March 13
Ireland - "Wherever green is worn . . ."
Presenter: Ron Strange
Ron Strange traverses Europe’s third largest island, Ireland. Through deeply moving music, story, art, and their connection with the land, Ron inquires into how the culture and the people have survived centuries of subjugation. Ron takes us on a journey through Irish history from Neolithic to Brexit.
Ron takes us to County Sligo, known as (W.B.) Yeats Country, with one of the greatest concentrations of megalithic tombs in all of Europe; Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne), constructed around 3,200 BCE; Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay with several Iron-age settlements; Dingle Peninsula with its early medieval stone buildings; 13-14th- century monasteries; and Donegal, known for its textiles and keeping ancient weaving techniques alive. Ron fills in historical events such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the Easter Rebellion in 1916, and The Troubles, the ethno-nationalist conflict during the late 20th century, up through the current Brexit issue. Bringing these elements together, Ron highlights the unique culture of the Irish people.
Join Ron as he travels over 1200 miles across the landscape of Ireland attempting to discover how the Irish have survived their profound suffering while at the same time creating a “terrible beauty” that is at the heart of their culture.
Ron takes us to County Sligo, known as (W.B.) Yeats Country, with one of the greatest concentrations of megalithic tombs in all of Europe; Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne), constructed around 3,200 BCE; Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay with several Iron-age settlements; Dingle Peninsula with its early medieval stone buildings; 13-14th- century monasteries; and Donegal, known for its textiles and keeping ancient weaving techniques alive. Ron fills in historical events such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the Easter Rebellion in 1916, and The Troubles, the ethno-nationalist conflict during the late 20th century, up through the current Brexit issue. Bringing these elements together, Ron highlights the unique culture of the Irish people.
Join Ron as he travels over 1200 miles across the landscape of Ireland attempting to discover how the Irish have survived their profound suffering while at the same time creating a “terrible beauty” that is at the heart of their culture.