Wild Old Times

In this episode we look at the preserved corpses of Ireland - from the Egyptian mummies brought into the country, to the home-grown mummies of St Michans, to the mysterious bog bodies from our own distant past. Each of these was a life once lived, and each of them has a story to tell.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Cia...

Castles always attract more than their fair share of ghost stories, and the castles of Ireland are no exception. In this special Halloween episode we'll look at some of these stories, and at the history of the castles behind them.    Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The openin...

Ireland holds a special place in the history of witch trials, for two reasons. The first is that it had a lot less witch trials than anywhere else in Europe. But the second is that it was where the European witch trials began. This week, in the first of two Halloween special episodes, we'll look at that historic milestone, and at all the other witch trials of Ireland.   Wild Old Times is a podcast...

Every old building has its secrets, if you dig deep enough. In University College Cork you might not have to dig too deep. Underneath the seats in one lecture theatre there sat a preserved corpse - an ancient Egyptian mummy - with students coming and going without a care, for over thirty years. That's just one of the many mysteries we'll be unravelling in this week's episode of Wild Old Times.   W...

Join us, this week, on a journey up the west coast of Ireland. Through myths pagan and Christian alike, we'll make our way along what was once the edge of the world. From the first footsteps on Irish soil to the largest fairy mound of them all with nothing but the deep dark cold ocean to our left as we go.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, writte...

Ireland had to forge its own cultural identity after it gained independence, and one tool it used to do so was its new currency. Over the course of the next century it changed and evolved, becoming something that led young Irish people like me to become fascinated by the history it portrayed.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presente...

While it might not be true that the Irish invented duelling, it's indisputable that they took to it like fish to water. From the legendary duels of Cuchullain to the blood-soaked duelling fields of Galway City, join me as we look at the history of Irish duels.   (Note: this episode was reuploaded to fix audio issues.)   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish his...

Ireland was neutral during World War 2, but that didn't mean it was uninvolved. The Nazis sent a lot of spies into Ireland, from ex-circus strongmen to special forces saboteurs, but the most infamous was Hermann Goertz. His mission was a farce from beginning to finish - and yet he might have still have been the most competent of the group.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscur...

In this episode, we investigate the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. When two pieces of priceless jewellery went missing from Dublin Castle in 1907, the suspects included a famous polar explorer’s brother, a scandal-ridden army captain, and the Mayor of Canterbury. The theft would reveal dark secrets, destroy lives, and set off sparks in a nation on the edge of exploding.   Wild Old Times is a pod...