Show overview
The History of Ireland has been publishing since 2019, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 132 episodes, alongside 6 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 13 min and 18 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language History show.
There hasn’t been a new episode in the last ninety days; the most recent episode landed 5 months ago. Published by Kevin Dolan.
From the publisher
Please take this quick survey to help support the show: http://bit.ly/thehistoryofireland-surveyThe Irish Republic's foundation is one hell of a story, complete with spying secretaries, pig thieves, politicians, poets, school teachers and the world's biggest empire. In quick, bite-sized episodes, we're going to explore the causes, characters and aftermath of the Irish War of Independence.Support the show through Patreon for bonus content and ad free listening!www.patreon.com/thehistoryofireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
View all 132 episodes
S3 Ep 19S3 EP19 - The Children of Lír in the Classroom
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.
S3 Ep 18S3 EP18 — Why The Children of Lír Was The Perfect Story For 19th Century Nationalists
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.
S3 Ep 17S3 EP17 — The Lie Behind The Children of Lír
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.
The Black & Tans in Palestine
bonusA 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.
S3 Ep 16S3 EP16 — The Scholars on the Edge of the World
The Fate of the Children of Tuireann Pt. 3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 15S3 EP15 — The Fines That Made Brehon Law Tick
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.
S3 Ep 14S3 EP 14 — Ireland's First Psychopath?
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.
S3 Ep 13S3 EP13 — Honour Price & Fidchell
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.
S3 Ep 12S3 E12 — The Kings of Early Medieval Ireland Meet Étain
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.
S3 Ep 11S3 EP11 – The Unique Oddness of Irish Mythology
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.
S3 Ep 10S3 EP10 – How Patrick Became Our Patron Saint
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.
S3 Ep 9S3 EP9 — How Druids Learned To Read The Moon Through Story
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.
S3 Ep 8S3 EP8 — A Lost Story of how the God's Fought Over Newgrange
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.
S3 Ep 7S3 EP7 — Were the Fomorians a Metaphor for Vikings?
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.
S3 Ep 6S3 EP6 – Why is Ireland's Father Deity So Different?
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.
S3 Ep 5S3 EP5 – How Lugh shows what the Irish cared about
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.
S3 Ep 4S3 EP4 – How Bres the Beautiful came to be
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.
S3 Ep 3S3 EP3 – The Coming of the Tuatha Dé
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.
S3 Ep 2S3 EP2 – The Filí
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.
S3 Ep 1S3 EP01 – Newgrange, The Celts & The People of the Sídhe
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.