Irish History Podcast

On March 25th 1911 a fire ripped through a sweatshop in Lower Manhattan where hundreds of immigrants worked long hours in dangerous conditions. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire would prove a pivotal moment not only in the history of New York but also the United States. This podcast, the first of three episodes on the fire, looks at the early lives of two women Annie Doherty and Celia Walk...

Through 2021 the podcast will be focusing on the story of the Irish War of Independence. It starts on February 1st but check out this short podcast to find out what you can expect... www.twitter.com/irishhistory www.instagram.com/irishhistory Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Acast https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory 📢June 2023 Upd...

Through the mid 20th century John Charles McQuaid, the archbishop of Dublin was one of the most influential people in Ireland. McQuaid has come to symbolise not only the power of the Catholic Church at the time but also for many the abuse of that power. He exerted huge influence over successive Irish governments and was also in a position to censor what films and literature Irish people had access...

One of the first major challenges facing the Irish government after Independence in 1922 was how to police the country. The Royal Irish Constabulary which had existed under British rule was a highly discredited force so they established the Civic Guard which later developed into An Garda Síochána. In this episode, I interview Dr Vicky Conway who reveals the complex history of An Garda Síochán...

Women are all too often overlooked in history. The Daughters of Dun Iascaigh, written by the Cahir Womens History Group, addresses this imbalance by profiling the lives of over 20 women from this Tipperary town. The book highlights some fascinating but previously overlooked stories. In this podcast I interview three contributors Josephine O'Neill, Maurice Casey and Annette Condon who reveal i...

Conspiracy theories seem more popular than ever. Increasing numbers of people are turning to what are unorthodox understandings of the world. This is not a new phenomemum. In this episode I examine the Lepers Plot, one of the more bizarre chapters in medieval history. In 1321 the Kingdom of France was gripped by rumours lepers were plotting a coup. This had deadly consequences as you are about to...

The first Irish History Summit takes place on January 19th 2021. The summit is an exclusive one day online event where leading Irish Historians will present talks on the Leaving Cert history curriculum. While the summit will be a great advantage for students sitting the taking Leavin Cert History Exams in 2021 the summit will appeal to anyone with a love of Irish History. www.historysummit.eventbr...

It's very human to wonder how we will be remembered. However few have a legacy like that of the victim from Oldcroghan. It was certainly one neither he nor his contemporaries could have envisaged. Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Visit the National Museum - https://www.museum.ie/ Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcast...

Several theories have been forwarded to explain the brutal murder that came to light in a bog at Oldcroghan in 2003. Through meticulous research, the former Keeper of Antiquities in the National Museum of Ireland Eamon Kelly has developed the most convincing explanation. In this episode he reveals who exactly the victim was and why he died. Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Check o...

In this episode we return to the the scene of the crime Clonearl bog in Croghan where the body was found. This will help us understand who exactly may have carried out the murder… Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreo...

Bogs are strange places. Their unique properties slow down the process of decay. They not only preserve bodies, but also evidence of what may have happened to them... Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Acast https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistor...

Marie Cassidy the state pathologist arrives in Croghan to examine the remains of the victim. When Kevin Barry leads her to the corpse she makes a startling discovery. Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpo...

Croghan, Co Offaly is a remarkable place. The scenery is stunning; the local community are friendly and welcoming. However their future is far from certain - the major employer in the region is closing down. In the midst of this crisis, local people are increasingly talking about a dark chapter in their past, a murder that came to light in 2003. This is the start of the Road to Oldcroghan…. Sound...

Episode 1 of the Road to Oldcroghan drops on October 5th. Exclusive early access available at patreon.com/irishpodcast. Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Acast https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory 📢June 2023 Update - New Walking Tour 📢 I am thrilled to announce my brand new walking tour in Ireland's oldest city, Waterford. Join me...

From the 1790s onwards numerous Black anti-slavery activists visited Ireland to build support for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery itself. This would see some of the most famous African Americans in history including Frederick Douglas visit Ireland. I was delighted to interview Christine Kinealy, one of the leading historians of 19th century Ireland, for this episode. She discusse...

Preban cemetery is not only where the communities in the surrounding region bury their dead, but it also has an important place in day to day life for many in the area. In this podcast, the final episode in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’ Damian and myself look at how the graveyard has been used through the 20th century through to the present day. The series will be released daily as part of Her...

The Great Famine haunts every graveyard in Ireland. Alongside victims of the Great Hunger, many graveyards include the names of those who were forced to emigrate. In this podcast we look at how these events affected the communities around Preban. This episode is the sixth of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason...

Graveyards chronicle the history of the communities where we. At Preban, Co Wicklow one of the most tragic stories is that of the Mulhall family. In this episode local resident Helen Byrne talks about the fate of the Mulhall family, who were killed in an avalanche in the hills above Wicklow a story that was covered across the world at the time. This episode is the fourth of seven in 'Stories from...

In the summer of 1798 large parts of Ireland were ravaged by one of the largest rebellions in Irish history. Numerous people in communities around Preban marched off to fight alongside the rebels. Some paid a heavy price and their graves can be found in Preban Graveyard. In this episode you will hear the story of the 1798 rebellion and how people from Preban were involved. This episode is the four...

St Aidan's well is located in the environs Preban graveyard. Rituals have been performed at this holy well for centuries possibly even longer. Although these traditions are now dying out, in this episode we hear the words of the late Maura Carty who can remember pilgrims coming to the well. We also interview Dr Louise Nugent an expert on pilgrimmage and holy sites to hear more about this important...

In part II of 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’ Damian and myself journey back into the earliest history of Preban. This takes us deep into the medieval period. We follow the story of the graveyard through the late Middle Ages and the religious turmoil that followed the Reformation. We also talk to archaeologist Chris Corlett to hear the fascinating story of the stonemasons who carved some of the...

The ancient graveyard of Preban is situated in the southern foothills of the Wicklow Mountains near the picteuresque town of Tinahely. While its history stretches back over 1,000 years, it fell into severe disrepair through the later 20th century. In 2010 local residents in the Preban Graveyard Committee set about cleaning up the cemetery. In the course of their work they discovered incredible sto...

This seven part series starting Monday August 17th, explores fascinating stories from a forgotten graveyard. Until 2010 Preban cemetery in Co Wicklow was completely overgrown and largely inaccessible. When the local community set about restoring their graveyard they discovered remarkable personal histories of their ancestors. These incude 1798 rebels, famine emigrants not to mention rock art that...

During the Second World War Irish Military Intelligence stepped up their activities monitoring potential threats to the Irish state. Their targets included the family of the far right Irish American activist Aileen O’Brien. Through the course of this investigation Irish Military Intelligence collected a unique set of letters that provided a fascinating and unusual insight into this families e...

Over the last few weeks I have been paralysed by writers block. In the hope of clearing my mind, I headed off to explore an old stately home. While often crumbling ruins, buildings like this are absorbing places - they were once the houses of the wealthiest people in Ireland in the 18th & 19th century. The building I visited wasn't quite Downton Abbey but in its heyday this mansion was im...