Main content

07/11/2010

Do the people of Northern Ireland still harbour a soft spot for the hard men? Special recording from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Is it in some way easier to live in a more polarised society? Do the people of Northern Ireland still harbour a soft spot for the hard men? At a time of increased tensions in the area, a panel of celebrated citizens of Northern Ireland debate this in front of an audience at the Northern Ireland National Assembly in Stormont.

The discussion kicks off with a performance by the award-winning poet Paul Muldoon from his latest collection. Joining Paul on the panel is Baroness May Blood of Blackwatertown, MBE, a campaigner for integrated education and Dr Raman Kapur a consultant clinical psychologist in Belfast.

Award winning poet, Paul Muldoon, has been described as the most significant English-language poet born since the Second World War. Paul is currently a professor at Princeton University.

Baroness May Blood of Blackwatertown, MBE, was born and raised in Belfast and worked in a linen mill from her teenage years. She has fought for equality for women at work and was the first woman in Northern Ireland to be given a life peerage.

Dr Raman Kapur is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive of Threshold, a mental health charity in Northern Ireland who has written and researched on 'The Troubled Mind of Northern Ireland'.

Illustration by Emily Kasriel. A Hummingbird and a Quail are educated together whilst still harbouring prejudice in their minds.

Available now

55 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Nov 2010 09:05GMT

Chapters

  • Paul Muldoon

    Performs a reading from The Quail.

    Duration: 22:56

  • Baroness May Blood

    Protestant and Catholic children should learn together and celebrate their differences.

    Duration: 07:06

  • Dr Raman Kapur

    Why listening to people鈥檚 grievances are so important for healing.

    Duration: 39:28

  • Paul Muldoon

    Are we always lagging behind?

    Duration: 10:40

Broadcast

  • Sun 7 Nov 2010 09:05GMT

Do you think political or business leaders need to be charismatic? Or do you prefer highly competent but somewhat stern people?

Do you think political or business leaders need to be charismatic? Or do you prefer highly competent but somewhat stern people?

We鈥檇 love to hear your views on charm and charisma for a future Forum.

Podcast