Irish History Podcast

Step back to 1324 and listen to the chilling story of Ireland’s first Witchcraft Trial in my latest episode. In 1324, the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede, accused Alice Kyteler, a wealthy and influential woman, of witchcraft and heresy. Alongside Alice's story, we explore the tragic fate of Petronilla de Meath, the first person in Ireland to be executed for witchcraft.Marking the 700th anniversary of these dark events, we delve into the societal fears, power struggles, and personal stories that shaped this infamous trial.Join me for a gripping journey through medieval Ireland.Research and production was funded by the Library and Heritage Services at Kilkenny County Council with the support of The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

What does mythology teach us about the past? Where do these stories come from? In this podcast, I am joined by Blindboy to explore the origins of mythology and what it can reveal about history. Was there a Great Flood? Are these and other myths actually distant memories of ancient events? Our conversation takes us back thousands of years, from Ancient Greece to Medieval Ireland. We conclude by discussing modern-day conspiracy theories and the ancient myths that inspire them.

In the early 1970s, the British Army engaged in psychological operations (psy-ops) and black propaganda to cover up their actions during the Falls Curfew. This episode reveals the shadowy tactics used to manipulate public perception and obscure the truth. In this third and final part of Three Days in July, I uncover how the security forces manipulated Zbigniew Uglik's memory and histroy. They also intimated and harassed his family into silence when they demanded the truth. The episode also uncovers those involved and their motives behind these deceptive practices.Listen to Part I.Listen to Part IISubscribe to the Irish History Podcast here Become at supporter and get access to the my exclusive series with Dr Brian Hanley on the outbreak of the Troubles at https://patreon.com/irishpodcastCredits:Written and Researched by Fin DwyerBased on Original Research by the Belfast writer and journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at padraigomeiscill@yahoo.ieA Special Word of Thanks to Marta Riehle Stern for sharing her family's history.Interviewees: Marta Riehle Stern & Pádraig Ó MeiscilAdditional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese MurraySound by Kate DunleaAdditional Thanks: Sebastian Zimnoch and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh

On July 3rd 1970, months of rising tensions in Belfast erupted as the British Army laid siege to thousands of homes in the Lower Falls, a large working-class community. This event, known as the Battle of the Falls, became a key moment in the Troubles. While this is a well-known episode in the conflict, this podcast focuses on the forgotten story of Zbigniew Uglik.In last week's episode, I explored who Zbigniew Uglik was and how he ended up in Belfast in July 1970. This podcast follows Zbigniew into the heart of the Lower Falls as the Battle of the Falls erupted. We will follow his story as he navigated through the unfolding chaos and urban warfare in Belfast.The show reveals an untold story of a young Londoner who found himself at the crossroads of modern Irish history.Credits:Written and Researched by Fin DwyerBased on Original Research by the Belfast writer and journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at padraigomeiscill@yahoo.ieA Special Word of Thanks to Marta Riehle Stern for sharing her family's history.Interviewees: Marta Riehle Stern & Pádraig Ó MeiscilAdditional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese MurraySound by Kate DunleaAdditional Thanks: Sebastian Zimnoch and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh

In the summer of 1970, Belfast stood on the precipice of war. By June, months of rising tensions burst into violence, setting the stage for one of the most controversial British military operations of the Troubles – the Falls Curfew. This three-day siege of a large nationalist working-class community marked a point of no return for many.During the Curfew, four people were murdered.Among the victims was Zbigniew Uglik, a young Londoner. His death has been shrouded in rumour for decades. In this first episode of "Three Days in July," I set out to uncover the truth about Zbigniew, a forgotten victim of the Troubles, and reveal how the British Army twisted his death to defend the indefensible.Zbigniew’s story is a fascinating one that started in Eastern Poland in the early days of World War II. An innocent man, his tragic death at the hands of the British Army highlights the human cost of the Troubles.Through careful research and respectful storytelling, the series will shed light on his life and the circumstances surrounding his death. We’ll also delve into the dark world of Black Propaganda, a sinister tool used during the conflict to mislead and deceive. This episode sets the stage for understanding how lies and misinformation played a role in the tragic events of those days.Credits:Written and Researched by Fin DwyerBased on Original Research by the Belfast writer and Journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at padraigomeiscill@yahoo.ieA special word of thanks to Marta Riehle-Stern for sharing her family's history.Interviewees: Marta Riehle-Stern, Pádraig Ó Meiscill & Dr Brian HanleyAdditional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese MurraySound by Kate DunleaAdditional Thanks: Sebastian Zimnoch and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh

Throughout history, bread has consistently been one of the most popular foods across the world. For two centuries, Ireland was an exception.Indeed, by the early 19th century, some communities in the west of Ireland had lost all knowledge of how to bake bread.This was down to the remarkable history of the potato in Ireland. Our ancestors had an insatiable appetite for spuds. In this podcast, I explore the history of the potato in Ireland beyond the Famine. Beginning back in the 16th century, I chronicle our enduring love of the humble potato!