The History of Ireland

The old gods of Ireland never really died — they went under the hills, and people learned not to say their name. We follow the Tuatha Dé into folklore, where they become the fairies, the Sídhe, the Good People — and take the first step towards the changeling and the 1895 killing of Bridget Cleary.The episode cover image is a hawthorn tree, famously associated with fairies in Ireland. (Wikimedia Commons/Robin Somes) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode we finish off the last section of The Fate of the Children of Lír and explore how really it was the Christian Brothers who cemented it in the Irish psyche. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at how the Children of Lír slowly gained popularity over the 19th century and see what happens when you turn someone's children into swans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at The Fate of the Children of Lír and explore how Ireland's most famous myth is not a myth at all. In fact, it's a Christian parable in a shape of myth. A bit like a child who's been turned into a swan.The artwork for this episode is THE CHILDREN OF LIR. THE ENCHANTMENT by Jim FitzPatrick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slight diversion from our current series on mythology to look at a unique connection between Ireland and Palestine. If you'd like to donate to support the people of Palestine you can do so here: https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/west-bank-gazaAs this could be a contentious episode, I wanted to ensure I shared all my sources. If it's something people find interesting, I'll keep doing for episodes moving forward. Seán W. Gannon, “The Formation, Composition, and Conduct of the British Section of the Palestine Gendarmerie, 1922–26,” The Historical Journal (2013). Cambridge University Press & AssessmentSeán W. Gannon, “‘Our Irish Constabulary’: The British Palestine Gendarmerie, 1922–1926,” in The Irish Imperial ServiceRichard A. Cahill, “The Image of ‘Black and Tans’ in Late Mandate Palestine,” Jerusalem Quarterly 40 (2009).Richard A. Cahill, “Going Berserk: ‘Black and Tans’ in Palestine,” Jerusalem Quarterly 38 (2009). Palestine StudiesUCC, The War of Words: Propaganda and Moral Force. University College Cork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Fate of the Children of Tuireann Pt. 3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Lug issues a fine to the Children of Tuireann and we look at how fines were the bedrock of medieval Ireland's decentralised system of laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode we dive into the Fate of the Children of Tuireann, a story from the 15th century that builds on The Second Battle of Moytura and introduces a fascinating (if slightly horrible) character in the form of Brian, son of Tuireann. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore the concept of honour price and how it was one of the most important legal concept in early medieval Ireland. We then dive back into The Wooing of Étain, where three games of fidchell (ancient Irish chess) demonstrate different approaches to keeping deals and saving face. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at how early medieval Ireland was ruled through a series of different kings and over kings, as well as continue our story of Etain, who is now living in early medieval Ireland with no memory of her time with the Tuatha Dé.Image, used with permission, is Nuada the High King by Jim Fitzpatrick.https://jimfitzpatrick.com/product-category/celtic-irish-fantasy-art/the-book-of-conquests-and-the-silverarm/page/2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we get back into The Wooing of Étain, exploring her life as a fly and witness how she is reborn 1000 years later... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at how a Welsh bishop with fringe apocalyptic ideas became the patron saint of Ireland – defeating a whole load of druids in the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Étain represent the moon? And did The Wooing of Étain teach druids how to read the moon's movement over decades? In this episode we explore how connected to the natural world Irish stories really are and meet the eponymous Étain for the first time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the history behind how The Wooing of Étain was uncovered and then dive into the story itself — as the Dagda swindles a poor man out of his home in Newgrange.Imagery for the episode, used with permission, is Boann Bru Na Boinne by the iconic Jim FitzPatrick. You can view more of Jim's stunning work and purchase prints at jimfitzpatrick.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we finally get to the big clash between the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé. It's a brutal and beautiful piece of literature. It also may have been inspired by Viking invasions...Imagery for the episode, used with permission, is Lugh Attacks the Fomor by the iconic Jim FitzPatrick. You can view more of Jim's stunning work and purchase prints at jimfitzpatrick.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we follow one of the strangest (and maybe raunchiest) moments in ancient Irish stories as the Dagda prepares for battle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we greet the arrival of Lugh as the Tuatha Dé prepare for battle. We also dive into what the characters of Lugh and Bres tell us about what the ancient Irish looked for in a leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at life in Ireland under the rulership of Bres the Beautiful and learn who is father was, as well as explore what a story of Dian Cecht can tell us about ancient Irish writers. Cover image is an AI created image of Eriu staring out to sea. What do we think of something like this? I'm struggling to find good cover imagery for these stories so this feels a nice solution, but I'm also unsure and keen on to hear ye're thoughts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we dive into the First Battle of Moytura, telling the story of how the Tuatha Dé came to Ireland.If you'd like to dive into the originals, check out UCC's CELT resource.The image is one of the Cong Stone Circles in Mayo, which is said to be linked to the Battle of Moytura. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the people behind the Irish mythological stories and explore how the stories we have today are a fascinating blend of Irish paganism and Christian pseudo-history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a whole new season and we're doing something a little different – diving into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology. But before we jump into tales of gods and heroes, we need to set the stage. In this episode, we're exploring the uniquely Irish concept of the Sidhe looking at everything from Newgrange's Neolithic passage tombs to the arrival of the Celts, unpacking how these ancient structures shaped Ireland's mythological landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the aftermath of the Irish Civil War and how it's still influencing Irish politics to this day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at how Maggie Doherty and the McCarthy sisters were totally and utterly failed by the Free State and how their stories highlight how women suffered due to the conflict.Content Warning: This episode does discuss sexual assault. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the last dying gasps of the Irish Civil War and dive into the psychological genius of De Valera's order to dump arms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'm glad one of the old crowd got me" is what Liam Lynch said after he was shot in the Knockmealdown Mountains and in this episode we look at the dying breaths of both the anti-Treaty IRA and it's iron willed leader Liam Lynch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish men blowing each other to smithereens – there's a reason March 1923 is often referred to as the month of terror. In this episode we explore the Ballyseedy Massacre and the other similarly gruesome events that occurred in Kerry towards the end of the Irish Civil War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the winter of 1922 into 1923 – time when the Civil War became increasingly bitter and the anti-Treaty side became more and more desperate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we join forces with Shite Talk History to tell the story of the amazing Harry Boland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore a friendship that ended in executions that was said to have "killed the new State at its birth.“ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we celebrate 1,000,000 downloads by going down the supernatural rabbit hole that is the history of Halloween.From druids to evil spirts, from Christianity to capitalism, Halloween is a fascinating mix of ancient folk traditions, religion and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at December 6th, the day the Irish Free State official came into being. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the creation of Irish Free State constitution which was brought into law on December 6th 1922. Here's the Radiolab episode on the Irish electoral system that I mention in the show:https://radiolab.org/podcast/tweak-vote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at how the Catholic Church worked to bring about peace in 1922, choosing the Treaty and turning against the anti-Treaty Republicans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the first series of executions carried out by the Free State in November 1922.The image used for this episode is of Erskine Childers and his wife Molly, on their yacht the Asgard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we tell the sad story of Tadhg Kennefick and try to make sense of the horrific violence of the Irish Civil war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at what has been described as one of the most draconian pieces of legislation ever to be passed in a liberal democracy and see how the Special Powers Act was just one of the many ways that Ulster Unionists held on to power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the second failed Craig-Collins pact and try to untangle the complicated web that was Michael Collins's approach to the North in 1922. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From CS Lewis's bourgeois Protestant upbringing to Seamus Heaney's beautiful attempts at understanding his home, this episode I interview Alexander Poots author of The Strangers' House: Writing Northern Ireland and ask what Northern Irish writers can teach us about the history of the area. Sign up to Patreon for the full interview. You can read more about the book, here:https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/alexander-poots/the-strangers-house/9781538701584/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the failed attempts to bring peace to Northern Ireland in 1922 and how this affected one poor family in particular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's this? A new episode! Finally! Thanks so much for baring with me. Happy to say the show is back and raring to go. This episode takes a look at how the Northern Irish border was drawn and explains how we landed on the six counties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we investigate how the anti-Treaty IRA were coping, as well as the Army Emergency Power Resolution and its ramifications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we take a look at WT Cosgrave – the conservative witty Dubliner who replaced Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins to become the leader of the fledgling state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we examine the ramifications of Michael Collins death — his funeral the reprisals that followed, and who would take his place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore one of the most tragic (and hotly debated) moments of the Irish Civil War, the death of Michael Collins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A jam packed episode as we explore what was going on in and around the first week of August 1922. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loved this chat with Gerard Shannon, a fascinating historian currently writing a book on Liam Lynch. Over the course of the interview we get deep into the minds of the two leading figures of the anti-Treaty IRA. As ever the full hour long interview is available to Patreon subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Four Courts was blown to smithereens fighting continued for several days in and around Dublin. In this episode we imagine what it must have been like for those hold up in the hotels, shops and homes transformed into military bases — and what it must have been like for those attacking them.The image shows the Gresham Hotel in flames. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the event traditionally viewed as the start of the Irish Civil War. These first unsteady and unwilling steps into civil war paved the way for the brutality that would soon follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the centenary of the death of Michael Collins I'm sharing excerpts from an interview with Anne Dolan and Will Murphy authors of Michael Collins: The Man & The Revolution and Days in the Life, Reading the Michael Collins Diaries 1918-1922. Reading the Michael Collins Diaries just came out last week and it was fascinating to unpack what Anne and Will learned while putting the new book together. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to the full episode. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of Sir Henry Wilson is a complicated affair that gives us a fascinating insight into the intersectional nature of the Ireland at the time. Whether figuring out who ordered the hit or examining those involved — nothing is simple or straightforward.The photo is of Reginald Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.