In recent weeks and months we have covered some of the most significant historical anniversaries here in Ireland, mostly centenaries of the acts around the time of Ireland’s Independence.
But the struggle for independence aside, there is another perhaps unknown anniversay that can be celebrated too.
An Beal Bocht or 'The Poor Mouth' - a savage parody of the Gaelteacht island autobiography, was published 80 years ago this year borne in the mind of Myles na gCopaleen, aka Flann O’Brien, aka Brian O’Nolan - a Civil Servant writing under a wide variety of pen-names, and sometimes even maintaining a dialogue with himself in the letter pages of The Irish Times.
In this weeks episode of Hidden Histories, Gavan is joined by Donal Fallon to discuss.