Sunday 12th May sees the 199th birthday of Florence Nightingale. To celebrate, Mike Esbester and Natalie Pithers share their experiences of exploring history with children, with particular reference to Florence’s story.

This week’s selection comes from Dr Janet Topp Fargion, Lead Curator of World and Traditional Music. Peter Kennedy made this recording of Sheila Gallagher in Middle Dere, Donegal in 1953 – she was 90 years old at the time. She tells of learning songs from her father and his friends,…

Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington by Thomas Lawrence By Jonathan Summers, Curator of Classical Music Two hundred and fifty years ago today, Arthur Wellesley, Field Marshall His Grace the Duke of Wellington, was born in Dublin. Most famous for his victory at the Battle of Waterloo where he…

This week’s selection comes from Charlie Morgan, Oral History Archivist. The Barley Mow is a classic end of the night folk song; funny enough to leave you in a good mood, adaptable enough to please the crowd, and it’s about drinking so normally has the pub on your side. It’s…

Illustration from HMV set of Merrie England (Courtesy of Damien’s 78s) By Jonathan Summers, Curator of Classical Music To celebrate St George’s Day this year I have selected a work whose popularity lasted well into the twentieth century. When Arthur Sullivan died in 1900 he had written fourteen operas with…