The Lonely Girl [Edna O'brien - The Country Girls Trilogy]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Blaggers

20191014

20230619 (BBC7)
20230620 (BBC7)

Kate and Baba are friends who occupy the twin poles of romance and realism.

In this opening episode, they blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard.

Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s.

Originally published in the 1960s, The Lonely Girl, and the two other novels in the trilogy (The Country Girls and Girls in their Married Bliss), were banned by the Irish Censorship Board, burnt publicly in O'Brien's home town, and described by the Justice Minister (a young Charles Haughey) as filth.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised in ten parts by Kate Hims.

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Tod Mead - Shaun Mason

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

The Body - Jonny Holden

Eamonn - Chris Pavlo

Joanna - Susan Jameson

Woman - Catherine Cusack

Kate and Baba blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Eugene

20191015

20230620 (BBC7)
20230621 (BBC7)

Eugene comes to tea, and Kate visits his house in the country.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Joanna - Susan Jameson

Anna - Catherine Cusack

Gianni - Chris Pavlo

Pianist - Peter Ringrose

Mrs Burns - Siobhan McSweeney

Customer - Catherine Cusack

Assistant - Roisin O'Donovan

Eugene comes to tea and Kate visits his house in the country.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Christmas

20191016

20230621 (BBC7)
20230622 (BBC7)

Christmas brings Kate and Eugene closer together, and then the real world pulls them apart.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan

Man - David Hounslow

Boy - Jonny Holden

Friend - Ell Potter

Christmas brings Kate and Eugene closer together and then the real world pulls them apart.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan

Drastic Measures

20191017

20230622 (BBC7)
20230623 (BBC7)

Dada gets wind of Kate's affair with Eugene and takes drastic measures to separate them.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Dada - David Ganly

Tim Healy - Des McAleer

Molly - Niamh Denyer

Mr Brennan - Paul Hickey

Martha - Deirdre Mullins

Cab Driver - David Hounslow

Dada gets wind of Kate's affair with Eugene and takes drastic measures.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Prisoner

20191018

20230623 (BBC7)
20230624 (BBC7)

Kate is a prisoner in the countryside, and yearns to escape back to the mixed pleasures of Dublin.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Molly - Niamh Denyer

Priest - Des McAleer

Dada - David Ganly

Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill

Tom - Paul Hickey

Kate is a prisoner in the countryside, and yearns to escape back to Dublin.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

The Chase

20191021

20230626 (BBC7)
20230627 (BBC7)

Kate has escaped from the countryside and returns to live with the married Eugene.

But her father and his cronies soon come looking for her...

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Anna - Catherine Cusack

Dada - David Ganly

Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill

Tom - Paul Hickey

Andy - Shaun Mason

Kate flees to live with married Eugene - but her father and cronies want to find her.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Practically Married

20191022

20230627 (BBC7)
20230628 (BBC7)

Kate's father enlists the help of the Church to remove her from Eugene's house and Kate becomes scared that she will burn in hell for living in sin with a married man.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan

Simon - Jonny Holden

Laura - Ell Potter

Man in Pub - David Hounslow

Kate's father asks the Church to help remove her from Eugene's house.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan

The Wrong Cups

20191023

20230628 (BBC7)
20230629 (BBC7)

Kate realises that living with Eugene means putting up with his mother, his friends and the constant comparisons to his ex-wife.

Then his ex wife Laura makes contact.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan

Simon - Jonny Holden

Laura - Ell Potter

Man in Pub - David Hounslow

Kate learns the consequences of living with married lover Eugene.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan

Heartbreak

20191024

20230629 (BBC7)
20230630 (BBC7)

Whilst Baba fears she is pregnant, Kate and Eugene's relationship starts to turn sour.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Simon - Jonny Holden

Laura - Ell Potter

Mary - Grace Moloney

Joanna - Susan Jameson

Gustav - Sean Baker

Baba fears she is pregnant and Kate's relationship with the married Eugene begins to crack

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

10 LAST

Setting Sail

20191025

20230630 (BBC7)
20230701 (BBC7)

Baba is going to start a new life in England and wants Kate to go with her.

However, lovelorn Kate is convinced that Eugene will return.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends.

The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th-century Irish fiction.

Dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Joanna - Susan Jameson

Anna - Catherine Cusack

The Body - Jonny Holden

Landlord - Paul Hickey

Passenger - Shaun Mason

Steward - Chris Pavlo

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2019..

Baba is off to England and wants Kate to join her - but will Eugene return?

Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.

OMNI-01

20191019

20191020 (BBC7)
20230625 (BBC7)
20230626 (BBC7)

Kate and Baba are friends who occupy the twin poles of romance and realism.

The duo blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard.

Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes dramatised by Katie Hims

Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity

Tod Mead - Shaun Mason

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

The Body - Jonny Holden

Eamonn - Chris Pavlo

Joanna - Susan Jameson

Woman - Catherine Cusack

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny story of growing up in rural Ireland in the 50s.

OMNI-02

20191026

20191027 (BBC7)
20230702 (BBC7)
20230703 (BBC7)

Kate has escaped from the countryside and returns to live with the married Eugene, but her father and his cronies soon come looking for her with violent results.

Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s.

Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction.

Omnibus of the last five of ten parts dramatised by Kate Hims.

Eugene - Jonathan Forbes

Anna - Catherine Cusack

Dada - David Ganly

Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill

Tom - Paul Hickey

Andy - Shaun Mason

Kate returns to live with the married Eugene but her father soon comes looking for her.

Edna O'Brien's frank, funny story of growing up in rural Ireland in the 50s.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Blaggers	20191014	20230619 (BBC7) 20230620 (BBC7)	Kate and Baba are friends who occupy the twin poles of romance and realism. In this opening episode, they blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard. Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s. Originally published in the 1960s, The Lonely Girl, and the two other novels in the trilogy (The Country Girls and Girls in their Married Bliss), were banned by the Irish Censorship Board, burnt publicly in O'Brien's home town, and described by the Justice Minister (a young Charles Haughey) as filth. Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised in ten parts by Kate Hims. Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Tod Mead - Shaun Mason Eugene - Jonathan Forbes The Body - Jonny Holden Eamonn - Chris Pavlo Joanna - Susan Jameson Woman - Catherine Cusack Kate and Baba blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
02	Eugene	20191015	20230620 (BBC7) 20230621 (BBC7)	Eugene comes to tea, and Kate visits his house in the country. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Joanna - Susan Jameson Anna - Catherine Cusack Gianni - Chris Pavlo Pianist - Peter Ringrose Mrs Burns - Siobhan McSweeney Customer - Catherine Cusack Assistant - Roisin O'Donovan Eugene comes to tea and Kate visits his house in the country. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
03	Christmas	20191016	20230621 (BBC7) 20230622 (BBC7)	Christmas brings Kate and Eugene closer together, and then the real world pulls them apart. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan Man - David Hounslow Boy - Jonny Holden Friend - Ell Potter Christmas brings Kate and Eugene closer together and then the real world pulls them apart. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland. Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan
04	Drastic Measures	20191017	20230622 (BBC7) 20230623 (BBC7)	Dada gets wind of Kate's affair with Eugene and takes drastic measures to separate them. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Dada - David Ganly Tim Healy - Des McAleer Molly - Niamh Denyer Mr Brennan - Paul Hickey Martha - Deirdre Mullins Cab Driver - David Hounslow Dada gets wind of Kate's affair with Eugene and takes drastic measures. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
05	Prisoner	20191018	20230623 (BBC7) 20230624 (BBC7)	Kate is a prisoner in the countryside, and yearns to escape back to the mixed pleasures of Dublin. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Molly - Niamh Denyer Priest - Des McAleer Dada - David Ganly Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill Tom - Paul Hickey Kate is a prisoner in the countryside, and yearns to escape back to Dublin. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
06	The Chase	20191021	20230626 (BBC7) 20230627 (BBC7)	Kate has escaped from the countryside and returns to live with the married Eugene. But her father and his cronies soon come looking for her... Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Anna - Catherine Cusack Dada - David Ganly Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill Tom - Paul Hickey Andy - Shaun Mason Kate flees to live with married Eugene - but her father and cronies want to find her. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
07	Practically Married	20191022	20230627 (BBC7) 20230628 (BBC7)	Kate's father enlists the help of the Church to remove her from Eugene's house and Kate becomes scared that she will burn in hell for living in sin with a married man. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan Simon - Jonny Holden Laura - Ell Potter Man in Pub - David Hounslow Kate's father asks the Church to help remove her from Eugene's house. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland. Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan
08	The Wrong Cups	20191023	20230628 (BBC7) 20230629 (BBC7)	Kate realises that living with Eugene means putting up with his mother, his friends and the constant comparisons to his ex-wife. Then his ex wife Laura makes contact. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Eugene's Mother - Br퀀d Brennan Simon - Jonny Holden Laura - Ell Potter Man in Pub - David Hounslow Kate learns the consequences of living with married lover Eugene. Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland. Eugene's Mother - Bríd Brennan
09	Heartbreak	20191024	20230629 (BBC7) 20230630 (BBC7)	Whilst Baba fears she is pregnant, Kate and Eugene's relationship starts to turn sour. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Simon - Jonny Holden Laura - Ell Potter Mary - Grace Moloney Joanna - Susan Jameson Gustav - Sean Baker Baba fears she is pregnant and Kate's relationship with the married Eugene begins to crack Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
10 LAST	Setting Sail	20191025	20230630 (BBC7) 20230701 (BBC7)	Baba is going to start a new life in England and wants Kate to go with her. However, lovelorn Kate is convinced that Eugene will return. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of friendship and growing up in rural Ireland in the 1950s - seen through the eyes of two friends. The Country Girls Trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th-century Irish fiction. Dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Joanna - Susan Jameson Anna - Catherine Cusack The Body - Jonny Holden Landlord - Paul Hickey Passenger - Shaun Mason Steward - Chris Pavlo First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2019.. Baba is off to England and wants Kate to join her - but will Eugene return? Edna O'Brien's trilogy of novels about two girls growing up in 1950s rural Ireland.
OMNI-01		20191019	20191020 (BBC7) 20230625 (BBC7) 20230626 (BBC7)	Kate and Baba are friends who occupy the twin poles of romance and realism. The duo blag their way into a wine-tasting and meet Eugene Gaillard. Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s. Originally published in the 1960s, The Lonely Girl, and the two other novels in the trilogy (The Country Girls and Girls in their Married Bliss), were banned by the Irish Censorship Board, burnt publicly in O'Brien's home town, and described by the Justice Minister (a young Charles Haughey) as filth. Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes dramatised by Katie Hims Baba - Aoibhinn McGinnity Tod Mead - Shaun Mason Eugene - Jonathan Forbes The Body - Jonny Holden Eamonn - Chris Pavlo Joanna - Susan Jameson Woman - Catherine Cusack Edna O'Brien's frank, funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny story of growing up in rural Ireland in the 50s.
OMNI-02		20191026	20191027 (BBC7) 20230702 (BBC7) 20230703 (BBC7)	Kate has escaped from the countryside and returns to live with the married Eugene, but her father and his cronies soon come looking for her with violent results. Funny and subversive story of womanhood in Ireland in the 1950s. Originally published in the 1960s, The Lonely Girl, and the two other novels in the trilogy (The Country Girls and Girls in their Married Bliss), were banned by the Irish Censorship Board, burnt publicly in O'Brien's home town, and described by the Justice Minister (a young Charles Haughey) as filth. Edna O'Brien's trilogy is now recognised as an iconic work of 20th century Irish fiction. Omnibus of the last five of ten parts dramatised by Kate Hims. Eugene - Jonathan Forbes Anna - Catherine Cusack Dada - David Ganly Jack Holland - Jonjo O'Neill Tom - Paul Hickey Andy - Shaun Mason Kate returns to live with the married Eugene but her father soon comes looking for her. Edna O'Brien's frank, funny story of growing up in rural Ireland in the 50s.