Anglo&Celtic editor, Irish Queenslander editor and Queensland Irish Association public relations officer Mary Allen was interviewed on The Irish Program on Radio 4EB in Brisbane today (26th August 2023) by presenters Morag from Scotland and Brenda from Belfast.
Mary spoke about her early life in Cork, Ireland, her career in journalism, her husband and children, and the new entertainment magazine she has set up for the Irish, Scottish, English, Welsh and Celtic communities in Australia, Anglo&Celtic.
Mary worked in the newspaper industry in Ireland, England and Australia for many years. She started out as a graphic designer before becoming a sub-editor and columnist on Cork city’s daily newspaper, the Evening Echo. She broke new ground in many areas during her time there, being adept at spotting emerging trends. Among her ideas and achievements were establishing Ireland’s first gay column (Out and About in Evening Echo’s Downtown supplement) and its first internet column (Surf’s Up in Evening Echo’s Saturday edition).
She went on to work as a news editor and editor on national and international newspapers and magazines. In recent years, she has worked as a media consultant. She set up Irish Queenslander as a print magazine in 2012, distributing tens of thousands of copies throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales.
She was also asked by the presenters to read out a poem written by her daughter Isla when she was just 12 years old, about Irish revolutionary hero Michael Collins. The poem went viral and was used as part of the Poetry as Commemoration project to mark Ireland’s centenary. It is now stored in the Irish National Archives in University College Dublin.
She also spoke about the legacy of Queensland Irish Association, which turns 125 years old this year, and why it’s so important for people to support the association by signing up as members. You can do so at www.queenslandirish.com.
The show also featured an Irish quiz and a selection of Irish music, two of the songs played were chosen by Mary – You Made Me The Thief of Your Heart by Sinead O’Connor, and Belfast Child by Simple Minds.
You can listen to the program at this link https://www.4eb.org.au/shows/irish-radio-program-saturday/ – select Saturday, August 26th.
The Irish Program has been broadcasting from Radio 4EB for more than 30 years. They are Brisbane’s only full-time ethnic broadcaster.
You can listen to Irish music, news and events, every Saturday from 12pm. All programs are produced and presented by volunteers. The station is looking for subscribers, you can sign up on their website at www.4eb.org.au.
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