Ireland in Music with exclusive interview from Liam O’Maonlai 

Pioneer PBS will air an exclusive interview with Irish musician Liam O’Maonlai of the band Hothouse Flowers as part of our "Shaping the Future" membership drive, at the Granite Falls-based PBS station. 

The interview with O’Maonlai was made possible by connections through Pioneer PBS general manager Shari Lamke, who had worked on a documentary about O’Maonlai’s band Hothouse Flowers more than two decades ago. As fate would have it, Lamke and O’Maonlai were able to reconnect through a new program Ireland in Music — a TV special celebrating Ireland’s national heritage and culture with leading Irish musicians filmed playing live during the lockdown in some of Ireland’s most iconic locations. 

Pioneer PBS is one of a few stations nationally airing the program and they conducted the interview with O’Maonlai to add value to the showing. Tune in or stream it Friday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m. or Saturday, August 21 at 8 p.m. 

Ireland in Music features a range of artists including Clannad, Mundy, Lisa Hannigan, Sharon Shannon, Denise Chaila, Kila, The Hothouse Flowers, The Stunning, Wallis Bird, Saint Sister, Ailbhe Reddy, Rosie Carney, Mark Redmond, Jealous of the Birds, Tolü Makay & Delush. 

The purpose of Ireland in Music is simple — to showcase Ireland’s music at a time when artists are unable to tour. The project is also a revenue stream for artists as they will share in the proceeds from the sales of DVDs