<![CDATA[The Wee Wild One]]>5d0124c2-893f-507d-8bda-6a3436e250d2Sun, 02 Nov 2025 12:15:00 +0000Captivate.fmRuth Schwertfegerhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/d67e4518-a694-4c79-9f9e-5e93a89d726a/84RuJ2GnZaUOj8a3M00lvcUm.jpgThe Wee Wild OneRuth SchwertfegerRuth SchwertfegerBorn in Ballycoan, Northern Ireland, Ruth Schwertfeger represents history and memory in an impressionistic memoir of her childhood on a small farm and attending a girls’ school in Belfast. Through the author’s girlhood and discovery of her own national and religious identity, this humorous memoir is shaped significantly by images of Schwertfeger’s father—"the Wee Wild One"—who spent his days in delightful mischief on a Purdysburn farm in the early 1900s. Schwertfeger provides her own interpretations of characters existing before her time and connects these and her own childhood memories in Ireland to her life today. These unmistakably North Irish stories are unified by a common language, which also emerges as a touchstone that draws all Irish home. Schwertfeger’s voice reflects a shared and persistent desire for all Irish people to return to the roots that hold them, all the while appreciating her experiences traveling and studying European culture as an academic. She also explores many facets of social life in Northern Ireland that are often hidden behind the stereotypes of history and public rhetoric. Her stories convey a passionate and articulate woman seeking connect ions between the separations that occur through time.https://a627d85a53f87c4c957c20.captivate.fmtrueserialnopodcastPrefacePrefaceThe Wee Wild One is a poignant memoir that details Ruth's journey as she navigates her roots in the storied hills around Belfast, weaving together personal anecdotes with rich historical context. From the trials of the Troubles to the heartwarming tale of a bullock named Bob, Ruth's narrative explores the deep ties to her homeland, highlighting the power of language, identity, and storytelling to bridge divides and celebrate cultural heritage.

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]]>The Wee Wild One is a poignant memoir that details Ruth's journey as she navigates her roots in the storied hills around Belfast, weaving together personal anecdotes with rich historical context. From the trials of the Troubles to the heartwarming tale of a bullock named Bob, Ruth's narrative explores the deep ties to her homeland, highlighting the power of language, identity, and storytelling to bridge divides and celebrate cultural heritage.

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]]>3f5c6005-056d-42f7-8387-cd868fd59a1dMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -060033:48truefullChapter 1 - The Wee Wild One.Chapter 1 - The Wee Wild One.In the midst of the Great War, a fiercely protective brother known as "the wee wild one" defends his sister and navigates the tumultuous landscape of early 20th-century Northern Ireland. This chapter paints a vivid portrait of familial bonds, societal hardships, and the earthy realities of rural life, all set against the backdrop of historical upheaval and personal resilience.

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]]>In the midst of the Great War, a fiercely protective brother known as "the wee wild one" defends his sister and navigates the tumultuous landscape of early 20th-century Northern Ireland. This chapter paints a vivid portrait of familial bonds, societal hardships, and the earthy realities of rural life, all set against the backdrop of historical upheaval and personal resilience.

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]]>87840641-3b7a-47e5-8cba-0e54396108e1Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:01:00 -060017:39truefull11Chapter 2 - All in the April evening.Chapter 2 - All in the April evening.Ruth transports listeners back to her school days at Purdysburn Elementary School, vividly recounting the lively walks with neighborhood children, the eccentric yet endearing teacher with unforgettable boots, and the whimsical moments that defined her early years. With tales of turnip seeds mistaken for flowers and the rural community's unique characters, this heartwarming narrative offers a delightful slice of childhood in the Irish countryside.

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]]>Ruth transports listeners back to her school days at Purdysburn Elementary School, vividly recounting the lively walks with neighborhood children, the eccentric yet endearing teacher with unforgettable boots, and the whimsical moments that defined her early years. With tales of turnip seeds mistaken for flowers and the rural community's unique characters, this heartwarming narrative offers a delightful slice of childhood in the Irish countryside.

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]]>cf1e1c61-34d8-4d6a-8e50-48c8fa0c53efMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:02:00 -060015:52truefull22Chapter 3 - The actual building.Chapter 3 - The actual building.Ruth paints a lively portrait of days spent in a historic patrician house turned school. From strict lunchtime rituals and secret pranks to cherished assemblies and theatrical productions, this chapter immerses you in the unique, multifaceted experience of a bygone educational era.

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]]>Ruth paints a lively portrait of days spent in a historic patrician house turned school. From strict lunchtime rituals and secret pranks to cherished assemblies and theatrical productions, this chapter immerses you in the unique, multifaceted experience of a bygone educational era.

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]]>3719ff6d-33cc-4d63-8f07-41e198439659Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:03:00 -060022:07truefull33Chapter 4 - The teachers and what they actually taught.Chapter 4 - The teachers and what they actually taught.Ruth vividly recounts the community of female teachers who reshaped the girls' world through rigid conformity, relentless memorization, and radical independence from men. Embark on a journey through the corridors of a Northern Irish school, where the undercurrents of social class and historical biases weave through every lesson taught.

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]]>Ruth vividly recounts the community of female teachers who reshaped the girls' world through rigid conformity, relentless memorization, and radical independence from men. Embark on a journey through the corridors of a Northern Irish school, where the undercurrents of social class and historical biases weave through every lesson taught.

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]]>33dd6075-243b-49fa-b3d0-bda7d3dffda3Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:04:00 -060027:35truefull44Chapter 5 - The explosion.Chapter 5 - The explosion.Immerse yourself in the whimsical yet poignant recollections of a schoolgirl navigating the labyrinth of science classes, where fear and fascination collide under the critical gaze of Mrs. Carr. From botanical dissections to the suspense of chemistry experiments, this chapter delivers a blend of humor, nostalgia, and the universal struggle of grappling with academia.

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]]>Immerse yourself in the whimsical yet poignant recollections of a schoolgirl navigating the labyrinth of science classes, where fear and fascination collide under the critical gaze of Mrs. Carr. From botanical dissections to the suspense of chemistry experiments, this chapter delivers a blend of humor, nostalgia, and the universal struggle of grappling with academia.

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]]>ded3ef51-b934-4f8a-8d9f-d631491eedccMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:05:00 -060019:36truefull55Chapter 6 - La Porte Et Wat (The Gate at Wat).Chapter 6 - La Porte Et Wat (The Gate at Wat).Ruth vividly recounts the childhood experiences of growing up in the charming hills and valleys, with amusing cultural encounters with foreign visitors and the profound impact of a charismatic French teacher. This nostalgic narrative, enriched with humor and heartfelt insights, compellingly captures the charm and idiosyncrasies of rural life while seamlessly weaving in themes of identity and cultural exploration.

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]]>Ruth vividly recounts the childhood experiences of growing up in the charming hills and valleys, with amusing cultural encounters with foreign visitors and the profound impact of a charismatic French teacher. This nostalgic narrative, enriched with humor and heartfelt insights, compellingly captures the charm and idiosyncrasies of rural life while seamlessly weaving in themes of identity and cultural exploration.

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]]>1288622f-0dd1-48ac-8a64-42a1e5968660Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:06:00 -060016:22truefull66Chapter 7 - You Will Not Come Back.Chapter 7 - You Will Not Come Back.The story of Miss Crome, a passionate and unconventional language teacher at Princess Garden School Belfast who introduced her students to the complexities of French, German, and Latin literature. See the world through the eyes of her amazed pupils, discover her unique teaching methods, profound love for literature, and the lasting impact she had both in and out of the classroom.

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]]>The story of Miss Crome, a passionate and unconventional language teacher at Princess Garden School Belfast who introduced her students to the complexities of French, German, and Latin literature. See the world through the eyes of her amazed pupils, discover her unique teaching methods, profound love for literature, and the lasting impact she had both in and out of the classroom.

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]]>5767efd4-f658-4ba2-8df5-274e5f70b0e2Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:07:00 -060016:46truefull77Chapter 8 - No luster of our own.Chapter 8 - No luster of our own.Listeners are transported to the nostalgic and ordered world of an all-girls school assembly, where the routine hymns, prayers, and the presence of stern prefects juxtapose moments of unexpected humanity and reflection. Lose one's self in the Recollections of school life, the impact of history's touchstones, and the profound, lingering influence of seemingly mundane rituals that reveal deeper truths.

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]]>Listeners are transported to the nostalgic and ordered world of an all-girls school assembly, where the routine hymns, prayers, and the presence of stern prefects juxtapose moments of unexpected humanity and reflection. Lose one's self in the Recollections of school life, the impact of history's touchstones, and the profound, lingering influence of seemingly mundane rituals that reveal deeper truths.

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]]>3aa1163c-cd92-4a17-85e5-3e3b58dae86cMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:08:00 -060018:36truefull88Chapter 9 - When the cows go out to the spring grass.Chapter 9 - When the cows go out to the spring grass.Join Ruth as she recounts the vibrant, rustic rhythms of her childhood farm life in Ireland, contrasting it with the rural landscapes of Wisconsin. Through captivating anecdotes and rich descriptions, discover the charm and significance of springtime traditions and the unique personalities of Irish farmers and their beloved cattle.

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]]>Join Ruth as she recounts the vibrant, rustic rhythms of her childhood farm life in Ireland, contrasting it with the rural landscapes of Wisconsin. Through captivating anecdotes and rich descriptions, discover the charm and significance of springtime traditions and the unique personalities of Irish farmers and their beloved cattle.

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]]>0ceacd02-a6e4-42d9-881f-53fdb73054b9Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:09:00 -060020:08truefull99Chapter 10 - Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.Chapter 10 - Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.Ruth takes you on a heartwarming journey through her childhood summer holidays. Experience the freedom, eccentric family dynamics, and simple joys of escaping school, all set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's landscapes and charming traditions. Listen now to relive a time when adventures waited around every corner.

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]]>Ruth takes you on a heartwarming journey through her childhood summer holidays. Experience the freedom, eccentric family dynamics, and simple joys of escaping school, all set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's landscapes and charming traditions. Listen now to relive a time when adventures waited around every corner.

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]]>103cadcc-3f88-4f59-84aa-a16e2b905e4aMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:10:00 -060020:20truefull1010Chapter 11 - Quare Craic.Chapter 11 - Quare Craic.Embark on this Northern Irish tale where vibrant characters and witty banter bring to life the storied bus rides and bridge gatherings of Pardisburn. From the hilarity of local interactions to the depiction of community life, this chapter is a delightful snapshot of tradition and humor that promises to captivate your imagination.

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]]>Embark on this Northern Irish tale where vibrant characters and witty banter bring to life the storied bus rides and bridge gatherings of Pardisburn. From the hilarity of local interactions to the depiction of community life, this chapter is a delightful snapshot of tradition and humor that promises to captivate your imagination.

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]]>69bcdc94-775c-49aa-bf9d-da3a4c862d2eMon, 29 Jul 2024 00:11:00 -060022:46truefull1111Chapter 12 - Hard Men.Chapter 12 - Hard Men.We join Billy's tumultuous experiences during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, from harrowing prison days and forbidden family funerals to finding unexpected solace in pigeon racing. This chapter intertwines personal anecdotes, cultural critiques, and historical insight, offering a profound exploration of resilience amidst adversity.

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]]>We join Billy's tumultuous experiences during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, from harrowing prison days and forbidden family funerals to finding unexpected solace in pigeon racing. This chapter intertwines personal anecdotes, cultural critiques, and historical insight, offering a profound exploration of resilience amidst adversity.

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]]>9490589c-aece-4d10-b5a9-4cd41f62d244Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:12:00 -060033:12truefull1212Chapter 13 - France the actual country.Chapter 13 - France the actual country.Journey through the poignant exploration of France—from its initial surprising reality to the deep, emotional connections formed and historical revelations uncovered. The vivid recounting of personal experiences, intertwined with reflections on French culture and somber historical events, this chapter offers a rich tapestry that underscores the complexities of identity, memory, and belonging.

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]]>Journey through the poignant exploration of France—from its initial surprising reality to the deep, emotional connections formed and historical revelations uncovered. The vivid recounting of personal experiences, intertwined with reflections on French culture and somber historical events, this chapter offers a rich tapestry that underscores the complexities of identity, memory, and belonging.

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]]>56352544-1e9c-400a-a1d1-d0f2eb0d06a5Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:13:00 -060026:20truefull1313Chapter 14 - Elegy in a Jewish Graveyard.Chapter 14 - Elegy in a Jewish Graveyard.Ruth seamlessly merges personal and historical narratives as she explores a Jewish cemetery in Bavaria, revealing the profound legacy of its forgotten Jewish community. Through vivid storytelling and poignant reflections, listeners are drawn into a journey that bridges past and present, uncovering tales of resilience and the silent partnerships that honor lives lost to history.

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]]>Ruth seamlessly merges personal and historical narratives as she explores a Jewish cemetery in Bavaria, revealing the profound legacy of its forgotten Jewish community. Through vivid storytelling and poignant reflections, listeners are drawn into a journey that bridges past and present, uncovering tales of resilience and the silent partnerships that honor lives lost to history.

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]]>2880a0cd-c236-4e37-8564-9e0b8a050d36Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:14:00 -060026:54truefull1414