Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: A Hidden Man | 20240907 | 20240912 (RU) | David was a daily diary writer, and barely missed an entry between 1920 and 1943. When he died of a stroke in 1969, these diaries – some 38 volumes and well over a million words – were deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland along with his photo albums, newspaper scrapbooks and letters. The diaries were catalogued briefly with barely a hint of the rich and exceptionally rare material they contain, and so have remained virtually unknown to the world. Over the last three years, Dr Tom Hulme has now transcribed these diaries as part of the Queer NI project. As a diarist, David Strain was fastidious about recording not just his own feelings and thoughts about homosexuality, but also the many conversations he had with other gay men. The survival of these diaries thus gives a remarkable window onto a queer world that would otherwise be almost entirely invisible – limited to the sparse criminal records of men who were arrested for having sex in public. We may have expected to have found an intensely difficult and ultimately failed life, wracked with guilt and shame, but that is not the picture that David paints. Instead, the arc of his diaries depicts a journey of discovery: from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. Hidden Belfast Forbidden Love by Hugh Costello DAVID STRAIN - Desmond Eastwood MOTHER - Aine McCartney GRAEME - Alan McKee GILLIAN MCMURROUGH..Ali White SERGEANT MILLAR - Jonathan Harden REVEREND MCDAVIE - Mark Lambert MALCOLM - .. - Michael Shea ETHEL/MARTHA - Seana Kerslake Wallace - .. - Isaac Heslip Written by Hugh Costello Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan Executive Producer Andy Martin Based on the diaries of David Strain, discovered by Professor Leanne McCormick and Dr. Tom Hulme A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queens University Belfast. The secret diaries of David Strain reveal a word of hidden passion and illegal sexuality. Drama from Radio Ulster. David Strain's secret diaries (1920-1943) provide the background to a journey from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. | |
| Episode 2: Looking For Love | 20240914 | 20240919 (RU) | David was a daily diary writer, and barely missed an entry between 1920 and 1943. When he died of a stroke in 1969, these diaries – some 38 volumes and well over a million words – were deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland along with his photo albums, newspaper scrapbooks and letters. The diaries were catalogued briefly with barely a hint of the rich and exceptionally rare material they contain, and so have remained virtually unknown to the world. Over the last three years, Dr Tom Hulme has now transcribed these diaries as part of the Queer NI project. As a diarist, David Strain was fastidious about recording not just his own feelings and thoughts about homosexuality, but also the many conversations he had with other gay men. The survival of these diaries thus gives a remarkable window onto a queer world that would otherwise be almost entirely invisible – limited to the sparse criminal records of men who were arrested for having sex in public. We may have expected to have found an intensely difficult and ultimately failed life, wracked with guilt and shame, but that is not the picture that David paints. Instead, the arc of his diaries depicts a journey of discovery: from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. Hidden Belfast Forbidden Love by Hugh Costello DAVID STRAIN - Desmond Eastwood MOTHER - Aine McCartney GRAEME - Alan McKee REV MCDAVIE - Mark Lambert GILLIAN MCMURROUGH - Ali White SERGEANT MILLAR - Jonathan Harden JACK CONLON - Michael Shea ETHEL - Seana Kerslake Wallace - Isaac Heslip Written by Hugh Costello Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan Executive Producer Andy Martin Based on the diaries of David Strain, discovered by Professor Leanne McCormick and Dr. Tom Hulme A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast through their AHRC Impact Acceleration Accounts. David discovers Oscar Wilde and Belfast's only Progressive Bookshop. Drama from Radio Ulster. The attacks on young men who haunt the docks increase in ferocity, but David continues to look for love whatever the dangers and despite the concerns of his widowed mother. A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queens University Belfast. | |
| Episode 3: The Oscar Wilde Appreciation Society | 20240921 | 20240926 (RU) |  David was a daily diary writer, and barely missed an entry between 1920 and 1943. When he died of a stroke in 1969, these diaries – some 38 volumes and well over a million words – were deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland along with his photo albums, newspaper scrapbooks and letters. The diaries were catalogued briefly with barely a hint of the rich and exceptionally rare material they contain, and so have remained virtually unknown to the world. Over the last three years, Dr Tom Hulme has now transcribed these diaries as part of the Queer NI project. As a diarist, David Strain was fastidious about recording not just his own feelings and thoughts about homosexuality, but also the many conversations he had with other gay men. The survival of these diaries thus gives a remarkable window onto a queer world that would otherwise be almost entirely invisible – limited to the sparse criminal records of men who were arrested for having sex in public. We may have expected to have found an intensely difficult and ultimately failed life, wracked with guilt and shame, but that is not the picture that David paints. Instead, the arc of his diaries depicts a journey of discovery: from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. Hidden Belfast Forbidden Love by Hugh Costello DAVID STRAIN - Desmond Eastwood MOTHER - Aine McCartney GRAEME/Customer - Alan McKee GILLIAN MCMURROUGH - Ali White SERGEANT MILLAR - .Jonathan Harden REVEREND MCDAVIE - Mark Lambert JACK CONLON - .Michael Shea HARRY - .Chris Patrick-Simpson JOSEPH - Isaac Heslip Written by Hugh Costello Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan Executive Producer Andy Martin Based on the diaries of David Strain, discovered by Professor Leanne McCormick and Dr. Tom Hulme A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast through their AHRC Impact Acceleration Accounts. The Police begin to realise they are dealing with a serial killer. Drama from Radio Ulster. David's obsession with Jack has taken him to a dark place, but a meeting with Harry offers David a bright, new and shame-free perspective on life. A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queens University Belfast. David's obsession with Jack is taken him to a dark place, but a meeting with Harry offers David a bright, new and shame-free perspective on life. | |
| Episode 4: So Very Wonderful | 20240928 | 20241003 (RU) | David was a daily diary writer, and barely missed an entry between 1920 and 1943. When he died of a stroke in 1969, these diaries – some 38 volumes and well over a million words – were deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland along with his photo albums, newspaper scrapbooks and letters. The diaries were catalogued briefly with barely a hint of the rich and exceptionally rare material they contain, and so have remained virtually unknown to the world. Over the last three years, Dr Tom Hulme has now transcribed these diaries as part of the Queer NI project. As a diarist, David Strain was fastidious about recording not just his own feelings and thoughts about homosexuality, but also the many conversations he had with other gay men. The survival of these diaries thus gives a remarkable window onto a queer world that would otherwise be almost entirely invisible – limited to the sparse criminal records of men who were arrested for having sex in public. We may have expected to have found an intensely difficult and ultimately failed life, wracked with guilt and shame, but that is not the picture that David paints. Instead, the arc of his diaries depicts a journey of discovery: from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. Hidden Belfast Forbidden Love by Hugh Costello DAVID STRAIN - Desmond Eastwood MOTHER - Aine McCartney GRAEME/Customer - Alan McKee GILLIAN MCMURROUGH - Ali White SERGEANT MILLAR - .Jonathan Harden SUP'T TAYLOR - Mark Lambert MALCOLM - .. - .Michael Shea RITA - .. - Seana Kerslake HARRY - .. - Chris Patrick-Simpson Written by Hugh Costello Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan Executive Producer Andy Martin Based on the diaries of David Strain, discovered by Professor Leanne McCormick and Dr. Tom Hulme A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast through their AHRC Impact Acceleration Accounts. Jack has been arrested for murder and only David can provide the alibi to save him. Drama from Radio Ulster. David's standing in the community is shattered when his brother reveals that he has been seen holding hands with a man and is therefore no longer wanted as an elder of the church. | |
| Episode 5: A Brave New World | 20241005 | 20241010 (RU) | The race is on the find the real killer, but a discovery of love letters shifts suspicion Drama from Radio Ulster. | |
| 04 | So Very Wonderful | 20240928 | 20241003 (RU) | David was a daily diary writer, and barely missed an entry between 1920 and 1943. When he died of a stroke in 1969, these diaries – some 38 volumes and well over a million words – were deposited in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland along with his photo albums, newspaper scrapbooks and letters. The diaries were catalogued briefly with barely a hint of the rich and exceptionally rare material they contain, and so have remained virtually unknown to the world. Over the last three years, Dr Tom Hulme has now transcribed these diaries as part of the Queer NI project. As a diarist, David Strain was fastidious about recording not just his own feelings and thoughts about homosexuality, but also the many conversations he had with other gay men. The survival of these diaries thus gives a remarkable window onto a queer world that would otherwise be almost entirely invisible – limited to the sparse criminal records of men who were arrested for having sex in public. We may have expected to have found an intensely difficult and ultimately failed life, wracked with guilt and shame, but that is not the picture that David paints. Instead, the arc of his diaries depicts a journey of discovery: from isolation and ignorance to a vibrant queer world of sexual desire, love and community. Hidden Belfast Forbidden Love by Hugh Costello DAVID STRAIN - Desmond Eastwood MOTHER - Aine McCartney GRAEME/Customer - Alan McKee GILLIAN MCMURROUGH - Ali White SERGEANT MILLAR - .Jonathan Harden SUP'T TAYLOR - Mark Lambert MALCOLM - .. - .Michael Shea RITA - .. - Seana Kerslake HARRY - .. - Chris Patrick-Simpson Written by Hugh Costello Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan Executive Producer Andy Martin Based on the diaries of David Strain, discovered by Professor Leanne McCormick and Dr. Tom Hulme A Big Fish Radio production for Radio Ulster in association with Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast through their AHRC Impact Acceleration Accounts. Jack has been arrested for murder and only David can provide the alibi to save him. Drama from Radio Ulster. David's standing in the community is shattered when his brother reveals that he has been seen holding hands with a man and is therefore no longer wanted as an elder of the church. |