Irish History Podcast

The camera never lies or does it?

In this episode, I take a trip to the National Photographic Archive in Temple Bar, Dublin. Joining me is the archivist, Nora Thornton. Nora not only leads you through the history of photography from its earliest days but also delves into the murky history of image manipulation. It's much older than modern photoshopping. From your great-grandmother, who was eager to alter her figure, to more significant political editing, there's a fascinating history that unfolded behind the scenes.

You can visit the National Photographic Archive - its located on Meeting House Square in Templebar. You can also check out thousands of images from their collection that have been digitised here https://www.nli.ie/collections/our-collections/photographs

These are the images mentioned in the show

No.1 https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000188503

No.2 https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000188275

No.3 https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000183831

No.4 https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000354193 

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In 1170, the Norman Lord Strongbow landed an army in Ireland. The following day, he launched a deadly assault on the nearby city of Waterford. Before the day was out, Strongbow had not only conquered Waterford in a brutal assault but also made time for his wedding.

This marriage changed Ireland forever.

Discover how the marriage of Aoife, a seventeen-year-old, and Strongbow, a man in his mid-forties, altered the course of Irish history. I also explore how it elevated Aoife to one of the most powerful women in medieval Irish history.

In addition, my supporters of "The Troubles" with Dr. Brian Hanley continues this week with part four, as we delve into the years 1970 and 1971. During this time, the IRA begins to engage the British Army across Northern Ireland.

Get the first four episodes at patreon.com/irishpodcast

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The 1930s stood out as one of the most dramatic decades in modern history. Fascism was on the rise, and Europe was hurtling towards the Second World War.

However, it was a peculiar time in Ireland. The Revolutionary Era was firmly in the rearview, and the optimism and hope it once inspired had long faded. Irish society was increasingly dominated by the Catholic Church and conservative political forces. This podcast delves into life in Ireland during the 1930s by examining the experiences of a series of writers. These writers were critical of Irish society, and due to their political or religious beliefs, they found themselves labeled as outsiders. This podcast tracks their journeys as they left Ireland for London, where they mingled with the most renowned writers of the age, such as T.S. Eliot and George Orwell, and were drawn into the dramatic global politics of the time.

My guest is Katrina Goldstone. Katrina has published a book Irish Writers and the 30s and is available here https://www.routledge.com/Irish-Writers-and-the-Thirties-Art-Exile-and-War/Goldstone/p/book/9780367634995

You can find Katrina’s website https://www.katrinagoldstone.com/

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In 1851 there were nearly 90,000 orphans in Irish Workhouses. Many of these children had lost their parents to hunger and disease. Others had been abandoned. This podcast explores the lives of these resilient children as they turned into young adults and rebelled against a world that had forsaken them...

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Telling the time in hours and minutes seems so natural that we don’t even question where it came from. However it is a pretty recent development. For most of history our ancestors didn’t have clocks and understood time itself in a very different way.

In this podcast we will journey back through the centuries to explore how our ancestors measured time. Its an intriguing story. In the medieval world the length of an hour changed every day while Dublin in the 1870s had two separate time zones!

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Support the show and get my exclusive series on the Troubles www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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On April 13th, 1922, three IRA volunteers chased a man through Central Park in New York. In front of dozens of witnesses, they shot him four times before escaping. This event marked the culmination of an international manhunt as the IRA tracked an informer across the world.

In this episode, I am joined by New York Times Senior Editor Mark Bulik. During the interview, Mark shares the intriguing story of Patrick 'Cruxie' O'Connor and why he was hunted by the IRA in 1920s New York.

Follow up on the episode at my new socials.

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Get Mark's book Ambush at Central Park - When the IRA Came to New York

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During the Great Hunger of the 1840s, vast sums of money were sent to Ireland by people across the world. One of the most remarkable stories is that of the First African Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Even though many of the congregants were slaves, they still sent a donation.

In this podcast, I interview Anelise Shrout, who shares this and other stories of remarkable generosity. Anelise also reveals why people chose to give money to Ireland above other causes and crises. We also discuss the motivation behind what was arguably the most controversial of all donations during the Great Hunger - that of the Charleston Hibernian Society, whose members were supporters of slavery and enslaves themselves.

Get Anelise's book "Aiding Ireland - The Great Famine and the Rise of Transnational Philanthropy" at https://nyupress.org/9781479824601/aiding-ireland/.

Follow Anelise on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr.a.h.shrout/ and check out her website at https://www.anelisehshrout.com/.

Become a supporter and get the next episode of my exclusive series on the Troubles at https://www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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Through most of the 20th century, authorities in Ireland operated a strict censorship regime when it came to film. At its height, around one in every three films was censored in Ireland. The reasons for this are often hard to fathom today. Scenes that showed a dancer's legs or even a long kiss were often edited out. Allusions to sex were considered far too racy. And this was all before they even got into the films that strayed into politics or religion

In this episode, I am joined by Aoife Breathnach and Lloyd Maedbh Houston to explore the very strange world of film censorship in Ireland on both sides of the border. 

Want to hear more? Lloyd joins Aoife on a special season of her podcast, Censored, that looks at censorship in film in Ireland. I highly recommend checking this out. You can find it at link to the podcast: https://play.acast.com/s/censored.

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In the late 1960s, Northern Ireland erupted into major violence, marking the opening phase of The Troubles. Over three decades, this conflict would claim thousands of lives and continues to dominate life in Ireland today.

In my new exclusive supporters series, I am joined by Dr. Brian Hanley to explore how and why The Troubles began. This fascinating history begins in the 1920s when Northern Ireland was forged amid intense violence.

Over six episodes, the series explores the rising tensions of the 1960s when Nationalists demanded equality and how seminal events such as the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday proved to be pivotal moments in our history.

Episode 1 is exclusively available for supporters at https://www.patreon/irishpodcast.

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In the mid 19th century Mormonism was one of the fastest growing religions in the world. However when Mormon missionaries arrived in Ireland in 1840 they failed to establish a foothold. Over time Ireland gained a reputation as the most hostile country on earth for Mormons.

This podcast explores why this was the case. The answer is the complexities of Irish identity, our relationship with Catholicism and scandals surrounding the 19th century Mormon practice of polygamy.

The show starts however with the bizarre story of a 19th century Irish conman who played a role in getting the church off the ground in the 1830s.

Sources.

If you are interested in exploring more about the history of Mormonism I would recommend the podcast Mormon Stories has an extensive back catalogue. https://www.mormonstories.org

Brent Barlow’s PhD thesis on the history of Mormonism is extremely useful - https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4503/

The website https://sites.google.com/site/patrickhenrymcguire2 is an excellent resource on the Irish born Mormon Patrick McGuire

Irish Mormons- Reconciling identity in Global Mormonism by Hazel O’Brien is analysis of contemporary Mormonism. https://www.google.ie/books/edition/Irish_Mormons/WbW7EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

Support the show and get my exclusive series on the outbreak of the Troubles

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The story of the Samson is one most bizarre shipwrecks in Irish history.

When this enormous sea crane ship crashed into the Irish coast, it's owners got more than they bargained for.

While an RAF helicopter rescued the crew, a local man battled mountainous seas to climb aboard and claim the ship as his own!

This began a 40 day saga…

Check out pictures of wreck the Samson on new channels

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In the 1780s work began on a new city in Ireland. Called New Geneva it was designed to provide a new home for exiled revolutionaries from Switzerland.

Today there are few traces of this now lost city. This masks a fascinating and dark history. When New Geneva failed, life there descended into barbarism and brutality.

I have posted images of New Geneva to my new WhatsApp and Telegram channels

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Telegram Irish History Channel 

Key sources

Whatmore, R. Terrorists, Anarchists, and Republicans: The Genevans and the Irish in Time of Revolution https://www.omahonys.ie/terrorists-anarchists-and-republicans-p-10509914.html

Durey, M. Andrew Bryson’s Ordeal An Epilogue to the 1798 Rebellion https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/9781859181447/andrew-brysons-ordeal/

Support the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast

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We've been on an extraordinary journey since the show launched 14 years ago. From medieval battlefields to revolutions we've shared ringside seats to some of the greatest moments in history. My plan for 2024 is to embark on an even more ambitious journey with you. All is explained in this short episode...

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New York, Boston, and Chicago dominate the history of Irish migration to the United States. However by 1900 one of the most Irish cities in the US was Butte Montana. Situated high in the Rocky mountains, Butte was just one of hundreds of Irish communities dotted across the American West. 

Beginning back in the California Goldrush of the 1850s, tens of thousands of Irish immigrants ventured into the American West. Seeking opportunity, they were often greeted with racism and distrust. This podcast tells the stories of the men and women who forged vibrant Irish communities in the face of adversity. 

My guest is historian Alan Noonan the author of 'Mining Irish-American Lives Western Communities from 1849 to 1920'. Alan shares the fascinating history of the Irish in the American West. He details the personal stories of larger-than-life figures, such as Mother Jones and Marcus Daly, who shaped the Irish story in the American West.

You can get Alan's book 'Mining Irish-American Lives Western Communities from 1849 to 1920' here https://upcolorado.com/university-press-of-colorado/item/6201-mining-irish-american-lives. Check out Alan's website at noonanhistory.com

What did you think?

I would love to hear what you made of the episode. I will be starting a discussion on Friday with a few of my own reflections on an episode I thoroughly enjoyed making. You can find this discussion at https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

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In the past decade, podcasting has taken the world by storm. The advent of smartphones and the ground-breaking podcast 'Serial' would see podcasting surge in popularity.

In 2020 alone over a million new shows were launched. But does it have a future? Some are not convinced.

In the second and final part of my series on the history of podcasting I look at how podcasting became so popular and where it’s heading. The show features Blindboy, Jennifer Forde, Sam Bungey, Brian Greene and Sinead the host of Mens Rea.

The final episode of the year will be out next week when we will look at the story of the Irish In the American West.

Contributors to the episode

Brian Greene https://www.briangreene.com/

Blindboy Podcast https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy

Mens Rea https://mensreapod.com/

West Cork https://www.westcorkpodcast.com/

Snugcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/snugcast/id1603925189

I mentioned This is the satire podcast from the Onion I mentioned https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/a-very-fatal-murder/id1333714430

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‘You might not be a revolutionary, but you are living through a revolution.’

Podcasting is much older than you might imagine. A decade before the true crime show Serial took the world by storm, creators were making some of the earliest shows.

This podcast is a nostalgic trip through the early days of the internet in Ireland when podcasting emerged. Brian Greene who was making shows in the mid 2000s shares his memories of the early days of podcasting. I also interview some of your favourite hosts including Blindboy and Sinead, the host of Mens Rea.

The show also includes an ancient artefact of podcasting – an episode from the mid 2000s.

Special thanks to Brian Greene for his interview and sharing his research, Blindboy and Sinead the host of Men’s Rea.

Thanks to Jennifer Forde & Sam Bungey the team behind West Cork, DJ Walsh & Eoin Tabb the hosts of Snugcast. While they feature in the next episode their interviews and insights were extremely useful in shaping this series.

Brian Greene https://www.briangreene.com/

Blindboy Podcast https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy

Mens Rea https://mensreapod.com/

West Cork https://www.westcorkpodcast.com/

Snugcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/snugcast/id1603925189

Support the show

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/irishpodast

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It’s a dark evening in early November 1847.

A carriage makes it's way through lawless starving countryside in North Roscommon.

A gun shot rings out, a man falls dead.

A family mourns but a community rejoices.

While the Great Hunger of the 1840s resulted in one million deaths, this one murder encapsulated the stark choices facing that generation of Irish people in a one gripping story. It is retold in this episode.

Assassinated: A Story of Vengeance & Murder in the Great Hunger is the studio recording of chapter 4 of my new book ‘A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders’.

You can get the full audiobook here

The hardback is available here 

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In the mid 1860s, Andersonville became one of the most feared places in America.

This sleepy corner of Georgia gained notoriety in the later stages of the US Civil War when the Confederacy opened a prison camp there. Nearly one third of all prisoners who entered Andersonville never left. 

Among their number were hundreds of Irish men. This podcast tells their stories.

I am joined by historian Damian Shiels who runs the Andersonville Irish project. An expert on Irish involvement in the US Civil War, Damian explains what Andersonville was and why conditions were so bad. He also shares his latest research including stories of prisoners who had fled the Great Hunger at home.

You can find out more about the Andersonville Irish at https://irishamericancivilwar.com/andersonville-irish/

Listen to my 2018 episode with Damian where we discuss broader Irish involvement in the US Civil War. https://play.acast.com/s/irishhistory/the-us-civil-war-and-the-great-famine

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Writing histories of people who led secret lives is difficult because they leave few records. Yet that is precisely what my guest in today’s show has done. In this podcast, Dr Maurice Casey, shares the fascinating history of Rose McKenna and Sydney Arnold and how he uncovered their secret lives.

In the early 20th century, this Latvian-Irish couple participated in two revolutions in Ireland and Russia. While Rose tried to arms for the IRA in London, they were also contemporaries of Ho Chi Minh when they lived in Moscow.

Maurice shares this forgotten story with you in this episode.

You can read Maurice’s article on McKenna & Arnold here

Support the show-

Patreon - Patreon.com/irishpodcast

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My latest book, the Irish Times bestseller is available https://linktr.ee/alethallegacy

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As we prepare to celebrate Halloween, this episode is a timely exploration of the history of the supernatural in Ireland.

Ghosts have long played an important role in Irish history and culture. In this podcast I am joined by Dr Clodagh Tait, a historian of the supernatural. Our conversation focuses on a specific type of ghost referred to as a crisis apparition. These usually appeared far from home, often informing an emigrant about an imminent death in their family. We discuss where these stories and beliefs came from, why they were shared and how they have survived into the 21st century!

You can read Clodagh's article mentioned in the show here https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14780038.2023.2258606

Voice Actor Therese Murray also narrates a traditional Irish ghost story which took pace in Philadelphia in the late 19th century. This was taken from the book True Irish Ghost Stories by St. John Seymour which is available here https://archive.org/details/trueirishghostst14099gut

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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I have come down with a cold so rather than subject you to me coughing and spluttering through a show I have selected a classic from the archives. 

As I explain, I recently listened back to this episode after a chance meeting with my guest Cormac Leonard. The episode on the history of the Deaf community is the definition of forgotten history. Until recently the community was largely ignored by historians. 

In this episode Cormac explains how the deaf community shaped Irish history. He also shares individual stories such as John Neville who spent most of his life in a workhouse and the IRA volunteer William Leavey.

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In the 1920s and 30s Irish emigrants in Britain faced widespread racism and discrimination. Labelled drunks, subversives, and a threat to society, right wing politicians whipped up fear and hatred against the community.This podcast tells the forgotten stories of these emigrants.

The episode begins with humorous story of Martin King whose drunken escapades after downing half a bottle of whiskey revealed the racism at the heart of British society.

The show goes on to look at what was often the grave consequences of this bigotry. In Liverpool the racistIrish Immigration Investigation Bureau campaigned against the Irish in the city. Meanwhile the deadly 1937 Kirkintilloch fire in Scotland illustrated the dangerous conditions in which seasonal workers lived. 

Written, narrated and produced by Fin Dwyer

Additional Narrations Aidan Crowe

Sound Kate Dunlea.

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In 1923 as the Irish revolution came to an end, large parts of the North Roscommon town of Arigna lay in ruins. While war and revolution had swept across Ireland over the previous years few places shared Arigna’s unique experience. When workers occupied local coalmines demanding better working conditions this began years of intense and bitter conflict with the authorities.

This is the story of the Arigna Soviet

You can find Oisín Ó Drisceoil's essay on the Arigna Soviet in Labour HIstory in Irish History here.

Find out more about the Arigna Mining Experience at https://www.arignaminingexperience.ie/

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At the turn of the 20th century alcoholism was a major problem in Irish society. The island had 17,300 pubs while around 40% of all prison sentences were alcohol related. There was a general sense alcohol addiction was out of control. The stereotype of the happy-go-lucky drunk certainly masked the reality of the Irish alcoholism.

In this podcast I explore addiction in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century by focusing on the life of one woman - the Sligo native Sarah Garvey.

***My latest book A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders is out now. Get your eBook, audiobook, kindle or hardcopy here A Lethal Legacy | Linktree***

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Every book has an origin story. My new book ‘A Lethal Legacy – A History of Ireland in 18 Murders’ is no different. While the book goes on sale today, the origin story goes back to 2015 when I found a trove of old letters belonging to a grandmother I never knew.

Tune in to find out more.

THE BOOK LAUNCH IS ON TONIGHT (SEP 14) AT 6P.M. IN HODGES FIGGIS BOOKSHOP ON DAWSON ST.

Get your eBook, audiobook, kindle or hardcopy here A Lethal Legacy | Linktree

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This podcast looks at forgotten story of the tsunami that hit Cork in 1755, the volcanic winter of 1816 and a meteor that was way to close for comfort in 1908. Although they dont feature prominently in history, they had huge impact at the time.

Articles referenced in the show

A seismic tsunami in the Irish annals, recorded at Iona in October 720 https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05224

Folklore about the Cork tsunami http://www.deepmapscork.ie/past-to-present/climate/1755-lisbon-earthquake-tsunami-west-cork-coast/

The Tunguska impact event and beyond https://academic.oup.com/astrogeo/article/50/1/1.18/201316

Narrations - Aidan Crowe

Sound - Kate Dunlea.

My new book a book a lethal legacy is out this Thursday. You can still pre-order and get 10% off when you use the discount code FD10 at Eason.

*The launch takes place Thursday September 14th in Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street in Dublin at 6pm*.

If you are in Dublin drop in if you are around. It would be lovely to put a face to a listener! 

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In 1821 George IV was the first British monarch to visit Ireland in modern times. It was a historic occasion for multiple reasons. Not only was he the first king to set foot on Irish soil since the 17th century but he was the first to do so without an army.

Many held out hope the king's arrival might usher in a new era in Irish history.

However George himself had other ideas. Beginning as he meant to continue, George was dead drunk on arrival. The following weeks were defined by pomp, ceremony and scandal - everything we have come to expect from a modern royal visit.

This show is based on research for my upcoming book that never made the final cut.

The book, A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders, will be released on 14 September. You can still pre-order your copy today and get 10% off when you use the code FD10 at Eason.com.

The article referenced in the show by Karina Holton is entitled ‘All our joys will be complated’: The visit of George IV to Ireland, 1821. Its available in Irish Historical Studies, 44(166), 248-269.

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The Great Hunger left deep scars on the Irish society. Many of those who survived the 1840s never fully survived the harrowing ordeal they had endured. They were traumatised in body and spirit. For the rest of their lives, they carried the physical and psychological injuries the Great Hunger inflicted on them.

This podcast follows the life one of the last survivors in Dublin - Catherine Mulhern.

This podcast was included in an early draft of my upcoming book A Lethal Legacy – A History of Ireland in 18 Murders. While it didn’t make the final edit for reasons explained in the show, it is a fascinating story.

A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders is currently available for pre-order today. If you buy your copy atEasons.com& use the coupon codeFD10you will get 10% off.

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In 1984, the Conservative Party, lead by the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, gathered in the seaside town of Brighton for their annual conference. In the early hours of October 12th a bomb ripped through the Grand Hotel where Thatcher and several other conservative leaders were staying.

The following day the Provisional IRA would claim responsibility for the attack. This triggered one of the largest manhunts in history. While the plan was audacious, the police operation to catch the IRA team that planted the bomb was extraordinary.

In this episode I am joined by Guardian journalist and author Rory Carroll to discuss the bombing, the wider historical context and the man hunt that followed. Rory has recent published an excellent book on the Brighton Bombing called Killing Thatcher the IRA, the manhunt and the Long War Against the Crown.

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My upcoming book 'A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders' will be released on September 14th 2023.

Pre-Order at Easons today and get 10% off when you use the coupon code FD10 https://www.easons.com/a-lethal-legacy-finbar-dwyer-9780008555993

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You can get Rory's book Killing Thatcher: The IRA, the Manhunt and the Long War on the Crown

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Bunmahon is an idyllic seaside town in Co Waterford but it has a deep dark history. It's a story that begins in an abandoned mine and ends in a search for a lost town...

Need I say more?

You can find out more about Bunmahon at the local visitor centre.

My upcoming book 'A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders' will be released on September 14th 2023. 

Pre-Order at Easons today and get 10% off when you use the coupon code FD10 https://www.easons.com/a-lethal-legacy-finbar-dwyer-9780008555993

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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This episode was originally released in 2019. Over the past week I was recording the audio version of 'A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders' so I didnt have time to prepare a new episode but this is worth a relisten! Normal service resumes next week.

“In the later half 1888 London was gripped by fear when five women were murdered within a few months of each other in the East End of the city. Initially dubbed the Whitechapel murders after the district where they took place, they are better known today by the sensational title of the Jack the Ripper murders.

Over the past century the case has become without doubt the most famous serial killings in history however the victims have been largely forgotten. The identity of the killer, frequently cast as an evil genius, dominates the seeming endless retellings of the murders both in fact and fiction.

However in 2019, this changed when Hallie Rubenhold published a book called The Five – The untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper…”

In this interview with Hallie Rubenhold explores Irish connections to the notorious murders and shares her new research from her book ‘The Five’.

Pre-Order A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders today https://www.easons.com/a-lethal-legacy-finbar-dwyer-9780008555993

Use the CodeFD10 & get 10% off today!

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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As I mention in the episode I am recording the audio version ofA Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murdersthis week! Don't forget to pre-order atEasonsand use the code FD10 to get 10% off!

Edward O’Rourke is not a name you expect to encounter in the history of Eastern Europe, yet he is a celebrated figure in the Polish city of Gdansk for the role he played in opposing the rise of the Nazis in the city in the 1930s.

In this episode I am joined by the Irish Times journalist Derek Scally to explore the life of Edward O'Rourke which was in a word unique. This episode reveals why a man born near Minsk in the Russian Empire in 1876 was named O’Rourke and how he went to oppose Fascism at a time when many of his contemporaries were supporting Hitler.

This is the image at the start of the show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Landmesser#/media/File:August-Landmesser-Almanya-1936.jpg 

Follow Derek on twitter - @DerekinBerlin 

Articles references in the podcast 

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/irishman-honoured-in-polish-city-where-he-warned-of-nazi-danger-1.642893 - 

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2023/07/04/sean-lester-and-edward-phelan-irish-world-leaders/    

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'The Road to War' is the first episode in a five part Irish History Podcast production on the Irish Civil War. The full series, exclusively available for supporters, features the leading Irish historian Dr Brian Hanley from Trinity College Dublin. Over the five episodes the series covers the full story of the Irish Civil War from the National Army assault on the Four Courts through to the IRA order to dump arms in 1923. The series also explores the legacy and memory of the conflict, looking at how movies like Michael Collins leave us with a problematic understanding of the Civil War.

Become a supporter on Patreon and Acast+ today and get the full series

Patreon https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

When you become a supporter today you will get

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**This is the second of two episodes on the story of Irish people who fought in the French Resistance. Part I was released last week.**

Few Irish people recognise the names Sr Katherine Anne McCarthy or Patricia O'Sullivan. However during the Second World War II they were among the dozens of Irish women who fought in the underground war against the Nazi occupation of France. The stories of these women are unbelievable. My guest in this episode, Dr David Murphy, from Maynooth Universityreveals the risks they took and the harrowing consequences for those who were caught.

If you have family members who served in the Resistance get in touch with David at david.murphy@mu.ie.

**I am currently working on a new series on the history of podcasting. I have interviewed some of the biggest names in podcasting and now I am looking for your input. I would be really grateful if you could complete this short survey on your experience as a listener athttps://irishhistorypodcast.ie/listenersurvey.**

📢Walking Tour 📢

I am thrilled to announce my brand new walking tour in Ireland's oldest city, Waterford. Join me and explore 1,000 years of history from the Vikings to Cromwell & Strongbow to the Irish Revolution. Enhanced by wireless headsets 🎧 you will hear the sounds of the city through the ages and the words of the people who made history in Waterford. Tours take place each Saturday and places are strictly limited to 15 people. Book your place today at www.Irishhistorypodcast.ie/tours

*New Book: A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders *

My new book A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders is available for Pre-Order now. If you order your copy today at Easons and use the promo code FD10 you get a 10% discount

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The struggle of the French Resistance against the Nazi Occupation of France remains one of the most famous chapters in World War II history. It has been immortalized in numerous film and books. However the story of the dozens of Irish people who served in the Resistance has been almost completely forgotten. In this podcast I interview Dr David Murphy from Maynoooth University who has researched the Irish people who served in the Resistance.

While the writer Samuel Beckett is the most famous David reveals the forgotten history of other Irish volunteers and their experience of the war.

**I am currently working on a new series on the history of podcasting. I have interviewed some of the biggest names in podcasting and now I am looking for your input. I would be really grateful if you could complete this short survey on your experience as a listener at https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/listenersurvey.**

If you are aware of Irish people who served in the Resistance David is working on a database and you would love to hear from you. You can get in touch with him at david.murphy@mu.ie

Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts

Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

📢Walking Tour 📢

I am thrilled to announce my brand new walking tour in Ireland's oldest city, Waterford. Join me and explore 1,000 years of history from the Vikings to Cromwell & Strongbow to the Irish Revolution. Enhanced by wireless headsets 🎧 you will hear the sounds of the city through the ages and the words of the people who made history in Waterford. Tours take place each Saturday and places are strictly limited to 15 people. Book your place today at www.Irishhistorypodcast.ie/tours

*New Book: A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders *

My new book A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders is available for Pre-Order now. If you order your copy today at Easons and use the promo code FD10 you get a 10% discount

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This episode needs a bit of an introduction. While the term Rotten Prod, short for Rotten Protestant, sounds like a sectarian slur, the phrase has a very different and fascinating history.

It actually originated within the Protestant community in Ulster to describe a person considered disloyal to Unionism. At the turn of the 20th century, the majority of Ulster Protestants were Unionists, meaning they supported Ireland remaining in the United Kingdom.

However a largely forgotten minority, many of whom were Protestant working class socialists, rejected this view. Believing a United Ireland of one kind or another was better for workers, this left them alienated from their own community. Labelled Rotten Prods, they not only faced vilification but often violence from their neighbours and workmates.

In this podcast, I interview Emmet O’Connor historian in the University of Ulster and author of the book Rotten Prod, the unlikely career of Dongaree Baird. Our discussion focused on the life of James 'Dongaree' Baird a man who lived and worked in the epicentre of sectarian violence in 1920s Ireland - the Belfast Shipyards.

Emmet's book Rotten Prod, the unlikely career of Dongaree Bairdis available here

My upcoming book, A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murderswill be released on September 14th! I think you will love the book, it was shaped by your feedback over the years and written with you in mind. If you pre-order your copy today at Easons & get a 10% discount with the listener coupon code below.

Linkhttps://www.easons.com/a-lethal-legacy-finbar-dwyer-9780008555993

Coupon Code FD10

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This episode is short, but has a big reveal! For nearly two years I have been working on a new book and I can finally tell you all about it. Published by Harper Collins, it's called 'A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders.' In this podcast I explain what you can expect from the book, how it was shaped by you and, most importantly, how you can get your hands on a copy.

A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland hits the shelves on September 14th. Pre-order your copy today today from Easons at https://www.easons.com/a-lethal-legacy-finbar-dwyer-9780008555993 and use the coupon code FD10 to get a 10% discount.

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The 1916 Rising is one of the most famous events in Irish history but it’s easy to forget it took place in a city that 300,000 people called home. In this podcast (originally released over three years ago) I explore Dublin on eve of the rising revealing what the city was like in the early 20th century. You will hear the sounds of Dublin, what the city looked like, even how it smelled by following the city coroner Dr Louis A Byrne.

He and his contemporaries would find Dublin of the 2020s almost unrecognisable. As you will hear their Dublin would be equally strange and bewildering to us.

Get your tickets for my new walking tour here https://www.irishhistorypodcast.ie/historytours

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The Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland took place over 370 years ago. Despite the passage of time the man who led that conquest remains one of the most reviled figures in Irish history. In this podcast I look at why he, above others, is so reviled in Ireland.

****Get tickets for my new walking tour mentioned in the episode are available here.****

The episode is recorded in the ruins of Dunhill Castle. An exclusive supporters video tour of the castle is available here.

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In 1397 Ramón de Perellós left the city of Avignon in the Kingdom of France, setting out on a 2,000 km journey to Ireland. His ultimate destination was a fabled gateway to the afterlife on Station Island, Lough Derg, Co Donegal. In this episode you will follow in the footsteps of de Perellós on this medieval pilgrimage. Forget the problems of the modern world and prepare yourself for a gruelling journey by land and sea through medieval Europe. 

Written produced and narrated by Fin Dwyer, sound by Kate Dunlea

Support the show www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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The history of Belfast has been dominated by the Troubles of the late 20th century and the longer history of sectarian conflict in the city. However Belfast holds a lesser-known yet significant chapter in its past—it's connections to the slave trade.

In this episode, I am joined by Tom Thorpe who uncovers Belfast's complex ties to slavery in the United States. 

Join us as Tom sheds light on how Belfast's economy became intertwined with the slave trade and explores the emergence of a radical anti-slavery movement within the city.

To delve deeper into this fascinating topic check out Tom's walking tour at  antislaverybelfast.com

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In the 1880s Charles Stewart Parnell was the most famous Irish politician of his generation. Dubbed 'the uncrowned king of Ireland' he was respected and admired across the political spectrum.

However 1890 he was embroiled in a sensational scandal that rocked the Victorian world when it emerged he had been in a decade long relationship with a married woman.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Lloyd (Meadhbh) Houston. Their recent book Irish Modernism and the Politics of Sexual Health explores the impact this scandal had on Irish politics and society.

They explain who Parnell was, his rise and then his spectacular downfall.

If you want to learn more about the Land War - check out my Patron's Exclusive Podcast on this fascinating conflict that changed Irish history here https://www.patreon.com/posts/patrons-podcast-7434081

You can find Lloyd's book here. It's an academic text so its on the pricey side but you can read Lloyd's work at their website https://lmhouston.co.uk/

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Disert is a remote townland in the Bluestack Mountains in Co Donegal. For reasons that are not entirely clear, our ancestors have been drawn here for thousands of years. There is no question it is a special place.

Located in the shade of a sacred mountain - Carnaween - it was a site of pagan worship associated with some of the most famous figures in Irish mythology. There are stories relating to Finn MacCumhail (McCool), Diarmaid and Grainne in the surrounding area.

It was also used by early Irish Christians and medieval pilgrims. In the 18th century Catholics were drawn to Disert when their religion was suppressed by the penal laws. Even into the 20th century it was used as a cillín to bury unbaptised children. Today the local community continues to pray at the site.

The questions remains why? What is special about this site?

Over the last few years archaeologists led by Dr Fiona Beglane from Atlantic Technological University, Sligo have been excavating Disert to try and understand its complex story.

Her international team of archaeologists from the Institute for Field Research and California State University Los Angeles have made some fascinating discoveries.

Last summer I visited Disert to record an episode at the excavation. In this podcast Fiona shares what her team uncovered in this remarkable place...

Thanks to Dr Fiona Beglane for her time and archaeologist Rebekka Grace who arranged the recordings.

Find out more about Disert athttps://disertheritage.com/

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In this episode Neil Jackman and myself continue our journey down the Lingaun Valley, one of Ireland’s oldest frontiers. As we move closer to the present day we explore an 800 year old church, a castle and a battlefield from the 1798 rebellion looking at how this once contested frontier fell into obscurity after thousands of year.

Support the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast

Check out Neil’s episodes 26 and 28 of Neil’s Podcast Amplify Archaeology which cover topics related the Lingaun. If you are planning a a trip down to explore the Lingaun Neil’s website Tuath.ie has all you need. This article on Knockroe is a great place to start

You can read more about Knockroe at https://www.tuatha.ie/knockroe-passage-tomb/

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The Lingaun Valley is a little known valley that forms the border between Co Kilkenny and Co Tipperary. However for thousands of years this small river formed one of the most important frontiers in Ireland.

While the societies and kingdoms that fought and died over this valley are long vanished the region is littered with their remains in the tombs, religious sites, castles and battlefields.

A few weeks ago I met up with archaeologist Neil Jackman, an expert in the region and we spent a morning exploring the valley. Our initial intention was to focus on the Lingaun, but our conversations took in a range of topics from what life was like 5,000 years ago, to the spiritual beliefs of our distance ancestors down to the story of battle in the 1798 rebellion!

Check out Neil’s episodes 26 and 28 of Neil’s Podcast Amplify Archaeology which cover topics related the Lingaun.

If you are planning a a trip down to explore the Lingaun Neil’s website Tuath.ie has all you need. This article on Knockroe is a great place to start https://www.tuatha.ie/knockroe-passage-tomb/

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Have you ever wondered about your ancestors and who they were were? Were they on the right side of history? Maybe you’re curious to find out if your family have dark secrets? 

In this podcast genealogist Martin Costello gives you a step by step guide to tracing your family. Over the episode I follow Martin’s steps and trace my ancestors back to the Great Hunger. Along the way I found out a few secrets my great grandparents would prefer had remained in the 19th century!

These are the resources Martin mentions

1901 and 1911 census census.nationalarchives.ie/ 

Irish civil records Irishgenealogy.ie 

Catholic Church Parish records https://registers.nli.ie/ 

Church of the Latter Day Saints transcription of Irish Parish Records www.familysearch.org 

British Newspaper Archives (contains numerous Irish publications) https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk 

Irish Newspaper Archive https://www.irishnewsarchive.com 

Ancestry Websites. Findmypast.co.uk & Ancestry.co.uk

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Emigration has been one of the defining features of Irish life since the Great Hunger. Generations have been drawn to the United States in the hope of finding a better life across the Atlantic. Many succeeded but for some these dreams became nightmares. 

Over the last few years The Bad Bridget Project in Queens University Belfast by Dr Elaine Farrell and Dr Leanne McCormick has focused on criminal and deviant Irish women in North America. Now an award winning podcast and book, Leanne and Elaine join me in this episode share the stories they have uncovered. 

These include Annie Young a woman who lived in grinding poverty, the sex workers Maud Merrill and Marion Canning and the somewhat unbelievable Ellen Nagle a child prosecuted for being stubborn!

Check out the Bad Bridget Podcast 

Get the book Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and the Lives Irish Emigrant Women 

Become a supporter and get my exclusive Series on the Irish Civil War with Dr Brian Hanley

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In 1895 Bridget Cleary was a confident independent woman in a rapidly changing Ireland. This brought her into conflict with dark and sinister figures in her own community. 

After being labelled a 'changeling' (a fairy who had taken the place of the real person) Bridget was tortured in a brutal ritual. This podcast, based in an original episode released in 2016, explores Cleary's life and why those closest to her ultimately murdered her.

The book mentioned in the show is The Burning of Bridget Cleary: A True Storyby Angela Bourke

Sound By Kate Dunlea

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Until 1981 a woman was considered the property of her husband under Irish law. A husband could even sue another man for damaging his property if he had an affair with his wife. Referred to as 'criminal conversation’ these trials were demeaning and humiliating for the women involved. 'Women on trial looks' looks at the story of Alice Morton.

When her marriage fell apart in 1919, she found herself at the centre of a sensational divorce and criminal conversation trial. When this developed into an early 20th century sex scandal, Alice went on the run rather than be subjected to such humiliation.

The episode follows Alice's story as she evaded private detectives, and a court system stacked against her.

Sound: Kate Dunlea

Additional Narrations: Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Read more about criminal conversation trials:

Adultery in the Courts: Criminal Conversation in Ireland by Niamh Howlin https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2787632

Ireland’s criminal conversations by Diane Urquhart https://journals.openedition.org/etudesirlandaises/3162

Support the show

Patreon - https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

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On June 22nd 1922, the British Field Marshall, Henry Wilson was shot dead in London. The assassination sparked a major political crisis in Ireland. The British government blamed the killing on a faction of the IRA opposed to the recent Anglo-Irish Treaty. When they demanded action be taken against them, Michael Collins oversaw an attack on an IRA unit occupying the Four Courts in Dublin. This sparked the Irish Civil War.

Over the last century the incident has been shrouded in controversy.  Many at the time and since have accused Michael Collins himself of ordering the attack on Wilson. In this episode I am joined by John Dorney to discuss the assassination of Henry Wilson, the fallout and who was responsible.  

My exclusive supporters' series on the Irish Civil War with Dr Brian Hanley of Trinity College Dublin continued this week on Acast+ and Patreon. Ep #1 explains backdrop to the war, while Ep #2profiles Michael Collins, his involvement in the war and his death in August 1922.

My guest on this week’s show is John Dorney. John’s website theIrishstory.com is one of the leading online resources on Irish History. He also the co host of the Irish History Show https://irishhistoryshow.ie/

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Spike Island in Cork Harbour is often referred to as 'Ireland’s Alcatraz'. While this famous island prison began life as a monastery it was transformed into a fortress during the American Revolutionary War. However Spike island gained it's notorious reputation during the Great Hunger of the 1840s when a prison was opened in the fort.

This episode recorded on Spike island tells the story of Ireland’s Alcatraz…

I would like to thank the team on Spike Island for facilitating the recording of this episode. In particular I would like to thank Tom O’Neill for his time and expertise.

Sound by Kate Dunlea

Visit Spike Island: https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/

If you want find out more about Spike Island these texts come highly recommended.

Spike Island: Saint Felons and Famine

Too beautiful for thieves and pickpockets: A history of the Victorian convict prison on spike island

Spike Island republican prisoners 1921

My exclusive Supporters Civil War Series with Dr Brian Hanley from Trinity College Dublin continues on Thursday. Episode II looks at Michael Collins and the Outbreak of the War. This is available on www.patreon.com/irishpodcastand Acast+.

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Between 1840 and 1860 the population of New York almost trebled growing from 300,000 to 800,000. This influx of migrants from Europe gave birth to modern Manhattan. At the heart of this story were the 250,000 Irish people who made the city their home in the aftermath of the Great Hunger. 

This is the story of the Famine Irish in New York.

In this episode I interview Dr Tyler Anbinder from George Washington University. An expert in the history of New York, Tyler vividly explain New York of the 1850s and how the Famine Irish adapted to life in the city. You can find Tyler’s books here https://history.columbian.gwu.edu/tyler-anbinder. I would recommend Five Points: The Nineteenth-Century New York City Neighborhood that Invented Tap Dance, Stole Elections, and Became the World's Most Notorious Slum

My series on the civil war continues next week when myself and Dr Brian Hanley discuss Michael Collins, the man, the myth and his role in the conflict. You can get the series on Acast+ or at the $5 tier on patreon.com/irishpodcast

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Five days after the end of the Second World War, Winston Churchill launched into a blistering critique of Irish neutrality on the BBC World Service. He would famously claim the government of Éamon de Valera had frolicked with German representatives in Dublin while Britain fought the Nazis. 

The reality of Irish neutrality in the World War II was somewhat more complicated. To discuss the story of Irish neutrality I am joined by the Dr Donal Ó Drisceoil from the History of Department of University College Cork.

Donal has written extensively on the history of neutrality and in this episode he explains why Ireland took a neutral position in the war. He also reveals how and why the government aided the Allies behind the scenes but remained adamant they were neutral. Sound by Kate Dunlea.

Support the show to get hours of exclusive content atpatreon.com/irishpodcast

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This episode continues the story of emigration and Irish Coffin Ships during the Great Famine. Dr Cian T. McMahon, the author of The Coffin Ship - Life and Death at Sea during the Great Famine discusses

You can get a copy of The Coffin Ship - Life and Death at Seahere

If you want listen to more stories form the Great Hunger my 30 part podcast series is available here.

My exclusive supporters Civil War series with Dr Brian Hanley kicks this Thursday here on Patreon and Acast+

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Between 1845 - 1855 over two million people left Ireland to escape hunger, poverty and disease during the Great Hunger. The experience of these emigrants was often harrowing. The term Coffin Ship has became synonymous with their journeys across the Atlantic. 

While the term conveys misery, what was the experience actually like?

In the first of two podcasts on the subject, I am joined by Dr Cian T. McMahon author of The Coffin Ship - Life and Death at Sea during the Great Famine.Cian's work is deeply personal. Laced with hundreds of individual narratives he creates a vivid account of the complexities of escaping hunger in Ireland in the 1840s. 

You can get a copy of The Coffin Ship - Life and Death at Seahere 

If you want listen to more stories form the Great Hunger my 30 part podcast series is available here. 

My exclusive series on the Irish Civil War with Dr Brian Hanley kicks off next week. Exclusively available for show supporters on Acast+ and patreon.com/irishhistory, the series will be an expert guide to one of the most formative conflicts in modern Ireland.

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Are we living through historic times? The Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the Queen's death, Liz Truss and Elon Musk have all dominated the headlines in 2022. However headlines don't always make history. Will the events of our lifetime be remembered in the future?

In this episode I look at how the last twelve months might be remembered by future historians.

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Life in Dublin at the turn of the 20th century was difficult to say the least. Working Class Dubliners were lucky if they reached 50. In those five or so decades, they worked dangerous jobs and lived in appalling conditions.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Ciara Breathnach. Ciara has spent several years researching the records of Dublin's Coroners Court for her book 'Ordinary Lives, Death, and Social Class: Dublin City Coroner's Court, 1876-1902'. As the Coroner investigated suspicious, unexplained and unusual deaths, this research gave Ciara a unique insight into life in Dublin around 1900.

Over the course of our interview Ciara explained how Dubliners lived and died. She also shares some individual cases from the Coroner's Court which provides a deeply personal history of the time and the challenges people faced.

You can find Ciara’s Profile at the University of Limerick where she is an Associate Professor in History https://www.ul.ie/research/dr-ciara-breathnach

Her book Ordinary Lives, Death, and Social Class: Dublin City Coroner's Court, 1876-1902 is available here https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ordinary-lives-death-and-social-class-ciara-breathnach/1141544052 (You can also ask your local library to order the book!)

My audiobook on the Black Death in Ireland is available for download at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. This can be purchase for a one off payment of €5.99 or is available for show supporters atwww.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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Castlekevin was once a thriving settlement deep in the Wicklow Mountains. However in the 14th century after decades of warfare the historical record fell silent. 

Over the past year the Roundwood & District Historical & Folklore Society have been working with a team of archaeologists to uncover the story of this lost town and castle. Using ground penetrating radar, drones and ecological surveys the team have started to unlock the lost story of this forgotten town.

This podcast reveals what was found...

A special word of thanks to:

Roundwood & District Historical & Folklore Society, the National Monuments Service Community Monuments fund, Yvonne Whitty, Dr Paul Naessens, Faith Wilson, Ivor Kenny, Dr Ger Dowling, Wicklow Co Council Heritage Officer Deirdre Burns, Martin Timmons, Mary Rochford, Chris Corlett and Catherine Wright in Wicklow Archives .

Additional narrations from Aidan Crowe

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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The Black Death changed Europe and Ireland forever. This disease which swept across the continent through 1348 carried off around 40% of the population. Its aftermath was no less sensational as social upheavel, wars and revolts broke out across Europe. Ireland was no different, indeed it was arguably affected in more profound ways than most of the continent.

Over last few months I have produced a new hour three hour audio feature on the Black Death in Ireland based on my 2016 book 1348: A Medieval Apocalypse.

This podcast previews the audiobook explaining the fascinating history behind these events.

How can you get your audiobook of The Black Death in Ireland?

Get the book as a one time purchase.You can buy the book for €5.99 in a one time purchase herehttps://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Select 'The Black Death in Ireland Audiobook' and then you can download the audio to your podcast app.

Become a supporter.Supporters of the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast also have access to the book. This recurring monthly fee also gives you access you my extensive back catalogue of exclusive show and my upcoming series on the Civil War. Find out more at https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

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Believe it or not, it was a crime to sell contraception in Ireland between 1935 and 1979. The Irish government also banned all literature on family planning for decades as well. This had a profound impact on life in Ireland. Couples couldn't plan families or engage in recreational sex without fear of pregnancy. This devastated relationships and left many people with a very limited understanding of sex and pregnancy. 

In this podcast I interview Dr Laura Kelly from the University of Srathcylde. Laura is a leading expert in this area and she explains the background to contraception in Ireland, why it was banned and the devastating consequences of the ban. 

Find out more about Laura's research and publications here. 

Follow Laura on twitter here.

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While Ireland remained neutral in the Second World War several Nazi agents were smuggled into the country. Their aims varied, some sought to establish contact with the IRA while others were spies.

In this episode, I interview historian Marc McMenamin about the attempts of Irish Military Intelligence's to catch these spies and agents.

Marc also explains the attitude of the IRA towards these individuals & the forgotten Irish code breakers in the war.

Its a fascinating story.

Marc has published two books on Irish Military Intelligence in the Second World War Codebreaker & Ireland's Secret War both of which are fantastic reads.

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There is a photo essay to accompany this episode here 

Conwy castle in Wales in one of Europe's most spectacular medieval castles. Built in the 1280s by Edward I the castle has withstood sieges and the ravages of time. On Sat October 8th I organised a supporters trip to the castle. Early the following morning, as the sun rose over the medieval town I recorded this episode. Using the acoustics of the castle and the walls I explain the history, what the castle looks like today and how its elaborate and lethal defences worked in the middle ages. 

Deadly stuff in all meanings of the word!

Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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In this final episode of Ireland's Last Aristocrat, you will hear how Olive Packenham Mahon adjusted to life in Ireland after the War of Independence. This follows her story through the chaotic early days of the Irish Free State, her futile attempts to budget as money ran out and how she would end up an eccentric living in a mansion that crumbled around her. 

There will be a bonus episode of recordings from Strokestown Park House for supporters at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast later this week. By becoming a supporter you will also get access to my upcoming series on the Irish Civil War.

You can find out more about Strokestown Park House and how you can visit Olive Packenham Mahon's home a thttps://strokestownpark.ie/

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Olive's unpublished diary and letters reveal a story of war, revolution and scandalous relationships in Ireland during the War of Independence.

After being raised in splendour with servants taking care of her every need (see part I), this episode follows Olive Packenham Mahon through the Irish revolutionary era. After the outbreak of World War I everything changed. 

The Packenham Mahons and other aristocrats found themselves on the wrong side of history as revolution swept through Ireland. 

Olive recorded her experiences in an unpublished diary and letters which provide the basis for this episode. While these recount an unusual perspective on the Irish revolution, they also reveal a love affair that scandalised her family!

There is also bonus episode with exclusivecontent for supporters here.

Artwork - Keith Hynes

Sound - Kate Dunlea

Narrations - Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Olive Packenham Mahon was born into wealth and privilege in 1894, but the legacy of a secret funeral and the spectre of war and revolution defined her life. 

She was no ordinary aristocrat - Olive was the last of her kind...

A special thanks to Oisin O'Driscoll, Martin Fagan & Tony Aspel and all the team at Strokestown Park House for their time.

Olive Packenham Mahon's home Strokestown Park House is open to the public. You can find out more at https://strokestownpark.ie/.

Sound by Kate Dunlea. 

Artwork by Keith Hynes

Additional narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray.

There is a bonus episode with exclusive content from Strokestown available later in the week for show patrons at

Patreon - patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast+ - https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Olive Pakenham Mahon was one of Ireland's last Aristocrats. Haunted by a secret funeral in her families past, revolution and war defined her life. She was anything but normal...

Subscribe to the Irish History Podcast where you listen to podcasts https://linktr.ee/irishhistory

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You may not recognise the name Bridget O’Donnel, but she is one of the most recognisable women in Irish history. In December 1849 her image (pictured in the episode artwork and here) appeared in The Illustrated London News. Over the following decades she became the face of the Great Famine. Today she is one of the most recognisable women in Irish history, but who was Bridget O’Donnel?

Is it possible she never existed but was the creation of an artist called James Mahony?

Hear the full story of the woman behind this iconic image.

Additional narrations from Therese Murray

H/T to Mark Lagan for his help in this!

The poster of Bridget mentioned in the episode is available here.

Dont forget the supporters trip to Conwy Castle is fast approaching - we leave on October 8th! If you would like to join me on this trip to this amazing castle get in touch today at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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In this special episode brought to you by NOW, I look into why humans are fascinated with dragons. Did you know mythology around dragons is older than organised religion and spiritual beliefs of any kind? Meanwhile images of dragons has been found on all continents in societies from ancient Ireland to China. In this podcast I look at why dragon myths are so old, where did this mythology came from and what does it mean? 

Additional narrations - Aidan Crowe

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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2022 has been stressful so this episode treats you to 15 minutes of escapism. It brings you back to Dublin in 1320 in a soundscape of the medieval city. Reconstructed by trawling through 700 year old records for distinctive sounds; it was originally released back in 2014 but is definitely worth another listen. 

I am currently binge editing audio for an upcoming series but I will be back next week with a fresh episode!

Join me on patreon, get access to hours of bonus content and join me on my upcoming trip to the stunning Conwy Castle in Wales - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Over the next two weeks I will be busy writing and editing an upcoming series called Ireland's Last Aristocrat. In the meantime I have dusted down two episodes I thought you might enjoy diving back into. This podcast was released in 2019. It's one of was the most listened to and generated the most feedback! It asks if the Great Hunger was a genocide.

Become a supporter and join me on the trip to Conwy - https://www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

Tickets for this Saturdays live show in Waterford on Michael Collins are available here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-history-snugcast-history-from-the-high-stool-tickets-390149617007

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Since the dawn of history humans have been intrigued by the weather. However while it has the potential to sustain or destroy life, our ability to accurately forecast it is very recent. In this podcast I am joined by meteorologists Evelyn Cusack and Noel Fitzpatrick to explain the fascinating history of weather forecasting. Our desire to predict the weather is a story driven by war, natural disasters, human ingenuity and super computers.

You can find the Met Eireann podcast herehttps://www.met.ie/education/the-met-eireann-podcast/.The specific episode referenced by Noel in relation to Newgrange is available herehttps://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-met-%C3%A9ireann-podcast/id1469018144

Become a member on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Irishpodcast and get access to

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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The 1950s were a dismal time in Ireland. While the economy tanked, the catholic church, at the height of its power, maintained strict control over social life. Desperate to find a better life, nearly 500,000 Irish people emigrated. This staggering figure was equivalent to 80% of those born in the Free State between 1931 and 1941. This was a level of emigration unseen since the days of the Great Hunger of the 1840s.

The vast majority went to Britain with many making London their home. However they found the English capital isolating, lonely and unwelcoming. The poster in boarding houses stating ‘No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish’ embodied the racism they faced. While many of the 1950s generation are no longer with us, in the late 1990s author Catherine Dunne recorded their stories. The experiences of these emigrants were the basis for her book An Unconsidered People - the Irish in London. 

In this moving episode Catherine recounts the experiences they shared with her, the racism they faced as well as the isolation and loneliness. She also reveals the importance of solidarity within the Irish community, the legendary Irish clubs such as the Galtymore in Cricklewood and how many made a better life in the face of adversity.

You can find Catherine’s book An Unconsidered People - the Irish in London at https://www.newisland.ie/nonfiction/an-unconsidered-people-the-irish-in-london

Follow Catherine’s 

catherinedunneauthor.com

facebook.com/Author.CatherineDunne

twitter.com/DunneCatherine

Become a member on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Irishpodcast and get

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Hey folks, I have a few important announcements for you:

🎙️🎙️Starting in September supporters (at the $5 tier or more) will receive an exclusive series on the Civil Warwith Dr Brian Hanley from Trinity College Dublin. You can hear more on this above. Become a supporter to get the series

Patreon - Patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ - https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

🛥️🏰I am delighted to invite announce my a supporters' trip to Wales to visit the stunning Conwy Castle. Conwy is spectacular - you can see a video here https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/video-tour-of-conwy-castle-wales/. If you are a supporter (or become one!) on Acast+ or Patreon and would like to join me, I am currently looking for expressions of interest from you for a trip in September or early October. Let me know on patreon or at info@irishhistorypodcast.ie if you are interested.

🎙️ 🍻Live Show - I am doing a live show with Snugcast in Phil Grimes pub, Waterford on August 20th. There are only 30 tickets available for this special event. Get yours now here. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-history-snugcast-history-from-the-high-stool-tickets-390149617007

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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In the series finale 'Redemption', we follow Ellen's life in Australia where a strange and unexpected redemption awaits.

Support the show:

Patreon https://patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are:

Z Hamming

R Downes

E Zimmer

G Hickey

R Hurley

M Nutty

E Rushe

P Kopf

C Wilson

J Guth

K McNamara

M Kelly

L Rosewood

D Gleason

C Stapleton

MJ Brodie

G Robertson

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The trials are over, the sentences have been passed down and there is nothing left but the punishment. However as we have seen in the story so far, this is story is if anything unpredictable.

Support the show:

Patreon https://patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are

StephenA

M Mulhern

B Donohoe

K Connolly

S Wall

G Browne

D Healy

B Cleary

P Lynch

L Anderson

K L Mayer

E Lewis

E Jordan

D Hensey

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Given the popularity of true crime genre, we are increasingly familiar with how murder investigations work in the 21st century. However they were quite different in the 19th century. In the third deep dive of Murder at Mother Mountain I am joined by Dr Niamh Howlin to explain how murder investigations & trials worked in the 1840s. Niamh is an expert on 19th century law and she explains how the process worked before DNA, forensics or even the concept of a trial by a jury of our peers existed!

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The trial begins in Nenagh Courthouse in August 1846. What lies ahead for the accused is more uncertain than ever - murder in 19th century Ireland carries the death sentence.

Get add free early access to the next episode and help fund the show

Patreon https://patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are 

B Flaherty

E Fogarty

H Lewis

C Rowland

D Browne

P Foran

P Hurley

C Wright 

P Meagher

M McLoughlin

A Dunne

A Philbrick

K Finn 

M Gray

J Nixon

K O'Connor

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In part 2 of Murder at Mother Mountain Ellen’s life changes forever on March 10th 1846 when the violence that overshadowed her life finally comes to her door...

Support the show

www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are 

M Renee

D Mosier 

A Dacy

A O'Brien 

M Kelly

J A C McGowan

K L. Daly 

E Laurent

B Walsh

D Hill 

C Bleakley

M Lynch

A Jameson

G B. Lane

G B Lane

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To accompany Murder at Murder Mountain, I am releasing five deep dive episodes which delve into the history of the early 19th century Ireland in greater detail. These will be released between the main episodes. 

This is deep dive looks at the pre-Famine catholic church. While religion was very important during Ellen Kennedy's childhood, the catholic church emerging from centuries of repression was a very different organsation than it is today. In this podcast Salvador Ryan, professor of Ecclesiastical History in Maynooth, discusses religion and wider spiritual beliefs in the decades before the famine. 

He also explains why rituals surrounding pattern days and ancient holy wells (also mentioned in episode one) were frowned on by the church hierarchy.

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Ellen Kennedy was born into in Western Tipperary in 1803. Her youth was one nurtured by violence. Hunger and food shortages were common. The stark inequalities lead to frequent outbreaks of violence. In this deeply unequal society young women like Ellen faced the threat of abduction and forced marriage.

Ellen however was far from average...

Support the show and get early access to the next episode.

Patreon http://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ https://play.acast.com/s/irishhistory

Additional Research - Liam Costello

Additional narrations - Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Theme tune - The Banks of Sullane

Performed by Nell Ní Chróinín

Uilleann Pipes Pipes - Liam Costello

This week's special supporters are

P Lynch

A Hannum

M Bushert

S Gray

S Winsor

K Neue

N Barry

B Duffy

M O'Donnell

A Funge

B Nicholson

B Poon

J Gladden

The J & L show

M Guinane

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Ellen Kennedy was born into in Western Tipperary in 1803. Her youth was one nurtured by violence…

Listen to an exclusive preview of episode 1 now at https://patreon.com/irishpodcastor Acast+https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last decade there has been countless events to mark the centenary of the Irish Revolution. However 2022 is also the 175th anniversary of Black ‘47, one of worst years of the Great Hunger. This has received little or no attention. This begs the question does the Great Famine matter anymore or is it fading in to the distant past?

In this podcast I looked at the impact of the Great Famine, asking what if any meaning it has for day to day life in the 21st century. 

Sources mentioned:

The school's folklore collection is available at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes

My series on the great Famine is available here https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/category/podcast/the-great-famine/

The article on the Year of Slaughter - the Famine of the 1740s is available here https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/1741-the-year-of-slaughter/

The Special Supporters for this episode are 

S Steinkerchner

K Chapman

A Stewart-Mailhiot

K Samar

B O'Donovan

K Costello 

B Dunphy 

Tarabu

J Donelan

J.M. Culver

W Edwards

 D Lawall 

T McCool 

J Lavin

D Federman

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Ireland has some very strange place names. They range from the perplexing – Skeoghvosteen in Kilkenny, to the scandalous - Slutsend in Dublin and Bastardstown in Co Wexford. But where do these names come from and what do they tell us about our history?

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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When you think of the Middle Ages what springs to mind? Medieval battles, warfare and general hardship? Certainly not fun. However while medieval Ireland was a violent place by any standard people were still able to enjoy themselves. In this episode I explore what our medieval ancestors did for fun. From football to archery, poetry to the pub they knew how to have a good time!

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Traditional music is central to Irish culture and identity in the 21st century. Contrary to what we might think, this is a relatively recent development. As late as the 1960s Trad was perceived as unfashionable and musicians were not allowed to play in pubs. 

60 years later it has become extremely popular and recognised the world over. So what happen?

Last weekend I sat down with Tom Mulligan, a legend in Trad scene to talk about the history of Trad over the century. Tom hales from a well known musical family and owns the Cobblestone, the best known traditional music pub in the country. Indeed it was become something of a cultural institution over the last 35 years. 

In this interview Tom explains the roots of modern trad from Poland, Africa, the USA and back to Ireland. He also elaborates on the intriguing story of how trad went from a marginal genre in Irish society to its contemporary popularity.

While Trad has enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades, it faces an uncertain future in the 2020s. Property speculation in Dublin has seen numerous live music venues close in recent years to make way for hotels. There are fewer and fewer spaces for musicians in the city. 

Last year saw Tom's pub the Cobblestone became the latest to be earmarked for 'development'. Given its historic role in developing and nurturing trad music, this provoked large demonstrations and a campaign #dublinisdying. While the plans to build a hotel on the site were withdrawn last week, Tom explains how the Cobblestone is not out of the woods yet.

Follow the Cobblestone on twitter and Insta 

Music by Liam Costello

Support the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast or https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are

T Troy 

S Lucas

Alexander

W McGuire

C Steuland

 T Higgins

R Spowart

D Bohan

Greg

P McKey

P Myers

B Brady

B McDonough

K Stauffer

M Mulvale

T Murray

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This live podcast pokes in to the darker corners of the past looking at life in Victorian Waterford. Recorded live in Katty Barry’s in Waterford, it's a strange journey through macabre inquests that took place in pubs through to dentists who peddled cocaine!

The second half of the podcast looks at a bizarre murder involving a veteran of the Famine.

Support your history

www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

This week's special supporters are

A Murphy

M Callaghan

E Kelleher

D Dwyer

A Rogers

M Malone

L O'Brien

WJ Murphy

C Doran

J O'Hagan

M Dwyer

S Quinn

R Morse

M Durkin

S Reddin

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Stephen’s Green is one of Dublin’s well known areas. Located in the heart of the city centre, the Green is home to several prestigous instiutions and businesses including the Royal College of Surgeons, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Shelbourne Hotel. 

It's history however is very different. Originally a swampy marshland, it was home to numerous brothels and the city gallows. In this podcast I am joined by historian Frank Hopkins to explore the history of St Stephen's Green. 

We begin on the gallows as Frank explains how public executions were a form of entertainment for many Dubliners. Then moving through the centuries Frank explains who the notorious bodysnatchers of Goat Alley were and the history behind Copperfaced Jack, the man after whom the famous night club is named.

The show ends by introducing a certain A Hitler who was regular sight around St Stephens Green in the early 20th century! 

You can find Frank’s excellent book St Stephen's Green: A History of the Green online and in all good bookshops. 

What does 50/13 mean? 

With your support I am planning on releasing 50 episodes this year. 13 is the number of episodes I have produced so far with your support so we are on track! You can support the show and get ad free episodes, early access to the show and exclusive episodes.

Each week I acknowledge listeners who support the show. This week's special supporters are

The week's special supporters are:

J Arbaugh 

D Eggleston 

M Fields 

W Tolan 

S Corbet 

R D Moore 

L Slavens 

J Reilly 

C Donoghue 

D D Rau 

J Bates

D Celment 

B Conneely 

J Looney

R Morahan 

B White

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irland Redaktion was a Nazi radio station established during the Second World War. It's sole purpose was to shape and influence Irish public opinion in favour of the Nazis. In this episode I am joined by William Quinlan, the winner of the Irish History Summit RSR competition. William, a stuident in St Jospeph's College Borrisoleigh, wrote his R.S.R. (Research Study Report) on Irland Redaktion. In this podcast he details the fascinating story of this little known station, explaining why it was initially broadcast in Irish, what the Nazis hoped to achieve and if it was successful.

Over the last three months I have increased the number of podcasts by one third on the same period last year. This is due to the support of listeners like you who support the show on Acast+ and Patreon. They allow me to dream bigger and make a better show. In recognition of this each week I will be listing patrons of the show as special supporters of episodes in the coming weeks and months. You can get onboard and help the show at

Patreon - https://patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast - https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

The week's special supporters are:

R McCormick

I Wöstemeyer

A O'Brien

M Brady

J Ford

N Reilly

M Mullaney

N Feely

J FitzGerald

F D’Arcy

C T Morgan

C O’Neill

K Crossman

C Brennan

D Gleeson

A O'Brien

M Brady

J Ford

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did Dublin look like before the authorities demolished the medieval city? 

How did Irish people address Queen Victoria during the Famine?

The answers to these questions lie in documents stored in Dublin City Library's archives which chronicles 800 years of life in the city. Until now the only way to access the archive and it's fascinating stories was to go in person to Pearse Street Library. 

That is all about to change. 

This week sees the launch of a ground breaking project as Dublin City Library and Archive publish 50,000 documents online. Better still they are asking history fans across the world to help transcribe this archive.

In this podcast librarian Padraic Stack brings you behind the scenes in the archive. He tells the fascinating stories of letters to the Queen during the Famine and how medieval Dublin was demolished. He also explains how you (yes you!) can get involved in transcribing these documents from the comfort of your home. 

Its a rare opportunity to get dirty in Dublin's archives! The link referenced in the show is here. 

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Its National Tree Week! In this special episode brought to you by Wolfgang Reforest, I investigate the history of Ireland's woodlands and forests. The show begins by looking what an actual native Irish woodland because woodlands and forests looked very different in the past.

Then we embark on a journery through 12,500 years of our history. From the distant past when 80% of the island was covered with forests through to the 1920s when there was scarcely a single tree in the Irish landscape, the story of our woodlands and forests is interwoven with the history of humans on the island.

From the development of agriculture to the Norman Invasion major changes in the way we live our lives has had huge consequences for the trees in the landscape.

Follow the show @

Irishhistory on Insta

irishhistory on Twitter

irishhistorychannel on YouTube

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In 1888 Ireland's most unusual railway, the Lartigue monorail, opened for business. Although largely forgotten, the story of this unique train is intriguing. Operating between the 1880s and the 1920s, it carried everything from tourists to livestock.

This show (recorded in Listowel, Co Kerry) explains how this train inspired by camels in the Sahara went onto support an early form of mass tourism in the west of Ireland. 

Special thanks to John Looney, Martin Griffin and Michael Guerin for their time. 

Sound by - Jason Looney

Additional Narrations - Therese Murray. 

Support your history

Patreon - https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Irish History Podcast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

You can visit the Lartigue Monorail and Museum and ride the monorail today. Find out more at https://www.lartiguemonorail.com

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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Grace O'Malley or Granuaile is an iconic name in Irish history. Born in 1530, she emerged as a powerful leader in the West of Ireland in ruthless and violent era as the Tudor reconquest of the Island was in full swing. Grace is often called a pirate queen, a chieftain or even in some tellings a queen of the west. In this episode I interview her biographer Anne Chambers about the real woman and her remarkable life. 

Anne's book 'Grace O'Malley Ireland's Pirate Queen' is available at her website http://www.graceomalley.com/.

Check out the pin of grace in the shop https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/product/grace-o-malley-pin

Support the show

Patreon: https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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We've made it! This is the final episode in the War of Independence series. The episode begins as Michael Collins and an Irish negotiating team lock horns with Lloyd George and Winston Churchill in London. When a controversial treaty is agreed we return to Dublin to see how it is received. The show also includes extensive recreations of the famous Treaty debates from Aidan and Therese.

I hope you enjoy the show. Thank you so much for you support. I have some really great content lined up for coming weeks. These include shows on 

Sound - Jason Looney

Addition research - Sam McGrath

Additional Narrations - Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

www.irishhistorypodcast.ie/shop

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This is the second last episode in the War of Independence series. In this podcast we travel to Belfast in the summer of 1921. Despite major violence, the city was preparing for what was only its third visit from a reigning monarch since 1690.

With George V due to arrive on June 22nd over 10,000 troops were drafted into Belfast in a massive security operation. What unfolded was unquestionably the most significant royal visit to Ireland since the 17th century.

Sound by Jason Looney, additional research Sam McGrath with additional narrations from Aidan Crowe & Therese Murray.

The three episodes in Endgame are being released over 8 days. Its around 2 hours of content from scripts totalling over 20,000 words. It took a lot of time to make and would not have been possible without the support of listeners on patreon and Acast+. If you are not listening on Acast+ or Patreon you can support the show here

https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Check out the range of pewter figures of Irish revolutionaries from the War of Independence at https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/category/handcrafted-historic-models

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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This is the first of three episodes which will be released over the next 8 days to conclude the War of Independence Series. Endgame I is a fast moving show that takes you back to Cork in the opening weeks of 1921. The war develops a new ferocity with the declaration of martial law. The episode is based around one of the enduring controversies of the war - the kidnapping of the widow Maria Lindsay. The episode also looks at the IRA's worst defeat - the Clonmult ambush and the largest battle of the war - Crossbarry. Then we move to Dublin and finish with the IRA assault on the Customs House. 

Sound by Jason Looney

Additional Research Sam McGrath 

Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Hand painted pewter figures of Irish Revolutionary - https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/category/handcrafted-historic-models

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Tom Crean was born outside Anascaul, Co. Kerry in 1877. One of eleven children from a small farming family, Crean grew up in a world where Antarctica was still a largely unknown continent.

Although overlooked by history, Crean went on to become one of the most distinguished Antarctic explorers of his age. Over the course of his life he would play a key role in several attempts to reach the South Pole. With very limited protective clothing he frequently found himself battling temperatures of -60 C(-76 F). Through these trials he emerged as a tenacious and courageous figure. The stories of Crean's endurance and will to survive are at times unbelievable.

In this episode I interview Michael Smith. His book An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor brought the remarkable life of Crean to public attention after nearly a century in obscurity.

Sound by Jason Looney

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Imagine radio had existed during the Great Famine. What would it sound like if you could go to an archive and listen to news reports from 1847?

To mark the 150th Anniversary of the Great Hunger in 1997, BBC Merseyside created news reports as if their journalists were reporting live from 1847. With the permission of BBC Merseyside I am delighted to share some of these reports with you in this special episode. Given each report is based on actual events from Liverpool in 1847, this is history like you have never heard it before.

Thanks to Pauline McAdam for talking to me about the making of the reports, Mick Ord for sharing them with me and BBC Merseyside for permission to republish them.

Sound by Jason Looney

Apologies for the delay in getting this show out - I got Covid-19 :(

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The life of Nicholas Boran was extraordinary. Known as 'Nixie', he was born outside Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny in 1904. At the age of 18 he fought in the Civil War alongside Dan Breen in Tipperary. The harrowing violence he witnessed in the conflict permanently scarred him and challenges the romanticised myths that often surround the life of Dan Breen. While this had an enduring legacy, Nixie would gain a national reputation for his actions following the Civil War.

After the conflict he returned home but soon found himself in another struggle in Castlecomer. The town was built around coalmines and many of the mine workers toiled in appalling conditions.

The pay was poor, the hours were long and conditions were extremely dangerous. With limited legal protections, children as young as 14 were sent to work in the mines. From the 1920s Nixie set about changing this. This began a decades long struggle with the Catholic Church, the Irish government and the local mine owners.

In this episode I interview Nixie's daughter, Anne Boran. Anne has recently published a fascinating biography of her late father. In this episode she provides fascinating details about life in the Castlecomer Coalfields and how the Civil War changed her father. Perhaps most interesting of all is how his attempts to improve life in Castlecomer resulted in the Catholic Church attempting to excommunicate him. Its a fascinating story.

The history of Castlecomer and its coalmines up until 1921 is the focus of this series https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/category/podcast/communism-coal/

Anne's book "Challenge to Power: Nixie Boran (1904-1971), Freedom and the Castlecomer Coal Miners" is available here http://www.geographypublications.com/product/challange-power-nixie-boran-1904-1971-freedom-castlecomer-coal-miners/ 

Sound by Jason Looney.

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One of the most important buildings in terms of Irish history or archaeology is located in North County Dublin. Strange as it may sound, this building is not very old. It actually only dates from the later 20th century and it was originally an electronics factory. 

However it is now owned by the National Museum of Ireland and houses millions of artifacts amassed over the decades. This fascinating complex, which measures over 200,000 sq feet, is not open to the public. However last Autumn when I was organising the upcoming Irish History Summit in association with the National Museum I got an exclusive tour. 

In this podcast recorded behind the scenes at the museum you will hear the stories behind some incredible artifacts. Nigel Monaghan tells the story behind a 4000 million year old meteorite that was an ornament in an Irish farmhouse for decades. Later in the episode Brenda Malone explains the remarkable story of an Irish man who served in the RAF during the World War II and captured some pivotal moments of the conflict on camera. 

Get your tickets to the Irish History Summit (Saturday Jan 15th)

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-history-summit-2022-tickets-194400466027

National Museum links

https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Natural-History-Collections/Collections-List/Meteorites-and-Space

https://twitter.com/NMIreland

https://www.instagram.com/nationalmuseumofireland

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