Three Castles Burning

(Reupload, apologies due to podcast hosting gremlins!) Part II of the Brendan Behan centenary special, this journey brings us through some surprising places. From Littlewood's London to strange times in North America, this is the story of the fame and fall of Brendan Behan.

This week marks the centenary of the birth of Brendan Behan. Over two editions, Three Castles Burning will explore the life and times of this remarkable talent. In the first part, we look at Behan's revolutionary days and the impact of Borstal on him.

Musician Joe Chester has produced a beautiful musical tribute to Lucia Joyce, the dancer and illustrator. Daughter of James Joyce, Lucia was born in Trieste in 1907. She would spend more than four decades of her life in institutions after being diagnosed as schizophrenic in the mid-1930s. 'Lucia' by Joe Chester is his first major composition for classical guitar & strings, inspired by her journey. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

This week, a new app launched exploring the history of Dublin's Docklands. Where do the Docklands begin, and what remains are left of its industrial past? This episode explores the changing fortunes of Dublin's Docklands, and the working class communities who lived and worked alongside it. Oh, and a disappearing elephant! Dublin Discovery Trails: https://doorsintodocklands.com/

On the outskirts of Dublin city, a series of memorial crosses mark sites were bodies were discovered in 1922 and 1923. A sad part of the Civil War conflict, they are a reminder of how the conflict deteriorated in the city. In a war with no clean hands, as discussed in this show, they show how former comrades could turn on one another. Historian John Dorney, author of The Civil War in Dublin (Merrion Press), joins me. Dorney's book: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-civil-war-in-dublin-the-fight-for-the-irish-capital-1922-1924/ Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

When Pele visited Dublin with Santos in 1972, one Irish newspaper proclaimed him to be "Soccer's Sinatra." In a country that came late to television - and which fell in love with the global game thanks in no small part to the magic of Pele in the 1970 World Cup - Santos vs Bohemians/Drumcondra was the hottest ticket in town. The game proved somewhat lacklustre, but many will never forget seeing Pele on Irish soil. Happy New Year! Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Luke McManus has produced North Circular, a documentary which brings the viewer on a journey from the Wellington Testimonial all the way through the north inner-city. He chatted to me about the NCR, the various people who call it home and what it means for Dublin today. North Circular info: https://twitter.com/northcircular_ Vote for TCB for Eason's Book of the Year: https://www.easons.com/Books/eason-favourite-book-poll/?utm_source=TopMiniBanner&utm_medium=BookPoll&utm_campaign=HP&utm_id=HP

Each year, Dublin City Council hosts the Winter Lights festival, lighting up key buildings and sites around Dublin. Myself and historian Fergus Whelan went for a walk through some of the 2022 locations, from the Marshalsea Prison to Wolfe Tone Park. Did you know that the 'Father of the Scottish Enlightenment' is buried in Dublin, or that Smithfield was once transformed into Checkpoint Charlie? For more see: Dublin Winter Lights.

Dermot Looney has spent years working away on a history of Saint Patrick's Athletic. The final product, which includes a beautiful introduction by Brian Kerr, is something much broader - an important social history of Inchicore. Saint Pat's emerge as a club strongly connected to the railway works, and with surprising connections from the very beginning. Saints Rising is available now.