones, the smaller 40-gallon ones, you can get away with a lot more.

You can make a wee mistake and just sort of ignore it and it'll probably be all right.

Once you step up the sizes, everything has to be pretty much perfect.

MICHAEL: What I'm impressed here by is your- you have a legacy here because it's such an ancient craft.

ALASTAIR: You take more pride in it than what you realize.

Whatever you want to do, you want to do it right.

♪ ALEX: Hi Michael.

MICHAEL: Alex Thomas, how are you?

ALEX: I am very well.

MICHAEL: Tell me, what's your job here?

ALEX: So, I'm the Bushmills Master Blender.

I get to look after all of the casks in the warehouse.

MICHAEL: So, no better guide in the whole place?

ALEX: No.

Let's go and see around.

MICHAEL: Come on.

♪ (Alex laughs) ♪ MICHAEL: Alex, you brought me here to this cask.

Now, I'm not quite sure about how long you have to store a whiskey so it becomes a whiskey.

ALEX: So, legally it has to be in cask for a minimum of three years.

But today I have a wee little bit more special for you.

This one has been in cask for 10 years and I'm going to let you draw your own whiskey.

You hold your glass and you'll get our sampler.

Place it into the cask.

Then once you're ready to bring it out, hold your thumb over the end.

MICHAEL: Yeah.

ALEX: Bring it up, put your glass under and pour your whiskey.

♪ MICHAEL: Okay.

ALEX: Bring your glass over.

Oh, that's good.

MICHAEL: Oh.

ALEX: There we go.

MICHAEL: See, you're more skilled at this than I am.

ALEX: Oh no.

MICHAEL: Now, I don't want any more.

ALEX: That's a perfect pour.

MICHAEL: I'm putting too much whiskey in it.

(Alex laughs) ALEX: So, you can see that beautiful golden color coming through from our bourbon cask.

MICHAEL: Oh, yeah.

ALEX: Give it a little nose there.

(exhales) Beautiful.

MICHAEL: Oh, there's layers of flavor.

ALEX: Give it a little sip.

MICHAEL: All right.

♪ ALEX: That beautiful caramel.

That vanilla is in there.

It's just phenomenal.

MICHAEL: It's like gorgeous toffee.

It's beautiful.

ALEX: Wonderful.

Well, I have something even more special than that.

Today you're going to get to taste the two new releases that we have.

I have the privilege to be their master blender.

So, if you want to join me, let's go and we'll see if we can find them.

MICHAEL: I can throw this out then?

Is that what you're telling me?

ALEX: Not at all.

Bring that one with you.

MICHAEL: All right, all right.

♪ Alex, when I found out I was going to meet a Master Blender, I have to admit, I was a little bit afraid.

Because, you know, I thought of the t- of the term and I thought you might be locked away somewhere and never been seen by any member of the public.

It turns out that as soon as I arrived at this incredible site, everybody was saying how lovely you are.

And it's proven to be true.

ALEX: Thank you very much.

I think it's the whiskey, but... MICHAEL: Maybe, maybe, maybe that's what I'm feeling.

But I want to know how you started in this amazing institution.

ALEX: I think I've been blessed by the angels for sure.

I started here back in 2004, so I've celebrated my 19th anniversary there recently.

But I joined a team of people who were so passionate about what they did.

It was infectious.

I've been fortunate enough to work my way up through the ranks and got to work in all of the different areas within the distillery and distillation, maturation, bottling.

But maturation is where the magic happens.

It's where you transform something clear into this beautiful whiskey that we get to try today.

MICHAEL: So I want to kind of look into that mind of yours and find out what you want to do with whiskey.

Do you know what you want?

Have you got a- a master plan, maybe?

ALEX: I have a vision for the future and I hope it comes true before I retire.

I am the caretaker of this amazing brand and I want it to be the whiskey of choice.

No matter where you go in the world.

MICHAEL: There's an awful lot of whiskey on the table.

I hope you're not thinking that I'm going to drink it all.

ALEX: Well, you could try.

MICHAEL: I suppose I could.

ALEX: But as a visitor, I just wanted you to see what you can come here and try.

But I've saved something really special for you.

MICHAEL: Okay.

ALEX: I want you to try our two new releases, our 25-year-old single malt finished in port cask and our 30-year- old single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez cask, the oldest to be added to our collection.

I have two here for you, so if you want you can lift your one on the left.

MICHAEL: From the left.

ALEX: We've got your port cask.

So look at that beautiful color.

MICHAEL: It looks magnificent.

ALEX: It tastes even better.

MICHAEL: I want to smell it.

ALEX: Breathe in.

(both inhale) ♪ ♪ Hints of dark chocolate.

MICHAEL: I just got the chocolate.

It is absolutely incredible.

Can we try the other one?

Because how can it be more special than this?

ALEX: This one has spent 14 years in bourbon and cherry, and then 16 years in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

So on this one now you're going to get that beautiful fig.

You're gonna get the prunes.

You're gonna get the treacle toffee in there.

Have a little sip of this.

♪ Those beautiful sweet prunes and figs are there.

The praline comes in, the hints of orange peel.

The vanilla.

Just layers and layers of flavor at each sip.

MICHAEL: It's like Christmas in a glass to me.

ALEX: Wonderful way of putting it.

MICHAEL: It's magnificent.

I may have the best job in the world.

ALEX: No you don't.

I do.

(both laugh) MICHAEL: Cheers.

ALEX: Cheers.

♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Behind me is the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede and suspended between it and the mainland is a rope bridge spanning 60 feet and suspended, I can't believe I'm saying this, 100 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, home to basking sharks and dolphins in the water below.

The first rope bridge was erected by salmon fishermen all the way back in 1755.

And if chances are low of getting me out on its contemporary successor, they'd be exactly zero of me going out on it back then, trust me.

On Carrick-a-Rede is a fisherman's cottage listed at over 400 years old, which is used by locals for shelter and storing their equipment and tools.

I'm telling you about that now because I have no idea if I'm really going to make it across to the other side.

I mean, look at this.

It bounces.

♪ Holy God.

Okay, I'm coming up.

You better get out of the way 'cause I'm gonna keep walking.

I know I'll never get to say this again, but now I can say that once in my life, I crossed the Carrick- a-Rede Bridge.

♪ Thanks for joining me on my adventures around Northern Ireland.

I'm Michael Londra, and I hope to see you next time on Ireland with Michael.

For now, sláinte.

Cheers.

ANNOUNCER: Want to continue your travels to Ireland?

Your choice of Ireland with Michael DVD Season One, Two, or Three, with bonus concert footage, is available for $30.

Ireland with Michael: A Musical Journey CD, with songs from Michael and his guest artists, is available for $20.

Ireland with Michael Companion Travel Guide, featuring places to visit, as seen in all seasons, is also available for $30.

This offer is made by Wexford House.

Shipping and handling is not included.

MICHAEL: To learn more about everything you've seen in this episode, go to IrelandWithMichael.com.

ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael was made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

MICHAEL: OK, put your hands up in the air!

Come on, let's get a-waving.

♪ In my heart its rightful queen ♪ ♪ Ever loving, ever tender ♪ MICHAEL: That's it.

♪ Ever true ♪ Like the Sun your smile has shone ♪ MICHAEL: Go on, Wexford.

♪ Gladdening all it glowed upon ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Hello and welcome to Ireland with Michael.

I'm Michael Londra, and in this show I get to tell you everything I love about my home country the best way I know how, through music.

Today we're out to experience all the adventures you can have in the northeast of this island.

Be it white-knuckle tightrope walking over the raging sea, tasting the water of life aged to perfection, or holding court on the Iron Throne.

Today, I'm all in.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael is made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

♪ MICHAEL: Behind me is the actual hulking skull of Balerion, the Black Dread built for the groundbreaking world- phenomenon TV show, Game of Thrones.

For the enormous production, they built hundreds of sets across three countries, but Northern Ireland is the one true Home of Thrones.

Now, an epic studio tour has been opened on the site where 30% of all filming took place.

And Balerion here is just one of the thousands of authentic exhibition pieces that you can see while visiting.

And as a massive fan of the series who watched every episode live, I am geeking out more than a little right now.

There's so much to see and I need to see it all.

So let's go have a look.

♪ So it's just uncanny to think that in the heart of this complex is the actual studio for all of the scenes of Winterfell.

It's amazing that they took this actual studio and built a whole amazing Game of Thrones complex all around it.

Alex.

ALEX: How you doing Michael?

MICHAEL: How you doing?

I never thought I'd end up in Winterfell.

Do you want to show me around?

ALEX: Of course I can.

So this is actually where they filmed it from season two to season eight.

Okay.

MICHAEL: This is the very site where they filmed Winterfell?

ALEX: Very site, so.

And they also filmed Pyke and the Dreadfort as well.

So what they would do is they would actually decorate it and paint it up and change it around just to suit themselves.

You can fit about 200 to 250 people in this room as well, funny enough.

But they would've-- MICHAEL: I guess you could, yeah.

ALEX: Oh, aye.

MICHAEL: For- for the large meetings with the... ALEX: That's right.

MICHAEL: Or the parties that they had.

ALEX: Yeah.

Party scenes.

And they had plenty of them in here, I'll tell you that.

MICHAEL: Yeah, Yeah.

It's fantastic.

The detail is crazy, Alex.

ALEX: Well, each one was based on something that's been worn in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, South America and so on.

Also as well, for no spoilers of course, but we have to say, this is actually where Littlefinger copped it as well.

We've argued... MICHAEL: I won't tell if you want to.

ALEX: No, no.

It was actually roughly here is where he gets killed.

MICHAEL: And boy did I enjoy every minute of that.

ALEX: Oh aye.

So what they did was, is they had like a wee red wire.

It was covered with fake blood and it was tucked under his shirt into his prosthetic.

And then obviously when they split the prosthetic, the blood would then come out as well.

MICHAEL: You mean he didn't die for real?

ALEX: No, no, no, no.

It's all pretend.

WOMAN: 3, 2, 1.

MICHAEL: And when I said (camera flashes) I geeked out, I mean I really geeked out.

MAN: 3, 2, 1.

(camera flashes) ♪ MICHAEL: Look, I'm a member of the King's Guard.

Did they have Irish dancing members of the King's Guard?

♪ One day this throne will be mine.

♪ Anyone who's really in the know, knows that in Ireland, you can have many an adventure in our pubs.

Have you heard the one about three Irish tenors?

Lads, I can't believe that I am sitting here in the center of Belfast with you two fellas.

I haven't seen you for a long time.

JACK: I know.

What took you so long?

MICHAEL: I know.

JACK: Took about nine years to get here?

MICHAEL: I know.

Well, there's America and then there's Wexford, and then there's Belfast.

There's only so many places I can get to in a couple of years.

So obviously now you're part of this new super group, Shamrock Tenors.

(Ray and Jack laugh) RAY: You said it, not us.

(Ray and Jack laugh) MICHAEL: Well, you're touring all over the world, and I know for a fact that you're finally coming to the US, right?

JACK: Yeah.

RAY: Yeah.

MICHAEL: So I know you're both theatrical singers, right?

And you've sung in great musicals.

However, this is a whole different world.

JACK: Yeah.

MICHAEL: How do you take that music that you've- you've- you're used to singing and put it into these traditional songs?

Do you- do you need to wear two different hats or?

RAY: I actually think it translates really well because for me, Irish music anyway, is all about the storytelling.

Every single song has a story.

It goes on a journey.

MICHAEL: I want you lads to tell me about what I've heard is legendary pub culture in this city.

RAY: Belfast is just the best craic.

I mean, you are talking, you can go to about 15 bars within 10 minutes walking.

So you can get live music everywhere.

You can get anything from traditional music to more modern music.

And also there's lots of great outdoor spaces now being made use of.

Belfast has just had an amazing- I think when I was a student here, which was 16 years ago, compared to where it is now, it's unbelievable how good a night out to Belfast is now.

MICHAEL: Do you think that we could visit a few pubs?

Just a casual stroll around and we can have a cup of coffee in each of those.

(Ray laughs) RAY: Coffee?

MICHAEL: Coffee.

(Jack laughs) JACK: The Irish kind of course.

MICHAEL: Let's do it.

RAY: Let's go.

Cool.

♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Lads, I bet you didn't think I was gonna be able to keep up with you today.

JACK: I cannot believe this.

RAY: You're the one getting all the drinks, Michael.

We don't drink usually.

It's definitely your fault.

(laughs) MICHAEL: We're in, I think, pub number three, four, maybe ish, now.

I've kind of lost count.

JACK: Yeah, yeah.

MICHAEL: But the reason that I'm excited is that this is the pub where you've got an amazing traditional Irish music tonight.

How do you know about this?

RAY: The Session Guide, the Belfast Session Guide.

And every night of the week it gives you a list of all the pubs and venues that are playing live traditional music all across the city.

MICHAEL: And there's music every night probably.

RAY: Every single night of the week, four or five different venues.

I mean at the weekend, I think, on this weekend it was like nine venues having live traditional music.

So it's really happening all throughout the day, all throughout the week.

Plenty of excuse to buy plenty more of these.

MICHAEL: While you probably can't catch the Shamrock Tenors in your favorite pub, the pride in their hometown of Belfast comes through every time they talk about it.

And that love for their city shines through in their song "Belfast."

♪ Of all the places I have been ♪ ♪ There's only one to fill my dreams ♪ ♪ The place that lingers in my mind ♪ ♪ Is the town I've left behind ♪ ♪ I've been away now ♪ For too many years ♪ I've read all the papers ♪ ♪ They've told of your tears ♪ ♪ Though I've left you ♪ With a heart that's been torn ♪ ♪ I'm coming home now to the place I was born ♪ ♪ In Belfast ♪ You call to me ♪ When I am far away ♪ I think of thee ♪ Your Black Mountain ♪ Cave Hill, City Hall ♪ Shaw's Bridge, River Lagan ♪ ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ ♪ That's Belfast ♪ You call to me ♪ When I am far away ♪ I think of thee ♪ Your Black Mountain ♪ Cave Hill, City Hall ♪ Shaw's Bridge, River Lagan ♪ ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ ♪ That's Belfast ♪ I'm coming home to them all ♪ (audience cheers) ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: One of the most stunning stories to come out of the Great Hunger is the plot to assassinate Major Denis Mahon, landlord of Strokestown Manor.

Today, the story is being brought to the stage in a new musical written by composer/ lyricist Amy Day and directed by Anne- Marie O'Sullivan of Enchanted Croí Theatre.

Touring Ireland with a stop here in Derry, there's a rehearsal on right now for the show called In the Land of Plenty.

So let's head in and take a peek.

WOMAN: Any man with half a heart will take pity on you.

I do.

And perhaps someday, not just the Major, but your own children's children will read this and they'll remember what was done to you and they'll honor you.

♪ ♪ That your mercy be shown forth Judy ♪ ♪ And this my pitiful ♪ This my pitiful kings ♪ By giving me time for this rent ♪ ♪ Time for this rent ♪ Until harvest MICHAEL: Amy, I was in Strokestown House about a year ago.

And I heard about a musical that was being developed at the time, and today I get to meet the- the creator of that musical who isn't from Ireland at all.

Tell me your story.

AMY: Sure.

So I was teaching at NUI Galway at the Irish Center for Human Rights in the summer of 2019.

And on a day off, I went out to Strokestown.

And so I just sort of- at that point in my life, was looking for the right subject matter to put my energy into for writing a folk musical.

But I just sort of had this openness to finding the right subject because as you know, if you're gonna write a musical, you're gonna devote your life to it for years and years and years.

And when I went to Strokestown, which is of course, you know this- this estate that has preserved this whole treasure trove of Irish famine- era records.

I went through the mu- museum there and was just so moved emotionally by the story that transpired there and by the sort of natural drama that you would see as you go through the museum, as you learn about the assassination of the landlord who lived there and the experiences of the people who lived on the land there.

And I thought, this is a subject that is important enough and significant enough and contains enough sort of universal lessons.

And then also just from a writing perspective, it offers that really distinctive world building, right?

That from song number one, you know exactly where you are, where in time, where on the planet, where emotionally you are.

And I thought I could learn about this.

I could live in this.

I could devote myself to this for a long time.

And that's what I set about doing.

And we're still at it.

♪ I have buried my husband, two children ♪ ♪ This month past ♪ And I lost your rent ♪ By burying them ♪ My children ♪ I lie and I have not bite ♪ ♪ Nor a sup to give ♪ Thanks be to God for all his mercy ♪ MICHAEL: Is it a terrifying journey for you, being an American telling what is quintessentially an Irish story?

AMY: It's very intimidating.

You know, I think that the easy thing that I could have done would have been to just stay in San Diego and talk to people who don't know the difference between Ireland and England, right?

And just have it be a story about good guys and bad guys.

The first day that I sat down alongside my bandmates in the musical, I felt unbelievably intimidated, right?

Who am I to take this Irish story and say, play my music?

But I was welcomed with such an unbelievable generosity of spirit by people who are not only talented performers, but just wonderful human beings.

MICHAEL: Do you write with Irish music in mind?

Or do you just write and let that Irish-ness sur- surrounding you influence the music?

AMY: Yeah, I mean, as a folk musician, that's a sort of- that's a genre that welcomes whatever sort of interpretation the people you play with want to bring, right?

Folk is inherently this welcoming genre.

So that's obviously very much sort of the- the- the musical culture of Ireland.

Sort of bring what you can, bring the instrument that you have and the voice that you have.

MICHAEL: It is.

AMY: And so the show is written with, I think, also that sort of openness.

WOMAN: How will we finish it off?

♪ ♪ Please do not close up the boughs ♪ ♪ Close up the boughs of compassion against me ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: We're at the Old Bushmills Distillery, where Uisce, water, comes alive becoming Uisce Beatha Aqua Vitae, the water of life, smooth Irish whiskey.

They've been drawing from Saint Columb's Rill, a tributary of the River Bush, and distilling on this site since 1608, when King James granted a royal license to Sir Thomas Phillips, an English knight and soldier of fortune.

The Bushmills Old Distillery itself was established in 1784, and only a century later was shipping fine Irish whiskey across the Atlantic on their very own steamship, none other than the SS Bushmills.

The US have been enthusiastic drinkers of the stuff ever since.

(tool banging) Chris, Alastair, how in the name of God do you become a cooper?

ALASTAIR: Well, in my case it was a thing just following on from my grandfather and my father.

MICHAEL: How skilled a job is it?

Did it take you a long time to- to work this out?

I just- I- I mean, I've no idea of how you're able to assemble these amazing casks here.

It seems like it's a very difficult job involving a lot of science.

ALASTAIR: Whenever you're coming in to start from scratch, that's the basic things that you've got to learn first before you move on to anything else like the hammer and the driver, which you actually drive the hooks down with.

MICHAEL: Oh yes, the tools of trade.

ALASTAIR: Yeah, you've got to learn the correct way of holding that driver so you don't mangle hands and stuff like that.

(tool banging) But as far as learning, there's always something crops up.

MICHAEL: So, assembling this, is that- is it complicated from start to finish?

CHRIS: They're all different.

The wee ones, the smaller 40-gallon ones, you can get away with a lot more.

You can make a wee mistake and just sort of ignore it and it'll probably be all right.

Once you step up the sizes, everything has to be pretty much perfect.

MICHAEL: What I'm impressed here by is your- you have a legacy here because it's such an ancient craft.

ALASTAIR: You take more pride in it than what you realize.

Whatever you want to do, you want to do it right.

♪ ALEX: Hi Michael.

MICHAEL: Alex Thomas, how are you?

ALEX: I am very well.

MICHAEL: Tell me, what's your job here?

ALEX: So, I'm the Bushmills Master Blender.

I get to look after all of the casks in the warehouse.

MICHAEL: So, no better guide in the whole place?

ALEX: No.

Let's go and see around.

MICHAEL: Come on.

♪ (Alex laughs) ♪ MICHAEL: Alex, you brought me here to this cask.

Now, I'm not quite sure about how long you have to store a whiskey so it becomes a whiskey.

ALEX: So, legally it has to be in cask for a minimum of three years.

But today I have a wee little bit more special for you.

This one has been in cask for 10 years and I'm going to let you draw your own whiskey.

You hold your glass and you'll get our sampler.

Place it into the cask.

Then once you're ready to bring it out, hold your thumb over the end.

MICHAEL: Yeah.

ALEX: Bring it up, put your glass under and pour your whiskey.

♪ MICHAEL: Okay.

ALEX: Bring your glass over.

Oh, that's good.

MICHAEL: Oh.

ALEX: There we go.

MICHAEL: See, you're more skilled at this than I am.

ALEX: Oh no.

MICHAEL: Now, I don't want any more.

ALEX: That's a perfect pour.

MICHAEL: I'm putting too much whiskey in it.

(Alex laughs) ALEX: So, you can see that beautiful golden color coming through from our bourbon cask.

MICHAEL: Oh, yeah.

ALEX: Give it a little nose there.

(exhales) Beautiful.

MICHAEL: Oh, there's layers of flavor.

ALEX: Give it a little sip.

MICHAEL: All right.

♪ ALEX: That beautiful caramel.

That vanilla is in there.

It's just phenomenal.

MICHAEL: It's like gorgeous toffee.

It's beautiful.

ALEX: Wonderful.

Well, I have something even more special than that.

Today you're going to get to taste the two new releases that we have.

I have the privilege to be their master blender.

So, if you want to join me, let's go and we'll see if we can find them.

MICHAEL: I can throw this out then?

Is that what you're telling me?

ALEX: Not at all.

Bring that one with you.

MICHAEL: All right, all right.

♪ Alex, when I found out I was going to meet a Master Blender, I have to admit, I was a little bit afraid.

Because, you know, I thought of the t- of the term and I thought you might be locked away somewhere and never been seen by any member of the public.

It turns out that as soon as I arrived at this incredible site, everybody was saying how lovely you are.

And it's proven to be true.

ALEX: Thank you very much.

I think it's the whiskey, but... MICHAEL: Maybe, maybe, maybe that's what I'm feeling.

But I want to know how you started in this amazing institution.

ALEX: I think I've been blessed by the angels for sure.

I started here back in 2004, so I've celebrated my 19th anniversary there recently.

But I joined a team of people who were so passionate about what they did.

It was infectious.

I've been fortunate enough to work my way up through the ranks and got to work in all of the different areas within the distillery and distillation, maturation, bottling.

But maturation is where the magic happens.

It's where you transform something clear into this beautiful whiskey that we get to try today.

MICHAEL: So I want to kind of look into that mind of yours and find out what you want to do with whiskey.

Do you know what you want?

Have you got a- a master plan, maybe?

ALEX: I have a vision for the future and I hope it comes true before I retire.

I am the caretaker of this amazing brand and I want it to be the whiskey of choice.

No matter where you go in the world.

MICHAEL: There's an awful lot of whiskey on the table.

I hope you're not thinking that I'm going to drink it all.

ALEX: Well, you could try.

MICHAEL: I suppose I could.

ALEX: But as a visitor, I just wanted you to see what you can come here and try.

But I've saved something really special for you.

MICHAEL: Okay.

ALEX: I want you to try our two new releases, our 25-year-old single malt finished in port cask and our 30-year- old single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez cask, the oldest to be added to our collection.

I have two here for you, so if you want you can lift your one on the left.

MICHAEL: From the left.

ALEX: We've got your port cask.

So look at that beautiful color.

MICHAEL: It looks magnificent.

ALEX: It tastes even better.

MICHAEL: I want to smell it.

ALEX: Breathe in.

(both inhale) ♪ ♪ Hints of dark chocolate.

MICHAEL: I just got the chocolate.

It is absolutely incredible.

Can we try the other one?

Because how can it be more special than this?

ALEX: This one has spent 14 years in bourbon and cherry, and then 16 years in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

So on this one now you're going to get that beautiful fig.

You're gonna get the prunes.

You're gonna get the treacle toffee in there.

Have a little sip of this.

♪ Those beautiful sweet prunes and figs are there.

The praline comes in, the hints of orange peel.

The vanilla.

Just layers and layers of flavor at each sip.

MICHAEL: It's like Christmas in a glass to me.

ALEX: Wonderful way of putting it.

MICHAEL: It's magnificent.

I may have the best job in the world.

ALEX: No you don't.

I do.

(both laugh) MICHAEL: Cheers.

ALEX: Cheers.

♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Behind me is the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede and suspended between it and the mainland is a rope bridge spanning 60 feet and suspended, I can't believe I'm saying this, 100 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, home to basking sharks and dolphins in the water below.

The first rope bridge was erected by salmon fishermen all the way back in 1755.

And if chances are low of getting me out on its contemporary successor, they'd be exactly zero of me going out on it back then, trust me.

On Carrick-a-Rede is a fisherman's cottage listed at over 400 years old, which is used by locals for shelter and storing their equipment and tools.

I'm telling you about that now because I have no idea if I'm really going to make it across to the other side.

I mean, look at this.

It bounces.

♪ Holy God.

Okay, I'm coming up.

You better get out of the way 'cause I'm gonna keep walking.

I know I'll never get to say this again, but now I can say that once in my life, I crossed the Carrick- a-Rede Bridge.

♪ Thanks for joining me on my adventures around Northern Ireland.

I'm Michael Londra, and I hope to see you next time on Ireland with Michael.

For now, sláinte.

Cheers.

ANNOUNCER: Want to continue your travels to Ireland?

Your choice of Ireland with Michael DVD Season One, Two, or Three, with bonus concert footage, is available for $30.

Ireland with Michael: A Musical Journey CD, with songs from Michael and his guest artists, is available for $20.

Ireland with Michael Companion Travel Guide, featuring places to visit, as seen in all seasons, is also available for $30.

This offer is made by Wexford House.

Shipping and handling is not included.

MICHAEL: To learn more about everything you've seen in this episode, go to IrelandWithMichael.com.

ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael was made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

MICHAEL: OK, put your hands up in the air!

Come on, let's get a-waving.

♪ In my heart its rightful queen ♪ ♪ Ever loving, ever tender ♪ MICHAEL: That's it.

♪ Ever true ♪ Like the Sun your smile has shone ♪ MICHAEL: Go on, Wexford.

♪ Gladdening all it glowed upon ♪ ♪