This week: The myriad legacies of Jonathan Swift; and the mass hunger strike of 1923.

Jonathan Swift: Savage Indignation

Jonathan Swift is best known as one of the greatest satirists in English literature, celebrated for works like Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal.

But his legacy extends far beyond his literary genius – as we’ll hear tonight he was a pioneer in fields like finance, and also mental healthcare – bequeathing in his will the money to establish what is now St Patrick’s University Hospital, that leading institution in mental healthcare today.

And we’re looking at Swift’s life this evening just in time for upcoming Jonathan Swift Festival, which runs from the 22nd to the 27th of November, with events taking place around Dublin City.

And one of the venues is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral – which on Friday 22nd November will host Jonathan Swift: Savage Indignation – the life of Jonathan Swift told through interviews, drama and music.

That show is written and presented by Gerry Mullins, who joins Myles in studio. Also featured will be two other "Swifties" who also join Myles. Dr Brendan Twomey is an historian and retired banker. And Professor Jim Lucey is Inspector of Mental Health Services at The Mental Health Commission.

The Mass Hunger Strike of 1923

The Irish Civil War came to an end in May of 1923 - but after the conflict, thousands of anti-Treaty IRA and Cumann na mBan members remained incarcerated, in various prisons and camps.

In the months following the war, those prisoners became increasingly agitated by their continued detention. They eventually joined forces in a mass hunger strike - aimed at securing their release.

The story of those hunger strikers is one of many explored in the new book from Cork University Press, the Atlas of the Irish Civil War. In this report, Ian Kenneally talks to one of the book's editors, historian Dr Hélène O’Keeffe.