A film by Janet Behan about her grandmother, Kathleen Behan. Not just a portrait of this extraordinary woman, but a vivid, eye-witness account of the birth of the Irish Republic. It’s full of great stories and songs, some of them written by Kathleen’s brother, Peadar, writer of the lyrics to The Soldier’s Song. Kathleen also talks candidly and movingly about her son, “little poet,” Brendan. At the age of 91, Kathleen Behan was persuaded to record her memories on tape…

From Ed Waugh I worked with Dave Harker who kindly allowed me to use his incredible research for my play The Great Joe Wilson. Many of you came to see the show (and Mr Corvan's Music Hall, based on Dave's excellent book about Ned Corvan) so you may be interested in Geordie Plays (Volume One). The book comprising Hadaway Harry, The Great Joe Wilson and Carrying David is out now and was recently included in a small time capsule buried by…

When the Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1823, it was confronted by a formidable lobby comprising slaveholders, merchants, politicians, journalists and intellectuals. This talk explores the ferocious campaign of the British pro-slavery lobby to preserve the institution of colonial slavery – even, in 1833, securing £20m in compensation for the slaveholders. Michael is the author of The Interest: How the British Establishment Resisted the Abolition of Slavery Registration will be from 1 September: https://berwickliteraryfestival.com/

“Full Canadian powers” or “Ireland’s right, full independence and nothing short of it”? The Anglo-Irish Treaty and its consequences. On 6 December 1921, Irish negotiators signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty providing for the establishment of the Irish Free State as a dominion of the British Empire. One of the most controversial documents in modern Irish history, the Treaty led to a split in the Sinn Féin party, and ultimately, civil war. Examining the nature and measure of sovereignty desired by different Irish…

Mary Macarthur, trade unionist and socialist, died 100 years ago in 1921. In this talk, her biographer, Dr Cathy Hunt, looks at the fascinating life and work of this pioneering leader, who founded the National Federation of Women Workers, which improved working conditions for thousands of some of the worst paid women in Britain. Cathy will draw attention to the struggles and barriers that faced women workers in the early 20th century whilst also highlighting their successes and strength in…