Today’s the day

Anxiously awaiting the results … winners should be announced any time now.

Donncha replies

On Wednesday, I asked Donncha where his passion for street photography came from and how Cork was changing.

Here’s his thoughtful response.

With any luck, I’ll be selected to go to Ireland, and then I can tell Donncha’s story.

Technorati tags: Cork, Donncha.

Audio: Why I want to visit Ireland

I’ll find out in just four days whether I’ve been selected to travel to Ireland as a podcaster. Here’s some audio from me on why I’d like to win. Total time: 2 minutes.

Technorati tags: Ireland.

Winners will be revealed in T-minus 5 days …

The countdown is on to September 12, when Tourism Ireland will announce the winners of the “Your Very Own Ireland™ Podcast Contest.”

More to come on this blog between now and then!

Photo: The Apple Store

This is one of several great Flickr photos from Donncha, whose work also appears in In Photos.

Here’s what I would ask Doncha: How is Cork changing? Where your does your obvious passion for street photography come from?

Technorati tags: Cork, Donncha.

Photo: Dinner in Dublin

Betty151 (seated at front, left) has dinner in Dublin on what appears to be, from her photostream, a trip around Europe.

Here’s what I would ask this group were I part of the dinner: What is “hip” and happening in Dublin? What attracts — and keeps — young people there?

Technorati tags: Ireland, Dublin.

Blog of the Day

This one-day-old blog has been featured as a Blog of the Day for August 31. It’s also listed in the World category.

Very cool.

Technorati tags: Blog of the Day, BOTG.

Photo: Irish castle

There is no shortage of stunning photos of Ireland on Flickr. Here’s a good one:

Photo by Eole.

Here’s what I would ask if I were visiting this castle on my trip: Who lived here and when? Any myths or legends attached to this place?

Entry submitted

I’ve officially entered the contest! The application comprised three parts–the first, my name and basic contact information; the second, relating to my use and interest in different forms of media, including podcasting; and the third, a 850-character-maximum pitch on why I should be chosen for the one-week podcasting assignment in Ireland. I wanted keep things brief … so I made my case in a tidy 841 characters:

I want to go to Ireland to tell its stories–-both of its residents and its visitors. I want to meet the people of Ireland-–-a shopkeeper, an artist, a group of school children, a businessman, an athlete-–and learn about their lives. I want to search for the town in the centre of Ireland where my great-grandmother was raised and then speak with other tourists who are journeying to the country to trace their family roots. I want to meet 2006 Tech Blogger winner Tom Raftery, not only to ask him about Ireland’s place in social media but also to hear his tales of caring for a newborn child.As a writer/editor/web producer by day and blogger/podcaster/audio enthusiast by night, I understand the craft of creating authentic and compelling stories. Give me the opportunity to tell Ireland’s. Check out my site: http://www.SendMeToIreland.com

Winners will be announced on Tourism Ireland’s website on September 12, 2006.

Technorati tags: Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Your Very Own Ireland, Tom Raftery.

It’s now or never …

Deadline day for entry into the “Your Very Own Ireland™ Podcast Contest” is today, August 31. I am completing my entry now. More in this space soon.

Technorati tags: Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Your Very Own Ireland.