In this episode of Talking History, we explore the history of Dublin in books - O'Connell Street, its statues, monuments and buildings, with Nicola Pierce, author of ‘O’Connell Street – The History & Life of Dublin’s Iconic Street’, how we ended up with the Spire with historian Donal Fallon, and we'll also bring you the history of rugby in Leinster from the 19th century to present day, with historian Dr David Doolin.

In this episode of Talking History, we explore the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and debate whether he was the greatest composer of all time, and assess his remarkable legacy.

In this Christmas episode of Talking History, we're visiting the White House to find out about Christmas traditions and tales there from the 19th century to the present day. We'll find out how Jackie Kennedy reshaped the holiday and how different presidents and their families viewed the festivities. Joining us is Lina Mann, Historian at The White House Historical Association.

In this episode of Talking History: the remarkable life of Mary-Jane O'Donovan Rossa and how she helped to secure the legacy of her Fenian husband; the mysterious logic of the world's first writing systems; and we'll explore Newgrange and why it was built and whether there might be a second chamber still to be discovered.

Patrick Geoghegan examines the life and death of Theobald Wolfe Tone - on the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion - and debates his remarkable legacy. He's joined by Professor Tom Bartlett, Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University of Aberdeen; Dr Catriona Kennedy, senior lecturer in the history department and member of the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies at the University of York; Wolfe Tone relative William Atkins; and Dr Sylvie Kleinman, Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of History, Trinity College Dublin.

In this episode of Talking History: the end of the Hundred Years War and the pivotal role played by the 17-year-old Joan of Arc, with Jonathan Sumption; corruption and skullduggery in the Irish House of Commons in the 17th century with Dr Brid McGrath; and the history of the RCSI with Dr Ronan Kelly.

In this episode of Talking History, we're debating Ireland and empire as we explore how being a colony shaped our history and our own involvement in imperial pursuits. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is: Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Erasmus Smith's Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, and author of ‘Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism and the Early Modern World’; Professor Brian McGing, Emeritus Professor of Greek at TCD; and Professor Micheál Ó Siochrú, Professor in Modern History and Head of the School of Histories and Humanities, Trinity College Dublin.

Was Napoleon a ruthless tyrant or the greatest Frenchman of all time? Patrick Geoghegan looks at his life, legacy and legend with Dr Sylvie Kleinman, who assisted in the establishment of the Napoleon Society of Ireland; Hugh Gough, Emeritus Professor of History at University College Dublin; Dr Rafe Blaufarb, specialist in Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and professor of history, director and Ben Weider Eminent Scholar in Napoleonic Studies at Florida State University; and Dr Joseph Clarke, Associate Professor in European History, Trinity College Dublin.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan explores how revolutionary ideas were translated into landscape design in the 18th century, looking at the houses and homes of figures such as George Washington and Lord Edward Fitzgerald, with Finola O’Kane, landscape historian, architect, and professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD. We'll also be finding out about the fight for change in Britain with Preeti Dhillon, researcher, writer and historian, and uncovering the contradictions in economic nationalism around the world, with Marvin Suesse, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Nationalist Dilemma’.

Coming up on this week's episode of Talking History: astronaut Tim Peake joins Patrick Geoghegan to explore the history of astronauts in space; we hear about James VI's relationship with Irish policy from Prof Clare Jackson from the University of Cambridge; and historian Donal Fallon shares the story of the Phoenix Park lamplighters.