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Lyre Lyre

Lyre Lyre

By Steve Wharton

Lyre Lyre celebrates ballads, epic poems and storytelling. The new series 'Murderous Muncaster' features a spooky storytelling trail around Muncaster Castle. Series 1: Longfellow in Lockdown, features readings of the poems and translations of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, exploring what his work gaves to us during lockdown.
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Currently playing episode

Murderous Muncaster Ep 1: Mary Bragg (Parental Guidance Advised)

Lyre LyreOct 26, 2020

00:00
06:05
Murderous Muncaster Ep 8: The Hartshorn Tree

Murderous Muncaster Ep 8: The Hartshorn Tree

The final instalment from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202005:12
Murderous Muncaster Ep 7: Dunmail

Murderous Muncaster Ep 7: Dunmail

The seventh tale from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202004:10
Murderous Muncaster Ep 6: Tom Fool & The Apprentice Carpenter

Murderous Muncaster Ep 6: Tom Fool & The Apprentice Carpenter

The sixth tale from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202003:17
Murderous Muncaster Ep 5: Moriarty

Murderous Muncaster Ep 5: Moriarty

The fifth tale from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202003:24
Murderous Muncaster Ep 4: The Lykegate and other tales

Murderous Muncaster Ep 4: The Lykegate and other tales

The fear-full fourth encounter with Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202007:12
Murderous Muncaster Ep 3: The Smuggler's Wife

Murderous Muncaster Ep 3: The Smuggler's Wife

The third instalment from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202003:06
Murderous Muncaster Ep 2: The Hag of Hawkshead

Murderous Muncaster Ep 2: The Hag of Hawkshead

The second tale from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria.

Oct 26, 202003:10
Murderous Muncaster Ep 1: Mary Bragg (Parental Guidance Advised)

Murderous Muncaster Ep 1: Mary Bragg (Parental Guidance Advised)

The first tale from Murderous Muncaster, a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria. 

Oct 26, 202006:05
Murderous Muncaster Story Trail (Parental Guidance Advised)

Murderous Muncaster Story Trail (Parental Guidance Advised)

WARNING: Contains references to violence, death and alcohol

Murderous Muncaster is a collection of chilling stories, poems and folklore from Cumbria. You can download this episode to enjoy as a story trail around the grounds of Muncaster Castle in the Western Lake District of England. 

Directions are included in this episode and maps are available at the ticket office. Admission fees apply. The Trail starts at the Terrace, visits the Graveyard and concludes by Tom Fool's Tree, in front of the Castle.

Running order (dur 24m53s)

1. Mary Bragg

2. Hag of Hawkshead

3. The Smuggler's Wife

4. The Lykegate/Blind Charlie/Devil's Door

5. Moriarty

6. Tom Fool & The Apprentice Carpenter


Each tale will be available as a separate, high-quality file soon, along with 2 bonus episodes: The Hartshorn Tree and The Legend of Dunmail 

The material is a mix of traditional and original tales, adapted by Steve Wharton. Additional material written by William Shakespeare. Hag of Hawkshead poem by Harold Morland. Thank you to: Alan and Leslie Cleaver allowing the use of their research for The Corpse Roads of Cumbria, Fiona Stoddart of solwayconnections guided heritage tours and to Peter Frost-Pennington of Muncaster Castle.

Oct 23, 202024:53
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 7: A Day In June, The Tide Rises The Tide Falls & A Broken Oar

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 7: A Day In June, The Tide Rises The Tide Falls & A Broken Oar

The finale of the Longfellow in Lockdown series as a lift to restrictions is due to be announced. Features three fine pieces by Longfellow and news about Series 2 of the Lyre Lyre podcast.
May 07, 202007:04
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 6: The Cumberland & The Fire Of Driftwood

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 6: The Cumberland & The Fire Of Driftwood

Who knows what course our lives will take after lockdown.
May 05, 202007:15
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 5: The Village Blacksmith

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 5: The Village Blacksmith

Focusing on a single poem from early in Longfellow's career.
May 04, 202003:15
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 4: Ultima Thule & Beowulf's Expedition To Heort.

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 4: Ultima Thule & Beowulf's Expedition To Heort.

We're celebrating Star Wars Day with Longfellow today; journeying to far off islands and mead halls.
May 04, 202007:12
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 3: Suspiria & Santa Filomena

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 3: Suspiria & Santa Filomena

Exploring how Longfellow came to write about Florence Nightingale.
May 02, 202007:02
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 2: The Luck of Edenhall & King Witlaf's Drinking Horn

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 2: The Luck of Edenhall & King Witlaf's Drinking Horn

This episode looks at two poems related to drinking that were inspired by Longfellow's tours of Europe. One of the poems is based on a legend from the English Lake District.
May 02, 202009:14
Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 1: It Is Not Always May, Stay At Home & Curfew

Longfellow in Lockdown Ep 1: It Is Not Always May, Stay At Home & Curfew

The first of a collection of podcasts released daily during the first week of May 2020, featuring poems and translations by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

May 01, 202007:36