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Irish History Podcast

Latest episodes

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Feb 8, 2024 • 2min

What started The Troubles?

In the late 1960s, Northern Ireland erupted into major violence, marking the opening phase of The Troubles. Over three decades, this conflict would claim thousands of lives and continues to dominate life in Ireland today.In my new exclusive supporters series, I am joined by Dr. Brian Hanley to explore how and why The Troubles began. This fascinating history begins in the 1920s when Northern Ireland was forged amid intense violence. Over six episodes, the series explores the rising tensions of the 1960s when Nationalists demanded equality and how seminal events such as the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday proved to be pivotal moments in our history.Episode 1 is exclusively available for supporters at https://www.patreon/irishpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 31, 2024 • 35min

Polygamy, the Pope or Politics. Why was 19th century Ireland so hostile to Mormonism?

In the mid 19th century Mormonism was one of the fastest growing religions in the world. However when Mormon missionaries arrived in Ireland in 1840 they failed to establish a foothold. Over time Ireland gained a reputation as the most hostile country on earth for Mormons.This podcast explores why this was the case. The answer is the complexities of Irish identity, our relationship with Catholicism and scandals surrounding the 19th century Mormon practice of polygamy.The show starts however with the bizarre story of a 19th century Irish conman who played a role in getting the church off the ground in the 1830s.Sources.If you are interested in exploring more about the history of Mormonism I would recommend the podcast Mormon Stories has an extensive back catalogue. https://www.mormonstories.orgBrent Barlow’s PhD thesis on the history of Mormonism is extremely useful - https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4503/The website https://sites.google.com/site/patrickhenrymcguire2 is an excellent resource on the Irish born Mormon Patrick McGuireIrish Mormons- Reconciling identity in Global Mormonism by Hazel O’Brien is analysis of contemporary Mormonism. https://www.google.ie/books/edition/Irish_Mormons/WbW7EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0Support the show and get my exclusive series on the outbreak of the TroublesPatreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 24, 2024 • 27min

Shipwrecked: The Story of the Samson

The story of the Samson is one most bizarre shipwrecks in Irish history.When this enormous sea crane ship crashed into the Irish coast, it's owners got more than they bargained for.While an RAF helicopter rescued the crew, a local man battled mountainous seas to climb aboard and claim the ship as his own!This began a 40 day saga…Check out pictures of wreck the Samson on new channelsWhatsApp Irish History ChannelTelegram Irish History ChannelSupport the show at: www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 17, 2024 • 31min

New Geneva: Ireland's Lost City

In the 1780s work began on a new city in Ireland. Called New Geneva it was designed to provide a new home for exiled revolutionaries from Switzerland. Today there are few traces of this now lost city. This masks a fascinating and dark history. When New Geneva failed, life there descended into barbarism and brutality.I have posted images of New Geneva to my new WhatsApp and Telegram channels WhatsApp Irish History ChannelTelegram Irish History Channel  Key sources Whatmore, R. Terrorists, Anarchists, and Republicans: The Genevans and the Irish in Time of Revolution https://www.omahonys.ie/terrorists-anarchists-and-republicans-p-10509914.htmlDurey, M. Andrew Bryson’s Ordeal An Epilogue to the 1798 Rebellion https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/9781859181447/andrew-brysons-ordeal/Support the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 10, 2024 • 5min

Plan 2024: It's ambitious but you can make it possible

We've been on an extraordinary journey since the show launched 14 years ago. From medieval battlefields to revolutions we've shared ringside seats to some of the greatest moments in history. My plan for 2024 is to embark on an even more ambitious journey with you. All is explained in this short episode...Become a supporter www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 13, 2023 • 31min

Forgotten: The Irish in the American West

New York, Boston, and Chicago dominate the history of Irish migration to the United States. However by 1900 one of the most Irish cities in the US was Butte Montana. Situated high in the Rocky mountains, Butte was just one of hundreds of Irish communities dotted across the American West. Beginning back in the California Goldrush of the 1850s, tens of thousands of Irish immigrants ventured into the American West. Seeking opportunity, they were often greeted with racism and distrust. This podcast tells the stories of the men and women who forged vibrant Irish communities in the face of adversity. My guest is historian Alan Noonan the author of 'Mining Irish-American Lives Western Communities from 1849 to 1920'. Alan shares the fascinating history of the Irish in the American West. He details the personal stories of larger-than-life figures, such as Mother Jones and Marcus Daly, who shaped the Irish story in the American West.You can get Alan's book 'Mining Irish-American Lives Western Communities from 1849 to 1920' here https://upcolorado.com/university-press-of-colorado/item/6201-mining-irish-american-lives. Check out Alan's website at noonanhistory.comWhat did you think?I would love to hear what you made of the episode. I will be starting a discussion on Friday with a few of my own reflections on an episode I thoroughly enjoyed making. You can find this discussion at https://patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 6, 2023 • 35min

Taking the world by storm – a history of podcasting 2/2

In the past decade, podcasting has taken the world by storm. The advent of smartphones and the ground-breaking podcast 'Serial' would see podcasting surge in popularity.In 2020 alone over a million new shows were launched. But does it have a future? Some are not convinced.In the second and final part of my series on the history of podcasting I look at how podcasting became so popular and where it’s heading. The show features Blindboy, Jennifer Forde, Sam Bungey, Brian Greene and Sinead the host of Mens Rea.The final episode of the year will be out next week when we will look at the story of the Irish In the American West. Contributors to the episode Brian Greene https://www.briangreene.com/Blindboy Podcast https://play.acast.com/s/blindboyMens Rea https://mensreapod.com/West Cork https://www.westcorkpodcast.com/Snugcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/snugcast/id1603925189I mentioned This is the satire podcast from the Onion I mentioned https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/a-very-fatal-murder/id1333714430 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 29, 2023 • 34min

Are you in a cult? A history of podcasting 1/2

‘You might not be a revolutionary, but you are living through a revolution.’ Podcasting is much older than you might imagine. A decade before the true crime show Serial took the world by storm, creators were making some of the earliest shows.  This podcast is a nostalgic trip through the early days of the internet in Ireland when podcasting emerged. Brian Greene who was making shows in the mid 2000s shares his memories of the early days of podcasting. I also interview some of your favourite hosts including Blindboy and Sinead, the host of Mens Rea.  The show also includes an ancient artefact of podcasting – an episode from the mid 2000s.  Special thanks to Brian Greene for his interview and sharing his research, Blindboy and Sinead the host of Men’s Rea. Thanks to Jennifer Forde & Sam Bungey the team behind West Cork, DJ Walsh & Eoin Tabb the hosts of Snugcast. While they feature in the next episode their interviews and insights were extremely useful in shaping this series. Brian Greene https://www.briangreene.com/Blindboy Podcast https://play.acast.com/s/blindboyMens Rea https://mensreapod.com/West Cork https://www.westcorkpodcast.com/Snugcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/snugcast/id1603925189 Support the show Patreon https://www.patreon.com/irishpodastAcast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 22, 2023 • 28min

Assassinated: A Story of Vengeance & Murder in the Great Hunger

Explore the murder of Captain Dennis Mahan during the Great Hunger, the impact it had on the community, and the choices faced by the Irish. Learn about the socio-political unrest, government intervention, evictions, and the tragic reality for Irish tenants. Discover the events leading to Mahan's assassination and the search for the culprits.
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Nov 15, 2023 • 37min

The Irish in Andersonville 'the deadliest place in America'

In the mid 1860s, Andersonville became one of the most feared places in America.This sleepy corner of Georgia gained notoriety in the later stages of the US Civil War when the Confederacy opened a prison camp there. Nearly one third of all prisoners who entered Andersonville never left. Among their number were hundreds of Irish men. This podcast tells their stories.I am joined by historian Damian Shiels who runs the Andersonville Irish project. An expert on Irish involvement in the US Civil War, Damian explains what Andersonville was and why conditions were so bad. He also shares his latest research including stories of prisoners who had fled the Great Hunger at home.You can find out more about the Andersonville Irish at https://irishamericancivilwar.com/andersonville-irish/Listen to my 2018 episode with Damian where we discuss broader Irish involvement in the US Civil War. https://play.acast.com/s/irishhistory/the-us-civil-war-and-the-great-famineSupport the show and get exclusive content today!Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistoryPatreonb https://www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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