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Artwork for Burning Books Ireland

Burning Books Ireland

Burning Books
Let Me Go Mad In My Own Way
Deep Burn
How To Build a Boat
As You Were
In the Movie Of Her Life
Ireland
Cork
Paris
Irish Literature
Esther Is Now Following You
The Thickness Of Ice
The Memorisers
Camarade
Dublin, Ireland
Gill Perdue
Steinbeck

If your house was on fire, what books would you save from the flames?

The Books Ireland podcast features authors and well-known cultural figures discussing the titles that have formed the backdrop to their lives—their childhood memories perhaps, or books they fell in love with. Maybe there are authors they return to over and over, or novels which formed their world view—stories that shaped th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes59Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for Burning Books Ireland

Latest Episodes

Charleen Hurtubise tells Ruth McKee which books she’d save if her house was on fire.

Charleen Hurtubise is a novelist, essayist, and artist. She is author of The Polite Act of Drowning, published in Ireland and the UK by Eriu/Bonnier in 2023. She h... more

Author Gerard Beirne tells Ruth McKee which books he would save if his house was on fire.

Gerard Beirne is a novelist, poet, and short story writer, and curates the online magazine The Irish Literary Times. His work includes the novels The Eskimo i... more

Tanya Sweeney tells Ruth McKee which books she’d save if her house was on fire.

Tanya Sweeney is a journalist and Weekend magazine columnist at the Irish Independent and is a regular contributor on Irish radio & TV. Her work in the music, film & TV... more

Annemarie Ní Churreáin tells Ruth McKee which books she’d save if her house was on fire.

Annemarie Ní Churreáin is a poet from the Donegal Gaeltacht, Ireland. Her books include Bloodroot (Doire Press, 2017), Town (The Salvage Press, 2018), The Pois... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Gerard Beirne
Author of The Thickness of Ice, curator of The Irish Literary Times
Baraka Books (publisher of The Thickness of Ice)
Episode: 54: Gerard Beirne
Tanya Sweeney
Journalist and author of Esther is Now Following You
Penguin (publisher)
Episode: 53: Tanya Sweeney
Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Poet, author of Hymn to All the Restless Girls
Gallery Press (publications discussed)
Episode: 52: Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Elaine Feeney
Acclaimed author and poet
Episode: 51: Elaine Feeney
Audrey Whitty
Irish archaeologist, curator and librarian; Director of the National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
Episode: 50: Audrey Whitty
Gill Perdue
Best-selling crime novelist
Penguin (novel publication)
Episode: 49: Gill Perdue
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
Laureate for Irish Fiction, Irish writer
Irish literary community
Episode: 48: Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
Brendan Mac Evilly
Author of Deep Burn
Marrowbone Books
Episode: 47: Brendan Mac Evilly
Theo Dorgan
Poet and novelist, author of Camarade
Mercier Press (publisher of Camarade)
Episode: 46: Theo Dorgan

Host

Ruth McKee
Host of Burning Books Ireland and interviewer, connected to cultural publishing and literary discussions.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 17 ratings
  • Beautiful podcast

    Wonderful podcast for readers and writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    15278 Elco
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Love this

    If you love books then you’ll love this podcast. A really different and interesting way of looking at the chosen books loved by the interviewees, and a glimpse into their lives around the books.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cath-writes-in-the-dark
    Ireland5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Warm, well-paced conversations that feel like a reading group.
Lively, intimate discussions that reveal personal reading journeys.
Beautiful for book lovers; thoughtful, intimate conversations.
Great mix of authors and poets; insightful on craft and influences.
Ideal for listeners who want book recommendations tied to personal stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#17
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#43
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

54: Gerard Beirne
Q: How has The Thickness of Ice come to reflect your own life experiences and landscapes you've inhabited?
The novel grew out of real places and memories—from the Arctic setting of Churchill to the people and histories of First Nations communities; the language and world-building mirror the physical environment, making the land itself a vital character in the narrative.
54: Gerard Beirne
Q: What was your MFA experience like, and who influenced you most there?
Being in Spokane and studying with John Keeble and a cohort of Irish writers broadened my approach; the workshop environment and the invitation to push boundaries helped me understand what it means to be a writer and teacher at the same time.
54: Gerard Beirne
Q: When did the pull of North America happen for you, and did it spark a real curiosity about different literary worlds?
The exposure to American writers and the beats in particular opened my eyes to a wider literary universe; I realized there was a form of writing and a global conversation I'd been missing, which fueled my decision to pursue writing more seriously.
52: Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Q: Which book do you go back to for nourishment when you need creative sustenance?
Pharaoh's Daughter from Gallery Press, a bilingual collection that showcases Irish poetry with translations; it serves as a gateway for both new and seasoned readers and continually inspires teaching and workshops.
52: Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Q: Can you remember the very first book you read alone and how it felt to own a book as a child?
A poetry book found in the attic, The Poems of Dr. Chavago, with beautiful illustrations, which made me realize poetry could exist in a physical form that wrapped around me like a cape, and I later inscribed my own name inside the cover.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Burning Books Ireland

What is Burning Books Ireland about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on deep-dive conversations with writers, poets, journalists, and cultural figures about the books that shaped their lives. Guests discuss childhood favorites, formative reads, and the personal and professional impact of literature, often weaving in memory, place, and the broader cultural moment. Episodes tend to highlight Irish literary life, reading communities, and the healing or identity-forming power of books, with a warm, exploratory interviewing style and a focus on individual reading journeys. A notable strength is the breadth of guests from poetry, fiction, and criticism, offering listeners intimate access to authors' influences, writing processes, and recommended reads for fellow book lovers. This makes it appeali... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Burning Books Ireland?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Burning Books Ireland:

1. Inside Books
2. THE DUBLIN REVIEW PODCAST
3. Words in the Air
4. Natter
5. Get Around To It

How many episodes of Burning Books Ireland are there?

Burning Books Ireland launched 5 years ago and published 59 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Burning Books Ireland?

Recent guests on Burning Books Ireland include:

1. Gerard Beirne
2. Tanya Sweeney
3. Annemarie Ní Churreáin
4. Elaine Feeney
5. Audrey Whitty
6. Gill Perdue
7. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
8. Brendan Mac Evilly

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