Sunday with Miriam

Chat with the widow of the legendary playwright Brian Friel, who is still keeping an eye on productions of his plays to see that they remain true to his vision. A new Gate Theatre production of ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ is coming to the 3Olympia in July Full details: www.3olympia.ieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Dunn, Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham on the US strikes on Iran (targeting their main nuclear enrichment facilities) and the potential for retaliation from TehranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best-selling historical fiction writer explains why leaving the corporate world behind was the right thing to do. Her 12th book has just been published - ‘Before Dorothy’ creates a back story for Dorothy and Aunty Em, before ‘The Wizard of Oz’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chat and live music from the trad titans Beoga, whose new album ‘Phases’ has just been released Official website: www.beogamusic.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark O’Meara is President of the Garda Representative Association,. Today he shared his very personal story about being a gay man in the force, and what that meant for his family, and explains why he’s decided that now is the right time to talk about it publiclySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A dementia ambassador and advocate for Alzheimer’s services, Helen has been living with Alzheimer’s for the past thirteen years. After the recent Prime Time Investigates exposé on two nursing homes, she feels compelled to speak out when so many people in her position would prefer to stay in their own home with state supportsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The actor, a graduate of the Lir Academy, chats about his play ‘The Black Wolfe Tone’. A co-production with FishambleTheatre, it is based on his own personal story of father/son relationships and teenage mental health issues Project Arts Centre, Dublin / Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray / Cork Midsummer FestivalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former journalist explains how she first met and started volunteering with Dr Anne Merriman, a Liverpool-born, Irish-educated doctor who founded Hospice Africa Uganda. Dr Anne died last month, shortly after her ninetieth birthday, and she is to be honoured tomorrow by Uganda’s President Museveni for her work thereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A wide-ranging conversation with the couple about Paddy’s wrongful conviction for the Guildford pub bombings, release after 15 years in prison and the effect his experiences had on their life. His story is told in the Mary Elaine Tynan play ‘Paddy: The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong’ Full details: www.lifeandtimesofpaddy.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chat with the two musicians about their legendary band Horslips, the early days of a band that was put together in an ad-hoc way. They have just launched a new box set ‘Horslips at the BBC' and Eamon's book 'Pure Gold: Memorable Conversations with Remarkable People' is out nowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.