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Hertford O’Donnell’s Warning

The Christmas Ghost Story

33'45"

MoLI presents the third annual MoLI Christmas Ghost Story: ‘Hertford O’Donnell’s Warning’ (1867) by Charlotte Riddell, performed by Kathy Rose O’Brien, in an edited and abridged form.

Surgeon Hertford O’Donnell is a rising star at Guy’s Hospital, London, known for his steady hand and unshakeable bravery. In his personal life, however, the eccentric and lonely Irishman has a less than sterling reputation. 

All alone on Christmas Eve, he receives an unexpected visit from Ireland. Estranged from his family for over twelve years, the O’Donnell banshee visits him in his Soho townhouse, bringing tidings of death and retribution for the past. 

Will Hertford O’Donnell survive the night, or does the banshee cry for him? 

Producers   Dr Katie Mishler, Ian Dunphy, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly
Sound   Ian Dunphy
Script   Dr Katie Mishler 
Sound Design Ian Dunphy & Benedict Schlepper-Connolly
Music   Benedict Schlepper-Connolly

This recording has been kindly supported by the European Research Council Victeur project, with thanks to Professor Gerardine Meaney, UCD School of English, Drama and Film and the INSIGHT Centre for Data Analytics. Research for this recording is provided by Dr Katie Mishler, National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame and Dr Maria Mulvaney, Lecturer, UCD Centre for Cultural Analytics. Visit ghostlyirishfictions.com for more about Dr Maria Mulvaney’s work on the Irish ghost story.

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