Who is Dervla Murphy? - TG3 Sun. Jan 2nd, 9.30.

High Nellie

From TG4 website - Who is Dervla Murphy? (OS). A profile of Ireland’s foremost travel writer, Dervla Murphy. Now aged seventy-eight, this programme explores Dervla’s life and times, looking at precisely what makes this successful author tick. We soon bear witness to this strong individual Irish woman, who broke through the parameters of her era to set off around the world in search of something different.

feck sake lads

thanks for that info look forward to watching should be great.;)

abbeyside1

High Nellie wrote: »

From TG4 website - Who is Dervla Murphy? (OS). A profile of Ireland’s foremost travel writer, Dervla Murphy. Now aged seventy-eight, this programme explores Dervla’s life and times, looking at precisely what makes this successful author tick. We soon bear witness to this strong individual Irish woman, who broke through the parameters of her era to set off around the world in search of something different.

Am I the only one wondering what this has to do with cycling?

Bunnyhopper

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle

She's an impressive woman. She cycled solo from Ireland to India in 1963. It's a good read as a travelogue (although I wanted more about the cycling). It was quite a feat, including traversing Communist Eastern Europe, Iran, Afghanistan, the Himalayas, etc. It wouldn't be easy for anyone but I'd imagine that a woman on her own in the early 1960s would have found it particularly hard. In fact, I think there are anecdotes about her brandishing a pistol at Iranian thieves and again at a man who tried to rape her. She also talks about wandering around her home in Waterford with the gun in her pocket just to get used to the feel of it.

Doctor Bob

abbeyside1 wrote: »

Am I the only one wondering what this has to do with cycling?

I'd like to think so, but I fear there may be more. :eek:

Much of her writing is a testament to the bicycle as liberator- not just her travel books but also, maybe moreso, her memoir Wheels Within Wheels which, as well as being a fascinating self-portrait, is a remarkable portrait of mid-20th century Ireland; one of the best books I've read in years.

It's a pity she's not more widely known, as she is - or should be - a national treasure. Nice to see the film getting an airing. I only heard about it recently and haven't yet had the chance to see it.

High Nellie

Highly recommended for some, such as for some of those posting on 'Cycling gear and what it says about you!' - might provide a bit of wider perspective on the world of cycling out there.
Or maybe they will criticise her for not having worn the right expedition gear. And check out the groupset she used on the trip to India.
I'm only half joking ....

seve65

Doctor Bob wrote: »

I'd like to think so, but I fear there may be more. :eek:

Much of her writing is a testament to the bicycle as liberator- not just her travel books but also, maybe moreso, her memoir Wheels Within Wheels which, as well as being a fascinating self-portrait, is a remarkable portrait of mid-20th century Ireland; one of the best books I've read in years.

It's a pity she's not more widely known, as she is - or should be - a national treasure. Nice to see the film getting an airing. I only heard about it recently and haven't yet had the chance to see it.

Penn, in 'its all about the bike' also makes the point that the bike was a major influence and aid to the liberation of women in the 19th/20th century, and more generally the major influence in creating social mobility.

meemeep

Her books were some of my favourites - previous posters are right - she is - or should be, a national treasure. But for me it was so much more than just a book about cycling - it was a glimpse of a world that most of us will never know, and most of today's inhabitants, will never know (before the taliban). get her books from your library - great read. She didn't just go to India.

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Tilt-Ireland-India-Bicycle/dp/0879512482

Raam

I'm almost finished Full Tilt. It's a very interesting book.

seve65

Ordered 'full tilt' on amazon last night Currently reading the 'passion of fausto coppi' which makes great play of the significance of cycling and the Giro D'Italia to post war italy.

High Nellie

In the thread about books I suggested you read 'Wheels Within Wheels' before reading 'Full Tilt'.
'Wheels within Wheels' is a fantastic biography and gives a context for 'Full Tilt'.

Dan Jaman

Starting about 25 years ago, I discovered Dervla Murphy in my (then) local library in Scotland. I think the first one I read was about a trek through the Himalayas, but I found all of the earlier ones and have read most of her work since. They're not all great; I found the Cuba one heavy going and I much prefer her earlier works where she's either on her own or with her daughter.
That said, she's a total inspiration and I think I'll re-read some of them shortly, to make up for my lack of world-trekking by bicycle myself.

I missed the TG4 programme - anyone got a torrent?

jayzee

This was a great programme.
Does any know if this is on the TG4 player - I can't seem to find it.