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Drama on the Northside

A new 3 part drama anthology series by local writers and performed by local drama groups.

Tue 17th Dec 4.30pm – ‘Playing for Time’ by Henry Hudson
Set in a concentration camp in Eastern Europe in early 1945. Levi Esser is a middle-aged Jewish violinist. He plays in the camp orchestra and so avoids the gas chambers. Generations of Esser’s used the violin that Esser plays. He planned to hand it on to his only son, Rene but Rene was killed in the war. Esser wants a young inmate, Shimon, to take his place in the orchestra so the instrument will continue to be played thereby preserving the memory and traditions of the Jews and of the Esser’s in particular.

Tue 24th Dec 4.30pm – ‘The St. James Rejoice Boarding House’ by Jack Byrne
A half hour radio drama adaptation of James Joyce’s ‘The Boarding House’ from Dubliners, this years Dublin City Libraries ‘One City, One Book’ choice. The storyline is original and deals with the tribulations of a male boarder in the titled boarding house. The house is run by an old haridan and her flighty daughter who eventually beguiles the boarder into bed and an unwanted pregnancy.

Tue 31st Dec 4.30pm – ‘Gangsters, Donkeys & Spiritual Juice’ by Denis Byrne
The play is set in Dublin in the 1980s. In a Dublin Northside estate riddled with crime and political corruption a kid named Micko sees a vision of the Virgin Mary. Crowds gather and an idolised local politician with criminal connections tries to take advantage of the situation.

Latest on Listen Again

Myra Gleeson speaks to Jessica O’Donnell head of Education & Community Outreach with the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square. Contact:hughlane@dublincity.ie [...]

Myra Gleeson speaks to Joe Varley, the President of the Maritime Institute of Ireland, about the extraordinary Irish Maritime History. The Heritage Council of Ireland has recognised the vital importance [...]

Myra Gleeson speaks to Eamonn Farrelly, The Honorary Secretary of the Beaumont Bridge Club. Founded in 1986, the club will celebrate its 40th Anniversary next year. The Bridge Club meets [...]

CHAPTER XVI. Reading.—We are towed by steam launch.—Irritating behaviour of small boats.—How they get in the way of steam launches.—George and Harris again shirk their work.—Rather a hackneyed story.—Streatley and [...]

Near fm presents Curtain Up Christmas Special 2025 presented by Declan Cahill. A festive feast of Christmas rhyme, song and poetry celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. [...]

Lassane Ouedraogo, Chairperson of the African Solidarity Centre joins Mary Oyediran to discuss the latest developments in the African Diaspora Ireland and African Continent in December 2025. [...]

Near FM presents episode 38 in The Hugh Lane Concert series with Dragonfly, Danusha Waskiewicz on viola and Naomi Berrill on cello, who create a richly layered soundscape, where each [...]

Br. Gordon Celender is a Catholic missionary Music Minister and International Marathon Runner, joins Mary Oyediran to talk about Christmas, raising funds for charities and live music . 1st Broadcast [...]