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
Emily Anderson: The Forgotten Irish Woman of Bletchley Park
In this captivating episode of the Irish History Podcast, Jackie Ni Chionna joins me to discuss the remarkable but forgotten Irish woman, Emily Anderson. Emily was an Irish code breaker who played a …
The Making of a Ghost Town - The Rise and Fall of the Irish Kings of Cotton
In the 1850s, Portlaw was Ireland's most successful town. The population had grown tenfold in the previous 30 years. The local Cotton Mill, built by the Malcomson Family, provided work for thousands …
Who was the first Irish person to cross the Atlantic Ocean?
I am delighted to share the very first episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast. It's a new show I am making with historian Damian Shiels which looks at Irish-American History. It'…
Resisting Nazi Occupation: Ireland's Forgotten World War II Heroes
John Keany, Monica de Wichfeld, and Delia Murphy are not well-known figures, yet they are some of the most extraordinary people in modern Irish history. During the Second World War, they found themse…
Ireland in World War II: Neutrality, Nazi Collaborators or Secret Allies?
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Ireland adopted a position of neutrality. However, throughout the conflict, senior figures in the United Kingdom and the United States suspected the governmen…
The Mystery Nazi Flight to Ireland - Who was really on board?
In this riveting episode I delve into one of the most intriguing and lesser-known stories of World War II: "The Mystery Nazi Flight to Ireland." On May 5th 1945, a German bomber unexpectedly landed i…
Exploring a 5,000 year old Tomb
Portal Tombs are scattered across the Irish countryside. These monuments, around 5,000 years old, have been sites of ritual for millennia. Generation after generation, while spiritual beliefs changed…
The History of Guinness Explained: A more controversial beer than you think!
Guinness is the most iconic Irish brand of all time. A large part of its success is based on a history the company has carefully crafted around the beer. However like all histories, the actual histor…
Sex Magic, Divorce & Inforcing the Patriarchy - Brehon Law Explained [Classic Re-Release]
Brehon Law, the ancient legal system that ruled Ireland during the Middle Ages, is often romanticised as egalitarian and even feminist. But, in this riveting episode, Dr. Gillian Kenny shatters these…
1324: Ireland’s First Witchcraft Trial
Step back to 1324 and listen to the chilling story of Ireland’s first Witchcraft Trial in my latest episode. In 1324, the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede, accused Alice Kyteler, a wealthy and influ…
Bonus: Legends of the Past - The History Behind Mythology (with Blindboy)
What does mythology teach us about the past? Where do these stories come from? In this podcast, I am joined by Blindboy to explore the origins of mythology and what it can reveal about history. Was t…
Three Days in July Part III - The Hidden War, British Psy-Ops & The Troubles
In the early 1970s, the British Army engaged in psychological operations (psy-ops) and black propaganda to cover up their actions during the Falls Curfew. This episode reveals the shadowy tactics use…
Three Days in July Part II: The Battle of the Falls
On July 3rd 1970, months of rising tensions in Belfast erupted as the British Army laid siege to thousands of homes in the Lower Falls, a large working-class community. This event, known as the Battl…
Three Days in July Part I: A Forgotten Victim of The Troubles
In the summer of 1970, Belfast stood on the precipice of war. By June, months of rising tensions burst into violence, setting the stage for one of the most controversial British military operations o…
Beyond the Famine: A History of the Potato in Ireland
Throughout history, bread has consistently been one of the most popular foods across the world. For two centuries, Ireland was an exception.
Indeed, by the early 19th century, some communities in the …
Lord Haw Haw - Ireland's Most Notorious Nazi
William Joyce aka Lord Haw Haw was Ireland's most notorious Nazi. Raised in the west of Ireland he was an unlikely spokesman for Hitler's Third Reich. Nevertheless millions tuned in to his sinister b…
Breaking the Silence: Post-Famine Trauma in Ireland
In this episode I delve into the lasting impact of the Great Hunger on Ireland. Its often said that the Famine was a taboo subject and a 'Great Silence' surrounded the 1840s. In this podcast I challe…
The Rise of the Irish in New York
Within the space of a few years following the Great Hunger, hundreds of thousands of Irish emigrants settled in New York quickly becoming one of the largest communities in the city.
These Irish emigra…
From Dublin to Devil's Island - The Life & Crimes of Vere Goold
In 1879 Vere Goold was a celebrity in Ireland. After winning Ireland’s first tennis championship, he reached the prestigious Wimbledon final later in the year.
Exactly 30 years later he would die in t…
Unsolved: The 1928 Disappearance of Arthur Poole
Arthur Henri Poole was one of the most celebrated photographers in early 20th-century Ireland. An Englishman by birth, he was also most well-known figures in the city of Waterford where he lived for …