In this episode, Niamh Wycherley interviews Mairéad Finnegan, a PhD researcher in Maynooth University, about dress, clothing and fashion in late medieval Ireland (12th to 16th centuries). Mairéad brilliantly paints a vivid picture of how a medieval Irish person would express their ethnic identity, status, gender or community through their clothes and provides a glimpse into the private lives of medieval Irish men and women. Mairéad talks sumptuary laws, tomb effigies and dodgy hairstyles and indulges all of Niamh's random musings on short shorts, long shoes and colourful clothing. We ask the big questions like who wore it best (Waterford vs Limerick edition) in the 14th century and how does one deal with blackberry stains? Mairéad is half way through her PhD research in the Department of Early Irish (supervisor Prof. Deborah Hayden) and the Department of History (supervisor Dr Michael Potterton).

Suggested reading:

Sparky Booker, 'Moustaches, Mantles, and Saffron Shirts: What Motivated Sumptuary Law in Medieval English Ireland?' Speculum 96/3 (July 2021): https://doras.dcu.ie/26481/1/Speculum%20booker%20mantles%20moustaches%20final.pdf

Email: [email protected]

X (formerly Twitter): @EarlyIrishPod

Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, & Taighde Éireann (formerly Science Foundation Ireland/Irish Research Council).

Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Production: Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva.

Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa

Music: Lexin_Music