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Tom MacSweeney's Seascapes

Tom MacSweeney

The SEASCAPES Podcast reports on Ireland’s maritime development, tradition, history and culture, through the voices of the people of an island nation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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20 episodes
monthly
Avg 23 min
English

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S2 · E9
September 6 · 22 min
Warned Off for Defending Irish Fishermen
On the September edition – a revelation about a Government Minister being warned off by a senior Department official because he was protecting Irish fishermen. How can this interference by a civil servant be tolerated? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E8
July 31 · 24 min
‘Race for Madmen’
Determined to Finish the Tough and Loneliest ‘Race for Madmen’ On the August edition, Kerry sailor Pat Lawless talks about his determination to finish, at his second attempt, the Golden Globe non-stop around the world yacht race in old boats, with no modern technology, which has been called the “toughest, loneliest sporting event in the world’ and also, the ‘Race for Madmen.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E7
June 30 · 26 min
Be Proud of Irish Fishermen
On the July edition the new Chief Executive of State fisheries agency BIM discusses his job; a Lifeboat Mechanic retires after 34 years; 900 shipwrecks in Dublin Bay and a Polish-Irish-Cork sailor who loves the sea more than the land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E6
May 31 · 25 min
Securing Ireland’s Food From The Sea
The June edition of SEASCAPES Podcast discusses whether Ireland, an island nation, is protecting its national food supply, because of European discrimination against the fishing industry. Also, a new ferry company launching a service to France from Cork, claims there is too much concentration on East Coast Ports and, the plot to blow up the oldest yacht club in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E5
April 28 · 15 min
Investigating the 'Factory Ships' off Ireland and 'The Big 5'
The May edition of SEASCAPES, Ireland's Maritime Programme, discusses the extent of foreign factory ships fishing off Ireland, the vast catches of many fish species of fish which they take and why there is little inspection of their operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E4
April 1 · 23 min
Sea Shanties – The Working Songs Of The Sailing Ship’s Crew
The April edition of SEASCAPES, Ireland’s only maritime programme, discusses sea shanties, songs and music of the sea and an international maritime festival to be held in Carrigaline, Co.Cork – and goes to Dungarvan Sailing Club to hear how hurling helped to develop sailing in the County Waterford Harbour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E3
February 28 · 23 min
It feels like Ireland’s coastal areas are being turned into a theme park
Sally Barnes has been operating Woodcock Smokery at Castletownshend in West Cork for fifty years, the traditional art of smoking wild fish. On the March edition of SEASCAPES she challenges official attitudes to fishermen and to coastal communities, is concerned about new salmon regulations and says it is “utterly heartbreaking” that, for a country that is an island, surrounded by productive and fertile waters, the possibilities of making livelihoods from the sea have been given away. Also on the Podcast, Joe Walsh in Ballycotton discusses his new project at Paulona Seafoods – Ireland’s first online auction selling Irish fish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E2
February 1 · 25 min
The Aquaculture Licencing Scandal
This month’s Podcast reports on the major problem affecting development of Ireland’s aquaculture sector – delays in licencing which have been going on for many years. Despite that the rest of the ocean economy is growing and a major contributor to national welfare, as the programme also reports. There is also a report on the new currach training programme for young people in Cork and the story of how Brendan Behan did not keep a job with the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E1
Dec 31, 2025 · 32 min
The EU is no friend of the Irish fishing industry
This and other stories – from the amazing smallest seabird which travelled 300,000 kms and has a connection to St.Peter to the enthusiastic Rosslare Maritime group;, an offer to young people to go sail training – and to some older people too; – and the sea tragedy song which saved a thousand lives. All form the storylines on the first edition of SEASCAPES in 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E12
Nov 27, 2025 · 27 min
Passion for the Oyster Heroes
Oysters are heroes, says the lady who has grown them for 35 years in Dungarvan Harbour - Cliona Mhic Giolla Chuda General Manager and co-Founder of Waterford Oysters. “They are underestimated, they are climate heroes. It’s an intensive business,” she tells SEASCAPES in the December Podcast, as her company celebrates 35 years exporting to countries around the world. “It’s not for the faint-hearted because there are bad years as well as very good years, but overall I really enjoy it.” Also on this month’s Podcast: •The Irish Polar Institute corrects a ‘mean action’ by Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton •A new association wants more schools to encourage sailing •An Arctic whale arrives in Donegal •And the crewman from an inland county who survived the Titanic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E11
Oct 31, 2025 · 26 min
Ports and Pilots are Essential to Ireland’s Economy
This month’s SEASCAPES Podcast highlights the work of marine pilots, who guide ships safely into and from our ports, carrying over 90 per cent of the country’s exports and imports. Also on the Podcast - Why has the Government reduced funding in the Budget to fishing by nearly €20m. and– the shortage of seafarers. There is an urgent need to recruit more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E10
Oct 1, 2025 · 19 min
Will Inshore Fishermen Survive?
Inshore fishermen, fishing from small boats, are a core of coastal communities, but face huge challenges. Will they survive? Also on the Podcast – Otters are declining in Ireland and dockers in Dublin want to honour a hero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E9
Sep 1, 2025 · 27 min
The Love of a Folkboat
On the September edition – a sailor spends ten years restoring a Folkboat, then sells it; the RNLI needs Volunteers and Ireland has 750,000 seabird visitors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E8
Aug 1, 2025 · 17 min
Searching for Songs of the Sea
On this month's edition - Has the Government Got the Backbone to Fight for Irish Fishing? That is a tough question, but it is asked on this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E7
Jul 1, 2025 · 26 min
From Amsterdam to Cork Harbour to run a marina for 40 years.
The ship’s engineer who first arrived in Cork with the Dutch Smit Tak company for the development of the Kinsale Head Gas Field and stayed to run a marina, Wieste Buwalda, one of the most iconic figures in the marine sector, outlines the challenges of 40 years in the business as he retires, selling the marina to next door neighbour, the oldest yacht club in the world, the Royal Cork at Crosshaven. He discusses the difficulties of getting foreshore licences, bureaucracy in the Department of the Marine and why there should be more enjoyment in the sport of sailing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E6
Jun 15, 2025 · 24 min
Where family heritage meets daily life
This month’s podcast features two families, one from Cork which has invested in a multi-million Euro seafood centre and another whose members have given 140 years of service driving cranes in Waterford Port. The Good family traces its maritime history back to running a ferry boat in Cork Harbour. The O’Hanlon’s work high above ships in Waterford to keep exports and imports moving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E5
May 15, 2025 · 19 min
Ireland's Marine Sector Must Be Cherished
Ireland's maritime sector must be made to benefit all the people of the nation, says the Chairman of the first Oireachtas Committee set up specifically for maritime affairs. Waterford Sinn Fein T.D., Conor McGuinness, tells the SEASCAPES Podcast that the Committee has a "wide remit" and he intends to use it fully. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E4
Apr 15, 2025 · 22 min
There’s a wonderful vibrancy around the marine sector at the moment
“There’s a wonderful vibrancy around the marine sector at the moment…..” Those aren’t my words – they were spoken to me by Minister of State Timmy Dooley in his summary of the overall marine sphere In his first interview after two months in a dual maritime and fisheries post, which you can hear on this month’s SEASCAPES Podcast. Also, a discussion between the two sides of wind farm development and its effects on the fishing industry; €25m. spent by a Cork shipping company on a new survey vessel and – is the Irish public ocean literate? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3
Mar 15, 2025 · 20 min
Once Navy – Always Navy
Remembering a submarine explosion 105 years ago. Also on this edition – Fish Farming will be a vital supplier of food to future generations … Are whales changing which parts of Ireland they visit and the Waterford Estuary harbour which has changed, but not for the better….. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E2
Feb 15, 2025 · 16 min
The “insane” treatment of Ireland’s fishermen
The “insane” treatment of Ireland’s fishermen.” “The way the Irish fishing industry is treated about Bluefin Tuna is insane,” says John Shine, a leading figure for 20 years in the marketing and selling of Irish fish, highlighting that Irish fishermen are prevented from catching Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters, while other nations are allowed to do so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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