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.
FIRST BROADCAST: 22nd March 2026 at 6 pm on RTÉ lyric fm.
Born in Stranorlar in County Donegal in 1816, Frances Browne became a literary celebrity.
She was blinded by smallpox as a very small child, but through talent and ambition became a successful writer, publishing three collections of poetry, three novels, and many short stories and essays. She was a prolific journalist and reviewer for many prominent magazines and is chiefly remembered for her best-selling children’s storybook Granny’s Wonderful Chair (1857).
The legacy and spirit of Frances Browne are celebrated each year at the Annual Frances Browne Literary Festival.
The programme is presented by Dr Shirley-Anne Godfrey, who is both a fellow Stranorlar woman and a fellow writer, and we hear contributions from Kathleen Phelan, Dr Pauline Holland, Professor Thomas McLean, Dr Pádraic Whyte, Lisa O’Donovan, Patrick Bonar and Raymond Blair. The reader is Megan Armitage and the programme ends with a musical setting by Martin McColgan of Browne’s poem ‘Songs of Our Land’.
The producer of The Blind Poetess of Ulster is Claire Cunningham., sound design is by Regan Hutchins, and the programme is a Rockfinch Production for RTÉ lyric fm.
Funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and by RTÉ. Producer for RTÉ lyric fm: Eoin O’Kelly.
Statue of Frances Browne at Stranorlar Historical Park.
A rare early copy of Granny’s Wonderful Chair.