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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
What this show covers
rural communityunsolved mysterytrue crimeGarda investigationcriminal justicechildhoodreformsocial historyLusitaniaMaritime disasterWartime controversyFirst World War18th centuryCoastal communitiesEconomic history
What listeners will find here
A vanished postman, a silent village, and Ireland’s enduring Christmas mystery
The disappearance of postman Larry Griffin on Christmas Day 1929 leads into a haunting look at suspicion, scandal, and silence in Stradbally, Co. Waterford. With author Fachtna Ó Drisceoil, the episode examines a troubled investigation, dramatic arrests, and a community that may have closed ranks.
The brutal realities of childhood in 18th- and 19th-century Ireland
Childhood in 18th- and 19th-century Ireland could mean exploitation, poverty, and punishment. Historian Frank Hopkins examines child chimney sweeps, stolen clothing, infanticide, and a legal system that often treated children as adults, alongside the reform efforts that led to change.
Why the Lusitania still sparks argument more than a century later
The episode examines the 1915 sinking of the RMS Lusitania off County Cork and the fierce debates that still surround it. With Shannon Forde of the Lusitania Museum, it explores the liner’s final voyage, survivor accounts, and the unresolved questions about cargo, explosions, and responsibility.
When smuggling became a community business on Ireland’s coast
18th-century Irish smuggling was so widespread that up to a third of luxury goods entering the country may have come through illicit trade. This episode explores why it boomed, who took part, and how entire coastal communities became involved.
How the Provisional IRA really emerged—and why the conspiracy theories stuck
The episode examines the split that produced the Provisional IRA and modern Sinn Féin, and why competing conspiracy theories have shaped how those events are remembered. With Dr Brian Hanley, it argues for a messier history driven by uncertainty, desperation, and momentum rather than a hidden master plan.
Episodes
![Daily Life in the Middle Ages: Worse Than You Think [Listener Favourite]](https://d1d0yn71g1fneg.cloudfront.net/imgproxy/Po2RwEFFhjhTNKvD_0W9eF5L7MQ8NFpfl5-xWGmj0EU/rs:fill:300:300:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGlwcGEuaW8vc2hvd3MvNjE5NTY2MzMyZWFjYzNhMzYwNzAyNTE4LzE3Nzk3ODY3OTkwNjYtMWIwYWZkZGQtZWZiZi00Njc3LWExNjctMWIwN2RmZTlmZmMxLmpwZWc.webp)
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