Home
Episodes
About
Follow
Share
Irish History Podcast
tellin like it was...
From the Norman Invasion to the War of Independence, the Irish History Podcast brings you on a journey through the most fascinating stories in Ireland's past. Whether it’s the siege of Dublin in 1171 or gun battles in th
...
More
Follow
Access exclusive content
Follow
Access exclusive content
Latest Episode
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Video Tour - Dunhill Castle
To accompany this week's episode on Cromwell, I created created this exclusive supporters video where I explore the ruins of Dunhill Castle https://youtu.be/K7Ng6J-rR9s.
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Video Tour - Dunhill Castle
To accompany this week's episode on Cromwell, I created created this exclusive supporters video where I explore the ruins of Dunhill Castle https://youtu.be/K7Ng6J-rR9s.
Listen now
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Oliver Cromwell - Still Notorious, But Why?
The Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland took place over 370 years ago. Despite the passage of time the man who led that conquest remains one of the most reviled figures in Irish history. In this podcast I look at why he, above others, is so reviled in Ireland.****Get tickets for my new walking tour mentioned in the episode are available here.****The episode is recorded in the ruins of Dunhill Castle. An exclusive supporters video tour of the castle is available here.
Listen now
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
A Journey to the Gates of Hell
In 1397 Ramón de Perellós left the city of Avignon in the Kingdom of France, setting out on a 2,000 km journey to Ireland. His ultimate destination was a fabled gateway to the afterlife on Station Island, Lough Derg, Co Donegal. In this episode you will follow in the footsteps of de Perellós on this medieval pilgrimage. Forget the problems of the modern world and prepare yourself for a gruelling journey by land and sea through medieval Europe. Written produced and narrated by Fin Dwyer, sound by Kate DunleaSupport the show www.patreon.com/irishpodcast
Listen now
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Belfast and the Slave Trade
The history of Belfast has been dominated by the Troubles of the late 20th century and the longer history of sectarian conflict in the city. However Belfast holds a lesser-known yet significant chapter in its past—it's connections to the slave trade. In this episode, I am joined by Tom Thorpe who uncovers Belfast's complex ties to slavery in the United States. Join us as Tom sheds light on how Belfast's economy became intertwined with the slave trade and explores the emergence of a radical anti-slavery movement within the city. To delve deeper into this fascinating topic check out Tom's walking tour at antislaverybelfast.com
Listen now
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
The Parnell Divorce Case - a story that shocked the Victorian world
In the 1880s Charles Stewart Parnell was the most famous Irish politician of his generation. Dubbed 'the uncrowned king of Ireland' he was respected and admired across the political spectrum.However 1890 he was embroiled in a sensational scandal that rocked the Victorian world when it emerged he had been in a decade long relationship with a married woman. In this episode I am joined by Dr Lloyd (Meadhbh) Houston. Their recent book Irish Modernism and the Politics of Sexual Health explores the impact this scandal had on Irish politics and society.They explain who Parnell was, his rise and then his spectacular downfall.If you want to learn more about the Land War - check out my Patron's Exclusive Podcast on this fascinating conflict that changed Irish history here https://www.patreon.com/posts/patrons-podcast-7434081You can find Lloyd's book here. It's an academic text so its on the pricey side but you can read Lloyd's work at their website https://lmhouston.co.uk/
Listen now
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Disert - A Place Where Mythology and History Meets
Disert is a remote townland in the Bluestack Mountains in Co Donegal. For reasons that are not entirely clear, our ancestors have been drawn here for thousands of years. There is no question it is a special place.Located in the shade of a sacred mountain - Carnaween - it was a site of pagan worship associated with some of the most famous figures in Irish mythology. There are stories relating to Finn MacCumhail (McCool), Diarmaid and Grainne in the surrounding area.It was also used by early Irish Christians and medieval pilgrims. In the 18th century Catholics were drawn to Disert when their religion was suppressed by the penal laws. Even into the 20th century it was used as a cillín to bury unbaptised children. Today the local community continues to pray at the site.The questions remains why? What is special about this site?Over the last few years archaeologists led by Dr Fiona Beglane from Atlantic Technological University, Sligo have been excavating Disert to try and understand its complex story.Her international team of archaeologists from the Institute for Field Research and California State University Los Angeles have made some fascinating discoveries.Last summer I visited Disert to record an episode at the excavation. In this podcast Fiona shares what her team uncovered in this remarkable place...Thanks to Dr Fiona Beglane for her time and archaeologist Rebekka Grace who arranged the recordings.Find out more about Disert at https://disertheritage.com/
Listen now
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
The Lingaun – Exploring Ireland's Oldest Frontier Part II
In this episode Neil Jackman and myself continue our journey down the Lingaun Valley, one of Ireland’s oldest frontiers. As we move closer to the present day we explore an 800 year old church, a castle and a battlefield from the 1798 rebellion looking at how this once contested frontier fell into obscurity after thousands of year.Support the show at patreon.com/irishpodcastCheck out Neil’s episodes 26 and 28 of Neil’s Podcast Amplify Archaeology which cover topics related the Lingaun. If you are planning a a trip down to explore the Lingaun Neil’s website Tuath.ie has all you need. This article on Knockroe is a great place to startYou can read more about Knockroe at https://www.tuatha.ie/knockroe-passage-tomb/
Listen now
View all