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Lords a Living

Lords a Living: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Lords a Living, Episode 1

The Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford visits the city of Waterford for the very first time.

Ruth McDonald accompanies The Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford on his first ever visit to the area he inherited in his titular peerage - Waterford in the Republic of Ireland.

In this new series, Lords A Living, Ruth McDonald accompanies members of the House of Lords to the titular land of their peerage to meet the communities who live there now. Does reality match-up to expectation for a peer who hasn't visited "home" in several decades, or has never been there at all? And what will "home" make of them? 

In the first programme of the series Ruth McDonald accompanies the 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford to the area he inherited - Waterford in the Republic of Ireland. It's his first ever visit and one which he undertakes with great trepidation. The last time he used his title in Ireland he was advised to keep it quiet! But as Lord Shrewsbury lands in the Republic in early October in 2010 it's clear Waterford - in common with every other part of the country - is reeling from what is now dubbed "Black Thursday". The day the Irish government revealed the extent of the losses incurred by the Irish banks during the financial crisis. 

It's an education for Shrewsbury as he comes face to face with the reality of the struggles of the Republic and the impact they've had on the life of this small city. As he travels around this former industrial powerhouse it's clear Waterford is desperately trying to rebrand itself after the loss of its most iconic industrial name - Waterford Crystal; but there's still real anger at the failing of what was the city's biggest employer. It's an interesting time too for a peer of the realm, and a throwback to the old Anglo-Irish relationship, to be visiting "home". From his conversations with the city fathers to the "gallows" welcome at Spraoi, Ireland's largest community arts group, to his crash course in the sport of hurling and drinks in the local with ex-crystal workers, it's quite an eventful visit to what used to be Ireland's second city - the birthplace of the Anglo-Irish relationship. The question is what will Lord Shrewsbury take away from this encounter and how will the citizens of Waterford react to this titled stranger? 

Producer: Regina Gallen.

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Ruth McDonald takes members of the House of Lords to the titular land of their peerages

Ruth McDonald accompanies members of the House of Lords to the titular land of their peerages to access the communities who live there now

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