Irish History Podcast
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.
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- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 28 minutes
- Episodes
- 427
- Years Active
- 2010 - 2025
(1101 - 1103) The Great War of Ulster and Munster (Part II)
This show returns to the story of Gaelic Ireland in the final decades prior to the Norman Invasion. Ireland is being torn apart by long running tensions between the kings of Munster and Ulster. The s…
The Top 5 Turning Points in Medieval Ireland: (Part II ) The Battle of Athenry
This podcast concludes our journey through the Top 5 turning points of Medieval Ireland. This show focuses on one of the most intriguing events of our medieval past, the Battle of Athenry in 1316. Th…
The Top 5 Turning Points in Medieval Ireland (Part I)
This episode is a whistlestop tour through medieval Ireland stopping off at battlefields along the way, taking a look at the top five turning points as I see them. This podcast will introduce some of…
Ireland 1300 A.D. A Tale of Honour, Violence and Justice
Honour was all important in Ireland in 1300 A.D. Unsurprisingly when a miller, Walter de Capella, insulted the mistress of John Thebaud it sparked a row between the two men. This row escalated and wi…
Castlekevin: Life and Death on a Medieval Frontier
Today, the long forgotten ruins of the medieval fortress and town of Castlekevin, are situated in a remote valley in the Wicklow mountains. In the early 14th century this was the epicentre of a feroc…
The Norman Conquest of Connacht
During the high summer of 1235 the west of Ireland witnessed one of the most violent chapters in its history when the Normans launched their conquest of the west. This campaign culminated in the stor…
The 1317 Siege of Dublin
In February 1317 Dublin faced its greatest crisis. A huge army lead by Robert the Bruce, king of Scotlan d was making its way to lay siege to the city. With no army to defend the city, Dubliners were…
Special: Dennis Doherty – A Life of Survival Against the Odds
This episode looks at the fascinating story of Dennis Doherty. Born in Derry in 1814, Doherty would spend most of his life in Australian prisons. His story is remarkable – he was flogged 3,000 times …
The Great Gaelic Revolt of the 1270s
After the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Wicklow region was surprisingly peaceful. Despite the fact the Gaelic Irish had been dispossessed, many appeared to be getting on with life. This was decepti…
Dublin 1303: The Business of War
In 1303 the Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgh, amassed a large army in Dublin which was destined for Scotland. In the podcast we look at a forgotten story of medieval Dubliners who had to undertake wh…
(1090-1101) The Great War of Ulster and Munster (Part I)
In 1090 Muirchertach O Briain, grandson of Brian Boru, faced the darkest moment of his rule as King of Munster. Defeated and vanquished by his rival the king of Ulster, Domnal McLochlainn, he faced t…
(1072 -1090) The Return of the O Briains
In 1072 the aging King of Leinster Diarmait Mc Mael na mBó died. His death saw the descendents of Brian Boru try to follow in the footsteps of their famous ancestor and dominate Ireland but there was…
Life in Ireland in the 11th Century
The year is 1067. Godwin Godwinson the son and heir to the dead Saxon king Harold Godwinson fled to Ireland after the Norman Invasion of England. This podcast looks at the world he found in Ireland. …
Special: The Assassination of the Land Agent John Ellis
Episode 15 is a story of murder and injustice, set in 19th century Ireland. In a country struggling to recover from the famine tenants despised landlords and their agents who had treated them brutall…
(1022-1072) The Man Who Would be King
Episode 14 sees Gaelic Ireland struggle to deal with the crisis and chaos that followed the death of the high king Maelseachnaill Mac Domnaill. In a highly uncertain world where war was frequent and …
Special: The Nine Years War and the Great Dublin Explosion of 1597
In 1597 Dublin was ripped apart by a massive explosion which killed over 1% of the city’s population. This podcast looks at the background to the incredible events of March 1597. The 9 Years War was …
(1000 -1022) Brian Boru, The Battle of Clontarf and Its Aftermath
Brian Boru is without doubt Ireland’s most well known medieval king, while a battle he fought in 1014, the Battle of Contarf, is Irelands most famous medieval conflict. In this podcast we look at the…
(980 -1000) The Pursuit of Power: (Part III) A New Millennium and A New King
Episode 10 sees a titantic struggle between the two most powerful Iirsh Kings of the early medieval Ireland - the O Neill High King, Maelseachnaill II and Brian Boru, the King of Munster.
In a story f…
(944 – 980) The Pursuit of Power: (Part II) The Rise of Brian Boru and the Dál Cais
Medieval Ireland stands on the edge of a precipice. A rootless struggle for control of the O'Neill kingdom breaks out in the North, while in Munster a new comer to the podcast – the Dal Cais challeng…
(919-944) The Pursuit of Power: (Part 1) The Decline of the O’Neills
This episode charts a fascinating story that wil finish with the rise of Brian Boru. Gripping, ruthless and at times blood curdling this history is full of twists and turns. Over the next three shows…