In what has become a time-honoured tradition, Dún Laoghaire-based poet Gerald Dawe provided local audiences with a special event to mark his most recent collection, hosted by dlr Libraries. Gerald’s The last peacock, published by The Gallery Press was launched with a visual essay by Dr Éimear O’Connor, interspersed with readings by Gerald from The last peacock.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Mon, 18 Nov 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/the-last-peacock-gerald-dawe-and-dr-eimear-oconnor

Robert Harris returned to dlr LexIcon to talk about his new novel The second sleep. In this disturbing and prescient thriller, he offers a unique take on who we are and where we're heading. Turning his attention to the future and taking inspiration from the world in which we're living, Harris examines our dependence on technology and how this might ultimately lead to our downfall. The second sleep, his dazzling new novel, is destined to thrill, shock and unnerve.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Thurs, 12 September 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/robert-harris-in-conversation-with-declan-hughes

On 23 October a day-long seminar was held in the Studio Theatre, celebrating the centenary of the Oratory of the Sacred Heart. This podcast has all the talks from the day so slide forward to hear the various speakers.

0:00:00 - A Road to God: Sr Concepta’s Oratory of the Sacred Heart. Dr Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch, Art Historian.
00:26:45 - Women Religious and Oral History. Dr Catriona Delaney, Convent Collections Fellow, UCD. 
00:54:00 - Selection of teaching orders in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Mount Anville, David Gunning, dlr Archivist in Residence at dlr LexIcon.
Loreto Dalkey, Sarah Greene, oral historian and Oratory guide.
Dominican Convent, Dún Laoghaire, Liz Clarke Pilkington, Oratory guide.
1:55:05 - Through Her Eyes: Writing Women’s Histories. Clodagh Finn, journalist and writer.
2:25:20 - Dún Laoghaire Arts Centre (DLAC). Marian Thérese Keyes, Librarian, dlr LexIcon.
2:41:15 - Vintage Values: Marketing Religion. Lír Mac Cárthaigh, Art Director,Veritas.
3:00:25 - The Cultural Revival in Glass: Harry Clarke and the Geneva Window. Fiana Griffin, Irish Art Studies.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Wed, 23 October 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/seminar-oratory-of-the-sacred-heart-dun-laoghaire

Mary Costello’s eagerly-awaited second novel, The River Capture, tells of one man’s descent into near madness, and the search for rescue. Luke O’Brien has left Dublin to live a quiet life on his family land on the bend of the River Sullane. Alone in his big house, he longs for a return to his family’s heyday and turns to books for solace. This is a novel about love, loyalty and the raging forces of nature. More than anything, it is a book about the life of the mind and the redemptive powers of art. In the words of Sara Baume, ‘it is as near perfect as it is possible for a novel to be’.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Wed, 23 October 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/mary-costello-in-conversation-with-nadine-oregan

As part of UCD's celebration of 70 years of Lifelong Learning, historian Michael Doran gave a talk on Monday 25 November on impeachment. In the constitution of the United States, the process of impeachment can be used against a President for ‘treason, high crimes and misdemeanours’. To date, this process has been attempted on seven occasions, including against the present incumbent. 
The lecture examined the historical circumstances in which impeachment was attempted against sitting Presidents with a particular focus on Presidents Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Richard Nixon in 1974 with comparisons made with the current impeachment process against President Trump.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Mon, 25 Nov 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/michael-doran-crimes-and-impeachment-1

Daniel Cohalan (1865-1946) played a crucial role in mobilizing Irish-American support for Ireland’s struggle for independence from 1916-21. He is best remembered today for his bitter feud with Éamon de Valera during the latter’s mission to the United States in 1919-20. Cohalan spent many summers with his family in Glandore in Cork where visitors included Pádraig Pearse and Douglas Hyde. Cohalan stayed in the Royal Marine Hotel in 1923 where he met and corresponded with Free State President of the Executive Council, William T. Cosgrave, Richard Mulcahy and Joe McGrath. Michael Doorley’s talk coincided with his new biography on Justice Cohalan (Cork University Press, 2019) and an exhibition of the same name on display at dlr LexIcon, courtesy of St Joseph’s College, Long Island NY and the Gardiner Foundation.

Recorded at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire on Mon, 2 Dec 2019.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/michael-doorley-life-and-times-of-justice-daniel-cohalan

Hayley Reynolds a dlr Library assistant, talks to her colleague Vita Coleman about the best books to read aloud to kids at story time.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/need-to-read

Hayley Reynolds from dlr Libraries chats to freelance journalist Jenn Gannon about all aspects of the recent film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women by director Greta Gerwig. If you loved the film and cried like a baby or perhaps are just a huge fan of of the book, Greta Gerwig, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Plugh, or Master Timmy Chalamet, then this is the mutual appreciation space for you. 

Spoiler alert - this is for people who know the story of Little Women as there are multiple spoilers from the beginning.

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/need-to-read-little-women-film

dlr Libraries staff member Deanna discusses her recommended reads in the area of Speculative Fiction. Not sure what that is? Have a listen...

Listen back on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dlr-soundcloud/speculativefiction