Native Breeds Series: The Glen of Imaal Terrier – Ireland’s Unsung Underdog

In this episode of the History and Heritage Podcast, we travel deep into the Wicklow Mountains to uncover the long-overlooked story of the Glen of Imaal Terrier—one of Ireland’s rarest native breeds. Forged in the isolated glens by 16th-century mercenaries, refined on farms, and nearly lost during World War II, this tough yet gentle terrier is a living link to Ireland’s agricultural and social history. From their working-class origins to their modern resurgence, we trace the remarkable journey of the Glen, blending historical context, cultural insight, and a quiet call to conserve what is uniquely ours.