Anthology:Nine o'clock, Sunday morning. A gentle alarm introduces you to the new day.
The bad news of overnight stabbings and road fatalities is followed by a review of the papers. You are now among friends, as the same routine is followed weekly throughout the country by thousands of other listeners of Sunday Miscellany, one of the longest-running programmes on RTÉ Radio 1. It's now in its fourth decade, providing perfect broadcasting harmony, combining the finest in talk radio with with eclectic music. New writers share time with long-established contributors.
The challenge is to transfer the material to another form, with new editor, RTÉ producer Clíodhna Ní Anluain, having the unenviable task of selecting from more than 100 programmes and over 700 contributions. To reflect the year-long continuity of the show, Ní Anluain has set out the book in 12 monthly chapters, reflecting the seasonal preoccupations of the writers and listeners.
A random trawl through the pages will reveal uncommon knowledge aplenty. In Brian Lynch's Amazing Grace, the story behind the ever-popular hymn is uncovered, Eamonn Ó hUallacháin's The Flight of the Earls leads you to the location in Rome of the final burial place of the Great Hugh O'Neill and Ruairi O'Donnell. Joe O'Toole's The Haka from Ireland discovers a Galway connection with the famous pre-match ritual of the All Blacks rugby team. Memories of World Cups, Triple Crowns, All-Ireland finals and ice-skating in Holland confirm the life-asserting position of sport in Irish society.
Poetry fans are not forgotten. Among the selection is the book's opener, Julie O'Callaghan's ode to the myths of the changing year, New Year Omens; Catherine Ann Cullen's In Memory of Frank Harte pays homage to the late folk singer; Free State, one of three poems by Gerard Smyth, remembers John McGahern, while Patrick Kavanagh is celebrated in Una Agnew's Holy Door.
In all, there are 150 entries, making up a unique collection reflecting the warmth and richness of our storytelling and poetic traditions. A window to the programme for the uninitiated and a wealth of memories for aficionados.
Martin Noonan is an Irish Times journalist
Sunday Miscellany: 2004-2006 Edited by Cíodhna Ní Anluain New Ireland, 420pp. €17.95