Irish History Podcast

This podcast opens a broader series on the 1798 Rebellion, but also works as a stand alone episode.For over a century, Irish Catholics and Presbyterians were subjected to the Penal Laws. Although the vast majority of the population, they were banned from voting, sitting in parliament, bearing weapons, and entering many professions—the list goes on.This episode explores the deeply unequal society these laws created. By following the life of Emily Fitzgerald, who moved to Ireland in 1747, we gain a unique insight into this world. I explain how the Penal Laws emerged after a century of warfare, how Catholics resisted their brutal treatment, and how these laws created a deeply unequal and unstable society.To find our feet in this world, we begin in the harrowing winter of 1740, which led to the Year of Slaughter—the worst famine in Irish history.This podcast launches my series on the 1798 Rebellion. The next instalment, Part 2, will be available early and ad-free for show supporters next Monday.Become a supporter today and get exclusive early and ad-free access at:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IrishpodcastSupercast: https://irishhistory.supercast.com/Sound: Kate DunleaAdditional Research: Stewart ReddinVoice Actors: Aidan Crowe & Therese MurrayA list of sources for the 1798 Rebellion is available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/138580354 (the post is not paywalled) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1790s remain one of the most important decades in modern Irish history. After years of rising tensions, the island was rocked by the 1798 Rebellion—the largest uprising in Irish history. In just a few months, more people perished than in all the conflicts of the 20th century combined.These events continue to cast a long shadow over life in Ireland and are central to understanding this island in the 21st century. In many ways, 1798 is our foundational story. So much of what followed from the War of Independence to the Troubles sought to answer questions first posed by Ireland’s revolutionary generation of the 1790s. What does it mean to be Irish? Why is our history so deeply divided along religious lines? And what lies at the heart of the bitterness that has marked modern Anglo-Irish relations?In my gripping new series, starting next week, I’ll take you deep into life in 18th-century Ireland and uncover the dramatic story of the 1798 Rebellion. Through the gripping narratives of people who lived through these remarkable events, we’ll explore the anti-Catholic Penal Laws, the impact of the American and French Revolutions, and how Ireland’s republican movement emerged in the 1790s.It’s a story dominated by larger-than-life characters from the great-grandson of an English king who became Ireland’s leading revolutionary, to the spies and agents who betrayed friends and comrades. The series navigates global revolutions and the brutal realities of war and sectarianism in Ireland.Whether you’re new to Irish history or searching for fresh insights, this series brings the drama, the characters, and the high stakes of the 1790s to life. Join me as we uncover how the 1798 Rebellion changed Ireland forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1960s, over 30,000 Irish immigrants were working in Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). While the NHS is often celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest achievements, the vital contributions of these Irish nurses are frequently overlooked. In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Louise Ryan, co-author of Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral History, to discuss the experiences of these remarkable women.Louise shares how, for many Irish nurses, Britain offered opportunities unimaginable at home. Yet, despite their essential role in building the NHS, they often faced racism and discrimination.Get Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral History by Louise Ryan, Gráinne Mac Polin, and Neha Doshi: Four Courts PressSpecial offer: Life in Medieval Ireland and The Black Death in Ireland – both books for €30 https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/product/medieval-ireland-book-bundle-two-bestsellers-for-30Support the show and get ad-free episodes at patreon.com/irishpodcastSound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the surprising influence of William the Conqueror on modern Irish culture wars, despite his never having set foot in Ireland. The podcast dives into the heated debates around commemorating his legacy amidst historical tensions. Explore the exclusion of Irish perspectives in current cultural events and how Brexit has added fuel to the fire. This discussion also critiques the selective commemoration of historical figures, revealing how politics often shape our understanding of the past. Delve into the complexities of identity and heritage in Ireland today.

In 1973, just two people attended the lonely funeral of May O’Callaghan, an Irish emigrant in North London. Few could have imagined that this quiet woman from Wexford had once stood at the very heart of Soviet power. In the 1920s, May O’Callaghan worked in the Kremlin as the Soviet Union emerged, working alongside figures like Stalin, Trotsky, and the future Marshal Tito.For decades, her remarkable story was forgotten until historian Maurice Casey uncovered her story in his acclaimed book, Hotel Lux. In this episode, I interview Maurice about May's life and the extraordinary journey that took May from Ireland to the corridors of Soviet power.Get your copy of Hotel Lux: https://linktr.ee/hotelluxpreordersCheck out Maurice's personal website: mauricejcasey.comSupport The Irish History Podcast patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Casey, a historian and archives manager at the Dublin Cemeteries Trust, dives deep into the life of Daniel O'Connell, known as 'The Liberator.' They explore O'Connell's passionate yet complex journey for Catholic Emancipation and his unique blend of nationalism and monarchism. Casey highlights the fascinating contrasts in O'Connell's life, from his affluent upbringing and revolutionary education to his personal struggles. Their conversation unfolds in Glasnevin Cemetery, underscoring O'Connell's enduring legacy in shaping modern Ireland.

How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of our island through biography. The DIB, a free to access to website has thousands of biographies on figures from Irish History.From Henry McCullough, the only Irish musician at Woodstock, to Ann Lovett, whose tragic death forced a nation to confront uncomfortable truths, and Brendan Hughes, whose life mirrored the turbulence of the Troubles, this conversation delves into the complexities of who gets remembered—and why.People mentioned in the episode. Ann Lovett  https://www.dib.ie/biography/lovett-ann-a10324Eamon De Valera https://www.dib.ie/biography/de-valera-eamon-dev-a2472Bang Bang https://www.dib.ie/biography/dudley-thomas-bang-bang-a2803The Dice man https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcginty-thom-diceman-a5672John Mitchel https://www.dib.ie/biography/mitchel-john-a5834John Redmond https://www.dib.ie/biography/redmond-john-edward-a7602Brendan Hughes https://www.dib.ie/biography/hughes-brendan-a9636Dolours Price https://www.dib.ie/biography/price-dolours-a10048Martin McGuinmess https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcguinness-james-martin-pacelli-a10375Michael Collins https://www.dib.ie/biography/collins-michael-a1860Daniel O’Connell https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconnell-daniel-a6555Charles Stewart Parnell https://www.dib.ie/index.php/biography/parnell-charles-stewart-a7199Francis Sheehy Skeffington https://www.dib.ie/biography/skeffington-francis-sheehy-a8105Lady Mary Heath https://www.dib.ie/biography/heath-sophie-mary-lady-heath-nee-peirce-evans-other-married-name-eliott-lynn-a2963Henry McCullough https://www.dib.ie/biography/mccullough-henry-campbell-liken-a10389Eva Gore Booth https://www.dib.ie/biography/booth-eva-selina-gore-a0784 Do you have suggestion for entries. Contact the DIB at Dib@rai.ie  Sound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we think of Ireland’s past, we usually envisage an island shaped by two languages: Irish and English. But hidden in the history of South Wexford is Yola, a unique dialect that survived for centuries after the Norman invasion, only to vanish almost without a trace.In this episode, I am joined by Sascha Santschi-Cooney to explore the fascinating story of Yola: where it came from, who spoke it, what it sounded like, and why it disappeared. From medieval settlers to the Great Vowel Shift and the impact of Cromwell, the history of this dialect is intriguing.Get a copy of Sascha's 2019 book The Forth & Bargy Dialect at your local library https://waterford.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/458376473/1314333,1Follow Sascha's work on Linkedin https://ie.linkedin.com/in/sascha-santschi-cooney-76a885188Sound by Kate Dunlea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode continues the story of NORAID - the Irish American organisation who were the voice of the IRA in the US. Jamie Goldrick and I delve into the complicated history of wider Irish American involvement in the Troubles. It's a history full of contradictions on both sides of the Atlantic. In the Republic, many criticised NORAID’s actions, yet did little themselves. Meanwhile, NORAID had little to say about the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights Movement in America.Together, Jamie and I pick apart this complex and often uncomfortable chapter in Irish and Irish American history.Jamie Goldrick is the producer of NORAID: Irish America & the IRA which screens on RTE on July 9th & 16th. Check it out on https://www.rte.ie/player/There are a limited number of tickets for my live podcast on Daniel O’Connell in Glasnevin Cemetery. It takes place on July 24th, entry is free but booking is essential. Contact irishhistorypodcast@acast.com for your ticket today.Sound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating and controversial story of NORAID, the Irish American organisation at the heart of the new documentary NORAID: Irish America & the IRA. Joined by the film’s producer, Jamie Goldrick, we unravel the history that made NORAID so influential, examining its activities, its impact on the Troubles, and its lasting legacy in both Ireland and America. From high-profile stunts in Times Square to persistent allegations of gun running, this conversation offers fresh insights into a pivotal but often overlooked chapter of history.  NORAID: Irish America & the IRA screens on RTE on July 9th & 16th. Check it out on https://www.rte.ie/player/Get your tickets to the live podcast on Daniel O’Connell at irishhistorypodcast@acast.comSound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.