The scandal over Roer Casement’s diaries is huge. It’s past time I read the smut and examined the censure of the man and his writings.
S7 E7 Roger Casement’s Diaries Part 1
S7 E6 Furious: O’Flaherty ‘The Martyr’ (1933)
Liam O’Flaherty was the angriest Irish author of his generation, raging against ‘soutaned witch-doctors’ (Catholic priests). With guest, Teresa Dunne
S7 E3 Boycott: McNamara ‘The Valley of the Squinting Windows’ (1913)
A novel famous for the furious reaction it provoked in the people of Delvin, Co Westmeath. But how do boycotts work and why are they so terrifying?
S7 E1 & 2 Riotous: The Playboy of the Western World (1907)
The Playboy Riots were a notoriously rowdy series of audience protests in the Abbey Theatre. The patrons were so offended by The Playboy of the Western World their loud singing and heckling drowned out the actors. This much-studied moment in Irish cultural history deserves a deep-dive into the play itself and the over-reaction to its performance.
With guest, Dr Lloyd (Maedhbh) Houston, I discussed the play and the uproar it caused, paying particular attention to drunken singing and the comedy act of one protestor, Mr Overcoat.
S6 E8 Dreadfully Common: Maugham ‘Cakes and Ale’ (1930)
One of the many bestsellers from the 1930s which was banned. When this novel was on sale after it was banned, the unfortunate bookseller was prosecuted.
S6 E6 Oh, James: Fleming ‘Diamonds are Forever’ (1956)
I really didn’t like this novel, but millions of James Bond can’t be wrong, can they?
S6 E5 Dirty Foreigners: O’Brien ‘The Lonely Girl’ (1962)
This novel is the further adventures of Caithleen and her sidekick Baba in the big city, as they search for fun, love and a free meal. A sequel to ‘The Country Girls’ (1960) it was automatically banned by a board who hated its author.
S6 E4 Obscene knowledge: Irish Family Planning Association ‘Family Planning’ (1976)
What happens when contraception is technically illegal but voluntary groups provide it anyway? Family planning information began to circulate widely during the 1970s and the censors did not like it. My guest, Dr Laura Kelly, helps me unravel a tale of blind eyes turned and court challenges.
S6 E3 Wanton: Powys ‘Mr Weston’s Good Wine’ (1927)
I haven’t read many novels like this – it’s a Christian allegory stuffed with Gothic sex. TF Powys was banned a numbers of times by the censors, who objected to his unique combination of sacred and profane.
S6 E2 Bottom wriggling: Anon ‘The memoirs of Dolly Morton’ (1899)
Banning antique erotica was a strange feature of the late censorship regime. Full of whipping and racism, this was not a book I enjoyed even if its history was fascinating.
