7. The Wake

Ireland. Old Thady has served under four disastrous generations of the Rackrents:

* Sir Patrick drinks
* Sir Murtagh litigates
* Sir Kit gambles
* Sir Condy (Sir Connolly) merely fritters away the family fortunes

Yet, he is still the ever-faithful retainer at the bankrupt Castle Rackrent.

Old Thady recalls how Sir Condy thought it was a shame he could not attend his own funeral's festivities...

Maria Edgeworth's satire on Anglo-Irish landlords, first published in 1800.

Read by Cyril Cusack.

Abridged by John Scotney.

Producer: Jeremy Howe

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1989.