A Vision for Irish Theatre: Deirdre O’Connell (with Sabina Higgins)
Release Date: 07/06/2026
A Vision for Irish Theatre: Deirdre O’Connell (with Sabina Higgins)
Three Castles Burning
At the recent Luke Kelly Festival, I was delighted to speak with Sabina Higgins (née Coyne) all about the Focus Theatre and Deirdre O’Connell. Bringing the Stanislavski acting system to Ireland in the 1960s, Deirdre transformed how young actors felt about the possibility of the theatre. The tiny Focus Theatre - with the support of Luke Kelly and others - had a massive impact on the theatre here, producing a generation of actors who would have real impact in the Irish arts. We talk about it, and Sabina’s career more broadly, including the landmark television programme Insurrection (1966).
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Cold War Football: Yugoslavia in Dalymount Park
Three Castles Burning
In October 1955, the visit of Yugoslavia to Dublin caused real division in Irish society. A top-class football side on the world stage, opposition to communism led Archbishop McQuaid and others to call for a boycott of the game. In a new book, Cold War Football: A History in Ten Matches, Alan McDougall and Tony Shaw examine this match and others like it, weaving Cold War tensions and the excitement of the beautiful game.
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Citizen or Lord? The Life of Edward Fitzgerald (with Fergus Whelan and Annie Hughes)
Three Castles Burning
There could be nowhere more fitting to discuss the life of Edward Fitzgerald than upstairs in the Lord Edward, as part of Culture Date with Dublin 8. That he was born into privilege is clear, but Fitzgerald also rejected it, his sister recalling that “he was a Paddy and no more; he desired no other title than this.” Annie Hughes is a singer and a member of An Góilín Traditional Singers. Fergus Whelan is author of Enemies of the State: Richard Musgrave, the Rebellion of 1798 and the Making of Sectarian Irish History.
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Back to the Census: The Story of Us (with John Gibney)
Three Castles Burning
John Gibney is co-editor of The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census. On a sunny day, we sat on a bench dedicated in part to a man you’ll find in that census, and discussed what is in this extraordinary landmark census. We look at some interesting people, like the writer Dorothy Macardle, the widowed Maud Gonne MacBride and an influential Italian on Pearse Street. An earlier episode made some predictions, but here we are looking at the real thing. The Story of Us is available now in all good bookshops. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning
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Stephen's Green Shopping Centre: Dandelions and Developers
Three Castles Burning
It would seem everyone in the city has an opinion on the shopping centre at the top of Grafton Street. With that in mind, it seems a good time for a potted history of it and the site it occupies. Controversial in its own day, the project was overseen by the architect James Toomey, though it fell somewhat short of the original vision. What is to be done with this 1988 centre, and why has its proposed replacement irked so many? Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning
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Unquiet Ghost: The Bones of Roger Casement (with Rory Carroll)
Three Castles Burning
In 1965, the body of Roger Casement was returned to Ireland. No longer condemned to the grounds of Pentonville Prison, he would be buried in Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery, where he is one of the first graves a visitor encounters today. There were political questions around Casement’s body in the 1960s, and his final request was not honoured. Rory Carroll, author of the bestselling ‘A Rebel and a Traitor: A Fugitive, the Manhunt and the Birth of the IRA’ joins me to discuss Casement, life and afterlife.
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More Pricks Than Kicks: The Dublin of Samuel Beckett
Three Castles Burning
Today marks the 120th birthday of Samuel Beckett. Inspired both by this milestone anniversary and by the wonderful new exhibition of the work of photographer John Minihan in the National Gallery of Ireland, this episode explores sites that are important to the story of Beckett and Dublin. Some, like Trinity College Dublin, will be familiar. Others, like the family business on Clare Street where he wrote some of his collection More Pricks Than Kicks are unmarked today. Our journey brings us to places as diverse as Elvery’s sport shop and Kennedy’s pub, as we get to walk in Beckett’s...
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Quiet Revolutionary: The Life of Éamonn Ceannt
Three Castles Burning
With the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising upon us, it seems a good time to look at one of the less familiar figures of the story. Somewhat in the shadows, Éamonn Ceannt was a meticulous organiser, vitally important not only to the revolutionary movements of his time but traditional music too. His Dublin centred on Rialto, Dolphin’s Barn, Crumlin and the surrounding areas, and in this episode we learn about Ceannt's importance to the story of 1916. (Thanks for your patience as we move - and thanks to all Patreon supporters as always)
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Drowning the Shamrock? The Gaelic League and the War on Pubs
Three Castles Burning
In 1903, Saint Patrick’s Day formally became a national holiday in Ireland, following a push from the Gaelic League. In the pages of their newspaper, An Claidheamh Soluis, a battle was waged for the closure of public houses on the day. Some publicans stood in opposition to this. This is the story of how a sober St Patrick’s Day was achieved, and how it would take until the 1960s for change.
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Little Wonder: David Bowie's Secret Gig at The Factory (with Ray O’Donoghue)
Three Castles Burning
In 1997, David Bowie released Earthling, an album deeply influenced by the sound of drum and bass and industrial electronic music. Spending time in Dublin city, Bowie befriended the Quadraphonic collective, who brought the drum and bass sound to the city at venues like The Globe and The Kitchen. This led to a secret concert at The Factory venue in Ringsend. My guest Ray O’Donoghue is now the Night Time Economy Advisor to Dublin City Council, but was then part of Quadraphonic and opened for Bowie on the night.Contributions also come from John Brereton, Director of the DublinBowie Festival....
info_outlineAt the recent Luke Kelly Festival, I was delighted to speak with Sabina Higgins (née Coyne) all about the Focus Theatre and Deirdre O’Connell. Bringing the Stanislavski acting system to Ireland in the 1960s, Deirdre transformed how young actors felt about the possibility of the theatre. The tiny Focus Theatre - with the support of Luke Kelly and others - had a massive impact on the theatre here, producing a generation of actors who would have real impact in the Irish arts. We talk about it, and Sabina’s career more broadly, including the landmark television programme Insurrection (1966).