On tonight's programme, we discuss the newly published collection of folktales, Scéalta Cráibhtheacha by Seán Ó Súilleabháin, translated by William Caulfield as Miraculous Plenty: Irish Religious Folktales and Legends (Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann). As well as William Caulfield, and the former Head of Folklore at UCD, Bo Almqvist, who wrote the introduction to the book, we hear from Patrick Honohan who launched the book, drawing parallels between the hazards and fatalism of the folk stories, and Ireland's current economic travails; and Ríonach Ní Ógáin, director of the National Folklore Collection, UCD, who wrote the foreword.

Also on the programme, we visit the National Gallery of Ireland's exhibition of late 19th and early 20th century children's book illustrations, Fables and Fairtyales, in the company of curator Niamh McNally.

And Nicola Gordon Bowe, Harry Clarke's biographer, joins Vincent to discuss the work of Harry Clarke, widely known as a stained glass artist but who also produced some exquisite illustrations.

The originals of two of his illustrations of Hans Christian Andersen stories from a collection first published in 1916 (including an illustration for The Nightingale, above right) are currently on view to the public in the Fables and Fairytales exhibition mentioned above. They are also reproduced in a new edition of that collection, Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales Illustrated By Harry Clarke, published by Gill and MacMillan.

Fables and Fairytales continues at the National Gallery of Ireland until 25 March. See www.nationalgallery.ie

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Vincent Woods

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