Friday, 17 November 2006

Presented by *********

TRAVELLERS DISCUSSION

From bare knuckle fighting to illegal encampments, from family feuding to fraud, from dodgy trading to drug running, a controversial new book cataloguing the criminality of Ireland's travellers has really ruffled feathers. But is it the case that Ireland's travelling community is steeped in criminality or are the crimes of a few tarnishing the name of a group whose culture settled people simply do not understand.

BRENDAN GLEESON AND JOHN BOORMAN

When Brendan Gleeson last appeared on The Late Late Show he launched a deeply felt and powerful attack on our Health Service and found himself unexpectedly the talk and toast of the town. Inspired by what happened to his own parents he became the voice of those who had to endure the shameful inadequacies of the A&E Departments. Acclaimed Director John Boorman shared his passion and disgust not only for that particular problem but many of our other societal ills as well, and he decided to put them on the big screen. The result is a telling critique of modern Ireland called "A Tiger's Tale".

JULIE GOODYEAR

Julie Goodyear became famous as the sassy, leopard skin clad barmaid of Coronation Street's Rovers Return, Bet Lynch. However, her real life trials and tribulations are more extraordinary. One of her three marriages lasted just one hour, she had a succession of gay relationships and she fought a tough battle with cancer. Pat spoke to Julie on the occasion of the publication of her autobiography "Just Julie".