Wild Old Times

In this episode we ask the question: where does folklore end and fiction begin? Every country's destiny is shaped by its myths and legends, but do they need to be real to have that impact? Ireland as a nation owes more than it might be willing to admit to the inventive mind of a Scottish schoolteacher who enchanted Europe.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

The history of poitin, Irish moonshine, is a history of Ireland itself. It has been around for over a millennia, surviving both attempts to destroy it and to tame it. Join us as we travel from monks through revenuers to trendy cocktail bars on a history of Ireland's unquenchable spirit.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

In this episode we're going to talk about the Sligo woman who brought a king from his throne and the world to their feet. Across three continents, from Europe to America to Australia she broke hearts and roused passions wherever she went. She was born as Eliza Gilbert but the world knew here better as the unstoppable Lola Montez.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

The river Shannon has cut through the centre of Ireland since history began, defining the island's history. In the 1920s, as an independent Ireland sought to find itself, they began a plan to harness the ancient river's power and use it to drive the whole country into the modern era. The result was, for a time, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world - and a country that understood that it could stand alone.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Once a war hero, Colonel Thomas Blood became one of the most notorious Presbyterian dissenter rebels against the Anglican rule of the British crown. His plot to kidnap the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland made him infamous, and his brazen kidnapping of an English Duke from the heart of London was a national scandal. But these were only a prelude to his greatest crime - an assault on the Tower of London, and the theft of the most sacred symbols of the English monarchy.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Oscar Wilde is one of the most famous Irish writers of all time. His writings are well known, leading many to forget that his mother was probably the greatest female Irish writer of her generation. His scandalous private life overshadows his brother's equally tempestuous time. And his fame means that "the Wilde libel case" will usually refer to his doomed attempt to clear his name - and not the far darker accusations levelled at his father. Content warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

The presidency of Ireland is a role with little actual power, but some people have still projected a great amount of presence in it. Michael D Higgins and Mary Robinson are both presidents who have left an imprint on the Irish psyche. Against them Patrick Hillery fades into the background, despite being Ireland's president for 14 years. But he was a man who actually had a very large impact on Ireland's history in the 20th century - often for what he didn't do, rather than what he did.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

The Irish have a reputation for eccentricity, and it's not entirely undeserved. Join us on a tour through some of the most memorable, from one of Dublin's most loved characters, to Dublin's most famous madams, via vegan farmers, aristocratic jailrats, and the only High Queen of Ireland. Ireland wouldn't be the same without wild old characters like these   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk   

Although Ireland gained its independence in 1922, it remained a part of the British Empire for another 14 years. During that time three men served as governor general - the representative of the British crown in its dominion. The last of them was the least likely man imaginable - an Easter Rising veteran named Domhnall Ua Buachalla.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk   

For the season that's in it, we take a look at the history of Christmas in Ireland. Follow us down the centuries, from the ancient midwinter magic of Newgrange, through to English kings in Dublin, a young future priest in Wexford, and a homesick nurse in Donegal. We'll also take a look at some uniquely Irish Christmas traditions, including one very dear to my own heart.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Nowadays, Dublin native Dionysus Lardner is a pretty obscure name. But in the first half of the 19th century, he  was one of the most famous scientists in the world. His "Cabinet Cyclopedia" had some of the greatest writers of the day sharing their knowledge with the public, and his lecture tour of America reached fifty thousand people across over a hundred lectures. But it was his wild personal life, being involved in two different divorce cases, and his longterm rivalry with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, that really kept him in the headlines.    Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

In 19th century Donegal, few men were as hated as Black Jack Adair. Mothers would scare their children to sleep with his name, and even after his death a monument to him was destroyed. But why was he so despised, and what were the mysterious cursing stones one woman hoped to destroy him with?   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

In this episode we look at the preserved corpses of Ireland - from the Egyptian mummies brought into the country, to the home-grown mummies of St Michans, to the mysterious bog bodies from our own distant past. Each of these was a life once lived, and each of them has a story to tell.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Castles always attract more than their fair share of ghost stories, and the castles of Ireland are no exception. In this special Halloween episode we'll look at some of these stories, and at the history of the castles behind them.    Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Ireland holds a special place in the history of witch trials, for two reasons. The first is that it had a lot less witch trials than anywhere else in Europe. But the second is that it was where the European witch trials began. This week, in the first of two Halloween special episodes, we'll look at that historic milestone, and at all the other witch trials of Ireland.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Every old building has its secrets, if you dig deep enough. In University College Cork you might not have to dig too deep. Underneath the seats in one lecture theatre there sat a preserved corpse - an ancient Egyptian mummy - with students coming and going without a care, for over thirty years. That's just one of the many mysteries we'll be unravelling in this week's episode of Wild Old Times.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk 

Join us, this week, on a journey up the west coast of Ireland. Through myths pagan and Christian alike, we'll make our way along what was once the edge of the world. From the first footsteps on Irish soil to the largest fairy mound of them all with nothing but the deep dark cold ocean to our left as we go.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

Ireland had to forge its own cultural identity after it gained independence, and one tool it used to do so was its new currency. Over the course of the next century it changed and evolved, becoming something that led young Irish people like me to become fascinated by the history it portrayed.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.   Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.liffydesigns.co.uk   The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com   Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

While it might not be true that the Irish invented duelling, it's indisputable that they took to it like fish to water. From the legendary duels of Cuchullain to the blood-soaked duelling fields of Galway City, join me as we look at the history of Irish duels.   (Note: this episode was reuploaded to fix audio issues.)   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.   Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.liffydesigns.co.uk   The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com   Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

Ireland was neutral during World War 2, but that didn't mean it was uninvolved. The Nazis sent a lot of spies into Ireland, from ex-circus strongmen to special forces saboteurs, but the most infamous was Hermann Goertz. His mission was a farce from beginning to finish - and yet he might have still have been the most competent of the group.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.behance.net/liffydesigns   The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

In this episode, we investigate the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. When two pieces of priceless jewellery went missing from Dublin Castle in 1907, the suspects included a famous polar explorer’s brother, a scandal-ridden army captain, and the Mayor of Canterbury. The theft would reveal dark secrets, destroy lives, and set off sparks in a nation on the edge of exploding.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.behance.net/liffydesigns   The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk