About this episode

This episode discusses the life and work of Dervla Murphy, an extraordinary travel writer known for her adventurous spirit.

Described as ‘the first lady of Irish cycling’, Dervla Murphy was renowned for her intrepid spirit, and she remained passionate about travel, writing, politics, conservation and bicycling until her death in 2022. In this episode of the Slightly Foxed podcast we have gathered a number of those who knew and worked with Dervla to discuss the life and work of this extraordinary travel writer. Gail Pirkis and Steph Allen, from Slightly Foxed, worked with Dervla during their time at John Murray Publishers. Rose Baring was her editor at Eland Books and Ethel Crowley was a friend and editor of the recent anthology, Life at Full Tilt: The Selected Writings of Dervla Murphy . Together with our host Rosie Goldsmith they discuss Dervla’s early years and inspiration, consider the experience of publishing her work and examine her place in the Ireland of her time. Born in Lismore, Ireland, in 1931, Dervla lived there until the end of her life. She was an only child and her parents, who originated from Dublin, encouraged her independence and love of books. Her father – who later became the much-loved Waterford County Librarian ‒ had been involved in the Irish republican movement and had served…

People in this episode

Host: Rosie Goldsmith

Guests: Gail Pirkis, Steph Allen, Rose Baring, Ethel Crowley

Topics covered

• Dervla Murphy
• travel writing
• Irish cycling
• publishing
• personal history
• literature
• conservation

Keywords

• Dervla Murphy
• Irish cycling
• travel
• writing
• politics
• conservation
• bicycling
• publishing
• memoir
• literature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: John Murray Publishers, Eland Books

Books & works: Life at Full Tilt: The Selected Writings of Dervla Murphy

Places: Ireland, Lismore

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• 54: The Many Lives of Muriel Spark · July 15, 2025 · 58 min
• 52: William Golding: A Literary Colossus · January 15, 2025 · 59 min
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