Poised somewhere between the pub and peer review, this podcast will entertain, intrigue and perhaps change your perspective on the writer known variously as Flann O'Brien, Myles na gCopaleen and Brian O'Nolan. Featuring special guests, archival sounds and interesting theories about this fascinating figure. Made with the support of Birkbeck College, University of London. Read episode transcripts at radiomyles.com Ident and artwork by Will de Villiers: https://www.instagram.com/willdevilliersillustration/
In this episode Toby speaks to Julieta Abella, an Argentinian scholar working on Irish modernism who can explain the seemingly strange transatlantic connection between Flann O’Brien and Jorge Luis Borges, and much more besides.
In part 2 of this interview, Maebh and Toby talk about beginnings, originality, hustle and technology in Brian O'Nolan's life and work. Sensationally, Maebh shares a newly unearthed recording of the voice of Brian O'Nolan – it's only the second time we have been able to posthumously hear his voice.
Renowned O'Nolan scholar Maebh Long shares an unpublished draft of the famous manifesto in At Swim-Two-Birds, delves into the nature of his collaborations, shares what it's like to collect an edition of letters ... and reaches a surprising conclusion about the legacy of Flann O'Brien.
How do we understand The Third Policeman's atomic theory? Toby and Einat find out via Descartes, the anti-materialism of Leibniz & Berkeley and 20th century physics.
Toby and a Chicago writer discuss how Flann inspires him. They explore the soft lunacy of books, the uses of bureaucratic jargon and the life of moonlighting writers.
Toby asks a leading expert: who was Flann O'Brien? The answer involves pseudonyms, rarely heard first-hand accounts and a legendary editor of the Irish Times.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
