The Essay

Poet and academic Gerald Dawe explores Francis Ledwidge's poem "O'Connell Street".

Dr Heather Jones of the LSE explores Elizabeth Bowen's novel "The Last September"

The writer Fintan O'Toole reflects on James Joyce's novel "Ulysses"

Daybreak... and five writers set off on foot - and report back: Finally, the biographer Lucy Hughes Hallett, strolling amongst headstones in a local cemetery. Accompanying her, a hairy pointer called Kilburn, who has his own reasons for trotting out early.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Daybreak... and five writers set off on foot - and report back: This time, the novelist Ian Sansom starts out, using as inspiration ideas of Benjamin Franklin and his faith in 'powerful goodness'. Powerful goodness will power him along, towards the sea at the edge of his town.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Daybreak... and five writers set off on foot - and report back: This time, novelist Kamila Shamsie observes the wonderful light at a time called 'dusk-dawn', first from the ice of the Antarctic, then from the deck of her ship. Funnily enough, the experience makes her think of a Greek Island.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Daybreak... and five writers set off on foot - and report back: This time, novelist Nicola Barker negotiates the slopes of her back garden at 5am, wintertime. It's a mini-walk, full of massive muddy challenges and includes a vigil of her 'benighted goldfish'.Producer: Duncan Minshull

Daybreak... and five writers set off on foot - and report back:First out, Nicholas Shakespeare and his sons walk their local beach in Tasmania, a spit of white sand, which offers up stories about sea creatures and ships in distress. Producer: Duncan Minshull

In the week of International Women's Day, five women tell us about their lives in music including what, and who, inspires them. Today, we hear from cellist, performer, composer, blogger, broadcaster and educator Zoë Martlew.

A week of Essays in which five women tell us about their lives in music including what, and who, inspires them. Alice Farnham is one of Britain's leading female conductors. As well as enjoying a growing international reputation, particularly in the field of opera conducting, she is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Women Conductors @ Morley - a programme to encourage women into the conducting profession.