Historic day for Mayo thanks to special broadcast across Atlantic
A joyful and historic day was marked in Mayo as Quinn Irish Radio broadcasted its hugely popular Sunday show live from the Ballina Manor Hotel.
There was a palpable buzz in the air as the town connected across the Atlantic Ocean to Cleveland, Ohio, in a celebration of heritage, community, and friendship.
Presented by Gerald M. Quinn, the award-winning broadcaster and community leader, originally from Garracloon, Ballina, the show reached thousands of listeners in the Greater Cleveland area from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Irish time.
With local musicians, special guests, and live interviews, the event was not only technically ambitious—it was deeply emotional for many with strong Mayo roots in the U.S.
Gerry Quinn, a proud son of Mayo, has long championed the Irish-American connection through his radio programme, ‘Gerry Quinn Irish Radio’ (WHK 1420 AM), which has aired since 1980 and earned numerous accolades including the Achievement in Radio Award (A.I.R) and the title of Best Ethnic Programme in Northeast Ohio.
Having attended Garracloon National School where his father Liam was schoolmaster, Gerry has never forgotten his roots.
His efforts to promote Mayo abroad—including his role in adding Ballina to the CIE International itinerary in 2022—have been widely acknowledged.
That same year, his broadcast from Ballina and his wreath-laying at the Famine Girls Memorial on Pearse Street, were proud moments of reconnection with home.
The Cleveland Mayo Society, which Gerry helped found, was one of the largest contributors to the memorial’s fundraising campaign.
This year’s live broadcast built on that legacy, with even greater energy and emotion.
The event featured heartfelt conversations with Minister Dara Calleary, Councillor John O’Hara, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Senator Mark Duffy, Mairéad Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, Brian Beigie from John Carroll University, and more.
Legendary local contributors Terry Reilly and Michael Larkin not only helped bring the programme to life behind the scenes—they also joined the broadcast to reflect on the deep bonds between Cleveland and north Mayo.
There were moving performances of traditional Irish music by Kiera and Daniella Holmes, and a strong sense throughout the afternoon that history was being made.
Technical support on both sides of the Atlantic played a vital role in making it all happen.
Ray Ford kept the connection strong from the Mayo end, while Lenny George manned the studio in Cleveland. The show was also captured on Facebook Live by Kevin Quinn, helping bring the event to an even wider audience.
“This live broadcast is a wonderful celebration of the enduring bond between Mayo and the Cleveland Irish community,” said Mairéad Melody Carr.
“It’s an invitation to the diaspora to rediscover their heritage and to experience the warm hospitality of Ballina, Belmullet, North Mayo, and West Sligo. We’re proud to showcase the rich culture and vibrant spirit of our region to a global audience.”
The excitement surrounding the broadcast reflected a deep pride in the Mayo–Cleveland connection - and a shared commitment to keeping that connection alive for future generations.
Quinn Irish Radio can be heard in the U.S. on AM 1420 The Answer Cleveland, and for anyone wishing to listen back on the show live from Ballina, they can do so by visiting Gerry Quinn’s Irish Radio Show online platform and enter the date: May 18 2025.