In this episode of Radio Myles Toby welcomes OisÃn, the nephew of the celebrated Irish writer Brian Ó Nualláin, also known as Flann O'Brien and Myles na gCopaleen. OisÃn shares personal reflections and anecdotes about his father, Micheál Ó Nualláin and his uncle, Brian, detailing family dynamics and the intellectual and creative environment he grew up in. We learn about Brian Ó Nualláin's role as a craftsman and paternal figure and the importance of the history and environment of Counties Tyrone and Armagh, now in Northern Ireland, for the family's mindset.OisÃn also reflects on his father's extensive inventions and contributions to education, art, and politics in Ireland and concludes with a discussion of concept of the entire family's role as 'ex-centros' or 'eccentric state builders' who felt a duty to contribute to the Irish state's strength and development by attacking the centre from the periphery.
Toby interviews Frank McNally, writer of An Irish Diary for the Irish Times, about Brian O’Nolan as a journalistic influence, and as a man.
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Julieta Abella: When Jorge Luis Borges encountered Flann O'Brien
In this episode Toby speaks to Julieta Abella, an Argentinian scholar working on Irish modernism who can explain the seemingly strange transatlantic connection between Flann O’Brien and Jorge Luis Borges, and much more besides.
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Maebh Long, part 2: Technology and the voice of Flann O'Brien
In part 2 of this interview, Maebh and Toby talk about beginnings, originality, hustle and technology in Brian O'Nolan's life and work. Sensationally, Maebh shares a newly unearthed recording of the voice of Brian O’Nolan – it's only the second time we have been able to posthumously hear his voice.
Poised somewhere between the pub and peer review, this podcast will entertain, intrigue and perhaps change your perspective on the writer known variously as Flann O'Brien, Myles na gCopaleen and Brian O'Nolan. Featuring special guests, archival sounds and interesting theories about this fascinating figure. Made with the support of Birkbeck College, University of London.
Read episode transcripts at radiomyles.com
Ident and artwork by Will de Villiers: https://www.instagram.com/willdevilliersillustration/
Ireland