Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan

In this episode of Talking History: the remarkable life of Mary-Jane O'Donovan Rossa and how she helped to secure the legacy of her Fenian husband; the mysterious logic of the world's first writing systems; and we'll explore Newgrange and why it was built and whether there might be a second chamber still to be discovered.

Patrick Geoghegan examines the life and death of Theobald Wolfe Tone - on the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion - and debates his remarkable legacy. He's joined by Professor Tom Bartlett, Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University of Aberdeen; Dr Catriona Kennedy, senior lecturer in the history department and member of the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies at the University of York;...

In this episode of Talking History: the end of the Hundred Years War and the pivotal role played by the 17-year-old Joan of Arc, with Jonathan Sumption; corruption and skullduggery in the Irish House of Commons in the 17th century with Dr Brid McGrath; and the history of the RCSI with Dr Ronan Kelly.

In this episode of Talking History, we're debating Ireland and empire as we explore how being a colony shaped our history and our own involvement in imperial pursuits. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is: Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Erasmus Smith's Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, and author of ‘Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism and the Early Modern World’; Professor Brian McGing, Em...

Was Napoleon a ruthless tyrant or the greatest Frenchman of all time? Patrick Geoghegan looks at his life, legacy and legend with Dr Sylvie Kleinman, who assisted in the establishment of the Napoleon Society of Ireland; Hugh Gough, Emeritus Professor of History at University College Dublin; Dr Rafe Blaufarb, specialist in Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and professor of history, director and B...

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan explores how revolutionary ideas were translated into landscape design in the 18th century, looking at the houses and homes of figures such as George Washington and Lord Edward Fitzgerald, with Finola O’Kane, landscape historian, architect, and professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD. We'll also be findin...

Coming up on this week's episode of Talking History: astronaut Tim Peake joins Patrick Geoghegan to explore the history of astronauts in space; we hear about James VI's relationship with Irish policy from Prof Clare Jackson from the University of Cambridge; and historian Donal Fallon shares the story of the Phoenix Park lamplighters.

On this episode of Talking History: Patrick Geoghegan hosts a special Halloween edition where we find out about how Dracula was created, the character and the book's remarkable longevity, and why we have such a fascination with horror. Joining Patrick to discuss is the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker. We also trace back the Irish origins of Halloween with Dr. Catherine Healy, Histor...

Marking a new NGI exhibition on artist Sarah Purser, who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Irish art, Patrick Geoghegan explores her life, work and legacy alongside panellists Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dónal Maguire, Curator of the Sarah Purser exhibition (and former Curator of the ESB Centre for the Study of Irish Art and Keeper of Art and...

On this episode of Talking History: host Patrick Geoghegan delves into the shelves of the National Archives with its director Orlaith McBride; follows the trials and triumphs of building Adare Manor with author, archivist and architectural historian Anna-Maria Hajba; and charts the story of one of the most ambitious, and one of the most contentious, international organizations ever created, the EU...

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan looks at Ireland's connection to transatlantic slavery, and finds out how Irish enslavers profited across all the major European slave economies. Joining him to discuss this are: ·         Prof Finola O’Kane, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at UCD, and co-editor of 'Ireland, Slav...

In this episode, Patrick Geoghegan rounds up some of the most interesting recent history book releases - featuring: Queen of Codes : The Secret Life of Emily Anderson by Jackie Ui Chionna A Nation Is Born: Ireland In Colour 1923-1938 by Michael B. Barry And Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England by Rory Muir

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at a new multimedia exhibition, held at the National Museum of Ireland which delves into the history of the GAA. GAA: People, Objects & Stories casts a fresh perspective on Ireland's largest sporting organisation, spanning from the 15th century to the contemporary era, showcasing an array of artifacts painting a picture of the GAA's impact on I...

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at the life, legend and legacy of King David and we'll be finding out how the boy who killed Goliath became one of the most important figures in the Bible and an inspiration to later generations. Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss this is: Dr David Shepherd, Professor in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Trinity College Senior Lecturer and Director, Tr...

On this episode of Talking History: Hitler's first crisis and defeat in 1923; the role of the Templar in medieval history; and the fascinating 500-year history of the Hampton Court.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan reflects on the life, times and legacy of The Lord of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien to mark the 50th anniversary of his death this weekend. He's joined by: John McQuillen. Associate Curator at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York who organised the recent Tolkien exhibition at the Morgan Dr Barry Houlihan, archivist at the University of...

On this episode of Talking History: how the Jazz Age affected Ireland; why Irish ringforts were built; and how St Paul's Churchyard in London became the centre of the English literary world.

This week on Talking History, we're excavating the history of Medieval Dublin - finding out what life was like back then and what archaeological evidence can reveal. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is: • Ruth Johnson, Dublin’s City Archaeologist, protecting, managing and investigating the city’s oldest heritage. She completed a PhD in Medieval History at TCD. • Paul Duffy, archaeologist, historian and a...

To mark the start of Heritage Week, Patrick Geoghegan meets some of those behind the 'powerhouse of reform' Kylemore Abbey in Co Galway: • Eithne O’Halloran, Experience Manager at Kylemore Abbey • Anne Burke, history guide at Kylemore Abbey – who is giving a talk on Mitchell Henry for Heritage Week • and Gerrit Nuckton, Experience Supervisor at Kylemore Abbey – who is giving a talk on Kylemore Abb...

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan discusses: New insights into plots and conspiracies against the life of Queen Elizabeth I with Calum Cockburn, Curator of Medieval Manuscripts at the British Library Cosmetics in the Renaissance World, with Professor Jill Burke, Chair of Renaissance Visual and Material Cultures at the University of Edinburgh, author of ‘How To Be A Renaissance...

In this episode of Talking History, we'll be looking at the history of Belfast as a city and for its people who face declining unionism and a possible reconfiguration of their state. Joining host Patrick Geoghegan for this discussion is: • Prof Feargal Cochrane, Emeritus Professor & Senior Research Fellow at the Conflict Analysis Research Centre, University of Kent, and author of ‘Belfast: The Sto...

In this episode of Talking History, we'll be looking at the challenges facing American Liberalism from the 1960s to the 1990s through the prism of the political career and presidency of Bill Clinton, and we'll be debating whether it should be viewed as a success or a failure. Joining host Patrick Geoghegan for this debate is: • Nelson Lichtenstein, Research Professor in History at the University o...

On this episode of Talking History: we explore Spike Island in Cork - a monastery, island fortress and convict prison, on the 85th anniversary of it being handed back to Ireland as one of the treaty ports. Featuring: John Goulding, Assistant Manager, Spike Island; Dorota Gubbins, curator, Spike Island; and Eric Curtis, Spike Island volunteer - a past resident who grew up on the island.

In this episode of Talking History, we're finding out about the history of the first public library in Ireland, Marsh's Library in Dublin, from caged readers to a mummy discovered there in the 19th century. Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss are: Dr. Jason McElligott, Director of Marsh’s Library, Dr Janée Allsman, IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme Fellow at the Department of French and Francopho...

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan speaks with authors of exciting new historical releases. Featuring: Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster, writer and historian of medicine, on her book 'Cold, Hard Steel: The Myth of the Modern Surgeon'; Dr Michelle McGoff-McCann on her book 'The Irish Coroner: Death, murder and politics in Co. Monaghan, 1846-78'; and Dr Mark Jones, Lecturer/Assistant Profe...