Best Dublin City Libraries Podcasts (2024)

1
From Béal na Bláth to Arms Dump 1:02:31

3h ago1:02:31

1:02:31

In this, the second of a two-part series on the Irish Civil War, Dublin City Historian in Residence Cathy Scuffil looks at events from Béal na Bláth to the Arms Dump.This episode was recorded as part of Dublin City Council’s Decade of Centenaries programme.By Dublin City Libraries & Archives

1
Dante's Inferno: A 13th-Century Scared Straight! (Inferno, Part 1) 35:12

2d ago35:12

35:12

In Part 1 of our discussion on Dante's Inferno, we welcome translator Michael Palma to discuss Dante's life and the context in which he wrote the Inferno, the narrative structure of The Divine Comedy, and what makes the Inferno so durably compelling. Michael Palma is the award-winning translator of Diego Valeri and Guido Gozzano, among others, and …

1
From Treaty Talks to Fire at the Four Courts 38:54

6d ago38:54

38:54

Welcome to the Dublin City Libraries podcast.In this, the first of a two-part series on the Irish Civil War, Dublin City Historian in Residence, Cormac Moore discusses events from the Treaty Talks to the Fire at the Four Courts.This episode was recorded as part of Dublin City Council’s Decade of Centenaries programme.…

1
Fleapits, Palaces, and Multiplexes 32:05

6d ago32:05

32:05

Welcome to the Dublin City Libraries podcast.In this episode, entitled Fleapits, Palaces, and Multiplexes Dublin City Historian in Residence Katie Blackwood explores the history of cinemas in Dublin.Listen to stories about the makeshift venues of the early days, the 1930s palaces of entertainment and the suburban cinemas of the mid to late twentiet…

1
Prostitution in Dublin in the early 20th century 31:34

6d ago31:34

31:34

Welcome to the Dublin City Libraries podcast.In this episode entitled Prostitution in Dublin in the early 20th Century, Dublin City Historian in Residence Mary Muldowney explores how prostitution became entangled with the cause of Irish Independence, as it was framed, not as a social issue, but as a symbol of degeneracy of the British Empire.Record…

1
How to Read, How to Feel (Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Part 2) 34:43

17d ago34:43

34:43

In Part 2 of our discussion on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, editor Joshua Bennett discusses the cover of the Norton Library edition, approaching the text as history and as literature, how Douglass teaches us to read, the musicality of the book, a Narrative-inspired playlist, and more! Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at M…

1
The Hero's Journey (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Part 1) 30:23

1M ago30:23

30:23

In Part 1 of our discussion on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, we welcome editor Joshua Bennett to discuss Douglass's Narrative as a type of hero's journey, Douglass's political project in writing the book, and how Douglass closes the Narrative with a statement on true Christianity. Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at MI…

1
But I Wouldn't Give Myself (The Awakening, Part 2) 30:35

1M ago30:35

30:35

In Part 2 of our discussion on The Awakening, editor Laura Fisher tells us about her first encounter with the novel, discusses her approach to teaching it, explores her favorite line of the text, provides a killer Awakening playlist, and more! Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author…

1
Don't Nap for Self-Care. Wake up! (The Awakening, Part 1) 32:36

2M ago32:36

32:36

In Part 1 of our discussion on The Awakening, we welcome editor Laura Fisher to discuss Kate Chopin's writing career, the novel's reception and themes, as well as some of its major characters. Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author of Reading for Reform: The Social Work of Literatu…

1
It's Okay to be Frustrated with Joyce (Dubliners, Part 2) 34:31

2M ago34:31

34:31

In Part 2 of our discussion on Dubliners, editor Ian Whittington discusses the inspiration for the cover of his Norton Library edition, his favorite lines in the collection, his Dubliners hot take, and some suggestions for a Dubliners playlist. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whose research and teaching focus on twentieth-century anglopho…

1
You Can File this All Under "A City in Decline" (Dubliners, Part 1) 32:19

3M ago32:19

32:19

In Part 1 of our discussion on Dubliners, we welcome editor Ian Whittington to discuss how this collection of short stories was received by its publisher, by its literary audience, and by the people who made up its subject matter; the Dublin in which Joyce grew up; and, of course, Ian's favorite story. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whos…

1
Medea has Pierced Our Hearts (Medea, Part 2) 28:47

4M ago28:47

28:47

In Part 2 of our discussion on Medea, editor Sheila Murnaghan discusses her teaching of the drama, what Medea shows us about the nature of revenge, and her approach to the challenges of translating this tragedy. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Disguise…

1
Euripides's Exploration of the Unthinkable and Unnatural (Medea, Part 1) 36:44

4M ago36:44

36:44

In Part 1 of our discussion on Medea, we welcome translator Sheila Murnaghan to discuss the historical and dramatic context in which Euripides wrote the play, its basis in the Medea myth, and the plays most prominent characters. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the a…

1
An African American Novel about White People (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 2) 27:01

5M ago27:01

27:01

In Part 2 of our discussion on The Marrow of Tradition, editor Autumn Womack discusses her background with the novel, teaching the novel, her favorite line, and her hot take on The Marrow of Tradition. Autumn Womack is an Assistant Professor in the departments of African American Studies and English at Princeton University, where she specializes in…

1
On Behan, On Dublin - in conversation with Peter Sheridan 1:00:53

5M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

In this episode from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Peter Sheridan marks the centenary of the birth of the writer Brendan Behan. Raised in Dublin’s north inner city and with strong connections to Dublin’s tenements, Behan is regarded as one of the greatest Irish writers and poets of all time. Sheridan discusses his engagement with the work of…

1
Carterets, Millers, and Massacres (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 1) 29:36

5M ago29:36

29:36

In Part 1 of our discussion on The Marrow of Tradition, we welcome editor Autumn Womack to discuss Charles W. Chestnut's biography, his ambitions in writing the novel, the historical realities depicted in it, and some of its major characters. Autumn Womack is an Assistant Professor in the departments of African American Studies and English at Princ…

1
From 8th Amendment to Repeal the 8th - with Mary Muldowney 42:49

5M ago42:49

42:49

In this episode from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Dublin City Council Historian in Residence, Dr Mary Muldowney, will discuss the 40th anniversary of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, including a comparison with the successful campaign for Repeal of the 8th. The fifth anniversary of that Referendum was on May 25 and the signing of Repe…

1
Harry Kernoff 1900-1974 - in conversation with Kathryn Milligan 42:41

5M ago42:41

42:41

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Kathryn Milligan discusses the work of artist Harry Kernoff. Born in London on the 9th of January 1900, Harry Aaron Kernoff was a prolific figure in twentieth century Irish art. Well regarded for his portraiture and landscape painting, Kernoff often focused on the depiction of Dublin, a cit…

1
The evolution of Navan Road - in conversation with Enda Finnan 43:05

5M ago43:05

43:05

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Enda Finnan examines the Navan Road parish area and the transformation of the rural community and landscapes of the townlands of Greater Cabragh, Ashtown and Pelletstown from the 1920s to the 1960s. He connects the dots between migration and change of land ownership and development. Enda Fi…

1
Industrious Poor and Rolling Vagabonds - in conversation with Francis Thackaberry 43:28

6M ago43:28

43:28

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Francis Thackaberry explores the attitudes and responses to poverty in eighteenth-century Dublin. The citizens of prosperous Georgian Dublin, associated poverty with idleness, disease and moral decay and sought ways to prevent ‘foreign’ vagrants from ‘infesting’ the city. One response was t…

1
May Tyrants Tremble: The Life of William Drennan - with Fergus Whelan 43:59

6M ago43:59

43:59

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Fergus Whelan remembers the revolutionary and poet Dr William Drennan (1754-1820). Dr Drennan, a onetime elder of the Dublin Unitarian Church congregation, was born the son of a unitarian minister and made his life’s work the building of ‘a Brotherhood of Affection to Break Down the Brazen …

1
Vindicating Dublin: Dublin Corporation and 1924 - in conversation with Aodh Quinlivan 46:53

6M ago46:53

46:53

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Aodh Quinlivan illustrates the strained relationship between the Irish Free State and Dublin Corporation, which was central to his recent study. He examines how after the Civil War, the Corporation continued to irritate the central Government and how the dissolution of Dublin Corporation ca…

1
From Rake to Radical: An Irish Abolitionist - In conversation with Anne Chambers 36:06

6M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Anne Chambers tells us about Lord Sligo - from a youth of hedonistic self-indulgence in Regency England, to a reforming, responsible legislator and landlord, Sligo became enshrined in the history of Jamaica as ‘Emancipator of the Slaves’ and in Ireland as ‘The Poor Man’s Friend’. Anne Chamb…

1
Animals in 20th Century Dublin: In conversation with Ann Marie Durkan 40:11

6M ago40:11

40:11

In this episode, from the Dublin Festival of History 2023, Ann Marie Durkan will introduce the maps she prepared, which locate animals and animal-related businesses in Dublin City in 1911. It provides an insight into how in 1901, 803 Dubliners worked as cattle dealers, drovers, farriers and vets, yet over the course of the 20th century most of thes…

1
Up-to-date with a Vengeance (Dracula, Part 2) 30:59

6M ago30:59

30:59

In Part 2 of our discussion on Dracula, editor Rachel Feder discusses the inspiration for the cover of her Norton Library edition, her favorite line in the novel, how the novel relates to the popular cultural understanding of vampires, and notions of the sublime in Gothic literature. Rachel Feder is an associate professor of English and literary ar…

1
Vampires and Gothic Horror (Dracula, Part 1) 30:30

6M ago30:30

30:30

In Part 1 of our discussion on Dracula, we welcome editor Rachel Feder to discuss whether Bram Stoker's biography is relevant to our interpretations of the novel, Dracula's place in the history of Gothic literature, different types of Gothic literature, and some of the most prominent characters in the novel. Rachel Feder is an associate professor o…

1
A Long and Winding Road to Nowhere (The Canterbury Tales, Part 2) 32:16

7M ago32:16

32:16

In Part 2 of our discussion on The Canterbury Tales, translator and editor Sheila Fisher uncovers her favorite line(s) in the text, tells us how she approaches teaching the Tales, gives us a cross-centuries Chaucer playlist, and reflects on the text's relevance to readers today. Sheila Fisher is Professor of English at Trinity College (Hartford). S…

1
Tales and Tellers (The Canterbury Tales, Part 1) 33:29

7M ago33:29

33:29

In Part 1 of our discussion on The Canterbury Tales, we welcome translator and editor Sheila Fisher to discuss Geoffrey Chaucer's life and times, his great accomplishment in crafting these Tales, and the intricacies of Sheila's favorite tale, that of the Wife of Bath. Sheila Fisher is Professor of English at Trinity College (Hartford). She is the a…

1
Ugh, as if I could forgive her! (Emma, Part 2) 32:46

8M ago32:46

32:46

In Part 2 of our discussion on Emma , editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow tells us how she first encountered Jane Austen's work, highlights some of her preferred techniques for teaching Emma, gives her hot take on Austen, and reflects on some of the most affecting adaptations of Emma in popular media. Stephanie Insley Hershinow is an associate profes…

1
Handsome, Clever, and Rich (Emma, Part 1) 32:20

8M ago32:20

32:20

In the first of our two episodes on Emma , we welcome editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow to discuss what popular conceptions of Jane Austen get right and get wrong about her, how Austen is both similar to and different from the titular protagonist of the novel, Austen's place in the history of marriage stories, and some of the novel's most memorable…

1
A Nose for Absurdity (Selected Tales of Gogol, Part 2) 29:40

8M ago29:40

29:40

In part 2 of our discussion on the short fiction of Nikolai Gogol (as selected in the recently published Norton Library edition), translator Michael Katz and introducer Kate Holland tell us their favorite lines from Gogol's work and highlight the qualities of his unique style and voice that have captured readers across the centuries. Michael R. Kat…

1
The Strange, Wonderful Worlds of Nikolai Gogol (Selected Tales, Part 1) 31:56

9M ago31:56

31:56

In this episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome translator Michael R. Katz and scholar of Russian literature Kate Holland to chat about one of the most celebrated figures in all of Russian literature: Nikolai Gogol. We discuss the influence of Gogol's Ukrainian background on his acclaimed short fiction as well as the challenges—and deligh…

1
Call Me Ishmael, But Don't Call Moby-Dick "Boring" (Moby-Dick, Part 2) 30:53

10M ago30:53

30:53

In part 2 of our conversation on Moby-Dick, editor Jeffrey Insko breaks down his favorite lines and highlights the pleasures of uncovering the novel's endless layers of humor and meaning—even (especially?) in the dreaded Cetology chapter... Jeffrey Insko is Professor of English at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he teaches courses …

1
City of Books #45 Andrew Meehan 41:29

11M ago41:29

41:29

Coming Out: Author Andrew Meehan On Discovering He Writes Love StoriesAndrew Meehan is nailing his colours to the mast. He writes love stories, he says – although it took him until his third and most recent novel to recognise it.It was only as he was working on his latest novel, Instant Fires, that realisation dawned.“Halfway through I discovered, …

1
The Ultimate Semester at Sea (Moby-Dick, Part 1) 32:53

11M ago32:53

32:53

In the first of our two-part episodes on Moby-Dick, editor Jeffrey Insko highlights the (sometimes-polarizing) delights of Herman Melville's outlandish nautical epic and describes how this iconic American novel was born from from the author's early adventures on the high seas. Jeffrey Insko is Professor of English at Oakland University in Rochester…

1
City of Books #42 Lia Mills And Catherine Dunne 42:16

11M ago42:16

42:16

Hidden Truths in Reissued Classics“Fiction sometimes unearths truths – and truths we’re not even aware of knowing,” says novelist Catherine Dunne.She’s talking about her novel, A Name For Himself, and Lia Mills’s novel Another Alice, reissued in new editions as part of the Arlen House Classic Literature.Both were published originally in the 1990s, …

1
Jane Eyre Has Emotional Motion Sickness (Jane Eyre, Part 2) 31:21

11M ago31:21

31:21

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sharon Marcus, we chat about popular adaptations of Jane Eyre and why the best one—which hasn't been written yet—would feature Phoebe Bridgers, PJ Harvey, and Sarah Vaughan on the soundtrack. Sharon Marcus is the Orlando Harriman Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and editor of …

1
The Madwoman in the Mirror (Jane Eyre, Part 1) 31:19

12M ago31:19

31:19

This week on the podcast, Sharon Marcus introduces us to one of the most enduringly popular coming-of-age novels in all of English literature—Charlotte Brontë's 1847 Gothic thriller, Jane Eyre. Sharon Marcus is the Orlando Harriman Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and editor of the Norton Library edition of Jan…

1
City of Books #10 Colum McCann on Motorbikes, Motivation and Middle East 48:39

12M ago48:39

48:39

Writer Colum McCann talks about his hope that his book, Apeirogon, may contribute to peace. It fictionalises the true story of two fathers, an Israeli and a Palestinian, who each lose a child in the conflict.Elsewhere in the interview, Colum says he can’t write poetry but is drawn to it, and talks about writers he has known including Frank McCourt …

1
Blind Eyes and Open Ears (Oedipus Tyrannos, Part 2) 31:22

1y ago31:22

31:22

In Part 2 of our series on Oedipus Tyrannos, Emily Wilson highlights the delights and challenges of translating Greek tragedy into English, the play's long history of adaptation and live staging, and the ways in which Oedipus Tyrannos has continued to resonate with audiences over millennia. What can the titular tyrant's ill-fated mistakes still tea…

1
Beyond the Wall: East Germany’s rich political and cultural landscape 41:47

1y ago41:47

41:47

In Beyond the Wall, acclaimed historian Katja Hoyer offers a kaleidoscopic new vision of this vanished country. Beginning with the bitter experience of German Marxists exiled by Hitler, she traces the arc of the state they would go on to create, first under the watchful eye of Stalin, and then in an increasingly distinctive German fashion. From the…

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