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John B Yeats and Rosa Butt’s romance in their sixties and its influence on the writings of his son. Read by Colm Tóibín.

Colm Tóibín concludes his exploration of the complex relationships between three of Ireland's literary giants and their fathers:

Tóibín turns to the romantic and occasionally erotic correspondence between John B Yeats and Rosa Butt, when the pair were in their sixties.

He then reflects on the influence that the father's boyish romance had on the writings of his son, the literary giant WB Yeats.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton.

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.

14 minutes

Last on

Sat 22 Jul 202303:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 2 Nov 201809:45
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Sat 3 Nov 201800:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 21 Jul 202307:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 21 Jul 202312:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 21 Jul 202317:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 22 Jul 202303:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra