ConorSweetman.Stories

In this episode, I discovered a forgotten tradition from rural Ireland—when butter wasn’t just food, but a way of life, a source of income, and a reason for women to gather and work together. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, Irish women would collaborate to churn, salt, and sort butter in their kitchens. They called it being "joined in butter." It was backbreaking, skilled work—but it was also...

First broadcast 28th July 2024 on Dublin Digital Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First broadcast 30th June 2024 on Dublin Digital Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast] “Horizon” by Nithy Kasa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast] "Out of the Blue" by Pat Boran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast] "Suantraí with Mammy" by Nessa O’Mahony Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast] “Tearmann” (Sanctuary) by Louis de Paor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast] “Sa Bhaile” (At Home) by Aifric Mac Aodha Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First published on 7th August 2022. Here's the episode description from the original podcast: "In this episode, co-producers Regina Fitzpatrick and Conor Sweetman talk about the GAA Oral History project and the making of 'Hurling and Us'. Thanks to the GAA Museum and Archive at Croke Park for permission to share excerpts from the collection. The full archive is available at https://www.gaa.ie/the-...

First published August 7, 2022 on The Hurling & Us Podcast. Here's the original episode description: The people we interviewed for this project love hurling. They love recalling matches, passages of play and their hurling heroes. Listen as they take you back in time and share the joy that hurling has brought to them. Special thanks to our interviewees and their families. Featured in this episo...

First published August 7, 2022 on The Hurling & Us Podcast. Here's the original episode description: "For more than a century, people have journeyed from near and far to hurling matches. From local derbies and school games to big days out in Croke Park. The GAA Oral History Oral History collection contains hundreds of accounts of these epic journeys. Tales of crossing the landscape by trains a...

First published August 7, 2022 on The Hurling & Us Podcast. Here's the original episode description: "Schools are the lifeblood of hurling in Kilkenny. With accounts spanning over 100 years, the Kilkenny GAA Oral History collection tells the central place of hurling in school life across the county. Special thanks to our interviewees and their families. Featured in this episode are: Nicky Bren...

After the 1916 rising, many of the rebels were sent to a makeshift prison camp in Frongoch in Wales. Much has been made about this camp - it later became known as ollscoil na réabhlóide , the "University of Revolution". But what did the locals think? This story looks at Frongoch Internment Camp from the perspective of the people of rural North Wales. Special thanks to Mabon Ap Gwynfor and Alwyn Jo...

This story started out when I found out about the 1938 Cork Grand Prix. This event was the equivalent of a modern-day Formula 1 race. Can you imagine that on the streets of Cork city?! When I started digging into the story, I discovered a rich tradition of motor racing in Ireland. Before world war 2, the Irish motor racing scene was thriving. After the war though, it never quite got back to its fo...

In this story, I speak to historian Sean Hogan about the romance between Dan Breen and Brigid Malone during the Irish War of Independence. I made this story in 2021 when Ireland was in 'lockdown' due to COVID-19. This context makes the story even more poignant because 100 years earlier, when Dan and Bridget got married, Ireland was in lockdown for a very different reason. The War of Independence w...

In 1921, the Irish Republican Army attempted to land a shipment of Thompson Machine Guns in Loughshinny in North County Dublin. To facilitate the operation, the IRA had to burn down every Coast Guard station in Dublin from Skerries to Clontarf. But there was one problem, the guns never arrived... This is one of my favourite stories. Mainly because I grew up a few kilometres from the 'action'. Spec...

This story is about the life and legacy of Frank Lawless, an Irish republican from North County Dublin. Special thanks to historians Dr Declan Brady and Professor Diarmaid Ferriter. I got this story from Caroline Crowley, Public Art Coordinator at Fingal County Council. As part of Fingal's commemoration programme, the Arts Office commissioned Donal Dineen to make a film about Frank Lawless. You ca...

In 1922, at the start of the Irish Civil War, the Free State Army used 18-pounder field guns to shell the Four Courts, which were held by the Anti-Treaty forces. These guns were given on loan by the British to the Free State Army.  After the war, these guns remained in service in the Irish Army. But then, some time in the 50s, they disappeared. Their whereabouts shrouded in mystery for decade...