Niall Toibín – The Ballad of Reading Gaol CD 2002 RTÉ Spoken Word

Niall Toibín – The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Spoken Word CD

RTÉ RTE 248CD  ·  2002

About This CD

A masterful spoken-word recording from RTÉ (Ireland's national public broadcaster), featuring one of Ireland's finest actors and interpreters of classic literature. Niall Toibín, a Cork-born theatrical legend with a career spanning over 50 years, performs two pillars of Irish and English literature: Oscar Wilde's The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Oliver Goldsmith's The Deserted Village.

This is an archival-quality digital recording produced and directed by Kate Minogue, preserving Toibín's signature blend of emotional depth and impeccable storytelling. His resonant voice captures both the raw despair of Wilde's prison corridors and the pastoral melancholy of Goldsmith's fading rural life. The CD includes a detailed booklet with historical context, author biographies and production credits.

Perfect for collectors of spoken-word recordings, admirers of Irish broadcasting heritage, literature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a definitive performance of these classic texts.

The Photos

Each photograph shows the actual CD for sale — front and back cover, jewel case, disc, and booklet detail. The gallery reveals the CD in its current Very Good Plus condition: the case exhibits light shelf wear consistent with age, the disc surface is exceptionally clean, and the full-colour booklet remains vibrant and well-preserved. Please review the high-resolution gallery before bidding to judge the item for yourself.

Specifications

ArtistNiall Toibín
TitleThe Ballad of Reading Gaol
LabelRTÉ
Catalog NumberRTE 248CD
FormatCD (Compact Disc)
Year Released2002
GenreSpoken Word / Literary
Number of Discs1
LanguageEnglish
Country of OriginIreland
Producer / DirectorKate Minogue
Media ConditionVery Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve & Case ConditionVery Good Plus (VG+)

Track Listing

  • Track 1: The Ballad of Reading Gaol (by Oscar Wilde) — 30:42
  • Track 2: The Deserted Village (by Oliver Goldsmith) — 28:22

Condition Report

Very Good Plus (VG+). The disc surface is exceptionally clean and has been fully play-tested; there are no audible defects or skips. The jewel case shows standard light shelf wear consistent with its age — the clear plastic front retains its clarity and the black tray is intact. The original full-colour booklet is present, vibrant and well-preserved with no creases, tears or marks to the cover or interior pages. The spine is stable and all hinges function smoothly. This is a solid, ready-to-play copy of a valued RTÉ archival recording.

Why This CD?

  • A genuine RTÉ archival recording — produced and directed by Kate Minogue with professional studio-quality sound, preserving a definitive performance of two classics.
  • Niall Toibín's legendary voice — one of Ireland's most respected actors and interpreters of literature, with a 50+ year career spanning theatre, television and film.
  • Two literary masterpieces in one — Oscar Wilde's harrowing prison ballad (30+ minutes) paired with Oliver Goldsmith's rural elegy, beautifully contextualised in the detailed booklet.
  • Exceptional physical condition — Very Good Plus: clean disc, vibrant booklet, smooth case. Ready to play or display.
  • Scarce on the secondhand market — this RTÉ CD edition is genuinely difficult to find; a prize for collectors of spoken-word, Irish cultural recordings, or literary performance.
  • Complete and original — all pages, no writing or damage; a full reading and display copy.

Shipping & Dispatch

Shipped promptly from the UK with FREE UK postage; carefully protected in transit. Dispatched within one working day of cleared payment. International buyers are welcome via eBay's Global Shipping Programme — international postage costs and any applicable import duties or taxes are calculated automatically at checkout.

Questions? We're happy to help. Send a message and we'll reply promptly. If you'd like additional close-up photographs of the spine, booklet, disc, or case — or any other detail — just ask and we'll provide them. We want you to buy with complete confidence.