Irish History Podcast

On a freezing January morning in 1785, four cannons echoed across Dublin. Thousands of people abandoned their work and flooded into Ranelagh to watch Richard Crosbie step into a wicker basket, untie the ropes, and drift into the sky. To the stunned crowd below, they were watching the dawn of a new age. Except they weren't. When Crosbie died forty years later, travel in Ireland was just as slow and gruelling as it had always been. Today, we are constantly told we are living through unprecedented, breakneck change. The ground feels like it is moving beneath our feet, and it is easy to believe our generation has it faster than anyone before us. But is that actually true? In this episode, I look back at the moments the future arrived in Ireland: from Richard Crosbie’s eccentric flight over Dublin, to the first motorcars rattling along ancient dirt tracks to the steam trains and electric telegraphs that shattered distance and forced Ireland to reinvent the clock. Along the way I ask a simple question: which Irish…

The supernatural is viewed with healthy scepticism today but not so in the past. This episode looks at what our ancestors really believe about ghosts and the supernatural? Historian Dr Clodagh Tait joins me to explore why the supernatural was so important to Irish society and how they were woven into every day life. First released in October 2023, this listener-favourite episode examines why the supernatural mattered in Irish history. On November 11 my new series, The Shepherds' Secrets begins. This series explores the history of the Ireland's notorious Magdalene Laundries through the story of the Waterford Good Shepherd Magdalene Laundry. Sound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the complex and contested history of WWI commemorations in Ireland, examining how remembrance was deeply intertwined with political identity. The discussion traces the evolution of these traditions from the diverse reactions to victory parades—ranging from Nationalist boycotts to participation by the Anglo-Irish elite—to the highly political and often violent demonstrations of Southern Unionist loyalty during the 1920s. The narrative further examines how the perception of war commemoration shifted through the impact of the Second World War and the Troubles, eventually turning symbols like the poppy into modern-day markers of 'culture war' and identity. The episode concludes by reflecting on the unequal power dynamics in the shared history between Ireland and Britain.

This episode investigates the 1929 disappearance of Larry Griffin, a popular Irish postman in Stradbally. The discussion explores the suspicious circumstances surrounding his missing bicycle and the anomalies in the investigation that suggest foul play. The narrative delves into the complex social dynamics of rural Ireland in the 1920s, examining how class interests, religious piety, and a community-wide 'wall of silence' prevented the truth from emerging. The episode also touches upon the personal challenges faced by the author while researching the conspiracy and the long-term impact on the Griffin family.

Historian Frank Hopkins and host Finn Dwyer discuss the harrowing realities of Irish childhood and social life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The episode explores the extreme poverty that led to infanticide, the exploitation of child chimney sweeps, and the criminal trade in stolen clothing. The discussion also covers the dark social dynamics of the era, including class disparities in justice, historical prison escapes using music as a distraction, and how whistling certain tunes became a form of political protest against police informers.

Host Finn Duar and guest Brian Hanley examine the nature of conspiracy theories, exploring how they simplify complex social forces into narratives of secret individuals. The discussion traces historical precedents, such as the anti-communist hysteria in 1930s Ireland, to the political climate of 1969 and the emergence of the Provisional IRA. The episode delves into the origins of the 1969 IRA split between Official and Provisional factions, weighing local defensive needs against theories of government engineering. It further explores the Fianna Fáil government's use of 'red scare' tactics, the chaotic distribution of funds during the era, and how historical myths regarding figures like Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney were constructed to mask a much messier political reality.

This episode explores the history of smuggling in 18th and 19th-century Ireland, revealing it as a sophisticated, community-driven economic enterprise rather than mere piracy. Driven by high taxation and mercantilism, smuggling evolved from bulky commodities to high-value luxury goods, supported by organized maritime logistics and local investment. The discussion also examines the broader maritime history of Ireland, highlighting how trade routes fostered cosmopolitan port cities like Waterford. The episode concludes by noting that the decline of smuggling was driven more by shifts toward free-market economics than law enforcement, and provides an update on an upcoming series regarding the Magdalene laundries.

This episode explores the arrival of World War II-related tragedies to neutral Ireland, beginning with the discovery of casualties from the Battle of the Atlantic on Irish shores and the specific bombing of the village of Campile in August 1940. It examines how German planes bypassed strategic targets to strike a seemingly insignificant location, raising questions about the intentionality behind the attack. The investigation delves into eyewitness accounts and the tension between the Irish government's desire to frame the raid as an accident to maintain neutrality and military intelligence evidence suggesting a deliberate act. The episode weighs theories regarding whether the bombing targeted strategic export infrastructure or was simply a navigational error.

This episode explores the history and tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania, from its construction as a high-speed transatlantic liner to its fateful encounter with a German U-boat during WWI. The discussion covers the ship's technical rivalry, the impact of submarine warfare on passenger security, and the chaotic 18-minute descent that led to massive loss of life. The conversation further examines the aftermath of the disaster, including the discovery of wreckage along the Irish coast, the controversy surrounding munitions in the ship's cargo, and modern findings regarding the mysterious second explosion. Finally, the episode touches upon the human stories of survivors and the lasting memorials dedicated to those lost.

Host Finn DeWire interviews Lara Joy, Heritage Director of Dublin Port, to explore the maritime history and shipwreck exhibition in Dublin Bay. The episode delves into the vast number of identified wrecks along the Irish coast, the challenges of preserving delicate artifacts like metal cannons, and the historical development of maritime safety infrastructure such as lighthouses and refuge harbours. The discussion also covers the human cost of maritime disasters, from the 1807 tragedy of the Rochdale to the impact of World War I and II on Irish waters. The episode highlights how technological advancements have changed our understanding of these sites and emphasizes the ethical importance of treating shipwrecks as protected graves.

This episode explores the history of Irish language revival efforts in the early 20th century, focusing on the role of the Gaelic League and the subsequent policies of the Irish Free State. It details the ambitious but flawed implementation of immersion education, the establishment of the Gaeltacht Commission, and the complexities of state-led transplantation schemes. The discussion further examines the historical decline of the language due to emigration and shifting state support, contrasting the linguistic landscape of the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland. The episode concludes by addressing the modern dynamics of language identity, noting the reduction of opposition within certain communities despite the presence of algorithmic outrage on social media.

This episode explores the Shannon Scheme, a massive 1920s hydroelectric project designed to modernize the Irish Free State through electrification. While led by Thomas McLaughlin as a monumental engineering feat that demonstrated Irish capability and independence, the project's history is marked by a duality of achievement and suffering. The narrative delves into the immense human cost of the scheme, detailing how the drive for rapid completion led to brutal working conditions, low wages, and a disregard for worker safety. The episode examines the ethical dilemma of an 'ends justifies the means' strategy that resulted in property damage, injuries, and deaths among the very laborers who were often omitted from the official national narrative.

A video version of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/irish-history-podcast/id363368392 On the day Hitler invaded Poland, another Hitler was making headlines in Britain. It was not the dictator, but his Irish sister-in-law, Bridget Hitler, who had been hauled before the courts in London over a mundane, unpaid electricity bill. This episode explores the life of this woman and the strange reality of the "Irish Hitlers." For eight decades, the story of Bridget and her son has been muddied by sensational claims: that she hosted a young Adolf Hitler in her Liverpool flat, that she helped shape his infamous physical appearance, and that she enjoyed intimate access to his private mountain retreat. But how much of this narrative is grounded in reality, and how much is the product of post-war myth-making? In this episode, I reconstruct the documented history of this Irish woman’s connection to the Hitler family. We follow the journey from when Hitler’s brother, Alois,…

Family history is often where the heroic version of the past falls apart. We like to imagine our ancestors standing on the right side of history. Someone in the GPO in 1916 or in the IRA in 1920. We like to think they made brave choice when it mattered. But most people were not heroes, revolutionaries or figures from the history books. They were ordinary people trying to survive events they could not control. That is what makes family secrets so revealing. They show us how people actually lived through history, without knowing how things would turn out. They hedged their bets, backed the side they thought would win, followed the crowd, made compromises and sometimes buried the truth when it all looked very different in hindsight. In this episode, I look at the murkier side of family history through my own ancestors. Across five generations, the stories include a shotgun marriage, someone being sent to prison during the Great Famine for stealing food, support for the local landlord and opposition to Irish…

In the summer of 1907, the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the heart of British power in Ireland, under the noses of the police, the military and the political establishment. Worth £50,000 at the time, their disappearance made headlines around the world. It was also deeply humiliating for the British authorities, coming just days before King Edward VII was due to visit Dublin. On the surface, it seemed like the perfect crime. The jewels were never recovered, and more than a century later, it remains unclear exactly when the theft even took place. But behind the mystery lay something even more explosive. Within days, detectives uncovered a scandal the British government could not afford to make public. This would lead to a major cover-up. In this episode, I take you back to Edwardian Dublin to explore Ireland’s most infamous unsolved crime: a story of privilege, scandal and secrecy at the heart of British rule in Ireland. Sound by Kate Dunlea Support the podcast: patreon.com/Irishpodcast. Sources: Myles…

Irish republicans had many natural allies during the War of Independence. Irish communities in the United States offered vital support, while revolutionaries in India and Egypt were also fighting for freedom from the British Empire. But the search for allies also led Irish republicans into far more complicated territory. Across the British Empire, they courted support not from colonised peoples, but from European settlers and their descendants in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, many of them with Irish roots. In Europe, they looked to the Vatican, despite the Catholic Church’s long-standing suspicion of republicanism and revolution. Most controversially, Irish republicans also sought contact with Benito Mussolini, who was on his way to becoming Europe’s first fascist dictator In this final episode of Brothers in Pain, Dr Brian Hanley explores the uncomfortable history of Irish republican alliances abroad. From South Africa to the Papacy and fascist Italy, this episode asks why Irish…

Liverpool and New York haunt the story of Irish independence in a way few other places do. Though separated by more than 5,000 kilometres of ocean, both ports were part of a wider Atlantic world in which Ireland occupied a central place. By the 1920s Liverpool and New York were among the most Irish cities on the planet. Both had been transformed by generations of Irish migration and in both cities Irish politics shaped everyday life. During the War of Independence, these communities became crucial to the republican movement. Money, weapons, propaganda and people moved through the ports, while IRA networks operated on both sides of the Atlantic. But this was not simply a story of support for Irish independence. In Liverpool and New York, Irish politics were fiercely contested. Supporters of the Republic organised, fundraised and agitated, while opponents of independence also made their voices heard. Anti-Irish politics, loyalism, class tensions and divisions within the diaspora all shaped how the conflict was…

Ogham is Ireland’s oldest known writing system, dating back more than 1,500 years. If you have ever seen strange lines carved along the edge of an old stone, you may have been looking at ogham. But what did those marks mean? Who carved them? Were they gravestones, boundary markers, family claims to lands or something else entirely? In this episode, I speak with ogham expert Dr Nora White about how this ancient writing system worked, where it came from and what it reveals about early Ireland. These short inscriptions preserve some of the earliest evidence of the Irish language, along with names, ancestors, territories and hints of a society changing through migration, Christianity and contact with Britain and the wider world. Ogham may look simple, but it opens a window onto one of the most fascinating and mysterious periods in Irish history. Support the show www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Dr Nora White is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Early Irish at Maynooth University. She is currently…

'We are doing this because you are doing it in Ireland'. These were the words of an IRA volunteer in Manchester explaining attacks in Britain during the Irish War of Independence. During the conflict, Britain and particularly England became a major battlefield. Britain was not only geographically close to Ireland, it was also home to large Irish communities in many major cities. Between 1919 and 1922, the IRA made sustained efforts to bring the conflict across the Irish Sea, carrying out hundreds of attacks, most of them in England. This forgotten front of the war included major attacks on the Liverpool docks, the targeting of Black and Tans in Britain and several high-profile incidents, most notably the killing of the British field marshal Sir Henry Wilson. The war also consumed and divided British politics in a way few other issues did until Brexit nearly a century later. Political parties, trade unions and communities were split over what should happen in Ireland, while massive and sometimes violent…

In August 1882, a brutal mass murder in a remote valley in the west of Ireland shocked the world. At Maamtrasna, a family, the Joyces, were attacked in their home. The victims ranged from a teenage girl to an 80-year-old woman. The police quickly suspected that the killers had been neighbours and even relatives of the Joyce family. However, a motive was elusive. As wider Irish society was shocked by the killings, injustice was followed by injustice. Indeed, the trials would soon overshadow the crime itself, unfolding into one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice in the legal history of Ireland or the UK. In this episode, Margaret Kelleher joins me to explore this intriguing case. We dig into the dark events that unfolded in Maamtrasna in the summer of 1882 and examine why an innocent man, Myles Joyce, was sent to the gallows after a trial conducted entirely in English, a language he could neither speak nor understand. The episode reveals what we know happened in Maamtrasna on that fateful night and…

A recent hospital visit means there is no new episode this week, but it reminded me of this classic from early 2024! Tune in to find out more How difficult was life in the Middle Ages? This is something archaeologists and historians have debated for decades. In recent years, new techniques, including genetic analysis, have given us new insights into the lives of our distant ancestors in the Medieval Era. Their findings are unsettling. Life in the Middle Ages was far more difficult than we imagine. My guest in this episode is Prof. Eileen Murphy from Queen's University Belfast. Eileen has recently published groundbreaking research on daily life in early medieval Ireland, based on her analysis of human remains excavated in Co. Roscommon. In this podcast, she answers all your questions on what life was like. Eileen shares her discoveries on how people survived in a hard and difficult world. It's not for the faint of heart. This episode is not suitable for children. Our interview is based on the book "The…

Dublin is famous for its Georgian squares, medieval cathedral, castle and revolutionary history. But the cornerstone of Dublin's history is undoubtedly the port. Nearly 1,200 years ago, the Vikings established a settlement on the banks of the Liffey, and from that moment, Dublin's fate was tied to the sea. The port became the gateway where Ireland met the wider world. Ships carried goods, armies, ideas and people in and out of the city, connecting Dublin to Britain, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean and the far reaches of empire. But Dublin Port's history is far more than commerce. It witnessed slavery and trade, military occupation and revolution, famine and emigration, labour struggles and war. It was also shaped by a centuries-long battle against nature itself. Sandbanks, silting and storms forced generations of engineers to reshape the coastline with quays, docks, lighthouses and massive sea walls, creating one of Ireland's most remarkable engineering achievements. In this episode, recorded on the Great…

As the Irish Revolution broke out, Europe was gripped by political upheaval, fear of revolution, and rising antisemitism. In conservative and right-wing circles, the so-called “Jewish Question” loomed large. Claims that Jews were secretly fomenting revolution across the world became increasingly common, feeding conspiracy theories that shaped how many people interpreted events from Russia to Ireland. In this episode of Brothers in Pain, Dr Brian Hanley explores how these ideas influenced perceptions of the Irish Revolution. Leading British figures repeatedly claimed that Jews were secretly behind unrest in Ireland, reflecting the wider antisemitic beliefs circulating in British and European politics at the time. But the story was far more complex than conspiracy and prejudice. Jewish communities in Ireland and across the world responded to the Irish Revolution in different ways. Some Jewish figures, including Michael Noyek and Robert Briscoe, became prominent Irish republicans. Others were more cautious,…

Between 1641 and 1653, Ireland was engulfed by devastating war. It was a period of extraordinary violence, famine and social collapse. The death toll was staggering. As many as 25% of the population may have perished. At the heart of this conflict was siege warfare. Across Ireland, towns, castles, forts and fortified houses came under attack. Some were taken by storm, while others were blockaded until starvation and disease did their work. Defenders faced cannon fire, tunnelling, psychological warfare and the terrifying prospect of what might happen if the walls were breached. Meanwhile, thousands of civilians had no escape and suffered appallingly. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Padraig Lenihan to explore the brutal reality of siege warfare in 17th-century Ireland. We look at why these conflicts were so destructive, how sieges were fought, and why warfare in Ireland was often more violent than in Britain during the same period. We also examine the infamous massacre at Drogheda, placing it in the…

During the Irish War of Independence, republicans in Ireland looked far beyond Britain and America for support. In Egypt and India, they found allies. Secret meetings took place between IRA representatives and Egyptian revolutionaries, while Irish republicans also made contact with Indian nationalists who were waging their own struggle against British rule. Across the Empire, activists began to see their causes as connected, bound together by a common enemy and a shared desire for freedom. But this was never a simple story of solidarity. For generations, Irish people had also served the British Empire in India and the Middle East as soldiers, policemen and civil servants. This episode explores the forgotten links between Ireland, Egypt and India, revealing how the Irish Revolution was shaped not only by events at home, but by anti-colonial struggles unfolding across the wider world. Support the show and get ad-free early episodes at patreon.com/irishpodcast The series is researched, written, and presented by…

In 1939, Ireland declared itself neutral in the Second World War. But neutrality did not mean the island was safe. Indeed, both Germany and Britain developed plans to occupy the entire island. This episode focuses on Operation Green, Hitler's secret invasion plan for Ireland, and Plan W, the Irish government's defensive strategy. Historian James Doherty joins me to explain this intriguing aspect of the Second World War in Ireland. We begin by exploring why Ireland was important to both sides in the war. Then James details the German invasion plan and the why the British were determined to stop them. He also explores the controversial Irish Army defence plans and whether they would have worked. Sound by Kate Dunlea. James Doherty is a historian based in Waterford with interests in Military History and the history of smuggling in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. He is currently researching Ireland during the Emergency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish War of Independence & Revolution saw the IRA pitted against Crown forces across the island. However, on the ground in Ireland, allegiance was often more complicated than is sometimes remembered. Ireland had a long tradition of service in the British Army, and during the conflict thousands of Irishmen served not only in British military ranks but also in the police forces sent to crush the revolution. Even the Black and Tans, remembered as outsiders and occupiers, included surprising numbers of Irish recruits. This episode explores the uncomfortable and often forgotten story of the Irish who fought for Britain. Who were these men? Why did they serve the Crown, in Ireland and across the Empire? What drew them into the British Army, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and even the ranks of the Black and Tans? And what does their story reveal about Ireland’s deep and complicated relationship with the British Empire? This is Episode 5 of Brothers in Pain, a global history of the Irish Revolution. The series…

How did Ireland become an English-speaking country? Was it colonialism, the Great Hunger, the education system or emigration that drove the shift from Irish to English? In this episode, I am joined by Dr Nicholas Wolf to explore one of the biggest questions in Irish history: how Irish, once the dominant language of the island, lost ground over the centuries. Nicholas explains how this is a multifaceted story, beginning in the wars of the seventeenth century but continuing through the Great Famine of the 1840s and beyond. While he explores the impact conquest, plantation and emigration, Nicholas also explains why English became so necessary in everyday life in Ireland. About Nicholas Wolf Nicholas Wolf is a historian and librarian at New York University, where he is co-head of NYU Library’s Data Services department and associate director of research and publishing initiatives at Glucksman Ireland House. He is the author of An Irish-Speaking Island (2014), a social and cultural history of Ireland’s…

“The Irish fight for liberty is the greatest epic of the modern age… those suffering together under British imperialism must learn to coordinate their effort before they can hope to be free.” These words from the Black radical Cyril Briggs captured how many people of colour viewed the Irish War of Independence. Today, the Irish Revolution is usually remembered as a struggle shaped by empire, nationalism and religion. But race also haunted this history. As Ireland fought for freedom, racial tensions were erupting across the world. In 1919, the United States was convulsed by the Red Summer, when white mobs launched brutal attacks on African American communities. At the same time, many opponents of Irish independence portrayed the conflict in Ireland as a racial struggle. Yet the relationship between Irish republicans and Black radicals was never straightforward. While Black activists looked to Ireland with hope, many Irish leaders were slow to support Black struggles and some even argued that Ireland deserved…

Irish funerals and wakes are one of the more famous aspects of our culture. Often taking the form of a celebration, it has been said we do death well. However the modern Irish funeral is not the timeless tradition we often imagine. In this episode of the Irish History Podcast I explore the strange history of Irish funerals and the lost world of 19th-century death customs. Drawing on folklore and first-hand accounts, I explore the history behind the banshee (bean sí) and other less well known death omens. I also trace the strange and unsettling rituals, superstitions and wake traditions that once surrounded death in Ireland - customs that can be difficult to relate to today. From the banshee to the grave, this is a journey into a lost world of grief, ritual and belief. Written, researched, and presented by Fin Dwyer Sound: Kate Dunlea Voice Actors: Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray If you want to learn more about wakes, check out this episode recorded in the Irish Wake Museum…

"Intercourse between Bolshevism and Sinn Féin" These were the words one British newspaper used to describe the relationship between the Irish Republican movement and the fledgling Soviet Union during the Irish Revolution. It was an unlikely pairing. Ireland became a deeply conservative, Catholic country where communism was viewed with suspicion and fear. Yet during the Irish War of Independence, as British forces fought republicans across the island, whispers of Soviet support and communist sympathy rippled through both Dublin and London. But how real was this link? Did the IRA truly seek Soviet weapons and backing? And what did Moscow make of Irish republicanism? This episode uncovers the remarkable and forgotten story of how Ireland and Soviet Russia came to view each other as potential allies, and why that relationship would ultimately collapse. This is the third episode in Brothers in Pain ia groundbreaking series by Dr Brian Hanley that explores the international dimensions of the Irish War of…

For Dublin's gay community, Irish Independence and the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 heralded anything but freedom. While the new state promised change, the gay community faced decades of repression, arrest, and severe punishment. Yet despite this, they continued to build lives, relationships, and communities in the shadow of fear. In this episode, I am joined by historian Averill Earls to discuss her book Love in the Lav, a fascinating history of the community in Dublin in the decades after Irish independence. While repression is central to the story, this conversation also uncovers a more complicated picture of the community's relationship with wider Irish society and the ways people navigated a world shaped by surveillance, stigma, and silence. Become a supporter of the show patreon.com/irishpodcast Get your copy of Averill's book Love in the Lav In Ireland - https://www.hodgesfiggis.ie/book/love-in-the-lav/averill-earls/9781439924167 In the US Bookshop.org -…

“Keep handing it to the Micks. The Roman Catholic Irish are, and always have been, the only un-Americanised people in the United States.” These words came from a supporter of Admiral William S. Sims, an ardent opponent of Irish republicans in the United States in the 1920s. This episode of Brothers in Pain explores the crucial battle for American public opinion during the Irish War of Independence. While the equivalent of over one hundred million dollars was raised for republican organisations and for victims of the war of independence in Ireland, there was also strong opposition to Irish independence in the United States. Leading American politicians regarded Britain as a key ally, while groups like the Ku Klux Klan despised what they saw as immigrant politics. This podcast tells the history of this crucial battleground in the Irish War of Independence. Brothers in Pain is a groundbreaking series by Dr Brian Hanley that explores the international dimensions of the Irish War of Independence. Written,…

At the outbreak of World War II, Ireland declared itself neutral. But neutrality didn't mean the country was untouched by the conflict. Known as the The Emergency, the war left people in Ireland facing invasion fears, severe rationing, and an uncertain future. Thousands of Irish men and women crossed the Irish Sea to serve in Allied armies and work in British wartime industries. The memories of Ireland's wartime experience is now at the cusp of living memory. In 2025 Waterford Treasures Museum, talked to those who had memories of the war. In this episode, I speak with Donnchadh O'Ceallacháin about these memories. Donnchadh reveals how the war affected Ireland. From the scarcity of everyday goods to the courage of Irish soldiers at D-Day, these stories chronicle a remarkable time. Become a supporter today and get early access to ad-free episodes including the latest episode of the new weekly series Brothers in Pain which is available now https://www.patreon.com/posts/153901266 Check out Waterford Treasures…

"There were spies, informers and degenerates of every kind and we were here to do business." These were the words an IRA activist describing his desperate, shadowy quest to source weapons for the IRA in Europe. But who were these people who traded weapons and information to support the IRA campaign in Ireland. \ In this episode of Brothers in Pain: The IRA in a Revolutionary World, Dr. Brian Hanley goes beyond the battlefields to uncover the hidden networks of the Irish Revolution. From the dangerous underworld of the continent to clandestine shipments across the Atlantic, we meet the smugglers, gun runners and fixers who operated in the shadows. This is the true story of the individuals who made the revolution possible in the face of impossible odds. Support the show: www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Written, Researched & Narrated by Dr Brian Hanley Producer Fin Dwyer Sound Kate Dunlea Note from Brian : In researching these episodes I have been indebted to the work of the following scholars; Anna Lively, Sam…

The Irish War of Independence often conjures images of guerrilla fighters on lonely mountainsides, on the run from the Black and Tans. While that is part of the story, Ireland’s struggle for independence unfolded against the backdrop of a world in total crisis. As empires frayed and global movements for equality surged, the IRA sought out their own 'Brothers in Pain' navigating a shadow world of smugglers, gun runners, and unlikely international allies from the Soviet Union to the United States. This overlooked international dimension is the focus of a new series on the Irish History Podcast, hosted by historian Dr. Brian Hanley. This marks a new chapter for the show as we expand to two episodes per week. Brothers in Pain: The IRA in a Revolutionary World officially begins this Friday, March 20th. In this preview episode, I speak with Brian about what you can expect from this unique series as we uncover the story of the Irish Revolution as you have never heard it before. Hosted on Acast. See…

On March 17th, thousands of St. Patrick's Day Parades take place across the globe. New York's parade, dating back to the 1760s, draws three million people and reinforces the stereotype that the parade is an American invention. Yet parades have been taking place since at least the early 17th century. The real origins of St. Patrick's Day Parade are far more complicated, and far more contentious, than anyone imagines. In this episode, originally released on Transatlantic, the Irish American history podcast I make with Damian Shiels, we explore this history with Dr. Cian T. McMahon from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Cian challenges the myths surrounding the parade's origins and reveals how it became one of the world's most contested cultural events. He examines how it reflects the constantly changing nature of Irish identity and explores how women and LGBTQ+ activists fought for the right to participate in a celebration that was often fiercely controlled. Cian T. McMahon is Professor of History at the…

Éamon de Valera is one of the most influential figures in modern Irish history. Born in New York in 1880s and raised in rural Limerick, he rose from obscurity to become a central figure in the Irish Revolution. He played a major role in the 1916 Rising, became the most internationally recognised Irish figure during the War of Independence, and was central to the Treaty split that led to the Civil War. Although defeated in that conflict he returned to politics as a founder of Fianna Fáil and, in 1932, began the long era in which he dominated Irish public life. Today he is often remembered as the architect of a conservative, Catholic and insular Ireland. This podcast featuring, David McCullagh, looks at de Valera's early years and rise to power and seeks to answer if he was the architect of a conservative state, or simply a reflection of the Irish society that shaped him? My guest is David McCullagh. David is a broadcaster with RTÉ, has a PhD in politics and is the author of six books, including a biography of…

In the late nineteenth century the United States pushed west and its expansion unleashed devastating violence against Native Americans. Forced from their lands and herded onto reservations Native communities faced a relentless campaign of dispossession and massacre. Thousands of miles away in Ireland deep poverty drove many to enlist in the US Army and they became participants in these same frontier wars. This contradiction is stark. People who had been pushed from their own homes by hardship helped push Native Americans from theirs and in some cases took part in atrocities. In this episode Damian Shiels joins me to talk about his remarkable new project mapping US military pensions claimed in Ireland between 1845 and 1905. These files are a window into working class Irish life and also reveal how closely Irish history is tied to some of the darkest chapters of American expansion. Our conversation focuses on the Indian Wars and the uncomfortable questions they raise. It is a complex story that challenges…

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, lions, tigers and even elephants toured towns and cities across Ireland. Long before modern zoos, travelling menageries brought wild animals from across the globe into marketplaces, fairgrounds and urban streets. For many people, this was their first encounter with creatures they had only ever seen in books or sermons. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Karina Holton to explore the fascinating and largely forgotten history of Irish menageries between 1790 and 1840. We discuss what these exhibitions were, how they differed from circuses and modern zoos, and what it was actually like to visit one. What animals could audiences expect to see? We also examine the controversies surrounding these shows. Not everyone welcomed them. There were dramatic incidents involving escapes and attacks, concerns about public safety, and growing criticism around animal welfare. Sound by Kate Dunlea. About My Guest Karina Holton completed her PhD at Dublin City…

While the Roman Empire conquered much of western Europe and established a powerful presence in Britain, Ireland remained beyond its grasp. But why? In this episode, I am joined by Dr Jacqueline Cahill Wilson to explore how Ireland interacted with the Roman world. It is a complex and intriguing story. Jacqueline reveals the considerable archaeological evidence that suggests Roman communities did exist in Ireland. If there was no invasion, however, this raises an obvious question: who were these people, why did they come to Ireland, and what were they doing there? Sound by Kate Dunlea. My guest on this episode is Dr Jacqueline Cahill Wilson. Originally from County Longford, she is a Research Fellow at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. She holds an MA from the University of Reading and a PhD from the University of Bristol. From 2011 to 2015, she served first as Principal Investigator and later as Project Director of a major research project with the Discovery Programme in Dublin titled Late Iron…

The Ulster Special Constabulary was one of the most controversial forces in modern Irish history. Formed amid the violence and uncertainty of the early 1920s, it was viewed by many nationalists as a sectarian militia, while in parts of the unionist community it was remembered as a force that defended order during a time of upheaval. As debates around Irish unification return to the center of political life, the legacy of the past is once again intruding into the present. In this episode of the Irish History Podcast, Fin Dwyer is joined by historian Patrick Mulroe to examine the origins of the Ulster Special Constabulary, the conditions that led to its creation, and why its history remains so contested more than a century later. Drawing on his article ‘Matters Best Forgotten’: The Ulster Special Constabulary in 1922, Patrick explores how and why the force became associated with some of the worst violence of the decade, and why its story continues to provoke discomfort, silence and debate today. Support the…

Each February Ireland celebrates St Brigid, one of the most beloved figures in Irish history. She is woven into the landscape, the calendar and the culture, yet a simple question hangs over her story. Did she ever really exist? You may recall a very short episode on this topic last year. Since then, I have rethought the evidence, changed my view and this episode takes a much deeper look at the history. For centuries St Brigid has been remembered as a saint who stood alongside St Patrick at the dawn of Irish Christianity. In recent decades, however, a growing argument has claimed she was never a historical figure at all, but a pagan goddess transformed into a Christian saint. This episode is a journey through the turbulent fifth century to examine the evidence. Drawing on early medieval sources, folklore, ritual, and modern research to explore St Brigid the woman, Brigid the goddess, and try and determine where the truth lies. Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Sources and Further Reading:…

What was daily life in a medieval Irish castle really like? In this special episode recorded in Barryscourt Castle I explore the reality behind the myths. My guest Jamie O’Callaghan guides you through reconstructed rooms that reveal everything from deadly defenses to secret chambers to show how people lived and all too often died in a medieval castle. We also talk about food, entertainment and the often bizarre customs that shaped life in one of Ireland's most impressive castles in the late Middle Ages. There is a video to accompany this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/posts/148600059 You can find out more about Barryscourt at heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/barryscourt-castle Sound by Kate Dunlea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode includes discussion of sex and is not suitable for younger listeners. Sex has always been a key part of Irish life. Yet given its intimate and private nature it often leaves little trace in the historical record. One rare exception comes from the Presbyterian Kirk Session, a church court that kept detailed accounts of behaviour it considered sinful. These records open a unique window into how people in eighteenth century Ireland navigated desire, shame, romance and rule breaking. In this episode I am joined by Dr Leanne Calvert whose book Pious and Promiscuous: Life, Love and Family in Presbyterian Ulster uncovers the hidden sex lives of ordinary men and women in the 18th century. The conversation explores beliefs about sex, the reality of everyday relationships, courtship, affairs, pregnancy and the ways communities tried to control intimacy. Get your copy of Leanne's book Pious and Promiscuous: Life, Love and Family in Presbyterian Ulster herehttps://shop.ria.ie/products/pious Leanne's Blog:…

The forgotten story of the Irishman forced to work on Japan's Railway of Death which inspired the film The Bridge over the River Kwai. In 1942 Britain suffered one of its worst defeats when Singapore fell to the Japanese Army. Tens of thousands were taken prisoner including the Dubliner Don Kennedy. This began a brutal ordeal. Don was forced to help build what became known as Japan’s Railway of Death through the jungles of South East Asia. In this episode Don’s son Fergus tells the remarkable story of how his father became involved in constructing the notorious River Kwai railway. Fergus shares how his father endured starvation, disease and brutality in the jungles of South East Asia. Fergus has published Don’s story in his recent book From Ballybunion to the Kwai. You can get your copy here https://www.gillbooks.ie/history/history/ballybunion-to-the-river-kwai Sound by Kate Dunlea. Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of this series we follow the 1798 rebellion into its most dramatic and desperate days. As fear grips Dublin and battles erupt across Wexford and Ulster the future of Ireland hangs in the balance. The story details the major clash on the Avoca River at Arklow and then finally brings us to the slopes of Vinegar Hill where the fate of the rising is decided. This episode also sees the exiled rebel leader Wolfe Tone return as a French invasion force finally arrives altering events in unexpected ways. This all sets the stage for one of the darkest summers in Irish history as the island is subjected to a reign of terror that echoes the violence that swept through Paris in the bloodiest days of the French Revolution. Support the show: Patreon.com/irishpodcast Find a comprehensive reading list for the 1798 series: https://www.patreon.com/posts/138580354 Map of key locations: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143849510 Sound by Kate Dunlea Additional narration by Aidan Crow and Therese Murray…

The Battle of New Ross was one of the bloodiest clashes of the 1798 Rebellion and within hours it was followed by the horrific Scullabogue Massacre. Together these events created a day long remembered for fire, terror and unimaginable suffering. In this episode we follow the rebels to New Ross, a strategically crucial town where the fighting would shape the course of the revolt. In the aftermath of the battle we examine the notorious Scullabogue massacre. This battle and the killings that followed would cast a shadow far beyond the 1798 rebellion and this episode reveals the complicated and uncomfortable truth behind them. As we continue the story of the 1798 rebellion we also travel to Belfast to explore how the revolt unfolded in the heartland of the revolutionary movement. A map showing the key locations is available here https://www.patreon.com/posts/143849510 (this is not paywalled) Check out this comprehensive list of texts and sources used in the series here https://www.patreon.com/posts/138580354…

As my series on the 1798 Rebellion returns, this is a great point to dive in to the story... In this episode we see major fighting break out as the south of Ireland erupts in revolt. Rebel forces sweep through the countryside in Co Wexford as loyalist strongholds fall one after another. However as the violence escalates carefully laid plans quickly unravel, and the first major battles left irish society reeling. This podcast explores how ordinary people found themselves caught up in events beyond their control, as the hopes of an Irish republic collided with the brutal reality of rebellion. From the streets of Dublin to the fields of Wexford, this episode traced how the southeast fell to the rebels in events that would transform Irish history. Written, Produced and narrated by Fin Dwyer Additional Research: Styewart Reddin Voice Actors:Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray. Sound by Kate Dunlea Support the show Patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March 1844, the quiet community of Culdaff in north Donegal was rocked by the brutal murder of fourteen-year-old servant Mary Doherty. As the Great Hunger loomed on the horizon, Mary’s tragic death was soon overshadowed by famine and emigration, her story fading into fragments of local folklore. However, in recent years, historian Angela Byrne has brought renewed attention to Mary’s forgotten life and this dark chapter in our history. In this episode, Angela Byrne joins Fin Dwyer to discuss the history behind Mary’s murder, as detailed in her new book Finding Mary. Angela vividly reconstructs the community Mary grew up in, the background to her murder, and the reasons she was killed. The episode also explores the world of rural Donegal on the eve of the tragedy and asks why Mary Doherty’s story remained untold for generations. You can get Angela’s book, Finding Mary, at https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2025/finding-mary. Sound by Kate Dunlea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.