On this week's programme - Mike Hanrahan on paying tribute to the Irish cultural revolution in his film 'The Ballad of the Crimson Warrior'; plus historian Joseph E.A. Connell on his career in the US military and the legacy of the Vietnam War.

The Ballad of the Crimson Warrior

We begin this evening with a new short film celebrating the creative women and men of our great Irish cultural revolution. The film is called The Ballad of the Crimson Warrior, and it pays tribute to rebels and innovators, writers and fighters who challenged a nation to reawaken its own spirit.

It's musical narrative of original songs and traditional tunes is illustrated with portraits of the revolutionary years created by the acclaimed Irish artist Mick O’Dea.

To talk about it, Myles is joined by singer-songwriter Mike Hanrahan and historian Liz Gillis. We hear the original songs The Crimson Warrior and The Craggy Hill.

Joseph E.A. Connell

Historian and author Joseph E.A. Connell is a native of the United States, but a regular visitor to Ireland, where he researches his books about the Irish revolutionary period. In this interview, Joe talks about his life - from growing up in the 1950s, to his experience of the turbulent 1960s, the Vietnam War, and also his own military career. He was part of the elite 82nd Airborne division, a rapid response infantry unit of the US Army.