Hello and welcome
to this year’s Valentine’s Special 2026

And what a joyous celebration of Valentine’s Day we have for you this year. To begin with, and as we continue our series on the actors and characters that starred in Glenroe, Seán Creedon chats to Mario Rosenstock, the dashing young doctor who lit up our Sunday-night screens. Mario tells us about his very interesting life and career and gives an insight into the creative brain that brings us so much joy and laughter on ‘Gift Grub’ each weekday morning on ‘The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show’.

It’s hard to believe that it’s ten years since we lost Limerick’s Terry Wogan, and Timmy Ryan pays tribute to the broadcasting master that we all loved so much. Anne Frehill treats us to the words and witticisms of Brendan Behan, Martin Gleeson writes about ‘Saint Brigid’s Shoe Shrine’ and Nicky Rossiter recalls the childhood excitement of wondering if you were going to get a Valentine’s Day card, or not. 

Tottenham Hotspur’s Irish legend, Danny Blanchflower, was born 100 years ago, writes Joe Cushnan; Miss Flanagan is on the trail of ‘The Disappearing Treasures’ and Kitty the Hare tells the story of ‘A Poisoned Mind’. Eugene Dunphy tells a story of romance in The Ballad Sheet with his article on the song ‘Matt Hyland’. 

In ‘Popping the Question’ Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh takes a look at some memorable marriage proposals including the failed proposals of W.B. Yeats to Maud Gonne who told him “poets should never marry – the world should thank me for not marrying you!” John Joe McGinley looks at how our ancestors approached marriage under Brehon Law – you might be surprised at how forward-thinking they were!

This week’s classic film is ‘An Affair to Remember’ as Mick Jordan goes behind the scenes of the making of the movie. Henry Wymbs chats to Tyrone’s Dwina Murphy Gibb who tells him about life being married to a Bee Gees’ star. Music star Michael English tells Maxi about the songs that make the soundtrack to his life. 

Anthony F. Hughes begins a two-part feature on the story of ‘Tombstone’. Alan Cleary explores the legacy of ‘Silken’ Thomas Fitzgerald, and in particular his defiance against King Henry VIII, Brendan O’Carroll shares his favourite sporting memory and Johnny McEvoy has a lovely new short story for us called ‘The Fox’. 

We have all this for you to enjoy alongside regular features Cassidy Says, Dan Conway’s Corner, Marjorie’s Kitchen, columnists Mary Kennedy, Michael Lyster, Eddie Ryan, Alex Dobbs, Eddie Lenihan … Readers’ Letters, Learn to Draw with Don Conroy, Owen’s Club for younger readers, They are Buried in Glasnevin, Hitmakers of Irish Heritage, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Great Europeans (Peter the Great) GAA stars, Pen Friends, Lilt of Irish Laughter, our monthly puzzles and competitions, all the results from our Christmas and New Year Annual competitions, a special piece from June McDonnell on Gene Stuart as well as her Irish Music Diary, short stories, Just A Memory, a Valentine’s Quiz and much much more.

I hope that you enjoy this year’s Valentine’s Special, and I will look forward to talking to you all again next week. Until then, take care. 

Best regards, Seán Nolan, Editor, Ireland’s Own