This podcast episode covers various topics related to the Troubles, including the famine, independence, the Anglo-Irish Treaty, partition, and more. It explores the historical background and political tensions in Ireland and Northern Ireland, discussing the British exploitation during the famine and the changing political landscape. The clashes and tensions in Northern Ireland are also examined, along with the root causes of the conflict. The hosts express gratitude to listeners and end with a humorous touch.
The Irish famine of the 1840s, caused by a potato blight, resulted in immense suffering and death, and is considered by many to be a genocide.
The tensions between Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland in the 1960s escalated into violent clashes and polarization, with civil rights groups facing resistance from loyalist groups and the police.
The Irish diaspora, largely caused by the famine, played a significant role in preserving Irish culture and identity, with support for Irish emancipation and culture coming from Irish people living abroad.
Deep dives
The Irish Potato Famine and British Response
During the 1840s, Ireland faced a devastating potato blight which led to a famine. The British government, in charge of Ireland at the time, failed to adequately respond to the crisis. Despite Ireland producing enough food to feed its population, much of it was exported to Britain and its colonies. The government's relief efforts fell short, and many Irish people relied on workhouses and soup kitchens for survival. The famine resulted in immense suffering and death, and is considered by many to be a genocide.
The Divide and Tensions in Northern Ireland
In the 1960s, tensions between the Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland escalated. The unionist paramilitary group, UVF, emerged out of fears among Protestants that their Protestant identity was under threat. On the other side, the IRA sought to mobilize the Catholic community towards radical republicanism. Civil rights groups, inspired by the American Civil Rights Movement, campaigned for equality in Northern Ireland. However, their efforts were met with resistance from loyalist groups and the police, leading to violent clashes and further polarization.
Emergence of Murals and Controversial Name
In 1908, the first murals appeared in Northern Ireland, with unionists painting murals depicting William of Orange to reinforce their Protestant identity. The Catholic murals would follow in the 1970s. The name of the city, Derry/Londonderry, has been a contentious issue with both sides claiming their preferred name. The Apprentice Boys of Derry, founded in 1814, used the original name to affirm their Protestant heritage. The Boundary Commission in 1925 also mentioned the name Derry, despite the Unionist majority.
The Irish Famine and Its Impact on Irish Politics and Culture
The Irish famine, also known as the Great Hunger, led to a significant concentration of the Irish language in the West, as many Irish people who could afford to leave Ireland moved abroad. This resulted in a cultural collapse and the loss of art, literature, and language. Additionally, the famine had a major effect on Irish politics, with support for Irish emancipation and culture coming from Irish people living abroad, such as in the US and continental Europe. This diaspora became more intense in their efforts to preserve Irish culture and identity.
The Formation and Discrimination in Northern Ireland
After the famine, renewed attempts at independence from Britain were made in Ireland, leading to the establishment of the Irish Free State and the formation of Northern Ireland. However, Northern Ireland's political system was marked by discrimination against Irish Catholics, with gerrymandering of electoral districts and allocation of public housing formulating a deliberate pattern of discrimination. The Protestant Orange Order and the paramilitary Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) further perpetuated these divisions. The resulting tensions eventually escalated into riots and clashes between different communities until the arrival of British troops, seeking to alleviate the situation but also raising concerns of further imperialist actions.
Tom continues to take Joe through the history of the Troubles. In this episode we cover the famine, independence, the Anglo-Irish Treaty, partition, and more!
Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys
Listen to the Beneath The Skin Podcast:
https://twitter.com/BeneathSkinPod
Follow Tom on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gotitatguineys
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
