Hidden Histories

It’s not every week a striking piece of early 20th century Irish art makes it to the upper-echelons of the British popular music charts, but so it was this week with Oliver Sheppard’s remarkable The Death of Cuchullain, bracing the front of the new Fontaines DC record. Denied by Taylor Swift there - and the Coronas at home - the album cover has reignited interest in one of Ireland’s great artists who helped shape our collective identity of what it meant to be Irish, and whose incredible statue gazes on us from the window of the GPO.

To discuss further, Donal Fallon joins Sean Defoe this week for another episode of Hidden Histories.

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The sad passing of Alan Parker during the week has led to much reflection on the English directors contribution to cinematic history, leaving behind a rich legacy of films spanning genres and themes. But perhaps his greatest legacy was what he did for Irish cinema - on its knees - with the incredible 1991 success of The Commitments. The film achieved immediate cult success - but the critics tended not to like it - and paved the way for a 1990s film revival in Ireland.

To discuss further, Donal Fallon joins Gavan for another episode of Hidden Histories.

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Right now, we should be watching the Olympics.

Alas, in what is another twist in the Olympic Games' long and storied past, Tokyo 2020 has been postponed until 2021 meaning we'll have to wait a little longer to revel in one the world's most celebrated sporting events.

Indeed, Ireland’s own Olympic history is a curious story in and of itself with victories under a colonial flag and victories against it, successful diaspora hammer-throwers, and even medals in poetry and portrait painting.

Much like association football and cycling, there has been plenty of wrangling about just who represents Ireland, but there has been a surprising amount of joy for an Irish sporting story too.

To take us through a whistlestop history of Ireland's Olympic exploits, Donal Fallon joins Gavan for another episode of Hidden Histories.

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The word of the summer appears to be ‘Staycation’.

So across the island of Ireland, hundreds of thousands of us will holiday at home. But this is nothing new - indeed, going back a mere generation or two, it was standard practice.  The history of Irish tourism - both in and out of the island - is a curious tale that tells us much about the broader story of life in twentieth century Ireland. Imagine getting on a train with no clue where it’s going - this was the Irish Staycation.

Sean Defoe is joined by Donal Fallon for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.

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This month marks a century since one of the strangest occurrences of the War of Independence. General Cuthbert Lucas was the most high profile British Army figure to be kidnapped by the IRA during the War of Independence. But, his story thankfully doesn’t end in execution. Rather, he befriended his captors, enjoying card games, a spot of tennis and a daily allowance of whiskey. Lucas maintained a communication with his wife - just recently published - and spoke highly of his captors.

Gavan is joined by Donal Fallon for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.

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The future of the Green Party is somewhat uncertain, but its past is fascinating.

Born as the 'Ecology Party' - later becoming 'Green Alliance' - the story of the party is entangled in the bigger picture of 1980s Ireland.

Rumours of their demise, on more than one occasion, have been greatly exaggerated before and their history includes arrested TDs, environmental campaigns, and more besides.

Gavan is joined by Donal Fallon for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.

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With scenes of violence on the streets of London, the issue surrounding statues and the commemoration of controversial historical figures has reared its head once more and here at home there has been particular focus on one statue - John Mitchel in Newry.

The radical Irish nationalist turned Confederacy supporter and slavery advocate is not a widely known name today but there was a time when he was among the most famous Irishmen in the world.

The current debate raises interesting questions for the GAA with clubs right across the island of Ireland named after Mitchel.

But should the name stay or go?

Gavan Reilly is joined by Donal Fallon for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.

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The idea of slavery is of course inextricably linked to the idea of race, especially in the U.S.

But when it comes to Ireland, the story of Irish involvement in the anti-slavery movement is embodied by the relationship between Daniel O’Connell and a man whose name you’ve probably heard: Frederick Douglass.

In fact, such was their relationship that it was even recalled by Barack Obama during his speech at College Green in Dublin in 2011.

Yet the story of Ireland’s opposition to slavery neither began nor ended with O’Connell, and many of the key names are totally forgotten.

Donal Fallon joins Gavan for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.

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Vera Klute’s Luke Kelly monument has been vandalised yet again - that is five times in a single year, making it one of the most vandalised monuments in the history of the capital, and Ireland more broadly.

But why do these things happen?

For as long as there have been monuments and art works in our public spaces they have been targeted, and not merely political works, but even fiberglass cows.

Donal Fallon joins Gavan for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss the peculiar phenomenon of defacing, damaging, and sometimes destroying monuments in this country.

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There was curious breaking news this week - concerning the legendary Red Hugh O’Donnell.  Despite dying in 1602, he has propelled himself back into the news cycle - both in Ireland and Spain - as archaeologists in the Spanish City of Valladolid are hopeful they may find his bones in the week ahead. It is news that will be followed especially closely in Donegal, and for one Spanish City, it has been a welcome distraction from other things.

Donal Fallon joins us with another edition of Hidden Histories.

 

Listen and subscribe to On The Record with Gavan Reilly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

    

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