#9 The Maamtrasna Murders

05/22/20 • 35 min

The Maamtrasna murders were sparked by a blood feud in a remote part of 19th century Ireland. A family of five was killed by neighbours - but the trial proved to be just as notorious as the murders. It was held in English and some of the defendants, who were from Connemara, could not speak the language.

Professor Margaret Kelleher of University College Dublin and Mr Justice Peter Kelly, president of Ireland's High Court, discuss the case and political context in Dublin's historic Green Street courthouse, scene of the trial.

Presented and produced by author and journalist Martina Devlin

For more on Margaret Kelleher’s book The Maamtrasna Murders: Language, Life and Death in Nineteenth-Century Ireland follow the link:

https://www.ucdpress.ie/display.asp?isbn=9781910820421&

Presented and produced by author and journalist Martina Devlin

For more on Margaret Kelleher’s book The Maamtrasna Murders: Language, Life and Death in Nineteenth-Century Ireland follow the link:

https://www.ucdpress.ie/display.asp?isbn=9781910820421&

Previous Episode

#8 Joanna Trollope on Fiction, Family and Feminism

Three Fs have been a consistent part of international bestseller Joanna Trollope's life:

Fiction, family and feminism. She explains why here.

The international bestseller says, “There will always be women who want to stay at home in the kitchen and make jam tarts with the three-year-old, and there will always be women who want to rule the world.”

Which kind is she?

And why does Jane Austen inspire her?

This episode also includes a tribute to poet extraordinaire Eavan Boland from writer Colum McCann.

For more on Joanna Trollope’s latest novel Mum & Dad follow the link https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/joanna-trollope/mum-dad/9781529003383

For more on Joanna Trollope follow the link https://www.joannatrollope.com

Presented and Produced by Martina Devlin

Music by Daragh Dukes

Next Episode

#10 Colum McCann on Motorbikes and the Middle East

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 and Benedict Kiely. He also reads from his novel.

Produced and presented by author and journalist Martina Devlin. Music by Daragh Dukes.

:: Apeirogon is published by Bloomsbury https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/apeirogon-9781526607874/