Episodes

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Clearing The Air2014033120140406 (R4)Ten years ago, Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in the workplace. On 29 March 2004, the air cleared in Ireland's bars, restaurants and other buildings - and there was hardly any backlash. The pub-loving nation became the model for a global health revolution. In the decade since, countries across the world have passed smoke-free laws of their own. In this programme, the BBC's former Ireland Correspondent Denis Murray looks at the impact of this type of anti-smoking legislation across Europe - and considers the future of tobacco.

Denis's journey begins in Dublin, where he recalls how radical a move the smoking ban was at the time. His old haunt, Mulligan's bar, used to be memorable for its blue, reeking fug. And the success of the ban in Ireland made international news - leading other countries to follow suit.

So Denis travels to two very contrasting cities to compare attitudes to smoking ten years on.

The Czech Republic has the most liberal smoking laws in the European Union. In Prague, going to a bar can feel like stepping back in time - many of them permit smoking.

France, so long synonymous with romantic movies featuring characters speaking to each other through clouds of smoke, has followed Ireland's lead and banned smoking in public places. Paris is a city with a fascinating relationship with tobacco - where the debate is often about philosophy as much as science.

In a journey across three countries, with a cast list of doctors, politicians and businesspeople - with the odd musician and philosopher thrown in - 'Clearing the Air' poses and answers many questions about the effect which smoke-free laws are having on health and society.

Producer: Chris Page.

Denis Murray looks at the impact of smoke-free laws around Europe over the last decade.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Derry To Mostar And The Conquest Of Happiness20131216Marie-Louise Muir joins a play as it travels from Londonderry to the Bosnian city Mostar.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Dinner At Annaghmakerrig20140609Marie-Louise Muir meets Ireland's artists at the former ancestral home of theatre impresario Sir Tyrone Guthrie.

Before his death in 1971, giant of world theatre and pioneer of the open stage, Sir Tyrone Guthrie, bequeathed his ancestral home at Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan, to the Irish State as a residential workplace and retreat for artists.

Today 'The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig' continues to function as a vital cog within the creative landscape of writers, composers, painters and dancers from Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and beyond. It's a flagship example of cross-border co-operation, dependent on joint funding from Arts Councils on both sides of the Irish border and could be seen as a barometer of the nation's cultural health overall.

Crucially, Guthrie stated in his will that a condition of any residency at Annaghmakerrig would be that guests sit together for dinner each evening in the dining room of this historic house set among the rolling hills of the Irish countryside.

Now arts journalist and broadcaster, Marie-Louise Muir, is joined for 'Dinner At Annaghmakerrig' by Irish composer Neil Martin, Belfast born visual artist Rita Duffy and former Creative Director of Dublin's Abbey theatre, Christopher Fitzsimon. Together, over fine food and against a backdrop of archival recordings of the great man himself, they share their perspectives on Guthrie's gift and legacy and explain what they believe to be the role of the arts and the artist in Irish society today.

Producer: Conor Garrett.

Marie-Louise Muir meets Ireland's artists at the former home of Sir Tyrone Guthrie.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Father Of The Big Bang20120607William Crawley tells the story of the Catholic priest who originated the Big Bang theory.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Piers The Plowman Revisited2014081720140823 (R4)It's one of the strangest, most complex and frustrating works in Middle English, so when writer Ian Sansom is tasked with coming up with a radio adaptation of William Langland's medieval dream poem 'Piers the Plowman', it presents a bit of a challenge.

His producer's solution? To lock Ian away in a Curfew Tower in the Glens of Antrim and challenge him to come up with his adaptation over the course of a weekend, after which time he'll be expected to put on a performance.

The 14th century poem - part theological allegory, part social satire - may have eluded scholars for centuries but Ian has help at hand. Aside from three poetry students from Queen's University, renowned medievalist Dr Stephen Kelly will be there to guide him on his quest for salvation.

As Ian grapples with the text written in alliterative long lines and framed in a series of dream visions, adaptation expert Brian Sibley will be just a phone call away. Then there's the members of Belfast outfit The Wireless Mystery Theatre who'll be dropping by to bring music and their own distinctive style to Ian's performance.

Who knows, it could turn out to be a dream...or it could be a nightmare.

Producer: Conor Garrett

Sound Design: Jason Martin.

Writer Ian Sansom attempts to adapt for radio William Langland's medieval dream poem.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Speculating The Emerald Isle20130315An oil bonanza could be on the cards for Ireland, but who will benefit and at what cost?

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

The Ceasefire Generation20120912How do Northern Ireland's 18-year-olds feel about their country's past and future?

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Tiger Feet20111221Ryan Tubridy on the Riverdance phenomenon, 20 years after it stole the show at Eurovision.

Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.