EPISODE · Jun 12, 2026 · 1H 6M
The mosquito that bit Cromwell
from The Irish Passport · host The Irish Passport
A proposal for the smallest statue in the world to be built in Cork, in honour of the local mosquito that reputedly bit Oliver Cromwell ultimately causing his death, recently went viral. The idea inspired this episode discussing the diverging historical memory of Cromwell in Ireland, where he is remembered as a genocidal murderer, and in Britain, where he retains many admirers. We speak to Green party Cork Councillor Oliver Moran about the inspiration behind his statue proposal, a 'monument to the role of biodiversity in the national struggle' as one wag put it. Naomi and Tim then explore the stark divergences in Irish and British depictions of Cromwell in art and literature going back to the 16th century.
What this episode covers
A proposal for the smallest statue in the world to be built in Cork, in honour of the local mosquito that reputedly bit Oliver Cromwell ultimately causing his death, recently went viral. The idea inspired this episode discussing the diverging historical memory of Cromwell in Ireland, where he is remembered as a genocidal murderer, and in Britain, where he retains many admirers. We speak to Green party Cork Councillor Oliver Moran about the inspiration behind his statue proposal, a 'monument to the role of biodiversity in the national struggle' as one wag put it. Naomi and Tim then explore the stark divergences in Irish and British depictions of Cromwell in art and literature going back to the 16th century.
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The mosquito that bit Cromwell
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