This special episode of the Irish History Podcast, in partnership with An Post, marks the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth.

In this podcast, I explore the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most influential figures. Known as 'The Liberator' O’Connell’s campaign for Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and his role in shaping modern Ireland are legendary, but his story is complex.

From his early days in Kerry and his experiences during the French Revolution to the personal demons that haunted him, O’Connell is an intriguing figure. Although a pacifist, he killed a rival in a fatal duel. A founding father of Irish nationalism, O’Connell was also a monarchist. This episode teases out these contradictions.

To mark the anniversary of his birth, An Post has released two commemorative stamps capturing pivotal moments in O’Connell’s story: his iconic ‘monster meetings’ and his release from prison in 1844. Check out the stamps at anpost.com/history.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Brian Casey, historian and archives manager at the Dublin Cemeteries Trust, for a fascinating conversation recorded in Glasnevin Cemetery, just steps from O’Connell’s final resting place. Together, Brian and I explore the history behind this legendary figure.

You can get the commemorative stamps now at anpost.com/history and in selected post offices across Ireland.

Audio edit by Kate Dunlea.

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How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of our island through biography. The DIB, a free to access to website has thousands of biographies on figures from Irish History.

From Henry McCullough, the only Irish musician at Woodstock, to Ann Lovett, whose tragic death forced a nation to confront uncomfortable truths, and Brendan Hughes, whose life mirrored the turbulence of the Troubles, this conversation delves into the complexities of who gets remembered—and why.

People mentioned in the episode.

Ann Lovett  https://www.dib.ie/biography/lovett-ann-a10324

Eamon De Valera https://www.dib.ie/biography/de-valera-eamon-dev-a2472

Bang Bang https://www.dib.ie/biography/dudley-thomas-bang-bang-a2803

The Dice man https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcginty-thom-diceman-a5672

John Mitchel https://www.dib.ie/biography/mitchel-john-a5834

John Redmond https://www.dib.ie/biography/redmond-john-edward-a7602

Brendan Hughes https://www.dib.ie/biography/hughes-brendan-a9636

Dolours Price https://www.dib.ie/biography/price-dolours-a10048

Martin McGuinmess https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcguinness-james-martin-pacelli-a10375

Michael Collins https://www.dib.ie/biography/collins-michael-a1860

Daniel O’Connell https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconnell-daniel-a6555

Charles Stewart Parnell https://www.dib.ie/index.php/biography/parnell-charles-stewart-a7199

Francis Sheehy Skeffington https://www.dib.ie/biography/skeffington-francis-sheehy-a8105

Lady Mary Heath https://www.dib.ie/biography/heath-sophie-mary-lady-heath-nee-peirce-evans-other-married-name-eliott-lynn-a2963

Henry McCullough https://www.dib.ie/biography/mccullough-henry-campbell-liken-a10389

Eva Gore Booth https://www.dib.ie/biography/booth-eva-selina-gore-a0784

Do you have suggestion for entries. Contact the DIB at [email protected]  

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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When we think of Ireland’s past, we usually envisage an island shaped by two languages: Irish and English. But hidden in the history of South Wexford is Yola, a unique dialect that survived for centuries after the Norman invasion, only to vanish almost without a trace.

In this episode, I am joined by Sascha Santschi-Cooney to explore the fascinating story of Yola: where it came from, who spoke it, what it sounded like, and why it disappeared. From medieval settlers to the Great Vowel Shift and the impact of Cromwell, the history of this dialect is intriguing.

Get a copy of Sascha's 2019 book The Forth & Bargy Dialect at your local library https://waterford.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/458376473/1314333,1

Follow Sascha's work on Linkedin https://ie.linkedin.com/in/sascha-santschi-cooney-76a885188

Sound by Kate Dunlea.

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This episode continues the story of NORAID - the Irish American organisation who were the voice of the IRA in the US. Jamie Goldrick and I delve into the complicated history of wider Irish American involvement in the Troubles. It's a history full of contradictions on both sides of the Atlantic. In the Republic, many criticised NORAID’s actions, yet did little themselves. Meanwhile, NORAID had little to say about the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights Movement in America.

Together, Jamie and I pick apart this complex and often uncomfortable chapter in Irish and Irish American history.

Jamie Goldrick is the producer of NORAID: Irish America & the IRA which screens on RTE on July 9th & 16th. Check it out on https://www.rte.ie/player/

There are a limited number of tickets for my live podcast on Daniel O’Connell in Glasnevin Cemetery. It takes place on July 24th, entry is free but booking is essential. Contact [email protected] for your ticket today.

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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In this episode, we explore the fascinating and controversial story of NORAID, the Irish American organisation at the heart of the new documentary NORAID: Irish America & the IRA. Joined by the film’s producer, Jamie Goldrick, we unravel the history that made NORAID so influential, examining its activities, its impact on the Troubles, and its lasting legacy in both Ireland and America. From high-profile stunts in Times Square to persistent allegations of gun running, this conversation offers fresh insights into a pivotal but often overlooked chapter of history. 

 NORAID: Irish America & the IRA screens on RTE on July 9th & 16th. Check it out on https://www.rte.ie/player/

Get your tickets to the live podcast on Daniel O’Connell at [email protected]

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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In the 1950s, more than 20,000 people—over one percent of the adult population of Ireland—were locked away in mental asylums. This was the highest rate in the world, with more people confined in asylums than in all other institutions, including prisons, combined.

Yet, despite these staggering numbers, the story of Ireland’s asylums remains largely unspoken. In this episode, historian Fin Dwyer is joined by Prof Brendan Kelly to uncover the history behind these institutions. They explore the origins of Ireland’s asylums, the harsh realities faced by those inside, and the complex reasons why communities didn’t oppose these bleak institutions but often welcomed their opening. Through powerful stories and revealing statistics, this episode shines a light on a dark chapter of Irish history that we still struggle to confront.

Get an ad-free version of the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast

Get Brendan's book 'Inside Grangegorman' https://shop.ria.ie/products/asylum-inside-grangegorman

Sound by Kate Dunlea.

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While we’re on the last week of our summer break, we’re bringing you one of our most popular episodes from the back catalogue.

For over four decades, contraception was not just taboo in Ireland—it was illegal. From 1935 to 1979, selling contraceptives and even accessing information about family planning was strictly banned by the Irish government. These laws reshaped daily life, leaving couples unable to plan their families and forcing many to navigate relationships under the shadow of fear and uncertainty.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Laura Kelly from the University of Strathclyde, a leading authority on the history of contraception in Ireland. Laura reveals the origins of these bans, the motivations behind them, and the lasting consequences for Irish society.

Next week, I return with the fascinating history exploring why Ireland institutionalised over 1% of its population in psychiatric hospitals and mental asylums.

Find out more about Laura’s research and publications here.

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A story from the 1920s that will reshape the way you view our great grandparents lives!

Unfortunately, there’s no new show this week, but I wanted to re-share an episode I really enjoyed making two years ago. It'll well worth another spin.

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The Irish funeral wake is a unique tradition where family and friends gather around the body of the deceased to share stories, remember their life, and celebrate their legacy. Often resembling a lively party with plenty of drink, this ritual is both a farewell and a celebration.

Predating Christianity, the Irish wake stretches back thousands of years. In this episode, recorded at the Irish Wake Museum in Waterford, Donnchad Ó Ceallacháin and Clíona Purcell join Fin Dwyer to explore the fascinating history behind this enduring Irish custom.

Clíona and Donnchad are curators at the Irish Wake Museum. The museum is well worth checking out. Book your tickets at https://www.waterfordtreasures.com/museum/irish-wake-museum/

Sound: Kate Dunlea

Support the podcast and get an ad-free versions of the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast

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In times past, childbirth was a profoundly communal and intimate experience, guided by the steady hands and wisdom of community midwives. Known as Bean Ghlúine—the Women of the Knee—these women were among the most important figures in rural Irish communities.

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Emma Laffey to explore the world of birth and midwifery in a time before pregnancy tests or pain relief. Through the remarkable story of community midwife Mary Anne Fanning, our conversation uncovers the history of birth and the key role midwives played in Irish communities. They delivered not just babies, but in an era of high infant mortality, they were also called upon to guide families through loss and tragedy.

*This episode discusses themes of childbirth and infant loss, which some listeners may find distressing.*

Sound by Kate Dunlea

Resources

Visit the Exhibition:

https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Country-Life/Exhibitions/Mary-Anne-Fanning-Remembering-our-Community-Midwiv

Read Emma's book Woman of the Knee Midwife & Handywoman for free

https://skehana.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/people/an-bhean-ghluine/an-bheanghluine

Find out more about Irish community midwives

https://skehana.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/category/topics/an-bhean-ghluine

Watch this interview with community midwife Bina Kelly interviewed in 1983

https://skehana.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/people/an-bhean-ghluine/an-bhean-ghluine

iCAN: Irish Community Archive Network

https://www.ouririshheritage.org/

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