BBC World Service: In The Studio

In the Studio enters the creative world of award-winning Irish-language poet Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh as she composes a new poem. We follow its journey from first draft to first public reading.

Ailbhe writes exclusively in Irish. She is deeply rooted in the language’s literary tradition yet unmistakably modern in outlook and has become one of the most distinctive literary voices of her generation.

Working from the early-morning quiet of her kitchen table in Cork, the documentary centres on a new triptych inspired by her nine-year-old daughter’s fascination with Greek mythology. Ailbhe takes Dualtagh Herr behind the scenes of her new work, reflecting on childhood imagination, motherhood, and the creative process.

Ailbhe’s poetry has travelled widely beyond Ireland in translation, reaching readers in English, French, Spanish, German, Greek, Macedonian, Czech, and Galician.

Much of that international reach has come through English translations by her husband, the acclaimed poet Billy Ramsell. In this programme, we also hear from him as he translates Ailbhe’s new poem into English. He offers a unique perspective on how poetry migrates and evolves between languages, illuminating the creative possibilities and challenges of translation.

Through a mix of intimate audio diaries recorded during the writing process and conversations captured during a visit to Cork, we follow the poem’s evolution from draft to finished work and ultimately to its debut at the Franco-Irish Literary Festival in Dublin.

The result is a rare insight into how a poem comes into being and reaches its audience.

Produced and Presented by Dualtagh Herr

Franco-Irish Literary Festival

Thrilled to be part of the Franco-Irish Literary Festival this year. I was only starting out when I last read at the festival thirteen years ago, with just Péacadh published at that point, so I’m looking forward to the readings and discussion that make up the festival. I’ll be participating in a panel on Saturday 21st March at 12pm with Cúán de Búrca and Adaline Baldacchino. Later the same day Éamon Ó Cíosáin will interview me at 2.30pm. A nice opening event is the Incipit reading on Friday evening at 6pm where all participants read the first page of their most recent publication. All events take place at the Alliance Française on Kildare Street.

Poetry Ireland Review 147

Delighted to have an extract of my forthcoming book published in Poetry Ireland Review 147: Love Poems to Humans. Grateful to Aifric Mac Aodha and Theo Dorgan for its inclusion. Líadain agus Cuirithir will be published by Leabhar Breac later this year.

Bard na Páirce | The Poet of Croke Park, Dublin, 21/11/2025

CÉILIÚRADH AR SHAOL AGUS AR SHAOTHAR MHÍCHÍL UÍ MHUIRCHEARTAIGH 

Bhí Éire go léir faoi scamall bróin agus an sárchraoltóir Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, guth chluichí na nGael ar feadh na dtrí scór bliain a chaith sé le gairm na tráchtaireachta, ar shlí na fírinne. Rinne tráchtaireacht shainiúil Mhíchíl agus an tslí a bhí aige leis an dá theanga a úsáid go nádúrtha file cúirte neamhoifigiúil Chumann Lúthchleas Gael de agus bhíodh guth an Chiarraígh mar fhuaimrian an tsamhraidh ag Gaeil le breis is leathchéad bliain. Is ábhar mórtais d’IMRAM é ceiliúradh cuí a dhéanamh ar shaol agus ar shaothar Mhíchíl; Iéamh filíochta agus próis coimisiúnaithe; sleachta as craoltaí leis; agus ceol coimisiúnaithe. 

Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was without doubt Ireland’s most gifted sports commentator. Across his sixty year career, from his 1949 radio debut to his last All-lreland final on television in 2010, he was a deeply loved companion for generations of GAA fans. On his death, President Michael D Higgins said: ‘…so many matches may in fact be remembered more for his commentary than for the action on the pitch. For Mícheál turned every match into an epic tale, his commentaries capturing like no other the sense of occasion, the atmosphere in the stadium and on the terraces, the ebb and flow of the play and of every movement.’ 

Bard na Páirce is a literary celebration of Mícheál’s life and work, featuring specially commissioned poetry and prose from Colm Mac Gearailt, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Alan Titley; as well as new songs and music from Colm Ó Snodaigh, accompanied by Brian Hogan. The show will also feature archive recordings of Mícheál’s commentaries; and on-screen images, created by Margaret Lonergan. Curated by Majella Ní Chríocháin.

TICKETS €15 | €12 (CONCESSION)

RUNNING TIME 60 mins no interval