Single Malt History with Gareth Russell

AJ West stops by to discuss the thrillingly dark true story that inspired his début novel, "The Spirit Engineer". In the summer of 1920, a professor's suicide in the northern Irish seaside town of Bangor lifted the lid on a Belfast Spiritualist church headed by a working-class blouse cutter called Kathleen Goligher, who attracted the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini with her claims to be able to speak to the Dead. Now, this forgotten drama, long overshadowed by the "Titanic," the First World War, and the creation of Northern Ireland, takes centre stage - and I found it so interesting to discuss the truth behind the scandal with AJ. We also have a first - a short dramatisation from "The Spirit Engineer" for our listeners - voiced by actors Cáilum Carragher and Ashley Montgomery. 

How did Anne Boleyn go from being one of the most influential queens in English history to being executed before a large crowd on 19th May 1536? Was Henry VIII's second wife and Elizabeth I's mother brought down by politics, paranoia, prejudice, or perversion? In this episode, I narrate what really happened on Anne's final day alive and explore whether a cornucopia of incest, adultery, attempted murder, treason, and witchcraft actually helped bring about her terrible end.

Charlotte Hope, star of “The Spanish Princess,” sits down with Gareth Russell to open up about playing Katherine of Aragon, her character’s tragedy but incredible strength, what she really thinks of Anne Boleyn, and how she prepares for her roles. Lots of laughter. Some strong language. 

On 7th May 1915, a torpedo brought panic, terror, heroism, and heartbreak to the passengers and crew of the luxury liner "Lusitania". This episode is about the experiences of her victims and survivors, the conspiracy theories about what caused the mysterious second explosion and a tragedy that was so intense it shook the German throne - and navy. 

England's forgotten queen, Adeliza of Louvain, led a fascinating life in one of the Middle Ages's darkest periods - it's a story of arranged marriages, illicit love affairs, beauty, betrayal, and the unanswered question of if she helped start one of the bloodiest wars in British history.

I'm joined by Dr. Lauren Mackay to talk about her biography of Thomas Boleyn (is his reputation as a moral monster deserved?) and we also chat about the enigmatic ambassador Eustace Chapuys, plots, scheming, jousting, lying, unearthing long-lost portraits, Mary Boleyn’s difficult relationship with her father, and some surprising chats from the cast of the hit show THE TUDORS. 

What impact did the “Titanic” disaster have on working-class communities and how did one particular tragedy end-up being used to help mobilise public opinion against Irish independence? I'm joined by Julie Cook, author of "Titanic and the City of Widows it Left Behind."

The night didn't end with the sinking - here's the story of the rescue mission and how the "Titanic" became the first mass media-covered tragedy of the modern era. 

Hear the story of the "Titanic's" death plunge, with eyewitness testimonies and the truth about what really happened in Third Class on that terrible night. 

Hear how a quiet Sunday at sea gave way to horror when the "Titanic" struck an iceberg, 109 years ago today. Eyewitness testimonies from the Countess of Rothes, Katie Gilnagh, and Gladys Cherry see me joined by Rebecca Lenaghan, Debra Hill, and Maryann Maguire.