'Cherishing those roots of home': An ongoing dedication to Longford

Mags McGagh is a recognisable face around Longford. Originally from Manchester, through her father’s side, her connections to the county have remained strong and constant. The radio presenter, producer and photographer, who has covered the Marquee in Drumlish and various Longford musicians and singers, is also the chairperson of the Longford Association in Manchester, succeeding her father. She has also worked for The Irish World.

She is a team leader for a morning and after school club between her much-loved shows.

On her 65th birthday, The Longford Leader got to chat to Mags about her Longford beginnings and how she has become an integral part of the music scene in the county and beyond, as well as key advice.

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Where in Longford are you from / your Longford connection?
I was born in Manchester, but my dad is from Longford. We have a house there on the family site. I've got strong links in the area, travelling back and forth. I was home last week visiting my mum. I’m coming back in March to attend the Hot Country Awards in Cavan. My mum's from Mayo. I’m more affiliated to Longford as most of my mum’s family have gone or moved away, apart from a few cousins.

We mainly went back to my grandparents in Moyne. It was great to go home for Christmas, Easter and for the six weeks summer break. My mum and dad ensured we kept those links. I remember being 5-6, and going on my first plane journey over to Ireland. I have very fond memories of my childhood there. It was nice to be able to have those links with family and friends and they have remained since I was a small child.

Would you tell me a little bit about your first experience in radio?
It was on a show called The Full Irish which was based in Manchester. It was presented by a friend of mine, Joe Casserly. It was completely by chance. He was on his own one day, as the usual person who answered the phones was ill. I later said to him if he was ever stuck again I would go in and help. A couple of weeks later, he called and asked if the offer still stood and would I be able to man the phones. Shortly into the show he said “There you go, there's the What’s On.” I said: I can’t do that. I'm only here to answer the phone!

I was the chair of the Longford Association and he said he’d interviewed me before so I would be fine! So, after that I started going in every week, supporting him. We were like a double act with lots of banter which the audience seemed to like. It was a very popular, wholesome Irish family show. Several years later Joe gave up the show so I was obviously at a loose end. I was approached by Salford City Radio in Manchester to do an hour long show. After a few months it proved so popular that it was increased to two hours and that's how Ceol and Craic was formed. I remained there for eight years until last year.

I joined Downda Road Radio, an online radio station back in 2020 when I was approached by the owner, Mike Gleeson, to present a country music show, which is where I am solely based now. I do two shows a week. Ceol and Craic has now moved to Downda Road. This show covers any genre of Irish music, from classical, rock, folk, trad, through to country music. Mags Country Collection airs on a Monday evening. Both shows involve me interviewing a variety of people from all walks of the music scene, which I love.

What is it about the country music scene that you love?
It probably goes back to my childhood. Where our house is built is where Lukey Martins Dance Hall stood and people still remember it to this day in the area. I remember going to a few dances as a child, and being twirled around the dance floor for the first hour. Myself and my brother, Johnny, would love to play in the dance hall. My uncle TP would put the crystals down and we would race and slip and slide to see who got the nearest to the blue curtains around the base of the stage. There was a mineral bar at the time. I remember the pop man used to come a few days after the dance and we’d get a treat of a bottle of pop, Cavan cola being our favourite and a mini packet of biscuits.

I suppose that's where I found my love of music. Music has always been around the house. My love of music came from those early days and the showband music. Then came the likes of Margo, Big Tom, Jim Reeves was always a favourite of mum and dad's. I grew up listening to them all so when I was 16-17. I’d go to the local Irish clubs and listen to the bands from Ireland first-hand.

You always had that link to the Irish community. My dad, John Martin, worked in construction and always tried to support anyone coming over from home to work locally and if he could he would give them the start.

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That Irish connection and community is ingrained in me. My eldest grandson Noah, who is now 13, plays the drums in the Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, the longest running Irish pipe band in the UK. They’ve been going for almost 80 years.

The grandchildren love coming to Ireland. I took Noah for his first session on Thursday night last summer. We were in the ‘98 in Ballinamuck and he loved it so much he didn’t want to leave. It’s great to pass on that love of the culture.

Have there been any highlights in your career that stand out to you and you would like to share?
My dad was the first chair of the Longford Association in Manchester and he passed away in October 2012. On St Patrick’s Day after he died, I was invited to the opening of the Irish festival in Manchester's town hall. The first thing I saw walking into the building was the Longford banner he had commissioned when the association was formed. I remember his pride when he brought it home to show us. I thought of my God, it was a moment. I hadn’t seen it in many year. Everyone was saying that it was a sign to do something. So, I rallied a few people I knew with Longford connections and we got a committee together and resurrected the association. I was extremely proud to be able to do that. Our association came over as a group when the 1916 commemorations took place in Longford. We were privileged to be able to take part in the parade. It’s having those links back to your roots that are important.

I am passionate about supporting up and coming artists starting out on their journey and I like to give them a platform to have their music played. I have made good friends who I wouldn’t have met if it wasn't for music.

They’ve become lifelong friends, which I am truly thankful for. I also worked for the Irish World Newspaper as their northwest correspondent. The paper's owner, the late Paddy Cowen, was an amazing man and had a great passion for his native Longford. It's that passion for the county that we both shared.

Coming home every year, one of the highlights for me is going to the Marquee in Drumlish. They welcome me back with open arms. I love spending time taking photos for a feature in the paper and catching up with the performers. My mum’s still in Longford along with my sister Maria, brother in law Simon and their family. They’re based in Drumlish.

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Would you have any advice for any Longford individual who would like to enter the radio industry, but do not know where to begin?
Go and support or do work experience or an apprenticeship at your local station and learn the ropes. I do my shows remotely from Manchester now. Technology is a great thing. Covid meant we had to adapt to keep the shows going and support people who were isolated at home. I think that’s why there has been a surge in internet radio. It has encouraged people to give it a go. If you’re a good communicator, you’ll do well. Having a passion for music is key. I love all genres of music. Country is my biggest passion, American country especially.

I always tell people my guilty pleasures are Ray Lynam and Gene Watson. Ray is local and is based in Moate. I first saw him when he was over in Chorlton in Manchester when I was a teenager.

Since then he's always been a favourite of mine. The Longford based singers as well: Mick Flavin, Declan, Noel Cassidy, Chuck and June and, more recently, Brid Shaughnessy and they have always supported what I do, which I am very grateful for.