Colin Powell (pictured), Brendan Kennelly, Myriam Sarachik, John Clunies-Ross

Kirsty Lang on

Colin Powell, who rose from an impoverished childhood in Harlem to become US Secretary of State

A much loved Irish poet: Brendan Kennelly who learnt his storytelling skills growing up in his father’s pub in County Kerry

A ground-breaking female scientist Myriam Sarachik who had to contend with the deeply entrenched sexism

And the extraordinary story of John Clunies-Ross - former ruler of the Cocos Islands which he ran for many years as a private fiefdom

Produced by Neil George

Interviewed guest: Karen de Young Interviewed guest: John Sugar Interviewed guest: Gerald Dawe Interviewed guest: Kenneth Chang Interviewed guest: John George Clunies-Ross

Archive clips used: AP, US President Biden on Colin Powell 18/10/2021; NBC, Colin Powell addresses UN Sec Council 2003; Aspen Ideas Festival, Colin Powell 26/09/2007; Bloodaxe Books, Driving to Work With Brendan Kennelly 19/09/2011; CUNY TV, Women to Women - Dr Myriam P. Sarachik 28/04/2005; David R.M. Irving - YouTube, The World of Cocos Malay Music and Dance 30/12/2020; ABC (Australian TV), Dynasties - The Clunies-Ross Family 2004; Movietone, Queen at Cocos Islands and Ceylon 22/04/1954.