Godfrey's Gospel: Perspective is in the mind of the beholder
The wonderful Club D'Art in Pembroke sees the return of Jimmy Crowley and Eve Telford on Thursday 19 June
PERSPECTIVE is a great thing. Two people can look at something and come up with a completely different views.
Take the latest JNLR survey, for instance. Reading from , you would think Claire Byrne was 'in trouble' with her morning radio show on RTÉ.
According to the authors said piece on , the show has lost 1,000 listeners, down to just 348,000 since the last survey in December 2024.
Likewise Joe Duffy, who recently announced he is to retire from hosting at the end of June. His show currently has an audience of 307,000, down 7,000 over the past six months.
Another person in trouble, if that is the right phrase to use, is Louise Duffy, a relative newcomer to RTÉ Radio 1. Her audience has dropped by 5,000 listeners during the same period and now stands at 223,000.
As I said, it is all about perspective – and reading the same figures from , you would believe the three aforementioned hosts were walking on cloud nine as a result of this latest survey.
Their piece on the recent survey leads with a grabbing headline: 'Here come the Girls! RTÉ stars Claire Byrne and Louise Duffy celebrate latest JNLR figures.' The article goes on to state that RTÉ has a lot 'to celebrate' and quotes the exact number of listeners for both stars.
The item references Joe Duffy and how he is bowing out on a high as continues to be one of the nation’s most tuned-in shows, attracting a daily average of 307,000 listeners. It is all about perspective!
Again, if you take the latest edition of the – a must-read for anyone interested in staycations – it is another case of 'perspective', but unfortunately, Carlow doesn’t get a mention in their list of five must-visit towns. They are Westport in Co Mayo, Dingle in Kerry, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, Bundoran, Co Donegal and Lahinch in Co Clare. Let me stress that all of those towns are worth visiting. Each one has something to see, places to go, eateries to sample local delights … the list goes on.
Many years ago, I lived in Westport and have gone back there on many occasions since, each very enjoyable. Likewise, I have spent a couple of nights in Dingle and found the place to be very enjoyable and, as I have said in the past, anywhere in Donegal is wonderful. I was there last year for a couple of days and thought how lucky was I to have the time to go there.
Lahinch also has a lot going for it, and when a colleague of mine was getting married five years ago, my wife and I made the most of the few days to take in as much of that area as possible.
Funnily enough, the place closest to me, Dunmore East, is a location I may have visited once. I know I drove through it a couple of times, but didn't really get to spend time there.
All those places listed as must-go-to have something to offer, otherwise they would not be on a list. But so, too, does Carlow. Wasn't the Pan Celtic festival a wonderful spectacle? I haven't heard one negative about the various events that took place during the festival and I am thrilled to learn that we will be getting more of it next year.
There is always something going on in Visual. I must admit, though, much of what goes on there isn't my cup of tea, but again, it’s all about perspective, and obviously there are plenty of patrons who do think there is something worthwhile going on there.
One place I absolutely love is Pembroke Club D'Art, run by local arts enthusiast Bernard Jennings. The venue is small but unique and those lucky enough to get tickets to any of the gigs will genuinely believe they are on stage rubbing shoulders with the artists.
I was one on the lucky ones to be there when Jimmy Crowley and Eve Telford performed last year. I hadn't seen Jimmy perform live for almost four decades and was keen to see how the years had treated him and if he could still hold an audience in the palm of his hand.
From my perspective, he delivered 100%. Eve added a different 'perspective' to the show, which was equally enjoyable, and I have to admit I am really looking forward to seeing both of them back on stage at Club D'Art on 19 June. Why not go along and afterwards give me your 'perspective' of both the show and the venue.
