Episodes
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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.
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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.
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Missing episodes?
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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/irishintheresistance
You can follow John & Clodagh on Socials
Clodagh
Insta https://www.instagram.com/clodaghfinnwrites
Twitter https://x.com/FinnClodagh
John
Insta https://www.instagram.com/johnm436/
Twitter https://x.com/maoilmordha
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 II
Subscribe 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/irishpodcast
Credits:
Written and Researched by Fin Dwyer
Based on Original Research by the Belfast writer and journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at [email protected]
A Special Word of Thanks to Marta Riehle Stern for sharing her family's history.
Interviewees: Marta Riehle Stern & Pádraig Ó Meiscil
Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray
Sound by Kate Dunlea
Additional 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.
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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 Dwyer
Based on Original Research by the Belfast writer and journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at [email protected]
A Special Word of Thanks to Marta Riehle Stern for sharing her family's history.
Interviewees: Marta Riehle Stern & Pádraig Ó Meiscil
Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray
Sound by Kate Dunlea
Additional 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.
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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 Dwyer
Based on Original Research by the Belfast writer and Journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at [email protected]
A special word of thanks to Marta Riehle-Stern for sharing her family's history.
Interviewees: Marta Riehle-Stern, Pádraig Ó Meiscill & Dr Brian Hanley
Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray
Sound by Kate Dunlea
Additional 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.
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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!
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William Joyce aka Lord Haw Haw was Ireland's most notorious Nazi. Raised in the west of Ireland he was an unlikely spokesman for Hitler's Third Reich. Nevertheless millions tuned in to his sinister broadcasts on behalf of the Nazi regime during the Second World War. This podcast follows his journey from Galway to Hitler’s Third Reich. In his teenage years, he acted as a scout for the Black and Tans and was implicated in one of the most notorious murders of the Irish War of Independence. This set the stage for his rise through violent far-right extremism, which eventually led him to Nazi Germany.
Support the show and get access to my exclusive series on the Outbreak of the Troubles https://patreon.com/irishpodcast
Check out my episode on Ireland Redaktion which explores the history of Nazi propaganda towards Ireland https://shows.acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/irland-redaktion-world-war-ii-nazi-propaganda-in-ireland-125
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In this episode I delve into the lasting impact of the Great Hunger on Ireland. Its often said that the Famine was a taboo subject and a 'Great Silence' surrounded the 1840s. In this podcast I challenge this myth and explore how grief, guilt, and trauma were expressed and processed by the survivors. Join me as I uncover the untold stories and voices that defy the myth of an unspoken past. I also argue that it was revisionist historians and official Ireland who shut down debate on this crucial topic.
As always the history is structured around a story so the show begins with an unlikely person - the descendant of an Irish rebel living in India.
If you want to hear my thoughts on whether the Great Famine was an act of genocide, check out this episode: Was the Great Famine Genocide? - Irish History Podcast
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Within the space of a few years following the Great Hunger, hundreds of thousands of Irish emigrants settled in New York quickly becoming one of the largest communities in the city.
These Irish emigrants are synonymous with slums, starvation, and misery; however, groundbreaking new research challenges this one dimensional stereotype.
While poverty was central to the lives of many Irish immigrants in the 19th century, it did not define their experience of New York.
In this episode, Prof. Tyler Anbinder from George Washington University shares stories from his research that reveals a very different history than we often imagine.
Based on his latest book, Plentiful Country, this interview will change your understanding of what New York was like for Irish emigrants in the later 19th century.
Check out Tyler's new book Plentiful Country
Plentiful Country to buy here
There is an excellent audio version available as well
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In 1879 Vere Goold was a celebrity in Ireland. After winning Ireland’s first tennis championship, he reached the prestigious Wimbledon final later in the year.
Exactly 30 years later he would die in the most notorious prison in the world – Devil’s Island.
Known as the 'dry guillotine' the conditions in the French penal colony were horrendous.
However few had sympathy for the Irish aristocrat.
His crime had been unspeakable and shocked the world.
This is the Life & Crimes of Vere Goold.
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Arthur Henri Poole was one of the most celebrated photographers in early 20th-century Ireland. An Englishman by birth, he was also most well-known figures in the city of Waterford where he lived for over four decades.
In 1928 Poole disappeared almost without trace.
Even though he was well known in Waterford, it would be almost three years before many people in the city realised he was missing.
Adding to the intrigue, his disappearance eerily mirrored that of another person connected to the Poole family two decades prior.
This podcast explores the mystery surrounding Arthur Poole.
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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 Forgotten Cemetery: Excavations at Ranelagh, Co. Roscommon," available for free at https://www.tii.ie/technical-services/archaeology/publications/tii-heritage/.
Eileen is the deputy head of the School of Built & Natural Heritage at Queen's University Belfast: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/.
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