Radio choice Charlotte Runcie

How the Irish Shaped Britain

RADIO 4, 11AM

♦ In the third part of Fergal Keane’s exploration of the influence of Irish culture on the history of Britain, he addresses the 20th century and beyond. From large numbers of Irish immigrants to Britain following the Second World War to the impact of IRA bombings on British soil, through to the Good Friday Agreement, and musical and political innovation from diverse Irish figures. Keane hears about the potent symbolism of the Queen’s first ever visit to Ireland and the ongoing response to Brexit.

Bodies

RADIO 4, 1.45PM

♦ Professor Alice Roberts continues her tour through the history of research into human anatomy, and what our always changing understanding of the body can tell us about how we see the world. In this episode, she explores the impact of the 16th-century De humani corporis fabrica, by Vesalius, which contradicted the accepted wisdom of Galen and provided beautiful and stunningly accurate anatomical illustrations based on Vesalius’s own dissections. Also this week, Roberts explores the work of Leonardo and the growth of anatomy as theatre.