Sunday Miscellany

"The town fills its lungs full, and sweeps shawls and scarves and suits along streets…” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On volunteering for Zaide, starring a young Lesley Garrett See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich and complex Irish history is on display in this small Protestant church See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The night the starlings gatecrashed the opera house See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On growing up with the lore of Wexford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man bags, scarves, and “the lads”, blessed with love See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 years on and this soprano's 3-minute Beethoven performance is still seared into the memory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man bags, scarves, and “the lads”, blessed with love See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The physical items inevitably subsumed by the bog - human and otherwise (pic: Marguerite Sheridan) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why the Irish Architecture Foundation wanted to build a Bog Bothy in the midlands See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A childhood in the boglands taken for granted until it becomes a source of wonder for visitors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Translation challenges for the words 'turf' and 'bog' in cultures where they don't exist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecting with our Iron Age ancestors, who created something amazing in a bog in Corlea, Longford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What it takes, and the knowledge you need, to become a 'true' Monakeeba bog woman See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Pen in hand, a monk sat, bored – This translation had him floored…’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An emotional education in a Raphoe boarding school See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a pioneering female-led family business of scriveners in 19th Century Dublin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a few wee Donegal and Derry sayings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the delights of taking charge of an allotment in Inchicore See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A life-expanding correspondence with a beloved children’s author See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"They flock like brittle songbirds, chorusing after her to this impressively-sized Asda..." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Mr Heaney was at his desk, solid as the Sugarloaf, still cheerful after a day of lectures..." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The kindly uncle who was instrumental in the restoration of 800-year old Ballintubber Abbey See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cross-border hands of friendship and getting to grips with Irish linguistic idiosyncracies See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejection-guilt subsequently mollified by the eternal good grace of this world class poet and gentleman See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why there's something special to be found in almost all places of worship, whatever your faith, your beliefs, or none at all See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post-war packages from Germany that make authorities nervous but were really literary treasures from the writer who made a home in Achill See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Centuries of refugees fleeing religious persecution and the Methodist who came to rest in Limerick's Golden Vale in 1765 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wondrous varieties of life that share the waters around Co Waterford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Irish-German theatrical exchange - a reminder of the vital role of culture in national identity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autumn, a season that demands our gratitude and awe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three friends on motorbikes, a torrential Irish summer and lifelong bonds secured along the Cork/Kerry coastline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a remarkable friendship with the engineer of the Twin Towers, Leslie Robertson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the much-maligned Irish domestic servants in the US in the late 19th century See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a childhood friend's destiny became entwined with the Ground Zero site See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On an uncle's treasured gold watch and "the nicest man he ever met" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supporting an American couple on holiday in Ireland in their hour of tragedy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marvelling at the enchantment of travellers from southern Africa to a Donegal garden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Losing Leonard, a labrador non-pareil See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brawling, carousing and sapient pigs at the famous Dublin festival through the centuries See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One family's very personal ties to the very origins of Irish national broadcasting See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relocating to Japan, where the weather, the language and the way of life mean major re-adjustments See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Automatic responses when nature strikes, even in the most unforgiving of places See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A retiring school principal clears out his office See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A school spelling bee, and the moral dilemma posed by the prize of a green iced lolly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memories of school in London at the outbreak of war, and the day the author and her classmates were evacuate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A schoolboy business venture involving homemade lemonade, and the painful consequences of its success See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflections on parenthood and the passage of time, as a daughter is about to begin secondary school See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His children beginning school marks a new beginning for Seamus Heaney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A chance encounter with an old schoolmaster, and an unexpected musical request See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.