Podcasts about merrion press

In this episode we talk to Gearóid Ó Faoleán about his research into support for the Provisional IRA in the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles. Gearóid is the author of A Broad Church: The Provisional IRA in the Republic of Ireland, 1969–1980 and A Broad Church Vol. 2: The Provisional IRA in the Republic of Ireland, 1980-1989, published by Merrion Press in 2019 and 2023, respectively. He is currently working on a history of traditional music in west Clare with support from a bursary from the Irish Association of Professional Historians. We discuss the extent of support and sympathy for the IRA in the South and its role in the armed campaign; how public support manifested in training, arms, and the legal system; and the wide, cross-party political spread of IRA sympathy, discrete from the political wing of the Provisional movement. Both volumes of A Broad Church are available from Merrion Press.

George Hamiliton was this week's visiting critic, find out if he escaped safely and intact from Prison Island's escape rooms. George Hamilton's memoir – The Hamilton Notes is published by Merrion Press and available in all good bookshops

Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc is no stranger to this podcast. While his latest book explores 'The Disappeared' (launching this month from Merrion Press), he has also been undertaking a study of the far-right in Ireland historically. Moving beyond the familiar, like the Army Comrades Association ('the Blueshirts'), Pádraig's study begins with some more overlooked groups. Even before Oswald Mosley, the British Fascisti were a force with surprising connections to Dublin, and an active branch in the city.

On Thursday 23rd November, a 49-year-old Irish citizen, originally from Algeria but who had lived in Ireland for 20 years, committed a heinous knife attack on children at a primary school in Parnell Square East in Dublin.Quickly, far-right and anti-migrant activists and agitators turned to social media, spreading a range of misinformation about the attack, including that the perpetrator was an illegal immigrant.Within hours Dublin was ablaze, as rioters set police cars, buses and a tram alight and looted shops, causing over an estimated €10 million of damage.But how did this happen? Is the Irish far-right larger and stronger than previously thought? And how do antifascists and Irish society more broadly respond to such a violent outburst?To discuss this, and events in Dublin in more detail, we welcome the historian and author, Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, onto the podcast.N.B. - During the course of the podcast, "The Diggers" are mentioned at one point. This ought to have been "The Levellers".—Pádraig has written several books on the Irish Civil War.- Several are available through Mercier Press.- Pádraig's forthcoming book on political violence in Ireland (published Feb 2024) will be available through Merrion Press.—SUPPORT HOPE NOT HATE:If you'd like to support HOPE not hate, why not pick up some merch from our online shop?—

 Malachi O'Doherty is a writer and broadcaster based in Belfast, a columnist for the Belfast Telegraph and a frequent contributor to several radio programmes as a respected commentator on Northern Ireland. His last book for Merrion was a novel, Terry Brankin Has a Gun. It was hailed by critics as ‘a superb thriller'. Malachi was awarded a PhD in Creative Writing by Queen's University Belfast and has received a Major Artist Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland .Malachi's new book "Can Ireland Be One" will be published by Merrion Press in September 2022. ★ Support this podcast ★

Happily ever afters don't have to involve a fairy tale wedding followed by staying together for the sake of the children, come what may, says début author Cristín Leach. The art critic speaks candidly about her marriage breakdown in her memoir, Negative Space. A text message pinging onto her phone marked the beginning of the end for her relationship. Cristin also reflects on life and her relarionship to art and writing, and says: “I don't feel that there's any one reading for a work of art. Everyone who encounters music, poetry, books, paintings, films brings themselves to it. There's something shared when we all encounter it.” Negative Space by Cristín Leach is published by Merrion Press. More here: https://irishacademicpress.ie/product/negative-space/

In this episode we will learn about a time when catholic worship in Ireland was restricted and at times even forbidden. We'll hear how the faithful gathered in the secrecy of the countryside, at the risk of severe punishment, even death, to celebrate Mass together. We'll discover how, as the repression waned, a period of church-building began that would lead to the construction of a cathedral. Please subscribe to get notified about future episodes. Help us grow our audience If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to leave us a review on Podchaser. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/cathedral-chronicles Support our work by donating an item of equipment from the Amazon wish list at the link below https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3STTP01SZO48S?ref_=wl_share Support our work by advertising your business on this show To enquire about advertising your business on this show, please email mark@cathedralchronicles.com Additional content on Facebook and Youtube Like us on Facebook for additional content or to get in touch: https://www.facebook.com/cathedralchronicles Subscribe on YouTube for video shorts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaa2yIIrzI-FudBhMyB9Fw Guest contributor profile Anthony Russell is an historian, playwright and retired academic who has worked on higher education projects from Denmark to Burma. Anthony was the creator and director of the exhibition ‘Thomas D'Arcy McGee: Irish Rebel – Canadian Patriot' in Ottawa, Canada, and Carlingford, Ireland. Anthony is the author of Merrion Press's Between Two Flags: John Mitchel and Jenny Verner. He is a co-editor of and contributor to Irish Academic Press's new book John Mitchel, Ulster and aspects of the Great Irish Famine. His play 'The Trial of P. H. Pearse in the Court of History' has been performed in Canada and at 'Féile an Phobail 2017'. Credits This episode was produced and presented by Mark G. Byrne. It was written by Anthony Russell, with additional content adapted from the works of the Reverend Edward Campbell by Mark G. Byrne. Music Original music ‘Piano Trio in G 1. Allegro Moderato' composed specially for this series by Kevin Canavan. ©2022 Kevin Canavan. All Rights Reserved. Soundcloud.com/kevycanavan Copyright information Cathedral Chronicles is produced by a team of volunteers with the cooperation of Newry Cathedral Parish and the Diocese of Dromore. Neither Newry Cathedral Parish nor the Diocese of Dromore claims ownership of, or responsibility for, the content of this podcast. ©2022 Mark G. Byrne. All Rights Reserved.

A little hyperfixation of the future of Dublin Eoin Ó Broin is an author and Sinn Féin TD who sits down with Ally and Nigel to discuss the bus centre Busáras, the subject of his latest book: we discuss accessibility in public buildings, the privatisation of public spaces, environmentally friendly architecture, and the need for grassroots changes. If you liked the episode, please feel free to tell us about it! You can send your comments and suggestions to our podcast Twitter (@HyperfixationsP), or our Instagram (@Hyperfixationspod), and join our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/NQJFFHgpgf Our guest Eoin can be found on Twitter: @EOBroin, on Instagram: @eoinobroin_td, and on Facebook: Eoin Ó Broin TD You can also order Eoin's book 'The Dignity of Everyday Life: Celebrating Michael Scott's Busáras' from Merrion Press here Eoin's other book 'Defects: Living with the Legacy of the Celtic Tiger' can be purchased from Merrion Press here or any good bookshop And your hosts can be reached individually here: Ally - Twitter: @alleykat_, Instagram: @ally_k_keegan Nigel - Twitter: @spicynigel If you would like to come onto the show to discuss one of your Hyperfixations, please feel free to reach out at any of the aforementioned social media. Thank you so much for listening, you rock! Intro/Outro Song: Strollin Along by David Renda, find it here - https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/strollin-along/339 Background Music: Commercial Bliss by David Renda, find it here - https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/commercial-bliss/345

In this episode we discuss two new books on architecture, buildings and Ireland's capital city, Dublin. The books are The Dublin Architecture Guide 1937-2021, by Paul Kelly, Cormac Murray and Brendan Spierin, published by the Lilliput Press and designed by Eamonn Hall. The second book is The Dignity of Everyday Life: Celebrating Michael Scott's Busaras, with text by Eoin O' Broin and photographs by Mal McCann. The book is designed by Stuart Coughlan and published by Merrion Press. The podcast covers the themes and content of the books individually and together, paying particular attention to the design of the books and how photographs are used. Joining Emmett Scanlon  to discuss these books are architect David Capener and photographer Noel Bowler. ABOUT THE CRITICS David Capener is an architect, educator and writer and a lecturer at the Belfast School of Architecture. He himself has just published a book as part of ANNEX, a six person team who made ENTANGLEMT, the national pavilion at the 2021 Biennale of architecture in Venice. The book, STATES OF ENTAGLEMENT: Data in the Irish Landscape, is published by ACTAR and designed by Alex Synge. Noel Bowler, who studied at the Belfast School of Art and is currently Senior Lecturer in Photography at the University of Suffolk. Noel Bowler is a photographer and educator. His photographs, exhibitions and publications continue to look at the ongoing consideration of the political forces that shape our world, reflected through the organisation of social space. Made over a six year period, Noel's most recent book ABOVE THE FOLD is a series of photographs taken in some of the most respected and recognised newspaper newsrooms from around the world. The book was designed by Robert Farrelly at POST STUDIO and published by RARE editions. NOTE: The podcast was recorded on zoom. During the course of the recording there was some local distortion on some aspects of the sound. We apologise for this and have done our best to correct this. Music in this podcast is by Rachael Lavelle.

Last week, Cormac O'Malley joined me to talk about his father and his journey to the War of Independence. This week, we talk about the life of Ernie O'Malley from the Civil War through to his great contributions to Bohemian Dublin's art scene, and his marriage to Helen Hooker. Ernie O'Malley: A Life is out now (Merrion Press)

Ernie O'Malley's life is the stuff of a big screen film - in a sense it was, as a central inspiration to The Wind That Shakes The Barley. A young medical student at the time of the Rising, he became a key link between the IRA GHQ in Dublin and the army in the field. He was also a key figure in Dublin's bohemian art scene, together with his wife Helen Hooker. My guest is Cormac O'Malley. Ernie O'Malley: A Life is out now from Merrion Press.

In this bonus episode of Shelfmarks, guest writer Conor W. O'Brien reads a short piece on the wolf in Ireland. Shelfmarks is a podcast by the Royal Irish Academy podcaster-in-residence Zoë Comyns. Every other week Zoë will sift through the Academy collection for Shelfmarks (biographies, manuscripts, books and reference from the collection) and invite a guest writer to discuss their own relationship with the natural world. Each writer has been specially commissioned to write pieces exploring their own relationship with nature. Shelfmarks goes live every other Sunday. In this bonus episode of Shelfmarks, Zoë meets with Conor W. O'Brien. Conor is the author of two books: 'Ireland Through Birds', a journey around Ireland and through the four seasons in search of 12 of our rarest and most elusive birds, and 'Life in Ireland: a Short History of a Long Time', both published by Merrion Press. Conor joined us for our Culture Night special episode of Shelfmarks to talk about writing and the natural world. One of the aims of this series is to commission new writing about the natural world and for this bonus episode Conor has written a short piece on the wolf in Ireland. A full episode of Shelfmarks will be back next week with Manchán Magan. This series is funded by the Arts Council Literature Project Award.

Is é John, duine de na húdair ar an leabhar, 'Old Ireland in Colour 2', foilsithe ag Merrion Press. Labhraíonn sé linn faoin leabhar.

Peter O'Connell from Merrion Press hosts the launch of Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin's new book "Defects: Living with the Legacy of the Celtic Tiger". He is also joined by Stephanie Meehan a former resident of the infamous Priory Hall development, Irish Examiner journalist Mick Clifford as well as campaigners Kath Cottier and Michael Doherty.

On this episode of the Irish History Show we were joined by Gerard Shannon to discuss Seán Russell, the former Chief of Staff of the IRA. Russell continues to be a deeply controversial and divisive figure to the present day and his statue in Fairview Park, near Dublin's city centre, has been frequently vandalised, and at one stage decapitated. Russell joined the Irish Volunteers in 1913 and fought in the Easter Rising. After being interned in Frongoch, he fought in the War of Independence, rising to become IRA Director of Munitions in 1920. He fought with the Anti - Treaty IRA in the Civil War and was interned by the new Irish government. He remained with IRA after his release and became Quarter Master General. It was his actions during the Second World War that would lead to his continuing notoriety. As chief of staff he oversaw the ill fated bombing campaign in British cities in 1939. In 1940, following a tour of the United States, he travelled to Genoa and then onto Berlin where he held discussions with German military intelligence and received explosives training with the Abwehr. As he was travelling back to Ireland aboard a German U - Boat he suffered a burst stomach ulcer and died. Gerard Shannon is a historian from Skerries in Co. Dublin and a graduate of the School of History and Geography in DCU. He is currently working on a biography of the IRA Chief of Staff during the Civil War, Liam Lynch for Merrion Press. You can find his website at gerardshannon.com Gerard has written two articles on Russell for the Irish Story website which are available here: https://www.theirishstory.com/2020/07/02/the-only-irishman-that-was-incorruptible-sean-russell-and-the-ira-part-one-1893-1930/#.YL_5tvlKjIU https://www.theirishstory.com/2020/07/13/worthy-successor-of-tone-and-casement-sean-russell-and-the-ira-part-two-1931-40/#.YL_52_lKjIU Intro / Outro music “Sliabh” from Aislinn. Licensed under creative commons from the free music archive.

Ray O'Hanlon was born in Dublin, is a graduate of University College Dublin, and worked with the Irish Press newspaper group before moving to the United States in 1987. O'Hanlon's particular beat has long been the immigration issue and his 1998 book, The New Irish Americans, is considered a definitive account of the battle for immigration reform waged by the Irish Immigration Reform Movement and other Irish-American organizations in the late 1980s and early '90s. His new book, Unintended Consequences: The Story of Irish Immigration to the US and How America's Door was Closed to the Irish, will be published by Merrion Press in April 2021.In this episode, Scott and Liam speak with Ray about Irish American politics since the  1990s and look at how the political dynamics of "Irish America" have changed over the years. 

In this episode Emmett Scanlon talks to Eoin Ó Broin about architecture, planning, participation and the public value of architecture. And a little about housing too. About: Eoin Ó Broin: Eoin Ó Broin is a Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid West and the party's spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. He has been a Sinn Féin activist for 22 years in Belfast and Dublin, was elected to Belfast City Council and South Dublin County Council and is author of a number of books including HOME: why public housing is the answer (Merrion Press 2019) and Defects: living with the legacy of the Celtic Tiger (Merrion Press 2021) __ Music is by Sinead Finegan, played by the Delmaine String Quartet (Philip Dodd, leader). The podcast was recorded on Zoom in February 2021.

Book club returns to Made to Parade for a second special bonus episode of the Made to Parade podcast. This episode shines the spotlight on the fantastic book "My Life in Loyalism" written by Billy Hutchinson with Gareth Mulvenna. The book is Billy's life story and a very powerful story it is as well.Growing up on the Shankill Road as the troubles began, Billy as a young boy knew that he had to do something to protect his community that went beyond mere words. Billy joined the YCV and later the UVF. Life during the troubles as part of a paramilitary organisation was precarious to say the least and Billy found the police having a keen interest in his actions and whereabouts. Ultimately this led to time spent in prison where Billy went through a personal and political transition that is still working in his life today.Billy shares why he felt now was the time to share his story and what he hopes it will achieve. He talks as candidly on the podcast as he does in the book and I know you will enjoy the conversation. My thanks to Billy and Gareth for taking the time to record the episode, it was a pleasure and a privilege to do.Billy's book is available from Merrion Press' website as well as Belfast Books and No Alibi's and online retailers as well.Our next episode due 18th January 2021 will be the last episode of season 2. Make sure you check it out and if you haven't done already go to madetoparade.com and subscribe and never miss an episode.If you want to be involved in Season 3 then get in touch with us via the Facebook & MeWe pages or email us on madetoparadebook@gmail.com

Violence Series #4 of 4. Though they’re rarely at the fore of the story, the women of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising were essential to the rebellion. They carried messages and supplies, provided cover fire in battles, and served on the front lines. In this episode Averill and Sarah dive into the historical treatment of the women of the Easter Rising, and the failure of the Free State after Ireland gained its independence to adequately honor the sacrifice of those women. Get the transcript and Further Reading recommendations at digpodcast.org Bibliography Mary McAuliffe and Liz Gillis, Richmond Barracks 1916: we were there: 77 women of the Easter Rising, (Dublin City Council, 2016). Edited by Ruán O'Donnell, Mícheál Ó hAodha, Voices from the Easter Rising, (Merrion Press, 2016) Richard Grayson, Dublin's Great Wars : The First World War, the Easter Rising and the Irish Revolution, (Cambridge University Press; 2018) Caoimhe Nic Dháibhéid, “Schooling the National Orphans: The Education of the Children of the Easter Rising Leaders,” The Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth, 2016, Vol.9(2), pp.261-276 Marian Eide, “Maeve’s Legacy: Constance Markievicz, Eva Gore-Booth, and the Easter Rising,” Éire-Ireland, 2016, Vol.51(3), pp.80-103 Fearghal McGarry, The rising : Ireland--Easter 1916, (Oxford University Press, 2010). Constance Gore Booth Markievicz, Prison Letters of Countess Markievicz (Constance Gore-Booth), Also Poems and Articles Relating to Easter Week by Eva Gore Booth and a Biographical Sketch by Esther Roper, with a Preface by President de Valera, (Longmanns, Green, 1934) Margaret Skinnider, Doing my Bit for Ireland: A first-hand account of the Easter Rising, (Luath Press Ltd, 2017) Margaret Ward, Unmanageable revolutionaries: women and Irish Nationalism, (Pluto Press, 1995) Helen McBride, “Eirebrushed: Erasing Women from Irish History,” Nursing Clio Maria Luddy, “Women and the COntagious Diseases Acts, 1864-1886,” History Ireland (Spring 1993) Brittany Columbus, “Bean na h-Éireann: Feminism and Nationalism in an Irish Journal, 1908-1911,” Voces Novae, vol. 1, iss. 2, (2018) Cal McCarthy, Cumann na mBan and the Irish Revolution, (Cork, Ireland: Collins Press, 2007) Cumann na mBan Archives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ella McSweeney walks with Michael Fewer, author of A Natural Year, in Hellfire Hill where the Dublin and Wicklow mountains meet. Michael's latest book 'A Natural Year: The Tranquil Rhythms and Restorative Powers of Irish Nature Through the Seasons' is published by Merrion Press

A very thought provoking and illuminating chat around the issues of Housing Rights, over all of Ireland, after the Docs Ireland screening of PUSH (dir. Fredrik Gertten), in the Mac, Belfast. The panel was chaired by Dr. Agustina Martire (Lecturer in Architecture, School of Natural and Built Environment at Queens University Belfast and vice chair of the SaveCQ campaign), with Elfie Seymore and Jenna (Participation and the Practice of Rights), Dublin TD Eoin Ó Broin, author of HOME: why public housing is the answer (Merrion Press 2019) and Ciaran Mackel, Associate Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the Ulster University and the founder of ARdMackel Architects.

In 1922-23, over 200 people were killed and 3,500 imprisoned in Dublin as rival pro and anti-Treaty factions of the nationalist movement came to blows. John Dorney will talk about urban guerrilla warfare, prisons, executions and assassination during this tumultuous period. Image: Ferguson Raid, from ‘Ireland’s Tragic Week’ a special supplement to the Irish Life newspaper, published on 14 July 1922 John Dorney is a historian and editor of the Irish Story website. His forthcoming book on the Irish Civil War in Dublin will be published by Merrion Press in 2017. Recorded at Inchicore Library on 5 October 2016.

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish nationalist movement. The son of a Dublin printer, Griffith was active in nationalist politics at an early age. His own experience in publishing led Griffith to start his own review journals, which served as a platform for his ideas and which were read by many of the leading writers and activists in Ireland. The First World War and the Rising that followed brought Griffith's vision of parliamentary abstention into the mainstream of Irish politics, with Griffith and the other Sinn Fin victors in the general election that followed the war refusing to take their seats in Parliament and instead forming their own representative body, the Dil ireann. A leader of the nascent Irish government, Griffith served in a number of key positions and was the chairman of the Irish delegation that negotiated the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty a treaty that partitioned the island ad plunged the new nation into a civil war that Griffith's untimely death left for others to resolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish nationalist movement. The son of a Dublin printer, Griffith was active in nationalist politics at an early age. His own experience in publishing led Griffith to start his own review journals, which served as a platform for his ideas and which were read by many of the leading writers and activists in Ireland. The First World War and the Rising that followed brought Griffith’s vision of parliamentary abstention into the mainstream of Irish politics, with Griffith and the other Sinn Fin victors in the general election that followed the war refusing to take their seats in Parliament and instead forming their own representative body, the Dil ireann. A leader of the nascent Irish government, Griffith served in a number of key positions and was the chairman of the Irish delegation that negotiated the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty a treaty that partitioned the island ad plunged the new nation into a civil war that Griffith’s untimely death left for others to resolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish nationalist movement. The son of a Dublin printer, Griffith was active in nationalist politics at an early age. His own experience in publishing led Griffith to start his own review journals, which served as a platform for his ideas and which were read by many of the leading writers and activists in Ireland. The First World War and the Rising that followed brought Griffith’s vision of parliamentary abstention into the mainstream of Irish politics, with Griffith and the other Sinn Fin victors in the general election that followed the war refusing to take their seats in Parliament and instead forming their own representative body, the Dil ireann. A leader of the nascent Irish government, Griffith served in a number of key positions and was the chairman of the Irish delegation that negotiated the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty a treaty that partitioned the island ad plunged the new nation into a civil war that Griffith’s untimely death left for others to resolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish nationalist movement. The son of a Dublin printer, Griffith was active in nationalist politics at an early age. His own experience in publishing led Griffith to start his own review journals, which served as a platform for his ideas and which were read by many of the leading writers and activists in Ireland. The First World War and the Rising that followed brought Griffith’s vision of parliamentary abstention into the mainstream of Irish politics, with Griffith and the other Sinn Fin victors in the general election that followed the war refusing to take their seats in Parliament and instead forming their own representative body, the Dil ireann. A leader of the nascent Irish government, Griffith served in a number of key positions and was the chairman of the Irish delegation that negotiated the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty a treaty that partitioned the island ad plunged the new nation into a civil war that Griffith’s untimely death left for others to resolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the founder of Sinn Fin and a leading architect of Irish independence, Arthur Griffith ranks as one of the founding fathers of modern Ireland. In his book Arthur Griffith (Merrion Press, 2015), Owen McGee offers a biography of the writer and patriot framed within the context of the Irish nationalist movement. The son of a Dublin printer, Griffith was active in nationalist politics at an early age. His own experience in publishing led Griffith to start his own review journals, which served as a platform for his ideas and which were read by many of the leading writers and activists in Ireland. The First World War and the Rising that followed brought Griffith’s vision of parliamentary abstention into the mainstream of Irish politics, with Griffith and the other Sinn Fin victors in the general election that followed the war refusing to take their seats in Parliament and instead forming their own representative body, the Dil ireann. A leader of the nascent Irish government, Griffith served in a number of key positions and was the chairman of the Irish delegation that negotiated the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty a treaty that partitioned the island ad plunged the new nation into a civil war that Griffith’s untimely death left for others to resolve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond led the Irish Parliamentary Party to the cusp of this political victory and how it came apart for him. Picking up where his previous volume, Redmond: The Parnellite left off, Meleady introduces his readers to Redmond immediately after his assumption of his party's leadership in 1900. With the anti-Home Rule Unionist Party in office, Redmond bided his time by shepherding other reforms that reshaped Irish society. When his party gained the balance of power in Parliament after the elections of 1910 Redmond used his newfound leverage to push Home Rule to the forefront of British politics, winning its passage but bringing Ireland to the brink of civil war by 1914 as a consequence. The outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 led to a suspension of British politics and triggered a split in the Irish nationalist movement over Redmond's appeal to support the war effort a split that, with the British response to the Easter Rising in 1916, led to Redmond's political eclipse and the failure of his vision of an autonomous Ireland prospering within the British empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond led the Irish Parliamentary Party to the cusp of this political victory and how it came apart for him. Picking up where his previous volume, Redmond: The Parnellite left off, Meleady introduces his readers to Redmond immediately after his assumption of his party’s leadership in 1900. With the anti-Home Rule Unionist Party in office, Redmond bided his time by shepherding other reforms that reshaped Irish society. When his party gained the balance of power in Parliament after the elections of 1910 Redmond used his newfound leverage to push Home Rule to the forefront of British politics, winning its passage but bringing Ireland to the brink of civil war by 1914 as a consequence. The outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 led to a suspension of British politics and triggered a split in the Irish nationalist movement over Redmond’s appeal to support the war effort a split that, with the British response to the Easter Rising in 1916, led to Redmond’s political eclipse and the failure of his vision of an autonomous Ireland prospering within the British empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond led the Irish Parliamentary Party to the cusp of this political victory and how it came apart for him. Picking up where his previous volume, Redmond: The Parnellite left off, Meleady introduces his readers to Redmond immediately after his assumption of his party’s leadership in 1900. With the anti-Home Rule Unionist Party in office, Redmond bided his time by shepherding other reforms that reshaped Irish society. When his party gained the balance of power in Parliament after the elections of 1910 Redmond used his newfound leverage to push Home Rule to the forefront of British politics, winning its passage but bringing Ireland to the brink of civil war by 1914 as a consequence. The outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 led to a suspension of British politics and triggered a split in the Irish nationalist movement over Redmond’s appeal to support the war effort a split that, with the British response to the Easter Rising in 1916, led to Redmond’s political eclipse and the failure of his vision of an autonomous Ireland prospering within the British empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond led the Irish Parliamentary Party to the cusp of this political victory and how it came apart for him. Picking up where his previous volume, Redmond: The Parnellite left off, Meleady introduces his readers to Redmond immediately after his assumption of his party’s leadership in 1900. With the anti-Home Rule Unionist Party in office, Redmond bided his time by shepherding other reforms that reshaped Irish society. When his party gained the balance of power in Parliament after the elections of 1910 Redmond used his newfound leverage to push Home Rule to the forefront of British politics, winning its passage but bringing Ireland to the brink of civil war by 1914 as a consequence. The outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 led to a suspension of British politics and triggered a split in the Irish nationalist movement over Redmond’s appeal to support the war effort a split that, with the British response to the Easter Rising in 1916, led to Redmond’s political eclipse and the failure of his vision of an autonomous Ireland prospering within the British empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though in many ways the forgotten man of Irish politics, John Redmond came closer to achieving the long-sought goal of Home Rule for Ireland than had his more illustrious predecessors Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. In John Redmond: The National Leader (Merrion Press, 2014), Dermot Meleady describes how Redmond led the Irish Parliamentary Party to the cusp of this political victory and how it came apart for him. Picking up where his previous volume, Redmond: The Parnellite left off, Meleady introduces his readers to Redmond immediately after his assumption of his party’s leadership in 1900. With the anti-Home Rule Unionist Party in office, Redmond bided his time by shepherding other reforms that reshaped Irish society. When his party gained the balance of power in Parliament after the elections of 1910 Redmond used his newfound leverage to push Home Rule to the forefront of British politics, winning its passage but bringing Ireland to the brink of civil war by 1914 as a consequence. The outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 led to a suspension of British politics and triggered a split in the Irish nationalist movement over Redmond’s appeal to support the war effort a split that, with the British response to the Easter Rising in 1916, led to Redmond’s political eclipse and the failure of his vision of an autonomous Ireland prospering within the British empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Libby Purves meets cartoonist Gerald Scarfe; former journalist Eimear O'Callaghan; actor Greg Wise and rock climber Ben Moon. Eimear O'Callaghan is a former BBC news editor whose book Belfast Days is based on the diary she kept in 1972 at the height of the Troubles. The book records her and her family's experiences throughout this turbulent year. From the inconvenience of British Army check-points and power cuts to the horror of shootings, bombings and almost 500 killings, her teenage jottings convey a family and community trying to function normally against a background of violence and bloodshed. Belfast Days: A 1972 Teenage Diary is published by Merrion Press. Gerald Scarfe CBE is a political cartoonist. He started drawing for Punch and Private Eye and is now best known for his work in the New Yorker and the Sunday Times. His latest exhibition, Milk Snatcher, The Thatcher Drawings features his cartoons of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. It spans a period of 22 years from her days as a member of the shadow cabinet to her leadership of the Conservative Party, her tenure as prime minister and her political decline. Milk Snatcher, The Thatcher Drawings exhibition is at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham. Actor Greg Wise returns to the theatre after an absence of 17 years to star in Brad Fraser's play Kill Me Now. He plays Jake Sturdy, a once successful writer, who now cares for his disabled son, Joey, with the support of a motley crew of friends and family. Greg's acting credits include the films Sense and Sensibility and Effie Gray and his theatre work ranges from Richard II to The Recruiting Officer. Kill Me Now is at the Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London. In 1990 Ben Moon made rock climbing history with the first ascent of Hubble in the Peak District, now widely recognised as the world's first F9a graded climb. A major figure in the sport climbing movement of the 1980s and the bouldering phenomenon of the 1990s, he fell in love with climbing at seven when he was taken to the Lake District on a family holiday. His story is told in Statement - The Ben Moon Story by Ed Douglas, published by Vertebrate.