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...

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...

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.