In this, the final episode of the current season KCLR's History Show, we hear the third and final part of our chat with Thomastown man Joe Doyle, as he concludes his series on the inscriptions on the tombstones at Thomple Teghàn, a historic, medieval graveyard in Grennan, Co Kilkenny. Also, radio documentary-maker Tom Hurley on his new book “The Last Voices of the Irish Revolution”, telling the story of 20 people who lived during the Irish Civil War, and who had lived into the early years of the new millennium. What memories had they, what were their stories, and how did they reflect on those turbulent times?

On this, the penultimate episode of Series Two of KCLR's History Show, part two of our chat with Mullinavat man John Dunphy, on the history and restoration of Deerpark Mill. John is a member of the famous Dunphy family, which has seen no less than five generations be at the helm of the mill throughout the years. John tells us more about the project, as well as the open day held there recently. Commandant Retired Larry Scallan tells us about the 100 year centenary of the 3rd Battalion here in Kilkenny. We hear about the significance of the occasion, the highs and the lows of the last 100 years, and the history as to the establishment of the oldest infantry battalion in the state. And finally, part two of our chat with Thomastown man Joe Doyle, as he tells us more about the inscriptions on the gravestones at Thomple Teghàn, a historic, medieval graveyard in Grennan. Joe explains more about what the inscriptions mean, and about their historical context.

On Episode 8 of the History Show, we hear about the history and restoration of Deerpark Mill in Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny from the man who carried out the restoration works, John Dunphy. John is a member of the famous Dunphy family, which has seen no less than five generations be at the helm of the mill throughout the years. Also on the show, Writer, Director and Theatre Producer Gillian Grattan, on her latest radio play which will be broadcast here on KCLR in the coming weeks. “The Countess” tells the story of the life and times of Lady Desart, we hear how the play came together, and the research that Gillian undertook in preparation for the piece. And finally, in the first of two parts, Thomastown man Joe Doyle told us about the history of Thomple Teghàn, a historic, medieval graveyard in Grennan. As well as telling us a bit more about its history, Joe also explained the historical significance of the inscriptions written on the nine headstones that remain in the graveyard. 

In this edition of KCLR's History Show, the owner of Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tours, Sharon Kavanagh, gives us an insight into some of the most historic and spooky tales from across the county. In the first of two parts, Sharon will be telling us about the lady in white who haunts Kilkenny Castle, and also about the priest who famously supposedly haunts Rothe House. Local Historian and Chairperson of Gairdin an Gorta Famine Memorial Garden, Willie Barron tells us about the 1920 IRA siege of Hugginstown RIC barracks, which marked the third successful attack on such a barracks of the War of Independence. And finally in Part Two of our spooky chat with Sharon Kavanagh, we’ll learn more about the Kytler Witch Trial, and how it came to pass that the first witch burning in all of Europe, took place in our very own native Kilkenny.

On this episode of KCLR's History Show, we hear from Kilkenny-based filmmaker Kevin Hughes, who tells us more about his short film “Come Back”, which launches soon, and tells the story of the deaths of three men – each of whom died close to peace time at the end of the Irish Civil War. John also spoke to Historical Researcher & Editorial Assistant with the Dictionary Of Irish Biography Terry Clavin, who told listeners about a book he co-wrote, titled “Irish Sporting Lives”, which profiles some our nation’s most successful sportspeople who have passed on. Terry outlines some of the profiles from the book, including the Ballyragget woman who took American tennis by storm in the 1890’s.

In this episode of KCLR's History Show, John chatted to Associate Professor of History at Dublin City University’s School Of History And Geography & member of the National Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations, Dr. William Murphy, as he reflected on the Decade of Centenaries – the successes, the controversies, and the lessons learned. Also, Senior Archaeologist with Shanarc Archaeology, Grace Fegan, told us all about the study that she and her colleagues are currently undertaking, as they attempt to survey all of the Holy Wells in county Kilkenny.

On this episode of KCLR's History Show, history enthusiast and the nephew of the famous Fr Pat Delahunty of Callan, Noel Delahunty speaks about the Tithe War and the Carrickshock Affair of 1831. Author John Fitzgerald tells us about his new novel “Invaders”, which is set in mid-17th Century Cromwellian Ireland, and features Callan and Co Kilkenny in very prominent roles. And finally part two of our chat with Helen-Kealy Dunne, the caretaker-owner of Phil Barron’s House, the coal miner’s thatched cottage once owned by her great-uncle, which is now a popular tourist destination in Clogh, Castlecomer. We hear about how the recent open day at the house went, and how the local community got involved. 

In this episode of the History Show, John speaks to Pat Reid of the Heritage Council about a scoping project that he's undertaking to identify and map every mass path in Co. Kilkenny. Eoin Swithin Walsh is back for part two of his Kilkenny in 1923 retrospective, focusing mostly on the general election held in August of that year. Finally, Helen Kealy-Dunne, the owner-caretaker of Phil Barron's House in Clogh, Castlecomer, tells us about the history of the house, and its restoration works.

On this edition of the History Show, retired Commandant at James Stephens Barracks Larry Scallan, recounted the guided tour of Kilkenny that he gave as part of Heritage Week 2023, telling the story of Kilkenny 100 years ago. Local historian Eoin Swithin Walsh gave an in-depth guide through the calendar year of 1923 – as the Irish Civil War came to its conclusion, what was happening nationally, and locally in Kilkenny? Richard Walsh, the Secretary of Tullahought Community Development, told listeners about the famine memorial that was recently unveiled in the village, as well as taking a look at the effect that the famine had across county Kilkenny.

In this first episode of a new season of the History Show, John looks back on a successful Heritage Week 2023 in Kilkenny. He speaks to a number of guests who played various roles in the organisation of the week, including the Heritage Officer at Kilkenny County Council Regina Fitzpatrick, Oral Historian Tomás MacConmara who spoke about Kilkenny's Decade of Centenaries Oral History Project, and PhD student at the UCD School of Archaeology Daniel O'Mahoney, who gave a guided tour of the long lost medieval town of Newtown Jerpoint.