Irish History Podcast

During the high summer of 1235 the west of Ireland witnessed one of the most violent chapters in its history when the Normans launched their conquest of the west. This campaign culminated in the storming of an Island fortress using siege engines on floating platforms and fire-ships. Need I say more? Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast A...

In February 1317 Dublin faced its greatest crisis. A huge army lead by Robert the Bruce, king of Scotlan d was making its way to lay siege to the city. With no army to defend the city, Dubliners were effectively on their own. However everyone in the city could not be trusted, a few days earlier the Earl of Ulster who also happened to be Bruce’s father in law arrived. Within weeks most of Dublin wo...

This episode looks at the fascinating story of Dennis Doherty. Born in Derry in 1814, Doherty would spend most of his life in Australian prisons. His story is remarkable – he was flogged 3,000 times and spent years in solitary confinement but yet he continually struggled for freedom. Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Acast https://plu...

After the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Wicklow region was surprisingly peaceful. Despite the fact the Gaelic Irish had been dispossessed, many appeared to be getting on with life. This was deceptive and in 1270 a massive rebellion broke out deep in the Mountains that would see settlement after settlement raided and burned. This is the story of that rebellion... Become a supporter & access d...

In 1303 the Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgh, amassed a large army in Dublin which was destined for Scotland. In the podcast we look at a forgotten story of medieval Dubliners who had to undertake what now seem as strange, unusual and often chaotic preparations to get a medieval army to the battlefield and the chaos this caused for people in early 14th century Dublin. Become a supporter & acce...

In 1090 Muirchertach O Briain, grandson of Brian Boru, faced the darkest moment of his rule as King of Munster. Defeated and vanquished by his rival the king of Ulster, Domnal McLochlainn, he faced two options; either accept his fate or try to claw his way back to power. As grandson of Brian Boru giving up wasn't in his DNA. Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www....

In 1072 the aging King of Leinster Diarmait Mc Mael na mBó died. His death saw the descendents of Brian Boru try to follow in the footsteps of their famous ancestor and dominate Ireland but there was a queue of people waiting to stop them. Although initially Ireland witnessed a certain amount of stability, the rise of the O Briains sparked a ferocious struggle as several kings sought to domin...

The year is 1067. Godwin Godwinson the son and heir to the dead Saxon king Harold Godwinson fled to Ireland after the Norman Invasion of England. This podcast looks at the world he found in Ireland. How did he travel to Ireland? What did Dublin look like, sound like and smell like? What did people eat? What did they look like? What weapons did people use? What was the Brehon law? All this and much...

Episode 15 is a story of murder and injustice, set in 19th century Ireland. In a country struggling to recover from the famine tenants despised landlords and their agents who had treated them brutally during the famine. When an agent John Ellis was assassinated in north Tipperary in 1857 almost everyone in the area became a suspect. Find out what happened next... Become a supporter & access do...

Episode 14 sees Gaelic Ireland struggle to deal with the crisis and chaos that followed the death of the high king Maelseachnaill Mac Domnaill. In a highly uncertain world where war was frequent and life had little value as several kings battled to control the island. We will see many try and fail to emulate the great high kings of the past This show also includes a close look at the strange place...

In 1597 Dublin was ripped apart by a massive explosion which killed over 1% of the city’s population. This podcast looks at the background to the incredible events of March 1597. The 9 Years War was raging and tensions ran high in Dublin as an English Army used the city as a logistical base. In March a huge shipment of gunpowder arrives in Dublin and the rest is history! Hear the full story... Bec...

Brian Boru is without doubt Ireland’s most well known medieval king, while a battle he fought in 1014, the Battle of Contarf, is Irelands most famous medieval conflict. In this podcast we look at the real story behind Brian and the Battle of Clontarf. How did he become high-king? Was he really the first man to unify Ireland? What happened after Brian Boru died? Become a supporter & access doze...

Episode 10 sees a titantic struggle between the two most powerful Iirsh Kings of the early medieval Ireland - the O Neill High King, Maelseachnaill II and Brian Boru, the King of Munster. In a story full of intriguing naval attacks, sieges and deceit the superpowers of 10th century Ireland, unleash their devastating military power on each other with fascinating consequences.... Become a supporter...

Medieval Ireland stands on the edge of a precipice. A rootless struggle for control of the O'Neill kingdom breaks out in the North, while in Munster a new comer to the podcast – the Dal Cais challenge the King of Munster for power in the South. With Ireland on the verge of chaos we look at how war impacted the lives of ordinary people as they had to battle famine, hard winters and an out break of...

This episode charts a fascinating story that wil finish with the rise of Brian Boru. Gripping, ruthless and at times blood curdling this history is full of twists and turns. Over the next three shows we will see the O Neill kingdom challenged by the Dal Cais (the family of Brian Boru). This will see many challengers rise and fall as these two families battle it out for supremacy in medieval Irelan...

Each year on March 17th, millions of people attend St Patrick’s day parades in memory of the man who reputedly converted the Irish to Christianity. He is a figure shrouded in myth but in this podcast we examine the truth behind the one time slave and famous bishop Patrick… Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Acast https://plus.acast.com...

This show begins an exciting journey through one of the most turbulent years in Medieval Ireland. From 902 - 930 Ireland’s most powerful family – The O Neills go to war with their traditional enemies – The Eoganacht. However the Vikings are waiting in the wings to take advantage of the chaos that follows starting an even larger conflict. Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts...

The early 9th century saw the Vikings step up their raids and attacks on Ireland. Terror gripped coastal communities as vast fleets appeared on the horizon unleashing brutal raids. This podcast looks at how the Gaelic fought back. Will also Vikings found a rough trading post known as 'An Dubh Linn', The Dark Pool or as we know it today Dublin. Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive po...

Episode 3 is a whistle stop tour through the Viking World visiting places from Baghdad to Newfoundland explaining how the Vikings connected these far flung places to Ireland. In this episode we also see the first Africans arrive in Ireland in the 9th century and explain how a coin from Armenia ended up amongst the remains of people massacred by the vikings in rural Ireland in the 10th century! Bec...

This shows looks at the arrival of one of the most fearsome and notorious warriors in Irish history – the Vikings. These Scandinavians have been caricatured throughout the centuries as marauding maniacs a somewhat undeserved reputation. However in this episode they don’t exactly cover themselves in glory. The show will reveal what drove people in Scandinavia to launch what were terrifying raids, h...

This episode begins what will be a fascinating journey through the last 1500 years of Irish History looking at some of the most fascinating chapters in the island’s past. While the coming episodes will chart everything from great battles to Viking raids all the way to rebellions we will also stop in the houses, towns and villages to see what daily life was like for our distant and not so distant a...

From Viking raids to mysterious murders in remote comunities, Irish history has inspired some of the greatest stories ever told. This introductory episode gives you a flavour of what you can expect from the Irish History Podcast. Twitter - @irishhistory Email - info(at)irishhistorypodcast.ie www.irishhistorypodcast.ie Become a supporter & access dozens of exclusive podcasts Patreon www.patreon...