The richness of a language closely tied to the natural landscape offered our ancestors a more magical way of seeing the world. Before we cast old words aside, let us consider the sublime beauty and profound oddness of the ancient tongue that has been spoken on this island for almost 3,000 years. In Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchán Magan meditates on these words – and the nuances of a way of life that is disappearing with them. For this event, Manchán will be in conversation with Marian Richardson.

Manchán Magan has written books on his travels in Africa, India and South America and two novels. He writes regularly for The Irish Times, presents The Almanac of Ireland podcast for RTÉ Radio 1 and reports on travel for various radio programmes. He has presented dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture for TG4, RTÉ & Travel Channel. His book Thirty-Two Words For Field explores the insights the Irish language offers into the landscape, psyche and heritage of Ireland. His new illustrated book, Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature (Oct 2021) presents Irish words for the natural world. www.manchan.com

Marian Richardson is a multi-award-winning broadcast journalist and producer working across the fields of current affairs, politics and the arts. Her career in RTÉ radio and television has spanned from presenting Bosco to producing Today with Pat Kenny and Drivetime with Mary Wilson as well as the seminal series Giant at my Shoulder. She presented the very popular programme Playback with Marian Richardson on RTÉ Radio 1 for nine years.