Podcast: All you need to know about music promoter Bill Fuller, artist Kathleen Cox and health activist Kathleen Lynn
Ireland has certainly been known for distinctive personalities over the years and we've covered many such characters on Brainstorm over the last number of years. To kick off our new podcast series, proudly supported by Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland, presenter Ella McSweeney hears about the high times and unique worlds of Kerry music promoter Bill Fuller, Dublin artist Kathleen Cox and activist, politician and doctor Kathleen Lynn.
The name Bill Fuller probably doesn’t resonate with a lot people, but he does typify a Wild Irish Life and one that should indeed be remembered. The Kerryman was an entrepreneur, musical impresario, producer and promoter who started his career in post war London and ended up owning and manging some of the biggest music clubs and theatres in the UK and the US. Dr Michael Murphy from IADT tells us more.
Kathleen Cox was a vibrant figure in the Dublin art scene. From the 1920s until she destroyed her ceramic moulds in the 1930s, Cox produced figurines, masks and busts that portrayed her personal friends and characters from the streets of Dublin. But little is known of Cox, her work and motivation especially at a time when Irish women didn’t do such things. RTÉ Brainstorm contributor Dr Siobhan Doyle from the National Museum of Ireland profiles her.
Kathleen Lynn was an activist, politician, doctor and who so far ahead of her time in 1920’s Ireland that one of her biggest and bravest ideas - a national children's hospital which will be named in her honour - is only being realised now. Her life and times are recalled by Dr Mary McAuliffe from UCD.
The credits: this RTÉ Brainstorm podcast series is presented by Ella McSweeney, research is by Hazel O'Leary, the producer is Adrian Carty and it was recorded by Shane Dempsey at Collaborative Studios. RTÉ Brainstorm is edited by Jim Carroll and the assistant editor is Aoife Ryan-Christensen. The series is proudly supported by Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.
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