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4 Extra Debut. Kate’s dad goes off on a drinking binge. Frank, funny tale of life in rural Ireland in the 1950s. Stars Charlie Murphy.

Kate and Baba are friends who occupy the twin poles of romance and realism.

In this opening episode, Kate’s father is off on a drinking binge, so the farm has to cope without him.

Originally published in the 1960s, The Country Girls, and the two other novels in the trilogy (The Lonely Girl and Girls in their Married Bliss), were banned by the Irish Censorship Board, burnt publicly in O’Brien’s home town, and described by the Justice Minister (a young Charles Haughey) as filth.

Edna O’Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised in ten parts by Lin Coghlan.

Kate ..... Charlie Murphy
Baba ..... Aoibhinn McGinnity
Mama ..... Catherine Cusack
Dada ..... David Ganly
Hickey ..... Lloyd Hutchinson
Jack Holland ..... Jonjo O’Neill
Miss Moriarty ..... Helen Clapp

Directors: Sally Avens & Jessica Dromgoole

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2019.

14 minutes

Last on

Tue 18 Apr 202302:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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2. Turning PointThe Country Girls

See all episodes from Edna O'Brien - The Country Girls Trilogy

Broadcasts

  • Mon 19 Aug 201910:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 19 Aug 201919:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 17 Apr 202307:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 17 Apr 202312:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 17 Apr 202317:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 18 Apr 202302:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra