My Little Honda 50

Since 1959, more than 23,000 people have been killed on Irish roads. That’s equivalent to the entire population of Carlow town.

Our highest road fatalities were recorded in 1978 with 928 people being killed on the island of Ireland. 

And despite the fact that more than 2.5 million cars are on the road today, last year we recorded 161 road deaths. And while 161 deaths is nothing to celebrate, it was the lowest since the records began 50 years ago.

This piece about Ireland's questionable driving habits was compiled for The History Show on RTÉ Radio 1

Pirates and Prostitutes

Depending on who you’re talking to, the word “booty” can have very different meanings. An American rock star would be shaking his booty whereas a banker would be counting it. Never shall the two definitions of booty meet.

Except, that is, in the south-west of Ireland 400 years ago where the two forms of booty did come together. I spoke to Archaeologist Connie Kelliher and Author Des Ekin about how Dingle was once home to the two oldest professions in the world.

This was originally broadcast on The History Show on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2012.

And Now For Some Good News...

Anthony Brabazon

“Religious people have hijacked the message of the bible”, claims Anthony Brabazon, a street preacher from Dublin. “Traditions and power has corrupted. My job is reclaim it for ordinary people and bring Jesus back onto the streets of Ireland.”

In the midst of the retail chaos on a busy Saturday afternoon, Brabazon stands on a small stepladder between a man in a tiger suit and a group of teenage buskers. Bible in hand and eager to engage, he considers Grafton Street his church and the passing pedestrians his congregation.

He speaks of love and the wrath of the devil, the importance of forgiveness and the enduring love of Jesus. While most disperse when he concludes, one waits to discuss the contradictions that he has found within the Bible. They say the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist is that you can negotiate with the former. The same appears to be true of their preacher counterparts. After a short but impassioned dispute, the young man moves off, concluding that today is not the day for his miraculous revelation.

“We express the word of God in many different ways; sometimes we sing a worship song, hand out gospel tracks, or simply hold up the name of Jesus” says Brabazon. “I can’t convert anyone, how could I possibly do that? But God can use me to bring a message that will cause them to turn their lives towards Jesus Christ. Sometimes we pray for the sick, and that’s when things really get exciting.”

Brabazon is himself a convert of street preaching, having heard the gospel on the streets of New York in 1984. “I was a proud guy who thought I was good but in front of Holy God I was a rebel. Then I met Jesus and I haven’t looked back since”. He joined an Evangelical Church, where he met his wife. “God spoke to her and told her that she should marry me. We saved our first kiss for our wedding day one year later.” His wife is also a street preacher, and often preaches with him.

Despite the bad reputation that some street preachers may have, he claims that most people are largely supportive, “Of course we get all sorts of reactions, a lot of people who walk past can’t even look at the name of Jesus. Christians are always encouraging, as are most people. Teenagers are usually curious, thinking, 'What is this eejit doing standing on a stool holding up the name of Jesus?'”

Whatever he is doing, it seems to resonate with a considerable number of Irish people. By the time he is packing up his bible and guitar to go home, he has prayed with more than 50 people and engaged with over 100.

John 3:7

Shane O’Brien, a stone mason by trade, began taking the iconic John 3:7 sign from its original home in Croke Park to various events around Ireland. After a few years, he recruited a team to work with him at the festivals and at weekends in Dublin. The team now consists of 22 volunteers, who work throughout the year.

O’Brien does not think of himself or anyone else on the team as a ‘street preacher’; they prefer to sit passively and wait for that spark of interest or curiosity from the passers-by. His techniques are entirely different to that of Brabazon’s, yet they garner equal, if not more, attention. An unassuming and softly-spoken man, O’Brien has a way of engaging through humility and kindness.

“Our job is to bring people to a real relationship with Christ, not to force religion down people’s throats. We usually find that we have more success in engaging with people at night time when they are more relaxed” says O’Brien. “Most people will talk, and most will say a short prayer with me. That’s all I ask.”

O’Brien believes that the presence of religion on the streets is important, “People are stressed and they need to know that Jesus is there for them. We are here to connect people to Jesus and help them build a relationship.” However, like the street preachers, he sees himself as a messenger rather than a leader.

In the words of Brabazar, “There is only one head of the Church, and his name is Jesus”.

Hallelujah!

Shane O'Brien