The Medieval Irish History Podcast

In this episode Prof. Robin Chapman Stacey (University of Washington) chats to Niamh and Tiago about medieval Ireland's unique and remarkable legal system and the huge volume of law tracts that survive in both Latin and the Irish language. With topics ranging from status and gender to what happens when you get stung by a neighbour's bee, we discuss social theorising, how useful the study o...

Featuring the greatest periwinkle story ever told, this episode explores the evidence for the language spoken in Ireland in late antiquity with the highly entertaining Prof. David Stifter (Maynooth University). He tells us all about the uniqueness of the ogham/ogam writing script (which may or may not have been invented by a Kerryman) and how difficult Old Irish is to learn. Stay tuned to the end...

Continuing our tour of Ireland in late antiquity, this episode examines the life of the historical Patrick, the 'poster boy' of the period. Dr. Niamh Wycherley invites Terry O'Hagan, also known as blogger Vox Hiberionacum, to delve deep into the writings of Patrick, the real man behind Ireland's famous patron saint. Suggested reading: www.confessio.ie https://voxhib.com/ This is the second episode...

In this episode, host Dr Niamh Wycherley explores the rich world of late antiquity (approx. 3rd to 7th centuries AD) with Dr Elva Johnston (School of History, UCD) when Irish elites imported wine, foodstuffs, fancy earbuds and Christianity from the Roman world. Dr Johnston makes the important distinction that Ireland wasn't 'part of' nor 'apart from' the Roman Empire during thi...

In this episode, Dr Niamh Wycherley and Dr Catherine Swift (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick) take a deep dive into the complex contexts of the ultimate Queen of medieval Ireland, Gormlaith, daughter of Murchad, son of Finn (King of Leinster). Famous as the mother of kings and wife to kings, she was born into Leinster aristocracy and is remembered in the Annals of Inisfallen as the...

Was Brigit a true feminist icon? Was she even real? Or merely made up by a man to exploit the veneration of a 'pagan' goddess? All this and more in our special St Brigit's Day episode with Prof. Catherine McKenna (Harvard University) to celebrate the Brigit 1500 commemorations in 2024. Happy St Brigit's Day! Niamh's suggested reading : Since the podcast aired Dr Elva Johnston published an excellen...

Suggested reading now added below. Were towns introduced by vikings? Were the Irish settled around monastic centres? What actually is a 'town' and what is 'monastic'? In this episode, Dr. Niamh Wycherley invites Dr. Michael Potterton, lecturer in the Department of History at Maynooth University, to discuss some key aspects and intersections between medieval history and archaeology....

This episode explores the networks and social relations involving arguably the most famous woman of the Irish Middle Ages, Ireland's 'Helen of Troy' — Queen Derbforgaill of Bréifne. Host Dr Niamh Wycherley chats with Dr Seán Ó Hoireabhárd of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies about her independent wealth and status, whether she caused the English invasion of Ireland, and whether...

Santa is not the only bearded guy bringing gifts around this time of year, the vikings are here! In this episode, Dr Niamh Wycherley explores the so-called viking age in medieval Ireland with Prof. Clare Downham, Professor of Medieval History at the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool. Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday). Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com Twitt...

Was Christmas a big deal in medieval Ireland? In this bonus episode host Dr Niamh Wycherley interviews some contributors to the recently launched Christmas and the Irish: a miscellany (Wordwell, 2023) edited by Salvador Ryan, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St Patrick's College Maynooth. Featuring: Prof David Stifter (MU), Tara Shields (QUB), Dr Denis Casey (MU), Dr Siobhán Barrett (MU)...

An introduction to the Irish medieval world, including inequality, druids (or lack thereof), kings, and romantic notions of the past, with Dr. Elizabeth Boyle. This is a long one but stayed tuned to the end to hear Niamh and Lizzie chat about how medieval Ireland was just as exceptional as anywhere else and about how medieval Irish historians are an endangered species. Regular episodes every two w...

Welcome to The Medieval Irish History Podcast! In this trailer episode, Dr. Niamh Wycherley will introduce the podcast and we will give you a brief excerpt of the upcoming episode with Dr. Elizabeth Boyle. Enjoy! Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday). Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com Twitter/X: @EarlyIrishPod Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, & Science Fo...