How the Irish Shaped Britain

And 5 Other BBC Documentaries on Ireland

By: Fergal Keane

Narrated by: Fergal Keane

Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A BBC Radio collection about Ireland and the Irish, hosted by Fergal Keane - plus bonus material

Award-winning BBC foreign correspondent Fergal Keane grew up in Dublin and County Cork and has always felt a deep attachment to his ancestral homeland. In these six absorbing programmes, he takes a wide-ranging look at Ireland's history, culture and people, in topics ranging from the political to the personal. Also included are two moving autobiographical pieces about fatherhood and his own childhood.

How the Irish Shaped Britain explores the profound influence the Irish have had on the United Kingdom over many centuries. Beginning in the ancient Celtic world, Fergal travels through the time of the Vikings to the 19th and 20th century and on to the present day, examining how Irish migrants and their descendants have shaped literature, business, sport and the physical landscape.

Troubles Shared sees Fergal and fellow journalist Peter Taylor discussing their experiences of reporting on the Northern Ireland conflict. Over two episodes, they revisit the province to talk about what they saw and ask what it all means now. Meanwhile, No Man Is an Island takes Fergal from the Republic to Northern Ireland, as he charts the seismic changes that have taken place in both regions and reflects on the sectarian feuding that has dominated the history of Ulster.

Keane on Keane... finds him presenting a profile of his uncle, celebrated playwright John B Keane. Visiting Dublin and the dramatist's home town of Listowel, Fergal hears how a country publican became an internationally acclaimed writer. Another iconic figure is recalled in United Irishman, in which Keane recounts the colourful life of Wolfe Tone, the Protestant founding father of Irish republicanism.

There Will Be Sunlight Later gives Fergal's impressions of life in Northern Ireland, as he talks to the country's citizens and listens to their poetry and music. And in two bonus essays, Letter to Daniel and My Grandmother's House, we receive insights into Fergal's own family life, through his poignant message to his newborn son and his recollections of his early days and his grandparents' home in Cork.

How the Irish Shaped Britain

Presented by Fergal Keane

Produced by John Murphy and Adele Armstrong

Mixed by Eloise Whitmore

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11th-25th January 2021

Troubles Shared

Presented by Fergal Keane and Peter Taylor

Produced by Conor Garrett

First broadcast BBC Radio Ulster, 31st October-7th November 2020

No Man Is an Island

Presented by Fergal Keane

Produced by Tony Grant

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18th November and 9th December 1996

Keane on Keane...

With Fergal Keane and John B Keane

Produced by Chris Spurr

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6th January 2005

United Irishman

Presented by Fergal Keane

Produced by Chris Bowlby

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14th November 1998

There Will Be Sunlight Later

Presented by Fergal Keane

Produced by Cathy Packe

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25th October 1990

From Our Own Correspondent: Letter to Daniel

Read by Fergal Keane

Produced by Tony Grant

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15th February 1996

My Grandmother's House

Read by Fergal Keane

Produced by Tony Grant

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2nd January 1999

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