A photograph is hung on a gallery wall for the first time since it was taken two decades before. It shows a slaughter house in rural Ireland, a painting of the Virgin Mary on the wall, a meat hook suspended from the ceiling – and, from its sharp point, the lifeless body of a man hanging by his feet. The story of who he is and how he got there casts back into Irish folklore, of widows cursing the land and of the men who slaughter its cattle by hand. 

Note: Damian mentions that The Butchers was shortlisted for the 2021 RSL Ondaatje Prize as our episode was recorded before the announcement on 11th May 2021. We’re delighted to add that The Butchers is now the winner of this year’s prize!!!

The Butcher’s by Ruth Gilligan is published by Atlantic Books and available now in paperback. We recommend buying from your local indie or you can get it from our shop at Bookshop.org.

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Podcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

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