Sunday Miscellany
Sunday Miscellany is a long-running radio program from Ireland, broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 every Sunday morning since 1968. It features a mix of radio essays, poems, and complementary music, offering a reflective and cultural start to the day.
Episodes
Bringing Opera Home to Granddad, a poem by Cal O'Reilly
"The town fills its lungs full, and sweeps shawls and scarves and suits along streets…”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Opera Nights, by AM Cousins
On volunteering for Zaide, starring a young Lesley GarrettSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Church of St Iberius: a Wexford Treasure, by Jackie Morrissey
Rich and complex Irish history is on display in this small Protestant churchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Like A Bird on a Beam by Tom Mooney
The night the starlings gatecrashed the opera houseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Path That Led Me To Storytelling, by Joe Brennan
On growing up with the lore of WexfordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
T'will Shorten the Winter, by Margaret Galvin
Man bags, scarves, and “the lads”, blessed with loveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rediscovering Carmen Bustamante, by Colm Tóibín
45 years on and this soprano's 3-minute Beethoven performance is still seared into the memorySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
T'will Shorten the Winter, by Margaret Galvin
Man bags, scarves, and “the lads”, blessed with loveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bog Casket, by Claire Cotter
The physical items inevitably subsumed by the bog - human and otherwise (pic: Marguerite Sheridan)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bog Bothy, by Emmett Scanlon
Why the Irish Architecture Foundation wanted to build a Bog Bothy in the midlandsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Bog, by Anthony Baggott
A childhood in the boglands taken for granted until it becomes a source of wonder for visitorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An Emigrant Bog-Dweller, by Karen McHugh
Translation challenges for the words 'turf' and 'bog' in cultures where they don't existSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Old Bog Road, by Niamh Donnellan
Connecting with our Iron Age ancestors, who created something amazing in a bog in Corlea, LongfordSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monakeeba Meditation, by Margaret Hickey
What it takes, and the knowledge you need, to become a 'true' Monakeeba bog womanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pangur Bán and Audrey, a poem by the late Gordon Snell
‘Pen in hand, a monk sat, bored –This translation had him floored…’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Boys DO Cry, by Colin Regan
An emotional education in a Raphoe boarding schoolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ada Yeates & Sisters, by Antonia Hart
On a pioneering female-led family business of scriveners in 19th Century DublinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Way of Talking, by Denise Blake
On a few wee Donegal and Derry sayingsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Patch of Earth, by Jessica Freed
On the delights of taking charge of an allotment in Inchicore See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gordon Snell, Wizard, by Barry McCrea
A life-expanding correspondence with a beloved children’s authorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Niamh Attends to the Sick of the Supermarket, a poem by Mícheál McCann
"They flock like brittle songbirds, chorusing after her to this impressively-sized Asda..."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One Time, a poem by AM Cousins
"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 Abbey That Refused to Die, by John Egan
The kindly uncle who was instrumental in the restoration of 800-year old Ballintubber AbbeySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Showers, Sobriety and Synonyms, by Bernadett Buda
Cross-border hands of friendship and getting to grips with Irish linguistic idiosyncraciesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Fax from Seamus Heaney, by Denis Tuohy
Rejection-guilt subsequently mollified by the eternal good grace of this world class poet and gentlemanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Church Going, by Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha
Why there's something special to be found in almost all places of worship, whatever your faith, your beliefs, or none at allSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Heinrich Böll, by John F Deane
Post-war packages from Germany that make authorities nervous but were really literary treasures from the writer who made a home in AchillSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The German Refugees of Limerick, by Jody Clarke
Centuries of refugees fleeing religious persecution and the Methodist who came to rest in Limerick's Golden Vale in 1765See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Swimming Out to Caves along the Copper Coast, by Breda Joyce
The wondrous varieties of life that share the waters around Co Waterford See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Soufflage at the Staatstheater, by Jim Culleton
An Irish-German theatrical exchange - a reminder of the vital role of culture in national identitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Autumn and Harvest, by Grace Wells
Autumn, a season that demands our gratitude and awe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We Close in October, by Georg Grote
Three friends on motorbikes, a torrential Irish summer and lifelong bonds secured along the Cork/Kerry coastline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An Extraordinary Engineer, by Declan Phillips
On a remarkable friendship with the engineer of the Twin Towers, Leslie RobertsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Irish Brigids, by Máirín O’Malley
On the much-maligned Irish domestic servants in the US in the late 19th centurySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Mayor of the World Trade Centre, by Helen O’Rahilly
How a childhood friend's destiny became entwined with the Ground Zero siteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New York, New York, by Peter Cunningham
On an uncle's treasured gold watch and "the nicest man he ever met"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Memories of 9/11, by Jim Nolan
Supporting an American couple on holiday in Ireland in their hour of tragedySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kindred Swallows, by Kathy Donaghy
Marvelling at the enchantment of travellers from southern Africa to a Donegal gardenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Blue Bag in the Corner, by John MacKenna
Losing Leonard, a labrador non-pareilSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Donnybrook Fair, by Ann Marie Durkan
Brawling, carousing and sapient pigs at the famous Dublin festival through the centuriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Radio Days, by Stephen Brennan
One family's very personal ties to the very origins of Irish national broadcastingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Letter from Okinawa, by Michael Bradley
Relocating to Japan, where the weather, the language and the way of life mean major re-adjustmentsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bless You, by Molly Furey
Automatic responses when nature strikes, even in the most unforgiving of placesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
School Principal, by Bryan Gallagher (from 1997)
A retiring school principal clears out his officeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Spelling Bee, by Nuala Hayes (from 1997)
A school spelling bee, and the moral dilemma posed by the prize of a green iced lollySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Teacher Cried, by Kathleen Hardie (from 1997)
Memories of school in London at the outbreak of war, and the day the author and her classmates were evacuateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Schooldays, by Llewellyn Marcus Goodbody (from 1981)
A schoolboy business venture involving homemade lemonade, and the painful consequences of its successSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Force That Through The Green Fuse Drives the Flower, by Mary O’Donnell (from 2005)
Reflections on parenthood and the passage of time, as a daughter is about to begin secondary schoolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marked Present, by Seamus Heaney (from 2008)
His children beginning school marks a new beginning for Seamus HeaneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Master’s Request, by Shane Fagan (from 1998)
A chance encounter with an old schoolmaster, and an unexpected musical requestSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Memory, by Seán Ó Faoláin (from 1975)
Considering the fickleness of memory, and why seemingly insignificant moments can remain with us for a lifetimeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Hurler's Seat, by Cathy Power (from 2004)
On life in a lodging house called Kilkenny House in Dublin – an All-Ireland meccaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Field Called Love, by Catherine Donnelly (from 1993)
A childhood summer on the family farm, and a scene perceived from a hiding place in the long grassSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grafton Gallery, by John Ryan (from 1971)
The closure of the Grafton Gallery evokes memories of the artists, writers and characters of Dublin’s bohemian lifeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ghosts, by Louise Delaney (from 1995)
Recalling childhood memories of family life, and understanding why a father was “always looking backwards”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Remembering Seán Ó Tuama, by Eoghan Ó hAnluain (from 2006)
An appreciation of the writer and academic Seán Ó Tuama, and his contribution to Irish-language literary criticismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I am a Song, by Joseph O’Connor (from a 2018 Miscellany Live at the University of Limerick)
A glorious serenade to the power of songSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Black Box, by Olivia O’Leary (from 2021)
A mother's knowledge and love of music passed on through the Pye record playerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Musical Formation, by Norman Metcalfe (from 1974)
Early musical experimentation that ranged wildly before finally settling at the organ in a Limerick cinemaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luciano and Myself, by Lydia Carroll (from 1995)
Choral competitiveness in a small Welsh village, with a legend-in-waiting amongst the performersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Education of A Page-Turner, by Christopher Fitz-Simon (from 1984)
The eternally patient piano teacher striving to teach less-than enthusiastic pupils...and one less-than-competent sight readerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Power of Music, by Aideen O'Keefe (from 2003)
The transportive powers of Count John McCormack stretch across generations - and oceansSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Are We Like?
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.
Feasting Galore and Glen’s Gift
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.
Kerry Dances and Moonlight in Mayo
From a mighty session in Dingle to Croagh Patrick to the Heinrich Böll cottage in Achill, an All-Ireland state of mind, with Séamus Moran, Grace Wells, John Lawler, Mary Lavery Carrig, Frank Shouldice and Geraldine Mitchell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Blind Dates and Hurling Dreams
Limerick and Galway All-Ireland hopes, a Ukrainian love story and the sweet pleasures of a day on the bog, with Antonia Gunko Karelina, Barry Houlihan, Anne Marie Kennedy, Mike MacDomhnaill, Ann Lane O’Connell, John Vincent Cunningham and Bob Kelly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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