FORTHCOMING

Where the River Rises, in The Lyric Feature, RTÉ lyric fm, date to be confirmed

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

Photo: Jane Clarke and Richard Nairn

Originally from Roscommon, Jane Clarke has been living in County Wicklow for around 30 years. In that time, she has grown to know and love the Avonmore River, but has also become concerned about environmental threats to the river’s water, wildlife and surrounding landscape.

In the programme Where the River Rises, through poetry, and in conversation with naturalists and historians, Jane explores the nature and history of the Avonmore River.

At the source of the river, she meets naturalist Richard Nairn, who describes the early stages of the river and tells her about some of the wildlife found nearby, including the dipper, a shy bird which can be hard to spot. Further downstream, Hugh McLindon, Conservation Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, shows her a bog restoration project, while ecologist Faith Wilson talks about the importance of the trees of Clara Vale and the activities of the East Wicklow Rivers Trust. Along the way, she also meets historian and archeologist Chris Corlett to hear about the way of life of people who used to live on a slope above Lough Tay, and Jean Costelloe, former manager and curator of the Avondale House and Estate, who tells her about Ana Parnell, sister of Charles Stewart Parnell.

Throughout the programme Jane reads poems which celebrate the nature of the Avonmore River, describe its fragility, and celebrate efforts being made to protect and restore it.

Jane Clarke’s poetry is published by Bloodaxe Books, and Richard Nairn’s latest book is Future Wild: Nature Restoration in Ireland, published by New Island Books.

The producer of Where the River Rises is Claire Cunningham, sound supervision is by Tinpot Productions, and the programme is a Rockfinch Production for RTÉ lyric fm.

After broadcast, the programme will be available to podcast on the usual podcast platforms and on the RTÉ Radio Player.

Where the River Rises is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and by RTÉ. Producer for RTÉ lyric fm: Eoin O’Kelly.