Deirdre of the Sorrows

Scottish poet Kenneth Steven explores the legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows, which is embedded in the landscapes of Ireland and Scotland and has inspired generations of writers and musicians.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, 11th December 2022.

FORTHCOMING RE-BROADCAST: Sunday 25th May 2025 at 6 pm on RTÉ lyric fm.

1001 Gems

Composer Seán Doherty explores the story and dance tunes of Francis O’Neill.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 4th May 2025

Not to be taken at Bed-time (working title)

The life and work of the writer Rosa Mulholland (1841-1921), poet, novelist and, above all, writer of spine-chilling ghost stories. Presented by Sara Lodge.

FORTHCOMING: RTÉ lyric fm. Autumn 2025.

Where the River Rises

Poet Jane Clarke explores the Avonmore River in County Wicklow through poetry and conversation.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 2nd February 2025.

Among the Heather Rocks

Poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin goes home to Donegal, which has inspired her poetry through landscape, mythology and distant and recent history.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 9th March 2025.

The Shaky Bridge

Irish poet Louis de Paor goes back to Cork, recalling family, friends, places, and the Cork writers he grew to know and who would influence his work.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 16th March 2025.

The Blind Poetess of Ulster (working title)

The life and work of Frances Browne (1816-1879), poet, journalist, novelist, short-story writer and best-selling children’s author. Presented by Shirley-Anne Godfrey.

FORTHCOMING: RTÉ lyric fm. Autumn 2025.

Michael Longley’s Life of Poetry

Marking his 85th birthday on 27th July 2024, Belfast poet Michael Longley looks back, in conversation with Olivia O’Leary, and on a life of 60 years of poetry. Re-broadcast as a tribute to the poet’s life and work following his death on 22nd January 2025.

FIRST BROADCAST: BBC Radio 3 The Essay, 8-12th July 2024

RE-BROADCAST: BBC Radio 3 The Essay 10-14th February 2025

ADDITIONAL BROADCAST: Proms Interval (compilation of extracts from The Essay), BBC Radio 3, 11th August 2024

Lament for Art O’Leary

The premiere of a new opera by composer Irene Buckley, with lyrics by poet Vona Groarke, inspired by the poem Chaoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire.

FIRST BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, 15th December 2024.

RE-BROADCAST: RTÉ lyric fm, 6th April 2025.