Irish History Podcast

Life expectancy in Ireland has doubled over the past 200 years, but why was it so low for so long? In this podcast, I delve into the factors that kept life expectancy down in Ireland's history and what those numbers truly mean. Did people really only live to 40 in the past? During the Great Hunger, life expectancy plummeted to just 20 years—what does this reveal about society at the time? Join me as I explore these questions and discuss what I believe to be one of humanity's greatest achievements: the remarkable doubling of life expectancy in recent times. Support the show at https://patreon.com/irishpodcast Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1719, the 17-year-old Polish Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska was seized by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. While the move shocked many in Europe, in the following months a group of Irish exiles plotted a daring rescue of Maria Clementina. This led to a dramatic 400-kilometer chase across 18th-century Europe.In this episode, I am joined by historian Richard Maher, an expert in the area, who explains why Irish exiles, known as the Wild Geese, risked their lives to rescue this Polish princess and how they hoped she might change the course of Irish history.You can follow Richard on Linkedin at https://ie.linkedin.com/in/richard-maher-a5ab8068Subscribe to my new podcast with historian Damian Shiels. Its called Transatlantic - An Irish American History Podcast. You can hear the latest episode here https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explore the ruins of a Temple and the intriguing concept of societal collapse and its relevance to Irish history. Often depicted as dramatic and apocalyptic, societal collapse is a topic that has captured the imagination of historians and the public alike. But how accurate is this narrative especially when applied to Ireland's past? Join me as I explore if events like the Great Hunger can be considered a societal collapse!Check out my new podcast 'Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast' with Damian Shiels https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out my new podcast 'Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast' with Damian Shiels https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpodIn this captivating episode, I explore the enigmatic world of prehistoric Ireland. I am joined by Professor Gabriel Cooney to discuss the lives of Ireland's earliest inhabitants. Our conversation challenges the stereotypes that often cloud our understanding of this distant past. We discuss what megalithic tombs can reveal about the societies that built them and what the latest DNA analysis has uncovered about life in prehistory.Spanning an incredible 8,000 years, this episode sheds light on the sophisticated societies that thrived long before the advent of written records. Drawing insights from Professor Cooney's acclaimed book, "Death in Irish Prehistory," this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what is often an overlooked aspect of our history.Gabriel's book Death in Irish Prehistory is available here https://shop.ria.ie/products/death-in-irish-prehistory https://shop.ria.ie/products/death-in-irish-prehistory Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By the late 1950s, over 20,000 individuals in the Republic of Ireland were confined in asylums—a staggering figure equivalent to 1 in every 133 Irish people at the time. This episode delves into how such a situation arose. Were Irish people inherently more susceptible to mental health issues, or was there something else at play?Centered around a single incident—a murder in Kilkenny in 1890—this episode uncovers how the Great Famine, emigration, and Victorian attitudes toward mental health created a society where anyone deemed to be suffering from mental ill-health was institutionalized.Originally released as Chapter 8 of my Irish Times bestseller, "A Lethal Legacy: A History of Ireland in 18 Murders," this episode marks the release of the book's paperback edition. I'm thrilled to share the audio of one of my favorite chapters with you. While it focuses on a murder, it offers profound insights into past and present attitudes toward mental health in Ireland.If you enjoy this episode, you can get your copy of "A Lethal Legacy" at linktr.ee/alethallegacy. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1900, the life expectancy in Dublin was a mere 49 years, a stark indicator of the city's dire living conditions. The Victorian city was notorious for its filth and disease, which proved an ideal breeding ground for Typhoid. This episode explores how Dublin battled with this deadly disease for decades.This journey takes you through the Victorian sewage system and explains why Dublin's shellfish was lethal.Based on an interview with Dr. Carly Collier, we uncover the reasons why Typhoid was rampant in Dublin. She details the appalling living conditions of the time, where overcrowding and contaminated food created a minefield of dangers and risks. We also discuss how Typhoid was eventually eradicated. This aspect of the episode begins with 19th-century medical treatments such as bloodletting and progresses to the development of effective vaccines and antibiotics in the 20th century.To finish what is a fascinating show, we also discuss Ireland's most famous Typhoid patient - Mary Mallon, AKA Typhoid Mary.Carly is one of the team behind the Typhoidland exhibition running in the Royal College of Physicians on Kildare Street.Check out the exhibition:https://typhoidland.org/exhibitions/dublin-2024/rcpi-exhibition/Their free audio tour is available to download: https://typhoidland.org/walking-tourSubscribe to my new show Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this captivating episode of the Irish History Podcast, Jackie Ni Chionna joins me to discuss the remarkable but forgotten Irish woman, Emily Anderson. Emily was an Irish code breaker who played a pivotal role at Bletchley Park during World War II. Despite her significant contributions to the Allied war effort, Emily has been forgotten in the wider history of the Second World War.In 2023, Jackie published "Queen of Codes," a biography of Anderson. In this episode, she shares the life and legacy of this extraordinary Irish woman, exploring her journey from the west of Ireland to the heart of Britain's top-secret code-breaking operations.Jackie vividly brings Emily Anderson's story to life, shedding light on her invaluable work and the challenges she faced in the male-dominated world of military intelligence.Tune in to discover the untold story of an unsung hero of World War II. You can get Jackie's book in audio, ebook, and hardcopy here. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1850s, Portlaw was Ireland's most successful town. The population had grown tenfold in the previous 30 years. The local Cotton Mill, built by the Malcomson Family, provided work for thousands of people. However, by the early 20th century, everything had changed. The Cotton Mill was silent, and many of the houses had been abandoned.This episode explores the story of the Malcomson Family. Once known as the Kings of Cotton, they built one of the most successful business empires in the world in rural Ireland in the space of forty years. Their downfall was no less spectacular. This episode reveals the dramatic rise and fall of the Malcomson dynasty, showcasing their remarkable achievements but also uncovering the dark secrets of a company with controversial work practices that benefited from US slavery.Episode 2 of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast is out now! You can hear the story of Ann Glover - The Irish Witch of Boston. Listen here. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am delighted to share the very first episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast. It's a new show I am making with historian Damian Shiels which looks at Irish-American History. It's separate from the Irish History Podcast and Season 1 will be released each Monday. You can subscribe to Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast to get future shows. In this first episode we look at who the first Irish person to reach the Americas was. There are a few intriguing candidates.Was it St. Brendan, the intrepid Irish monk who is said to have voyaged across the Atlantic centuries before Columbus?Could it have been an Irish woman taken captive by Vikings who reached Newfoundland around 1000 AD?Perhaps it was an Irish sailor aboard one of Columbus' ships?Next week I will be back with the Irish History Podcast with a show on the House of Malcomson, a dramatic story about the rise and fall of an Irish dynasty known of the Cotton Kings.Meanwhile the second episode of Transatlantic whcih looks at the Forgotten Irish Witch of Boston comes out next Monday and will be available here https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Keany, Monica de Wichfeld, and Delia Murphy are not well-known figures, yet they are some of the most extraordinary people in modern Irish history. During the Second World War, they found themselves in Nazi-occupied Europe and took extraordinary risks to resist the Nazis. Some paid with their lives.This podcast tells their stories.The episode is based around a conversation with John Morgan and Clodagh Finn. Their new book, The Irish in the Resistance: The Untold Stories of the Ordinary Heroes Who Resisted Hitler, details the lives of Irish people who fought the Nazis. You can find links to the book below.**My big announcement for podcast fans https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod ** You can buy John & Clodagh’s book https://linktr.ee/irishintheresistanceYou can follow John & Clodagh on Socials Clodagh Insta https://www.instagram.com/clodaghfinnwritesTwitter https://x.com/FinnClodaghJohnInsta https://www.instagram.com/johnm436/Twitter  https://x.com/maoilmordha Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Ireland adopted a position of neutrality. However, throughout the conflict, senior figures in the United Kingdom and the United States suspected the government in Dublin harboured Nazi sympathies. While the Royal Navy believed German U-boats were refuelling along the West Coast, actions taken by the Irish government only seemed to confirm a view that neutrality masked pro Nazi sympathies. For example when the Taoiseach Eamon de Valera paid a visit of condolence to the German legation on the death of Hitler, in a move that provoked outrage across the globe. This was just one of a catalogue of incidents that seemed to confirm that the Irish government was sympathetic to the Nazis. However at the same time, the Irish government were providing secret aid to the Allies.In this podcast I explore Irish attitudes during the Second World War and whether the Irish government really harboured Nazi sympathies. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this riveting episode I delve into one of the most intriguing and lesser-known stories of World War II: "The Mystery Nazi Flight to Ireland." On May 5th 1945, a German bomber unexpectedly landed in Ireland, sparking a media frenzy and wild speculation. Newspapers across the globe sensationalized the event, suggesting that Adolf Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials were on board, seeking refuge as the Third Reich collapse.Recently I visited the military archives to access the Irish Intelligence file on the incident. The plane had three passengers, all in German military uniform. Who were these men, and what led them to undertake such a perilous journey in the dying days of the war?Join me as we uncover the real story behind this mysterious flight, exploring the soldiers' backgrounds, their motivations, and the incredible circumstances that brought them to Ireland.Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe. Sound by Kate Dunlea. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Portal Tombs are scattered across the Irish countryside. These monuments, around 5,000 years old, have been sites of ritual for millennia. Generation after generation, while spiritual beliefs changed, these ancient sites often remained sacred. In this podcast, I explore two of these tombs to understand how and why these mysterious tombs were built, and why humans return to particular landscapes over thousands of years. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guinness is the most iconic Irish brand of all time. A large part of its success is based on a history the company has carefully crafted around the beer. However like all histories, the actual history of Guinness is complicated. In this episode, I am joined by Eoin Tabb and DJ Walsh to explore some of the more controversial aspects of the history of Guinness. So tune in to uncover the untold stories behind Ireland's famous stout. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brehon Law, the ancient legal system that ruled Ireland during the Middle Ages, is often romanticised as egalitarian and even feminist. But, in this riveting episode, Dr. Gillian Kenny shatters these myths. Join us as we delve deep into a world where sex magic and slavery were prevalent, and discover how Brehon Law actually reinforced a patriarchal society.Tune in to this classic episode, originally released over five years ago, for an eye-opening journey through ancient Ireland. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.