Irish History Podcast - Fin Dwyer - TopPodcast.com

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Irish History Podcast – Fin Dwyer — History
Irish History Podcast – Fin Dwyer

From the Norman Invasion to the War of Independence, the Great Famine to the Troubles, the Irish History Podcast takes you on a journey through the most fascinating stories in Ireland’s past. Whether it’s the siege of Dublin in 1171 or gun battles in the 1920s, the podcast vividly recreates a sense of time and place. Each episode is meticulously researched, creating character-driven narratives that are engaging and accessible for all.
Since the first episode was released back in 2010, the podcast has covered scores of captivating stories. Major multi-part series have explored the Great Famine, the Norman Invasion, and Irish involvement in the Spanish Civil War. If you are looking for standalone episodes, there are lots of great interviews with leading Irish historians covering topics from medieval sex magic to Irish connections in the Jack the Ripper murders!
Why not start with ‘Three Days in July’, an acclaimed mini-series from the summer of 2024. It explores the early years of the Troubles and the forgotten story of a young Londoner who was shot dead by the British Army in Belfast in 1970.

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Fin Dwyer

Latest Episodes:

'From the Backwoods to the Motorway' A History of Traditional Irish Music May 04, 2022

Show notes

Traditional music is central to Irish culture and identity in the 21st century. Contrary to what we might think, this is a relatively recent development. As late as the 1960s Trad was perceived as unfashionable and musicians were not allowed to play in pubs.

60 years later it has become extremely popular and recognised the world over. So what happen?

Last weekend I sat down with Tom Mulligan, a legend in Trad scene to talk about the history of Trad over the century. Tom hales from a well known musical family and owns the Cobblestone, the best known traditional music pub in the country. Indeed it was become something of a cultural institution over the last 35 years.

In this interview Tom explains the roots of modern trad from Poland, Africa, the USA and back to Ireland. He also elaborates on the intriguing story of how trad went from a marginal genre in Irish society to its contemporary popularity.

While Trad has enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades, it faces an uncertain future in the 2020s. Property speculation in Dublin has seen numerous live music venues close in recent years to make way for hotels. There are fewer and fewer spaces for musicians in the city.

Last year saw Tom's pub the Cobblestone became the latest to be earmarked for 'development'. Given its historic role in developing and nurturing trad music, this provoked large demonstrations and a campaign #dublinisdying. While the plans to build a hotel on the site were withdrawn last week, Tom explains how the Cobblestone is not out of the woods yet.

Follow the Cobblestone on twitter and Insta

Music by Liam Costello

Support the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast or https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

This week's special supporters are

T Troy

S Lucas

Alexander

W McGuire

C Steuland

T Higgins

R Spowart

D Bohan

Greg

P McKey

P Myers

B Brady

B McDonough

K Stauffer

M Mulvale

T Murray

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cocaine, Murder & Inquests: A night on the town in Victorian Waterford [Live from Katty Barry’s] 50/14 Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

This live podcast pokes in to the darker corners of the past looking at life in Victorian Waterford. Recorded live in Katty Barry’s in Waterford, it's a strange journey through macabre inquests that took place in pubs through to dentists who peddled cocaine!

The second half of the podcast looks at a bizarre murder involving a veteran of the Famine.

Support your history

www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

This week's special supporters are

A Murphy

M Callaghan

E Kelleher

D Dwyer

A Rogers

M Malone

L O'Brien

WJ Murphy

C Doran

J O'Hagan

M Dwyer

S Quinn

R Morse

M Durkin

S Reddin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitler, Copperfaced Jack & Bodysnatching - The real history of Stephens Green. 50/13 Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Stephen’s Green is one of Dublin’s well known areas. Located in the heart of the city centre, the Green is home to several prestigous instiutions and businesses including the Royal College of Surgeons, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Shelbourne Hotel.

It's history however is very different. Originally a swampy marshland, it was home to numerous brothels and the city gallows. In this podcast I am joined by historian Frank Hopkins to explore the history of St Stephen's Green.

We begin on the gallows as Frank explains how public executions were a form of entertainment for many Dubliners. Then moving through the centuries Frank explains who the notorious bodysnatchers of Goat Alley were and the history behind Copperfaced Jack, the man after whom the famous night club is named.

The show ends by introducing a certain A Hitler who was regular sight around St Stephens Green in the early 20th century!

You can find Frank’s excellent book St Stephen's Green: A History of the Green online and in all good bookshops.

What does 50/13 mean?

With your support I am planning on releasing 50 episodes this year. 13 is the number of episodes I have produced so far with your support so we are on track! You can support the show and get ad free episodes, early access to the show and exclusive episodes.

Each week I acknowledge listeners who support the show. This week's special supporters are

The week's special supporters are:

J Arbaugh

D Eggleston

M Fields

W Tolan

S Corbet

R D Moore

L Slavens

J Reilly

C Donoghue

D D Rau

J Bates

D Celment

B Conneely

J Looney

R Morahan

B White

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nazi Propaganda in Ireland - the story of Irland Redaktion (50/12) Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

Irland Redaktion was a Nazi radio station established during the Second World War. It's sole purpose was to shape and influence Irish public opinion in favour of the Nazis. In this episode I am joined by William Quinlan, the winner of the Irish History Summit RSR competition. William, a stuident in St Jospeph's College Borrisoleigh, wrote his R.S.R. (Research Study Report) on Irland Redaktion. In this podcast he details the fascinating story of this little known station, explaining why it was initially broadcast in Irish, what the Nazis hoped to achieve and if it was successful.

Over the last three months I have increased the number of podcasts by one third on the same period last year. This is due to the support of listeners like you who support the show on Acast+ and Patreon. They allow me to dream bigger and make a better show. In recognition of this each week I will be listing patrons of the show as special supporters of episodes in the coming weeks and months. You can get onboard and help the show at

Patreon - https://patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast - https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

The week's special supporters are:

R McCormick

I Wöstemeyer

A O'Brien

M Brady

J Ford

N Reilly

M Mullaney

N Feely

J FitzGerald

F D’Arcy

C T Morgan

C O’Neill

K Crossman

C Brennan

D Gleeson

A O'Brien

M Brady

J Ford

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting Dirty in a Digital Archive Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

What did Dublin look like before the authorities demolished the medieval city?

How did Irish people address Queen Victoria during the Famine?

The answers to these questions lie in documents stored in Dublin City Library's archives which chronicles 800 years of life in the city. Until now the only way to access the archive and it's fascinating stories was to go in person to Pearse Street Library.

That is all about to change.

This week sees the launch of a ground breaking project as Dublin City Library and Archive publish 50,000 documents online. Better still they are asking history fans across the world to help transcribe this archive.

In this podcast librarian Padraic Stack brings you behind the scenes in the archive. He tells the fascinating stories of letters to the Queen during the Famine and how medieval Dublin was demolished. He also explains how you (yes you!) can get involved in transcribing these documents from the comfort of your home.

Its a rare opportunity to get dirty in Dublin's archives! The link referenced in the show is here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Human History of Forests and Woodlands in Ireland Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

Its National Tree Week! In this special episode brought to you by Wolfgang Reforest, I investigate the history of Ireland's woodlands and forests. The show begins by looking what an actual native Irish woodland because woodlands and forests looked very different in the past.

Then we embark on a journery through 12,500 years of our history. From the distant past when 80% of the island was covered with forests through to the 1920s when there was scarcely a single tree in the Irish landscape, the story of our woodlands and forests is interwoven with the history of humans on the island.

From the development of agriculture to the Norman Invasion major changes in the way we live our lives has had huge consequences for the trees in the landscape.

Follow the show @

Irishhistory on Insta

irishhistory on Twitter

irishhistorychannel on YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Riding the Lartigue' Ireland's only Monorail Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

In 1888 Ireland's most unusual railway, the Lartigue monorail, opened for business. Although largely forgotten, the story of this unique train is intriguing. Operating between the 1880s and the 1920s, it carried everything from tourists to livestock.

This show (recorded in Listowel, Co Kerry) explains how this train inspired by camels in the Sahara went onto support an early form of mass tourism in the west of Ireland.

Special thanks to John Looney, Martin Griffin and Michael Guerin for their time.

Sound by - Jason Looney

Additional Narrations - Therese Murray.

Support your history

Patreon - https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Irish History Podcast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

You can visit the Lartigue Monorail and Museum and ride the monorail today. Find out more at https://www.lartiguemonorail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace O'Malley, an Irish 'Pirate Queen' Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

Grace O'Malley or Granuaile is an iconic name in Irish history. Born in 1530, she emerged as a powerful leader in the West of Ireland in ruthless and violent era as the Tudor reconquest of the Island was in full swing. Grace is often called a pirate queen, a chieftain or even in some tellings a queen of the west. In this episode I interview her biographer Anne Chambers about the real woman and her remarkable life.

Anne's book 'Grace O'Malley Ireland's Pirate Queen' is available at her website http://www.graceomalley.com/.

Check out the pin of grace in the shop https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/product/grace-o-malley-pin

Support the show

Patreon: https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The War of Independence Finale (Endgame III) Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

We've made it! This is the final episode in the War of Independence series. The episode begins as Michael Collins and an Irish negotiating team lock horns with Lloyd George and Winston Churchill in London. When a controversial treaty is agreed we return to Dublin to see how it is received. The show also includes extensive recreations of the famous Treaty debates from Aidan and Therese.

I hope you enjoy the show. Thank you so much for you support. I have some really great content lined up for coming weeks. These include shows on

Grace O'Malley the 16th century pirate queen
The history of Ireland's monorail.
A history of hurling.
A six part series on life in pre-famine Ireland told through a 19th century murder.
A series on the history of podcasting in Ireland (its older than you think!)

Sound - Jason Looney

Addition research - Sam McGrath

Additional Narrations - Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

www.irishhistorypodcast.ie/shop

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endgame II Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

This is the second last episode in the War of Independence series. In this podcast we travel to Belfast in the summer of 1921. Despite major violence, the city was preparing for what was only its third visit from a reigning monarch since 1690.

With George V due to arrive on June 22nd over 10,000 troops were drafted into Belfast in a massive security operation. What unfolded was unquestionably the most significant royal visit to Ireland since the 17th century.

Sound by Jason Looney, additional research Sam McGrath with additional narrations from Aidan Crowe & Therese Murray.

The three episodes in Endgame are being released over 8 days. Its around 2 hours of content from scripts totalling over 20,000 words. It took a lot of time to make and would not have been possible without the support of listeners on patreon and Acast+. If you are not listening on Acast+ or Patreon you can support the show here

https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Check out the range of pewter figures of Irish revolutionaries from the War of Independence at https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/category/handcrafted-historic-models

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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