Irish History Podcast
History
About
From the Norman Invasion to the War of Independence, the Great Famine to the Troubles, the Irish History Podcast takes you on a journey through the most fascinating stories in Ireland's past. Whether it’s the siege of Dublin in 1171 or gun battles in the 1920s, the podcast vividly recreates a sense of time and place. Each episode is meticulously researched, creating character-driven narratives that are engaging and accessible for all.Since the first episode was released back in 2010, the podcast has covered scores of captivating stories. Major multi-part series have explored the Great Famine, the Norman Invasion, and Irish in...
Episodes
- Drogheda & Beyond: The Terrifying Reality of Siege Warfare in Ireland
This episode features historian Padraig Lenihan discussing the brutal realities of siege warfare in 17th-century Ireland, examining its destructive nature, methods, and comparisons to warfare in Britain. The discussion includes the Droghed…
- Forgotten Allies: How Egypt and India Supported the Irish Revolution
During the Irish War of Independence, Irish republicans sought support from Egypt and India. This episode examines the links between these anti-colonial movements and how they shaped the Irish Revolution.
- Operation Green: Hitler's Plan for Ireland
This episode of the Irish History Podcast discusses Operation Green, Hitler's secret invasion plan for Ireland during WWII, and Plan W, the Irish government's defensive strategy. Historian James Doherty explains why Ireland was important t…
- Divided Loyalties: The Irish Who Fought for Britain
Dr. Brian Hanley examines the complex loyalties during the Irish War of Independence, focusing on the Irish men who served in the British military and police forces. This episode explores the motivations of those who joined the British Arm…
- The Irish Language: Why Ireland Became English-Speaking
Host and historian Dr. Nicholas Wolf discuss the historical shift from the Irish language to English in Ireland. The discussion examines contributing factors such as colonialism, the Great Famine, and social necessity from the seventeenth…
- A White Mans Nation? The Irish Revolution & Black Radicals
This episode explores the intersection of the Irish War of Independence, global racial politics, and Black radicalism. It examines the complex relationship between Irish republicans and Black activists, detailing instances of both solidari…
- From the Banshee to Burial: The Strange History of Irish Funerals
In this episode of the Irish History Podcast, Fin Dwyer explores the 19th-century history of Irish funeral and wake customs. The episode examines death omens like the banshee, as well as various superstitions and rituals associated with de…
- Comrades in Arms? The IRA and Soviet Russia
This episode of the Irish History Podcast examines the historical relationship between the Irish Republican movement and Soviet Russia during the Irish War of Independence. It explores the reality of their contact, potential cooperation, a…
- Hidden Lives: The Gay Community in Post-Independence Ireland
Historian Averill Earls joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss her research into the experiences of Dublin's gay community in the decades following Irish independence. The episode explores the challenges of repression and surveillance,…
- The IRA & the Battle for America
This episode of Brothers in Pain explores the struggle for American public opinion during the Irish War of Independence. It examines the financial support for Irish republicanism alongside the opposition from American political figures and…
- Did Neutrality Save Ireland? Daily Life in Wartime Ireland
This episode of the Irish History Podcast explores daily life in Ireland during World War II, known as The Emergency. Host speaks with Donnchadh O'Ceallacháin about the experiences of those who lived through the era, including rationing, f…
- The Smugglers & Gun Runners: Who armed the IRA?
Dr. Brian Hanley examines the clandestine networks of smugglers and gun runners who supplied weapons to the IRA during the Irish revolutionary period. This episode explores the individuals and international operations behind these weapon a…
- Brothers in Pain: New Series Preview
This preview episode of the Irish History Podcast introduces the new series 'Brothers in Pain: The IRA in a Revolutionary World'. Historian Dr. Brian Hanley joins the show to discuss the international dimensions of the Irish War of Indepen…
- St. Patrick's Day Parades: Tradition or American Invention?
In this episode of the Irish History Podcast, guest Dr. Cian T. McMahon discusses the complex and contested origins of St. Patrick's Day parades, examining their evolution and the fight for inclusion by various community groups.
- Éamon de Valera: Visionary or Victorian?
This episode of the Irish History Podcast, featuring RTÉ broadcaster and biographer David McCullagh, explores the life and political evolution of Éamon de Valera. The discussion examines his rise during the Irish Revolution and evaluates h…
- The Irish in America's Indian Wars: A Dark History
Damian Shiels discusses his project mapping US military pensions claimed in Ireland between 1845 and 1905, revealing the role of Irish immigrants in the American Indian Wars. The conversation explores how these individuals participated in…
- Wild Animals and Public Entertainment in Georgian Ireland
Historian Karina Holton joins the programme to discuss the history of travelling menageries in Ireland between 1790 and 1840. The episode examines how these exhibitions operated, public reactions to them, and the controversies regarding an…
- Why Didn't the Romans Invade Ireland?
Dr. Jacqueline Cahill Wilson joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the relationship between Ireland and the Roman Empire. The episode examines archaeological evidence of Roman presence in Ireland and explores the nature of these commu…
- The Ulster Special Constabulary - A Troubled History
Fin Dwyer and historian Patrick Mulroe discuss the origins and legacy of the Ulster Special Constabulary. They examine the factors that led to its formation in the 1920s and why the force remains a subject of intense historical debate toda…
- The Mystery of St Brigid
This episode explores the history of St Brigid, examining whether she was a historical figure or a pagan goddess transformed into a Christian saint. The host reviews early medieval sources, folklore, and modern research to reassess her ide…
- Daily Life in a Medieval Irish Castle: What was it really like?
In this episode of the Irish History Podcast, guest Jamie O’Callaghan joins host Finn Dwyer at Barryscourt Castle to examine daily life in a medieval Irish castle. They discuss the realities of living in the castle, including food, customs…
- The Secret Sex Lives of our Ancestors
Dr. Leanne Calvert joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss 18th-century sexual norms and relationships in Presbyterian Ulster. The episode examines how church records provide insight into historical intimacy, romance, and community regu…
- Railway of Death: The Irishman Who Survived Japanese Prison Camp in World War II
Fergus Kennedy discusses the experiences of his father, Don, a Dubliner who survived forced labor on the Burma Railway during World War II. The episode covers Don Kennedy's time as a prisoner of war following the fall of Singapore and his…
- The Battle of Vinegar Hill: The Last Stand of the 1798 Rebellion?
This episode examines the final days of the 1798 rebellion, covering the Battle of Arklow, the Battle of Vinegar Hill, and the arrival of French forces led by Wolfe Tone. It concludes the series by exploring the subsequent reign of terror…
- The Battle of New Ross and the Scullabogue Massacre. Irish History’s Darkest Day?
This episode explores the 1798 Rebellion, focusing on the Battle of New Ross and the subsequent Scullabogue Massacre. It also examines how the revolt unfolded in Belfast, a key center for the revolutionary movement.
- Liberty or Death: The South Falls to the Rebels
This episode of the Irish History Podcast covers the 1798 Rebellion, focusing on the surge of rebel forces across County Wexford and the escalation of violence. It explores the experiences of ordinary people caught in the conflict and the…
- Broken Silence: The Murder of Mary Doherty
Historian Angela Byrne joins host Fin Dwyer to discuss the 1844 murder of Mary Doherty in Culdaff, Donegal. The episode explores the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death and examines why her story was largely forgotten until now.
- The 1798 Rebellion Begins: Plots, Spies, and Informers
This episode examines the early stages of the 1798 Rebellion in Dublin, focusing on the conflict between the United Irishmen and the British authorities. It details the role of spymaster Edward Cooke, the efforts of Lord Edward Fitzgerald,…
- Hugh O’Flaherty & The Vatican Escape Line in World War II
This episode explores the life of Irish priest Hugh O’Flaherty, who operated a secret escape line in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II. It features insights from Joseph O’Connor, Jerry O’Grady, and Catherine O’Flaherty, alongside info…
- The French Invasion: Ireland’s Year of Terror?
This episode of the Irish History Podcast covers the late 1796 French invasion attempt and the concurrent British campaign of repression in Ulster known as the Disarming of the North. It is the fifth installment in a series examining the 1…
- The Jackson Spy Affair: The Downfall of the Society of United Irishmen
This episode examines the case of French spy William Jackson and its impact on the Society of United Irishmen. It explores how the discovery of their contact with Revolutionary France influenced the events leading to the 1798 Rebellion.
- Airbrushed from History: The Great Hunger in Dublin
Historian Maria Ball joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the impact of the Great Famine on Dublin. The episode explores why this period in the city's history is often overlooked and examines the struggles within tenements, workhouse…
- The French Revolution & the Society of United Irishmen
This episode examines the impact of the French Revolution on Ireland, tracing how revolutionary ideals led to the formation of the Society of United Irishmen in 1791. It features the story of Henry Edgeworth in Paris and sets the stage for…
- The Rising Storm: The American War of Independence & Ireland
This episode of the Irish History Podcast examines the impact of the American War of Independence on 18th-century Ireland. It explores Benjamin Franklin's visit to Dublin, the rise of the Patriot movement, the revolution of 1782, and the r…
- The Penal Laws: An Irish Apartheid?
This episode explores the impact and history of Ireland's Penal Laws, which restricted the rights of Catholics and Presbyterians for over a century. Through the story of Emily Fitzgerald and the context of the 1740 famine, it examines the…
- 1798: The Year Ireland Changed Forever
This episode serves as an introduction to a series exploring the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland, covering its historical significance, the societal tensions of the 1790s, and its lasting impact on modern Irish identity and politics.
- The Irish Immigrants Who Built Britain's NHS
Professor Louise Ryan joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the history of Irish nurses who worked in Britain's NHS during the 1960s. The episode explores their professional motivations and the challenges of racism and discrimination…
- Celebrating Conquest? Ireland’s Culture War over William the Conqueror
This episode examines the controversy surrounding potential Irish involvement in upcoming Norman commemorations of William the Conqueror. It discusses how history is remembered, contested, and used in modern-day debates.
- The Secret Life of May O’Callaghan: The Kremlin’s Irish Insider
Historian Maurice Casey, author of Hotel Lux, discusses the life of May O'Callaghan, a Wexford woman who worked in the Kremlin during the 1920s alongside prominent Soviet figures, on the Irish History Podcast.
- Ireland's Liberator - The Life of Daniel O'Connell
This episode of the Irish History Podcast marks the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth. The host and guest Dr. Brian Casey explore O’Connell’s influential life, political contradictions, and complex legacy from Glasnevin Cemeter…
- Who Will History Remember?
Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the criteria for inclusion in their biographical resource. The conversation examines who is remembered in history and how indiv…
- Yola: A History of Ireland’s Lost Language
Sascha Santschi-Cooney joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the origins, history, and decline of Yola, a unique dialect once spoken in South Wexford. The episode explores the factors that influenced the language and why it eventually…
- Irish Americans & The Troubles: Unwelcome Outsiders or Allies?
This episode examines the history of NORAID and the involvement of Irish Americans in the Troubles. Jamie Goldrick and the host discuss the complexities and contradictions surrounding this support and internal criticisms of the organizatio…
- NORAID: Did Irish Americans Fund the Provisional IRA?
This episode explores the history and impact of NORAID, an Irish American organization linked to the Provisional IRA. Producer Jamie Goldrick joins the podcast to discuss the group's activities during the Troubles and the related documenta…
- Irish Asylums: A Dark History We Don’t Talk About. Why?
Historian Fin Dwyer and Prof. Brendan Kelly discuss the history of mental asylums in 1950s Ireland, examining the high rates of confinement and the societal factors that surrounded these institutions.
- Banned: The Hidden History of Contraception in Ireland (Listener Favourite)
This episode explores the history of the 1935–1979 ban on the sale and access of contraceptives in Ireland. Guest Dr. Laura Kelly discusses the motivations behind these laws and their long-term impact on Irish society.
- [Classic Replay] A Criminal Conversation: Affairs & Divorce in 1920s Ireland
This episode explores the 1920s case of Alice Morton, whose marriage breakdown and subsequent divorce trial regarding allegations of adultery resulted in a sensationalized public legal battle where she was treated as property.
- The Irish Wake: A History
In this episode of the Irish History Podcast, Fin Dwyer explores the origins and history of the Irish funeral wake with guests Donnchad Ó Ceallacháin and Clíona Purcell from the Irish Wake Museum in Waterford. They discuss the evolution of…
- Midwives & Mothers: A History of Birth in Ireland
Historian Emma Laffey joins the Irish History Podcast to discuss the role of traditional Irish midwives, known as Bean Ghlúine. The episode explores the history of childbirth in rural Ireland through the account of midwife Mary Anne Fannin…
- Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland?
Fin Dwyer explores the history and daily life of the isolated Glenmalure valley, concluding a series on the Wicklow Military Road. The episode features personal recollections on the impact of rural electrification and the area's transition…