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26m 00s

Ageism - A Good Age: Episode 1

Ageism is the first in a six-part television series that tackles the everyday myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. This episode explores ‘the propaganda of old age’ – mainly the senior citizen concerns of aging and illness, sexuality, and self-worth. This episode opens with an appearance by Olwen Fouéré and features contributions by Dr. David Copeley, Head of Geriatric Medicine at St. James’s Hospital, and economist Colm Rapple. We also meet Declan White who, at 67 years old, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and emphasises the importance of an active lifestyle. The episode also interrogates the common prejudices surrounding the aging process and we are urged to consider a more positive attitude to growing old. A Good Age is a six-part television series, directed by Sé Merry Doyle, tackling head-on the myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. A forthright approach was taken throughout as the joys and realities of getting older are examined.

30m 00s

Bernard MacLaverty - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Novelist Bernard MacLaverty recalls his beginnings as a Medical Lab Technician and compares writing to ‘a science of feelings’. This interview explores topics around his early poetry, moving to Scotland after the Ulster Worker’s Strike and being inspired by Brian Moore and the short stories of Michael MacLaverty. He explores the political underpinning of his writing and the film adaptations of his novels, drawing on the 'tragic' perspective of his work, the Northern Ireland ceasefire and themes of grace and redemption. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Brendan Kennelly - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Irish poet and novelist Brendan Kennelly is a prolific author of over 20 poetry collections as well as plays, novels and criticism. In this episode, his work including My Dark Fathers and four plays - Antigone, Medea, The Trojan Women and Blood Wedding is explored. Theo Dorgan and Kennelly then delve into the role of the poet and stimulating themes of adventure and rebellion through the power of the imagination. Kennelly notes the writing of William Blake as an influence on his work and his admiration for the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Colm Tóibín - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Irish novelist, short story writer and journalist Colm Tóibín talks to Theo Dorgan about his early childhood in Enniscorthy, his early poetry writing and studying at University College Dublin. Tóibín lived in Barcelona between 1975 and 1978 and explains how this experience of Spanish life, gothic architecture, and the death of Franco shaped his work. When he returned to Ireland, he worked as a journalist and editor of Magill recalling the immense drive of Irish journalism at the time and his experience working with Vincent Browne, Mary Rafferty and Fintan O’Toole. He describes the act of writing as a pleasant ‘ordeal’ and Dorgan asks about the political undertones and autobiographical nature of his work. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Dermot Bolger - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Novelist and poet Dermot Bolger sits down with Theo Dorgan to discuss his life and work. In particular, he explores the misperception of his writing as 'realism', his establishment of Raven Arts and his admiration of W.B. Yeats. Other topics are discussed including dealing with death and loss, criticism and ‘coincidental writing’. Bolger compares the writing process to a journey undertaken where the destination is unknown. He champions the work of Irish writer Francis Stuart and explores the synchronicity of his writing and current affairs. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Doris Lessing - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Doris Lessing was a British-Zimbabwean novelist who spent her childhood in South Africa in the 1920s. In this programme she talks about writing radically on social issues, how children with traumatic childhoods become good writers, and on publishing her first writing at seven years old. She expresses the importance of having a thick skin as a writer and the delicacy of memory in her autobiography Under My Skin. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Eavan Boland - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Irish poet Eavan Boland was born in Dublin, Ireland, but moved to London at the age of six. where she had her first experience of anti-Irish sentiment. She returned to Ireland to study at Trinity College, Dublin, and was also educated in New York. In this episode, Dorgan and Boland delve into her self-consciousness about being Irish and her response to hostility as a female writer in an Irish male-dominated tradition. She explores how she drew inspiration from the experience of motherhood and an emerging Irish women’s movement, as well as the poetry of Robert Lowell, Adrienne Rich and Sylvia Plath. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Edward Said - Imprint: Writer in Profile

In this episode, cultural critic Edward Said describes himself as ‘a writer for occasion’ - caught between journalism and being a ‘long distance runner’. Said discusses his upbringing; his status as a Palestinian intellectual; his de-mystification of (particularly American) imperialism; and his positive response to criticism. Theo Dorgan questions him about his memoir Out of Place and Said explores the various political perspective people have projected on him, accusations of ‘terrorism’ and his views on the politics of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

26m 00s

Fighting Back - A Good Age: Episode 6

The last episode of A Good Age explores the media representation of senior citizens and of the ageing process. Mary Robinson outlines her support for the Senior Citizen’s Parliament and Proinsias De Rossa discusses the enormous contribution senior citizens can make to society. Several others explore the effects of consumerism on senior citizens and the potential to use advertising to promote a positive approach to the ageing process. Eilish Hardiman discusses the banning of the TV advertisement for Fujifilm that showed a senior couple kissing in a laundromat, and various senior citizens rail against a society that they perceive is throwing them on the scrap heap. A Good Age is a six-part television series, directed by Sé Merry Doyle, tackling head-on the myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. A forthright approach was taken throughout as the joys and realities of getting older are examined.

30m 00s

Gore Vidal - Imprint: Writers in Profile

This episode of Writers in Profile features the novelist, playwright, screenwriter and essayist, Gore Vidal. We gain a glimpse of Vidal’s early childhood, the controversy around his novel The City and the Pillar, and his experience writing scripts for films such as Ben Hur (1959). A desire to dissect the roots of American society has spurred him to coax readers to revise their sense of reality. Vidal believes this work can be divided into two kinds of novel – the first is built from reflections of history and the others are ‘fictive inventions’. The Big Bang theory and reincarnation are explored, and Vidal expresses how ‘very lucky’ he has been in life and work. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Hugh Leonard - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Hugh Leonard was a prolific Irish dramatist, television writer and essayist. In this episode, Leonard takes us through his childhood in Dalkey, Co. Dublin, writing his early plays and his influences from Lennox Robinson and Sean O’Casey, to ‘the greatest’ Samuel Beckett. He offers an in-depth look at his creative process, how ideas arise and whether his penchant for comedy has stopped him from being considered a serious writer. The differences between writing for theatre and film are explored in relation to the film adaptation of Da and writing the screenplay for Insurrection, RTÉ’s ground-breaking series about 1916. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Jennifer Johnston - Imprint: Writers in Profile

Irish novelist Jennifer Johnston was born in Dublin, the daughter of actor and director Shelah Richards and writer Denis Johnston. In this episode, she explains how she avoided their influence by delaying the start of her writing career until her thirties. Johnston then explores themes in her writing, discusses how her first play and novel were both rejected, her move to Derry and her admiration for Anton Chekhov. Her writing process is examined – how the emotional landscape of her books take over her life, how she hears her characters' voices in her head and how loneliness and self-sufficiency are the unifying themes of her work. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

J.G. Ballard - Imprint: Writer in Profile

In this episode, Theo Dorgan meets English novelist, short story writer and essayist J.G. Ballard to delve into his oeuvre of science fiction and post-apocalyptic novels, such as The Drowned World and Crash. Empire of the Sun is explored as an autobiographical account of a young British boy’s experience in Shanghai during Japanese occupation. Dorgan questions Ballard on the difference between personal and media-informed memory; on using his writing to challenge preconceptions about England and the process of adapting his work to film. Later, Ballard explores themes around law and order in society, the darker side of the human psyche, morality and his own vivid imagination. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

John Montague - Imprint: Writer in Profile

John Montague was an Irish poet who was born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Tyrone, Ireland. At the time this programme was made, Montague was Ireland Professor of Poetry at Trinity College, Dublin. In this generous interview, Montague reflects on studying in college where he discovered that ‘there were such things called poets’; living in France during World War II; encountering beat poetry in America; and returning to Cork in the early 1970s. Montague also examines his position as a poet and the 'melancholy' strain in his work. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Joseph O’Connor - Imprint: Writer in Profile

In this episode award-winning Irish author Joseph O’Connor explores his many forms of storytelling from fiction to scriptwriting, and journalism with Theo Dorgan. O’Connor expresses a belief in the political responsibility of the writer to impact society and the revival he believes is happening in contemporary Irish fiction. The pair talk about his collection of novels and plays including Cowboys & Indians, Desperados and The Salesman and about how he has been influenced by Irish writers (James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan) and modern American writers (J.D. Sallinger). Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

26m 00s

Looking After Yourself - A Good Age: Episode 3

Looking After Yourself explores how ageism can create low self-esteem in senior citizens and can compromise the capacity for a full and healthy life. This episode features a range of housing schemes, retirement homes, medical and recreational facilities. Colourful characters with contrasting attitudes and approaches to growing old are also introduced. Residents of Claremont Court, Dublin, recall visiting President Mary Robinson at Áras an Uachtaráin, while Brigid Donaghue discusses the loneliness of missing her deceased husband. Meanwhile students at Presentation College, Cork, reach out to senior citizens as part of the S.H.A.R.E programme; and independent Agnes Brooder talks about working at Shannon Airport and keeping her accommodation there in retirement. A Good Age is a six-part television series, directed by Sé Merry Doyle, tackling head-on the myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. A forthright approach was taken throughout as the joys and realities of getting older are examined.

30m 00s

Margaret Atwood - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Canadian writer Margaret Atwood is perhaps best known for The Handmaid’s Tale, a novel that was recently adapted into a gripping TV series. This episode was filmed in 2001 and delves into, what Atwood describes as, her ‘precocious’ childhood, her early writer’s block and her desire to be a painter. She discusses how she wrote The Handmaid’s Tale quickly but that it required extensive research into totalitarianism and the suppression of women. The role of politics in her writing is analysed and Atwood expresses the responsibility and pressure that result from being known as Canada’s leading writer. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Michael Longley - Imprint: Writer in Profile

Irish poet Michael Longley was born in Belfast in 1939. In this episode, Longley discusses growing up in Northern Ireland where he wrote his first poems at sixteen to impress a girl he fancied. He then leads us to life in Trinity College, Dublin, his friendships with Derek Mahon and Brendan Kennelly and the effects the Northern Ireland conflict had on his writing. He openly discusses the creative act of writing – poetry as human expression, its bravery, and its roots ‘in song and dance, in spell and in curse and in prayer’. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

30m 00s

Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill - Imprint: Writer in Profile

In this Writer in Profile interview, Irish-language poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill discusses her early childhood in England where she grew up speaking both English and Irish. At the age of five, she went to live with her aunt in Co Kerry and was spurred to write Irish-language poetry after her first visit to the Gaeltacht. Ní Dhomhnaill believes that writing in Irish can be a liberating experience and she discusses her position as a female poet in relation to the limited readership of Irish-language writing. The interview ends with an amusing story about Ní Dhomhnaill being recognised by people on the street who are familiar with her poems. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

49m 00s

Our Boys' Stories - Stolen Lives (Episode 1) - The Louis Lentin Collection

The first episode of Stolen Lives focuses on the stories of four men and their experience of Ireland’s industrial schools. Their personal narratives expose the lifelong effect of physical, mental and sexual abuse on the residents of Irish institutions between the 1940s and 1970s in Ireland. Stolen Lives is a three-part series which is included in The Louis Lentin Collection. With kind permission of Dr. Ronit Lentin.

30m 00s

Paul Durcan - Imprint: Writer in Profile

This episode with Paul Durcan begins with his interest in sport in his early childhood. He explains that he started writing poetry at 14 years old in the hope of attracting interest from girls. Durcan outlines his powerful relationship and mentorship with Michael Hartnett and how his influence led him to the work of James Joyce and Ulysses in particular. Theo Dorgan quizzes him on his status as a well-known public and important cultural figure. Durcan skates around the notion of celebrity and speaks about the importance of addressing public matters directly through poetry. He also discusses the writing process – the assembling and re-assembling of phrases in the middle of the night and the way a poem ‘announces itself’. Imprint, a literature review programme, and its sister show Imprint: Writer in Profile screened on RTÉ1 for three seasons. Both were presented by Irish poet, writer and lecturer Theo Dorgan. Over the course of the Writer in Profile series Dorgan conducted extended, in-depth interviews with a wide range of Irish and international writers including Colm Tóibín, Bernard MacLaverty, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor, Michael Longley, Doris Lessing, John Montague, Eavan Boland, Gore Vidal, Richard Ford and Margaret Atwood.

48m 00s

Philomena's Story - Stolen Lives (Episode 3) - The Louis Lentin Collection

The final episode in the Stolen Lives series is Philomena’s Story. Philomena Byrne recounts her own harrowing experience in a Dublin industrial school and speaks about the traumatic legacy of the industrial school scheme in Ireland. Stolen Lives is a three-part series which is included in The Louis Lentin Collection. With kind permission of Dr. Ronit Lentin.

26m 00s

Relationships - A Good Age: Episode 4

Relationships, episode four in A Good Age, deals with senior citizens who find themselves alone or isolated after the death of a partner. Therapists and counsellors offer bereavement advice, and stress the need for the bereaved to talk and learn to participate in normal life again. Eddie Johnston shares his harrowing yet uplifting story of experiencing the death of his first and second wives. Contributors delve into finding love again and discuss taboos around sexuality in later life. A Good Age is a six-part television series, directed by Sé Merry Doyle, tackling head-on the myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. A forthright approach was taken throughout as the joys and realities of getting older are examined.

26m 00s

Renewal - A Good Age: Episode 5

Renewal pays homage to people who have overcome ageism, confounded stereotypes and pursued new adventures in later years. Robert Greacen tells us how poetry and the creative arts greatly help him manage the aging process. Mamo McDonald recalls her experience of raising nine children, being widowed at forty; expanding her father-in-law’s drapery shop (which was used as a location in Neil Jordan’s The Butcher Boy (1997)); becoming Chairperson of Age & Opportunity and establishing a lace museum in Clones, Co Monaghan. A Good Age is a six-part television series, directed by Sé Merry Doyle, tackling head-on the myths and misconceptions that result in ageism. A forthright approach was taken throughout as the joys and realities of getting older are examined.

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