These Things I Wish
As a child, Bairbre O’Hogan remembers her mother bringing an elderly friend to do her weekly shopping in Dún Laoghaire. Bairbre knew her as Mrs Verschoyle, or Mrs V., and while she knew that Mrs V. was the writer Winifred Letts, she only later appreciated just how successful and prolific she had been. Born in Manchester in 1882, from the age of sixteen onwards Winifred Letts lived most of her life in Ireland. She attended Alexandra College, trained as a physiotherapist in Baggot Street Hospital and worked in World War I military hospitals.
Her war poetry which is discussed by Gerald Dawe and Edel Hanley in the programme is unusual in that it provides a rare first-hand woman’s perspective on World War 1. We hear from David Clare and Shirley-Anne Godfrey about her work as a playwright and the achievement of being the second woman, after Lady Gregory, to have two plays performed at the Abbey Theatre. Bairbre also meets Winifred Letts’ great-niece, Oriana Conner, who reminisces about her great-aunt, recalling her kindness, warmth, and daring.
Extracts from the writing of Winifred Letts are read by Ingrid Craigie, and Andrew Bennett reads from her plays.
These Things I Wish is produced by Claire Cunningham (Rockfinch Ltd) and funded by Coimisiún na Meán and RTÉ Independent Radio Productions with the Television Licence Fee.
Producer for RTÉ lyric fm: Eoin O Kelly
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 9th June, 6pm-7pm
