Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 | Episodes 1-5-10 (omnibus) | 20250215 | 20250216 (BBC7) |  **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan. Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Ann Rees-Jones. Read by PG Stephens. **** NOTE: The series continues with standalone episodes from this Monday 17th February with the concluding Omnibus on Saturday 22nd February on 4 Extra. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Childhood reminiscences of life on Ireland's The Blasket Islands. Read by PG Stephens. Reminiscences of a traditional rural life on The Blasket Islands - off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 06 | Shipwrecks | 19770905 | 20250217 (BBC7) 20250218 (BBC7) |
The outbreak of war brings prosperity and change for the islanders with shipwrecks, foreign sailors and the threat of conscription. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan and abridged by Ann Rees-Jones The story continues from the first Omnibus episode featured in 4 Extra's ALL REQUEST WEEKEND. Read by PG Stephens Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** War breaks out and brings changes. More reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands. The outbreak of war changes traditional rural life on The Blasket Islands - off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Read by PG Stephens. Abridged in ten episodes by Ann Rees-Jones Produced by Maurice Leitch Reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands - near Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. |
| 07 | Gone Fishing | 19770906 | 20250218 (BBC7) 20250219 (BBC7) |  **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** School is stopped and Maurice goes lobstering with his dad. He could not be happier - until the weather turns. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by PG Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Abridged in ten episodes by Ann Rees-Jones Produced by Maurice Leitch **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands - near Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. With no school, Maurice happily goes lobster fishing with his dad - but then the weather turns. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 08 | 7. Gone Fishing | 19770906 | 20250218 (BBC7) 20250219 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** School is stopped and Maurice goes lobstering with his dad. He could not be happier - until the weather turns. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan and abridged by Ann Rees-Jones Read by PG Stephens. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Maurice Goes lobster fishing with his dad - but the weather turns. With no school, Maurice happily goes lobster fishing with his dad - but then the weather turns. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 08 | A New Friend | 19770907 | 20250219 (BBC7) 20250220 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** It's a beautiful day in 1923 and Maurice makes a new friend and helps his father collect sheep on the hillside but it's fraught with danger. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by PG Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Abridged in ten episodes by Ann Rees-Jones Produced by Maurice Leitch **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands - near Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Maurice helps his father collect sheep but it's fraught with danger. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 09 | 8. A New Friend | 19770907 | 20250219 (BBC7) 20250220 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** It's a beautiful day in 1923 and Maurice makes a new friend and helps his father collect sheep on the hillside but it's fraught with danger. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan and abridged by Ann Rees-Jones Read by PG Stephens. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Collecting sheep proves to be fraught with danger. Maurice helps his father collect sheep but it's fraught with danger. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 09 | Adventure | 19770908 | 20250220 (BBC7) 20250221 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** It's 1927 and the island has gone to ruin. Maurice seeks a new life and pursues a new career in the capital. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by PG Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Abridged in ten episodes by Ann Rees-Jones Produced by Maurice Leitch **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands - near Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. It's 1927 and the island has gone to ruin. Maurice seeks a new life. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 10 | 9. Adventure | 19770908 | 20250220 (BBC7) 20250221 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** It's 1927 and the island has gone to ruin. Maurice seeks a new life and pursues a new career in the capital. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan and abridged by Ann Rees-Jones Read by PG Stephens. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** It's 1927 and the island has gone to ruin. Maurice seeks a new life. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 10 | New Beginnings | 19770909 | 20250221 (BBC7) 20250222 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** Having left the island, Maurice applies to join the Guards. He's assessed and examined - before having to sleep in a small iron bed with thin blankets. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by PG Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Abridged in ten episodes by Ann Rees-Jones Produced by Maurice Leitch Reminiscences of life on The Blasket Islands - near Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands. Maurice is examined and tested in his hope of joining the Guards. Read by PG Stephens. |
| 11 | 10. New Beginnings | 19770909 | 20250221 (BBC7) 20250222 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** Having left the island, Maurice applies to join the Guards. He's assessed and examined - before having to sleep in a small iron bed with thin blankets. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Written by Maurice O'Sullivan and abridged by Ann Rees-Jones Concluded by PG Stephens. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977 **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Maurice is examined and tested. Maurice is examined and tested in his hope of joining the Guards. Concluded by PG Stephens. |
| OMNI-01 | 20250215 | 20250216 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by P. G. Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Ann Rees-Jones. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** Childhood reminiscences of life on Ireland's The Blasket Islands. Read by PG Stephens. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands. Reminiscences of a traditional rural life on The Blasket Islands - off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Read by PG Stephens. | |
| OMNI-02 | 20250223 | 20250224 (BBC7) | **** This programme was suggested by Paul Buttle as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra's All Request Weekend **** In the second and final omnibus, life on the island changes after the outbreak of war in Europe. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. The Islands were evacuated after World War II, but prior to that 150 inhabitants lived a traditional, rural life. Maurice O'Sullivan was born on the Islands in 1904, before being fostered in Dingle and then returning to his family home on the Irish speaking Island. It captures a young boy's growth to early manhood on the great Blasket, 'a truly Gaelic island which lies north-west off the coast of Kerry'. With stories of his friends, family, father and grandfather. Did you never hear how the life of man is divided?' says Maurice's grandfather, 'twenty years a-growing, twenty years in blossom, twenty years a-stooping, and twenty years declining. Read by P. G. Stephens Written by Maurice O'Sullivan Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Ann Rees-Jones. Producer: Maurice Leitch First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1977. **** To nominate a programme from the archive that you would like to hear again, please email radio4extra@BBC.co.uk **** The outbreak of war changes traditional rural life on The Blasket Islands. Memoirs and reminiscences of life growing up on The Blasket Islands. The outbreak of war changes traditional rural life on The Blasket Islands - off Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Read by PG Stephens. Omnibus of the last five of ten episodes abridged by Ann Rees-Jones. |