Sunday Miscellany

‘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.

Considering the fickleness of memory, and why seemingly insignificant moments can remain with us for a lifetime See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On life in a lodging house called Kilkenny House in Dublin – an All-Ireland mecca See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A childhood summer on the family farm, and a scene perceived from a hiding place in the long grass See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The closure of the Grafton Gallery evokes memories of the artists, writers and characters of Dublin’s bohemian life See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recalling childhood memories of family life, and understanding why a father was “always looking backwards” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An appreciation of the writer and academic Seán Ó Tuama, and his contribution to Irish-language literary criticism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A glorious serenade to the power of song See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mother's knowledge and love of music passed on through the Pye record player See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early musical experimentation that ranged wildly before finally settling at the organ in a Limerick cinema See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choral competitiveness in a small Welsh village, with a legend-in-waiting amongst the performers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The eternally patient piano teacher striving to teach less-than enthusiastic pupils...and one less-than-competent sight reader See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The transportive powers of Count John McCormack stretch across generations - and oceans See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meditations on character from the Miscellany archive, with John Ryan, Bill Kelly, Catherine Marshall, Michael Harding, Val Mulkerns and Maria O'Rourke. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mysteries of cricket, the joy of the Park Run, celebrations of writer Maura Laverty and musician Glen Hansard — and a tempting treat for a magpie, with John O'Donnell, AM Cousins, John Egan, Breda Joyce, Denis Tuohy, Jackie Lynam and Grace Wells. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.