ConorSweetman.Stories

This story started out when I found out about the 1938 Cork Grand Prix. This event was the equivalent of a modern-day Formula 1 race. Can you imagine that on the streets of Cork city?!

When I started digging into the story, I discovered a rich tradition of motor racing in Ireland. Before world war 2, the Irish motor racing scene was thriving. After the war though, it never quite got back to its former glory. Hopefully this piece gives you a glimpse into what the scene was like.

Big thanks to historian Leanne Blaney, writer Bob Montgomery, historian Mike Cronin, and author Neal Bascomb.

(First broadcast 14th November 2021 on The History Show on RTE Radio 1)

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In this story, I speak to historian Sean Hogan about the romance between Dan Breen and Brigid Malone during the Irish War of Independence.

I made this story in 2021 when Ireland was in 'lockdown' due to COVID-19. This context makes the story even more poignant because 100 years earlier, when Dan and Bridget got married, Ireland was in lockdown for a very different reason. The War of Independence was raging and the Crown Forces were holding parts of the country under martial law.

(First broadcast 9th May 2021 on The History Show on RTE Radio 1)

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In 1921, the Irish Republican Army attempted to land a shipment of Thompson Machine Guns in Loughshinny in North County Dublin. To facilitate the operation, the IRA had to burn down every Coast Guard station in Dublin from Skerries to Clontarf. But there was one problem, the guns never arrived...

This is one of my favourite stories. Mainly because I grew up a few kilometres from the 'action'.

Special thanks to Karen De Lacy, Enda Coyle-Green and Caroline Crowley.

(First broadcast 7th November 2021 on The History Show on RTE Radio 1)

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This story is about the life and legacy of Frank Lawless, an Irish republican from North County Dublin.

Special thanks to historians Dr Declan Brady and Professor Diarmaid Ferriter.

I got this story from Caroline Crowley, Public Art Coordinator at Fingal County Council. As part of Fingal's commemoration programme, the Arts Office commissioned Donal Dineen to make a film about Frank Lawless. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODmeJR54TsY.

(First broadcast 6th November 2021 on The History Show on RTE Radio 1)

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In 1922, at the start of the Irish Civil War, the Free State Army used 18-pounder field guns to shell the Four Courts, which were held by the Anti-Treaty forces. These guns were given on loan by the British to the Free State Army. 

After the war, these guns remained in service in the Irish Army. But then, some time in the 50s, they disappeared. Their whereabouts shrouded in mystery for decades. 

That is, until one of the guns was discovered in the most unlikely of places...

(First broadcast 9th April 2023 on The History Show on RTE Radio 1)

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A Sonnet for Isabella Lucinda Bright by Dermot Bolger

(First published on the Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast, September 2022)

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Field of Yellow Flowers with Airplane and Standing Figure by Leontia Flynn

(First published on the Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast, September 2022)

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A Pinch of Snow in a Black Velvet Glove by Mary Branley

(First published on Fingal Poetry Festival Podcast, September 2022)

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Colin Devereux founded Dawn Clouds in 2018.

Music from this episode is from Blue Dot Sessions and Jackdaw.

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