A Very Autistic Christmas by Aoife Dooley

In The Middle of The Fields by Mary Lavin Based on the acclaimed stage production of Mary Lavin's short story, directed by Joan Sheehy, and originally produced by Blood In The Alley Theatre Company. The evocative story centres around a young widow who displays a strong, independent spirit in running her farm. An encounter one night with a neighbouring farmer becomes emotionally charged and unsettling, posing provocative questions about past passions in a shifting and surprising story that will leave you captivated. Cast & Production Credits Kathy Rose O’Brien (Vera & Bridie) Mark O’Regan (Ned) Seamus Moran (Bartley Crossen) Music composed by Tom Lane. Music performed by Dermot Dunne. Directed by Joan Sheehy. Sound Design & Sound Supervision by Ciarán Cullen. Presented by Kind Permission of the Estate of Mary Lavin. Special thanks to Kathleen MacMahon. Producer, Blood in the Alley: Geoff Gould. Producer for RTÉ: Kevin Brew. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ballad of the Stolwijk Rescue Another chance to hear the award-winning documentary from our colleagues in The Lyric Feature. In December 1940, eight fishermen from Arranmore Island in County Donegal rescued 18 Dutch sailors from the SS Stolwijk, a cargo ship which had been wrecked on rocks in a hurricane force storm. Singer and multi-instrumentalist, Brían Mac Gloinn, who is one half of the well known folk duo Ye Vagabonds, heard the story from the last living eye witness, Andrew Early, who knew the lifeboat crew who effected the daring rescue. Using his testimony and that of other islanders, Brían has woven a radio ballad to commemorate the events of that day. The radio ballad is a particular form of radio storytelling that was pioneered by Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker, where eyewitness accounts are augmented by new original music and sound effects to recreate the emotional context of an event. This may be the first ever Irish radio ballad.This programme was shortlisted for the Prix Italia radio awards in 2021. Written, presented and performed by Brían Mac Gloinn, Sound mixing by Brían MacGloinn and Damian Chennells Produced by Brían Mac Gloinn and Eoin O Kelly (first broadcast 24th of December 2020) EPG: From The Lyric Feature: Ye Vagabonds Brían Mac Gloinn tells the story in word and song of the rescue of 18 Dutch sailors off Arranmore Island over 80 years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wake by Irene Kelleher In this touching comedy we eavesdrop on the thoughts of a young woman during her mother’s wake in the family home, in a play that explores the indeterminacy of grief and family relationships, amidst a motley crew of mourners determined to talk about anything except loss. Cast & Production Credits Irene Kelleher (Lily) Gary Murphy (Dad) Dawn Bradfield (Lily’s Mam, Bridget Fogarty, Aunt Rachel, & the Sexy Top!) Mark O’Regan (Father Sean, Tommy Riordan & Uncle Danny) Denis Conway (Toothie Teddy & Uncle Gerry) Norma Sheahan (Aunt Jess & Aunt Sally) Alex Murphy (Michael Sweeney) Liz Fitzgibbon (Aoibheann & Cousin Aileen)

Horace by John O'Donnell Fidelma has a special gift. So when young couple Tom and Cathy join the bereavement counselling group, Fidelma sees a way that she can help them – until other darker secrets are revealed. Dawn Bradfield was Fidelma Stephen Jones played Darren The role of Cathy was played by Aoibhinn McGinnity Mark Huberman was Tom Charlie McGuinness was Eugene Bernie was played by Enda Oates Sound design and sound supervision was by Mark Dwyer Horace by John O’Donnell was directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hecuba written by Marina Carr Troy has fallen and the humiliated and bereaved, Hecuba, Trojan Queen wipes the blood of her slaughtered sons and grandsons off her body. As more sacrifices are demanded, how much more could one woman be asked to bear? Listeners are advised that the play contains strong adult language that some may find offensive Derbhle Crotty was Hecuba, Declan Conlon played Agamemnon. The role of Cassandra was played by Aoibhinn McGinnity, Danielle Galligan was Polyxena. Odysseus was played by Enda Oates and Ollie West was Polydorous Sound design and sound supervision was by Gar Duffty Hecuba by Marina Carr was directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.