26 October 2007
Friday 26 October 2007 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Playlist
The Tain
On The Verb Ian McMillan talks to poet Ciaran Carson about his new translation of the old Irish epic, The Tain.
Dating back at least 800 years, the story opens with a marital dispute between a king and queen over who owns the best bull.
It quickly escalates into a series of bloody and violent battles, which are nonetheless exhilarating, exciting and even funny to read.
The Tain translated by Ciaran Carson is published by Penguin Classics
Storytelling
The Tain emerged from Ireland's oral tradition and on this week's Verb, Ian is joined by two twenty first century practioners of the storytelling art.
Katrice Horsely and Ben Haggarty believe that old fashioned narratives still have the power to stir and change us, even in this multi media world.
Ben Haggarty performs at Shakespeare's Globe in London with the Crick Crack Club on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October
Aoife Mannix
The poet Aoife Mannix talks to Ian about her new collection, a kind of autobiography in verse. She performs some of her poetry on the programme.
Aoife Mannix book Growing Up An Alien is published by Tall Lighthouse and she is currently on tour. More information from aiofemannix.com
Ken Campbell's tall tales
Ken Cambell also joins Ian in the studio for the final instalment in his trilogy of tall tales.
