In this final episode of Ireland's Last Aristocrat, you will hear how Olive Packenham Mahon adjusted to life in Ireland after the War of Independence. This follows her story through the chaotic early days of the Irish Free State, her futile attempts to budget as money ran out and how she would end up an eccentric living in a mansion that crumbled around her. 

There will be a bonus episode of recordings from Strokestown Park House for supporters at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast later this week. By becoming a supporter you will also get access to my upcoming series on the Irish Civil War.

You can find out more about Strokestown Park House and how you can visit Olive Packenham Mahon's home a thttps://strokestownpark.ie/

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Olive's unpublished diary and letters reveal a story of war, revolution and scandalous relationships in Ireland during the War of Independence.

After being raised in splendour with servants taking care of her every need (see part I), this episode follows Olive Packenham Mahon through the Irish revolutionary era. After the outbreak of World War I everything changed. 

The Packenham Mahons and other aristocrats found themselves on the wrong side of history as revolution swept through Ireland. 

Olive recorded her experiences in an unpublished diary and letters which provide the basis for this episode. While these recount an unusual perspective on the Irish revolution, they also reveal a love affair that scandalised her family!

There is also bonus episode with exclusive content for supporters here.

Artwork - Keith Hynes

Sound - Kate Dunlea

Narrations - Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

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I hope you enjoyed part I of Ireland's Last Aristocrat. While the second episode in the series drops next week, this exclusive supporters-only podcast has bonus material. 

Recorded in Strokestown Park House it features more interviews with historian and guide Oisin O'Driscoll and archivist Martin Fagan. 

It includes several fascinating topics:

• The legacy of the Famine and the assassination of Denis Mahon in Strokestown
• The strange story of why there is no ballroom in the house 
• Olive's parents Henry and Mae.
• Henry's adult tastes in art and photography

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Olive Packenham Mahon was born into wealth and privilege in 1894, but the legacy of a secret funeral and the spectre of war and revolution defined her life. 

She was no ordinary aristocrat - Olive was the last of her kind...

A special thanks to Oisin O'Driscoll, Martin Fagan & Tony Aspel and all the team at Strokestown Park House for their time.

Olive Packenham Mahon's home Strokestown Park House is open to the public. You can find out more at https://strokestownpark.ie/.

Sound by Kate Dunlea. 

Artwork by Keith Hynes

Additional narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray.

There is a bonus episode with exclusive content from Strokestown available later in the week for show patrons at

Patreon - patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Acast+ - https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory

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Olive Pakenham Mahon was one of Ireland's last Aristocrats. Haunted by a secret funeral in her families past, revolution and war defined her life. She was anything but normal...

Subscribe to the Irish History Podcast where you listen to podcasts https://linktr.ee/irishhistory

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You may not recognise the name Bridget O’Donnel, but she is one of the most recognisable women in Irish history. In December 1849 her image (pictured in the episode artwork and here) appeared in The Illustrated London News. Over the following decades she became the face of the Great Famine. Today she is one of the most recognisable women in Irish history, but who was Bridget O’Donnel?

Is it possible she never existed but was the creation of an artist called James Mahony?

Hear the full story of the woman behind this iconic image.

Additional narrations from Therese Murray

H/T to Mark Lagan for his help in this!

The poster of Bridget mentioned in the episode is available here.

Dont forget the supporters trip to Conwy Castle is fast approaching - we leave on October 8th! If you would like to join me on this trip to this amazing castle get in touch today at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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In this special episode brought to you by NOW, I look into why humans are fascinated with dragons. Did you know mythology around dragons is older than organised religion and spiritual beliefs of any kind? Meanwhile images of dragons has been found on all continents in societies from ancient Ireland to China. In this podcast I look at why dragon myths are so old, where did this mythology came from and what does it mean? 

Additional narrations - Aidan Crowe

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2022 has been stressful so this episode treats you to 15 minutes of escapism. It brings you back to Dublin in 1320 in a soundscape of the medieval city. Reconstructed by trawling through 700 year old records for distinctive sounds; it was originally released back in 2014 but is definitely worth another listen. 

I am currently binge editing audio for an upcoming series but I will be back next week with a fresh episode!

Join me on patreon, get access to hours of bonus content and join me on my upcoming trip to the stunning Conwy Castle in Wales - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

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Over the next two weeks I will be busy writing and editing an upcoming series called Ireland's Last Aristocrat. In the meantime I have dusted down two episodes I thought you might enjoy diving back into. This podcast was released in 2019. It's one of was the most listened to and generated the most feedback! It asks if the Great Hunger was a genocide.

Become a supporter and join me on the trip to Conwy - https://www.patreon.com/irishpodcast

Tickets for this Saturdays live show in Waterford on Michael Collins are available here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-history-snugcast-history-from-the-high-stool-tickets-390149617007

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Since the dawn of history humans have been intrigued by the weather. However while it has the potential to sustain or destroy life, our ability to accurately forecast it is very recent. In this podcast I am joined by meteorologists Evelyn Cusack and Noel Fitzpatrick to explain the fascinating history of weather forecasting. Our desire to predict the weather is a story driven by war, natural disasters, human ingenuity and super computers.

You can find the Met Eireann podcast here https://www.met.ie/education/the-met-eireann-podcast/. The specific episode referenced by Noel in relation to Newgrange is available here https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-met-%C3%A9ireann-podcast/id1469018144

Become a member on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Irishpodcast and get access to

• My upcoming exclusive series on the Civil War with Dr Brian Hanley
• Join me on the supporters' trip to Conwy Castle in Wales
• Early access to the show
• Ad free episodes
• Hours of supporters only content

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