Women were facing discrimination and under-representation in most publicly funded Irish theatres, especially the biggest and most well known ones. Women's stories and female artists were being given less space, continuing the myth that a male-dominated culture is both normal and acceptable.

WakingTheFeminists was a campaign by group of men and women, who together spoke out for equality for women working in all aspects of theatre in Ireland.

Only intended as a 12-month grassroots campaign, #WakingTheFeminists took on a life of its own, leading to a revolution for equality that garnered global attention, including Hollywood star Meryl Streep. Along with the #MeToo movement, it formed a vital piece of the jigsaw in the struggle for towards equality for women in the arts. In this episode we hear from Lian Bell, the woman who lit the spark under this fire.

Reading links:

www.wakingthefeminists.org

www.lianbell.org

The inspiring story behind Food Cloud: an organisation founded by two students that today provides 1.5 million meals a week to people in need

For more details on Food Cloud go to food.cloud

In this episode I am thrilled to be speaking with the hugely talented Marina Carr – winner of multiple international awards, a member of Aosdána and regarded by many as Ireland's leading playwright.

Marina delves deep into the power behind the characters she creates and her writing approach, as well as fascinating insights on how she views history, men, women, and the future of humanity.

And having just completed the final script for her latest play, the cast at The Abbey Theatre goes into rehearsals this week for the worldwide debut of Audrey or Sorrow - grab your tickets now!