The Inner Landscape of Beauty [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media]

February 28, 2008

SOF OnDemand: » Download (mp3, 53:05) ¦ » Listen Now (RealAudio, 53:05) ¦ » Podcast

John O'Donohue was an Irish poet and philosopher beloved for his book Anam Cara — Gaelic for "soul friend" — and for his insistence on beauty as a human calling and a defining aspect of God. Before his untimely death this year, he spoke with Krista in our studios. And so this hour has become a remembrance of him. But John O'Donohue had a very Celtic, lifelong fascination with what he called "the invisible world." And he would also surely see this also as a serendipitous continuation of his life's work — of bringing ancient Celtic wisdom to modern confusions and longings.

Program Details
» Particulars ¦ an annotated guide to the radio program with readings, images, and links
» Resources
» Books + Music ¦ lists of recommended books and music from the program
» Krista's Journal
» Transcript
» Credits

Hear the Music
» SOF Playlist ¦ hear full-length tracks of each song played in the program

About the Image
John O'Donohue walks in the countryside near his boyhood home of Connemara, Ireland. (photo: Nuton)

SoundSeen

» "Beannacht" [slideshow, 1:18]

We've woven together the late Irish poet's reading of his poem with his friends' photographs of the Celtic landscapes of the Connemara landscape he loved.

SOF Observed
» "Resting, and Remembering John O’Donohue, in Ireland"
Krista reflects on her Irish respite and the words of John O'Donohue on beauty as "a kind of homecoming…"

» "Irish Singing, Old School"
Researching music, we discovered sean-nos, an "old style" of Gaelic singing. Watch this mesmerizing video of Iarla O'lionaird singing in a pub.

» "Your Help Is Our Musical Gain"
An Irish listener from Belfast contributes to our musical selections.

» "John O'Donohue's Landscape"
Producing a narrated slideshow takes a fair bit of time, even it's brief. Our producer traces her journey and the small world we travel in.

Unheard Cuts
» Unedited Interview with O'Donohue (mp3, 1:22.37)
Shortly before his death, Krista spoke with O'Donohue for nearly two hours. We made some difficult edits, and here offer the complete conversation.

» Recited Poems
O'Donohue recited several poems during his interview that didn't make it into the final production. We offer them as mp3 downloads for you to enjoy.

Spread the Word
» Email ¦ + Share

Voices of Our Audience
» Your Reflections ¦ tell us and other audience members what this program meant to you.

Voice on the Radio

John O'Donohue
O'Donohue is a poet and philosopher who has written several books, including Anam Cara and Conamara Blues. He died on January 3, 2008.