Share
The Irish History Boys
Comedian Tim McGarry and Historian Cormac Moore select the stories from the archives of The Irish News that bring Irish history to life in enlightening and amusing ways.
Latest episode
4. The Boundary Commission: A Borderline Disaster
51:31||Season 1, Ep. 4One hundred years ago, the fate of Northern Ireland hung in the balance as the Boundary Commission convened. Nationalists hoped for significant territorial transfers, while unionists, despite a public boycott, had a man on the inside. Witness interviews, absurd questions about American grain, and leaked reports led to disappointment for the Free State. Turns out, the border was more stubborn than expected, leaving many a little less satisfied and a lot more confused and angry.Watch the full video; YouTubeInstagramTikTok
More episodes
View all episodes
3. Splitters and Spurs: Football, Politics, and Fighting Cocks in Ireland
43:18||Season 1, Ep. 3From England's '75 Belfast dilemma and the IFA/FAI split over biased selections to a rogue all-Ireland team facing Brazil, this episode tackles football's thorny Irish history. We also cock a snook at cross-border cockfighting escapades in 1925, proving some things unite Ireland, even if it's illegal bird-on-bird action.Watch the full video; YouTubeInstagramTikTok
2. Locked Up and Lines Drawn: Internment, Borders, and Banned Booze
45:41||Season 1, Ep. 2From the revival of internment debates sparked by a Belfast priest's letter in 1975 to revisiting the still-fuzzy lines of the Boundary Commission, the Irish History Boys delve into thorny issues of the past. They also take a detour to the dry lands of American Prohibition, proving that some things, like a decent pint, are hard to keep locked down – unlike those caught up in internment without trial. It’s a potent brew of history, controversy, and the occasional historical curveball.Watch the full video; YouTubeInstagramTikTok
1. Not an Inch: The Election of '25
48:46||Season 1, Ep. 1Welcome to the Irish History Boys! This week, Tim and Cormac delve into the 1925 Northern Ireland election, Craig's "not an inch" border stance, and the ever-present boundary commission. Discover why a snap election was called, who lost big, and how even in 1925, they were fed up with border talk. Plus, a bonus leap to 1975 and Portuguese revolutions!Watch the full video; YouTubeInstagramTikTok
1. The Irish History Boys
00:36||Season 1, Ep. 1Step back in time with ‘The Irish History Boys’, exploring historical moments from the Irish News' "On This Day" column, offering an insight into events that shaped Ireland and the world - including significant political decisions, revolutionary moments, cultural shifts, and important anniversaries.