THE LYRIC FEATURE

A Dream of Foreign Lands 

A Dream of Foreign Lands commemorates the 40th anniversary of Rum Sodomy & The Lash, the groundbreaking album by The Pogues. Featuring exclusive contributions from James Fearnley and Jem Finer of the band, as well as Shane’s sister Siobhan MacGowan, the programme delves into the album’s enduring creative and cultural significance. It traces The Pogues’ emergence in early 1980s London, examining how their music offered a sense of identity to London Irish audiences. For many young listeners, The Pogues provided a unique way to connect with Irish culture and tradition. Yet, for others, the band’s engagement with traditional influences elicited confusion or even hostility.

At the heart of the documentary is a portrait of a young Shane MacGowan at the peak of his creative powers. The programme explores his remarkable intellect and his ability to fuse a reverence for tradition with a spirit of rebellion. Contributors unpack the literary, musical, historical, and cultural inspirations that informed MacGowan’s songwriting. They reveal how his fusion of poetry, humour, observation, storytelling, and social critique created profoundly empathetic and insightful works that continue to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.

Presented and produced by Mike Glennon 

Series Producer Eoin O Kelly

Production Co-ordinator Michael O’Kane

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 22nd December 6pm-7pm