The programme marked three important literary anniversaries: The 200th anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth (21 April 1916), Shakespeare’s birthday and the 400th anniversary of his death (23 April 1616) and the centenary of the Dublin Easter Rising (April 1916).

Hosted by radio veteran Roger McGough and produced by Sally Heaven, the broadcast featured a varied selection of listeners’ requests for poems to honour the occasion, including those by TS Eliot, Thomas Hardy, W.B Yeats and of course Charlotte Brontë and William Shakespeare.

Damien read a total of 7 poems and the programme is now available on the BBC Radio iplayer. Click below to listen! (works internationally)

Damien’s individual readings are listed below, but please do listen to the whole programme with all the other poetry readings and Roger McGough’s wonderful words of wisdom in between.

‘The Self Unseeing’ Thomas Hardy (04.06 mark)

‘A Memory’ by Robert Brooke (11.40 mark)

‘Burnt Norton’ by T.S Eliot (14.46 mark)

‘Beyond The Last Lamp’ by Thomas Hardy (16.52 mark)

‘The Wayfarer’ by Padraic Pearse (19.30 mark)

‘Extract From The Spring In Ireland 1916’ by James Stephens (20.56 mark)

‘Easter 1916’ by W.B. Yeats (23.55 mark)

Not only is Time, Memory and Remembrance Damien’s sixth time reading the works of literary greats on Poetry Please (totalling an incredible 31 poems!), but it also marks our favourite actor’s tenth appearance on BBC Radio 4.

He made his debut on the channel in 2013, reading short story Student Stories, followed by BBC NI Radio Drama’s production of William Trevor’s The Hill Bachelors and Jim Sheridan’s adaptation of The Commitments. last year he was the actor reader in a series showcasing new Irish writing, reading Eimear McBride’s short story Me and The Devil. 2015 also saw the release of his first audiobook Raven.

We are delighted to hear more beautiful poetry beautifully read by Damien on Poetry Please – he has more than earned his title as ‘Mr Radio 4!’

Please Poetry ‘Time, Memory and Remembrance’ aired on BBC Radio 4, 24 April 2016. The programme is available on the BBC Radio iplayer until 24 May.

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