The Irish History Boys

By The Irish History Boys

Comedian Tim McGarry and Historian Cormac Moore select the stories from the archives of The Irish News that bring Irish history to life in enlightenin... more

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FAQs about The Irish History Boys:

How many episodes does The Irish History Boys have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.

The Irish History Boys episodes:

June 26, 2025 Bloody Sunday & The Wrongfully Convicted Birmingham 6
In this gripping episode of The Irish History Boys, Cormac and Tim take a hard look at two of the most defining events in Ireland’s recent past: the wrongful conviction of the Birmingham Six and the deadly injustice of Bloody Sunday. They explore how the British state failed, how public trust was broken, and how the pursuit of truth continues decades later. They also discuss Derry City FC’s ambition to re-join the football League in the 70s, and the long wait that ensues. Plus a huge announcement - The Boys will be taking the podcast outside of the studio for the first ever live event!

🎟️Live show tickets - https://shorturl.at/AbQKn
📧Mailing list - https://shorturl.at/BX6fu
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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43min
June 19, 2025 Power, Promises & Patriotism: 1975 Convention, George Best’s Court Case & Ireland 100 years later
In this episode Cormac and Tim discuss Northern Ireland's failed constitutional convention in 1975, producing an anti-power sharing, unionist majority. They also explore the time football legend George Best was taken to court for breaking a promise to marry (yes, really), and reflect on the highs and headlines of Ireland’s 2016 centenary year.

🎟️Live show tickets - https://shorturl.at/AbQKn
📧Mailing list - https://shorturl.at/BX6fu
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38min
June 12, 2025 Education Divided: Why Northern Ireland Never Achieved Integration
In this episode, the boys dive into the complex and often painful history of integration in Northern Ireland, exploring the 1925 Education Act and its failed impact. They also discuss the assassination of JFK and how without this pivotal moment in history, Cormac would not be with us today.

🎟️Live show tickets - https://shorturl.at/AbQKn
📧Mailing list - https://shorturl.at/BX6fu
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48min
June 05, 2025 Ireland's WW2 Neutrality: Isolation or Strategy?
In this episode, the boy are exploring Ireland's complex history of neutrality. The WWII decision is tackled in response to a audience question, highlighting its "pro-ally" nature despite limited military capacity and post-war criticism from Churchill. Hear about De Valera's controversial condolences on the death of Hitler and a prophetic 1925 call for Ireland to maintain neutrality against aerial war. This episode also covers the UK's 1975 EEC referendum, Fermanagh's changing politics, and the modern New Ireland debate, questioning neutrality's future.
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59min
May 29, 2025 The Ulster Covenant: Ireland's Forgotten Turning Point
In this episode, Cormac and Tim dive into the turbulent years before Irish independence — asking whether Home Rule could have prevented decades of violence. They explore the origins of the Home Rule movement, the rise of Edward Carson and the Ulster Covenant, and why unionists in Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan ultimately felt abandoned. The episode also touches on the historic Queen of Denmark's 1975 visit to the Soviet Union, the first royal visit since the Romanovs' execution. Listener questions are answered throughout.
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46min
May 22, 2025 GAA Politics, No Funding For The North, & Britain's First Brexit Debate
In this episode, Cormac and Tim trace the political roots of the GAA, focusing on how the association maintained its all-Ireland identity — even as the Ulster counties faced unique challenges under a hostile Northern government. The conversation moves to Northern Ireland’s economic reality in 1975, when a struggling British Labour government left the region underfunded and overlooked — an issue that still echoes today. Finally, they break down the UK’s 1975 EEC referendum, a moment of European uncertainty that feels strikingly familiar in the post-Brexit world.
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43min
May 15, 2025 Ireland's £160 Million Debt & Church Scandals
In this episode Cormac and Tim explore Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Treaty regarding the Free State's debt to Britain. They elaborate on how waving this £150m liability was linked to abandoning Northern nationalists after the failed Boundary Commission. Plus, they discuss Irish Catholic bishops' views on sexuality and marriage in 1975.
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46min
May 08, 2025 Flags, Anthems, Accents & Europe
This episode, once again drawing inspiration from Irish News articles from 1925 and 1975, explores debates on Irish national symbols and identity. Topics include the 1925 flag (tricolour vs harp) and anthem (Soldier's Song / Amhrán na bhFiann) controversies. They discuss how accents, sport, and symbols reflect identity and division under partition in Ireland and they recall some contrasting views on Ireland's and the UK’s EEC membership back in 1975 with some interesting reflections on how parties have changed their stances on the topic of Europe.
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56min
May 01, 2025 Irish Athletics & Olympic Boycotts
In this episode of the Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and Cormac Moore dive into the complex issue of Ireland's border, particularly in its territorial waters, with a splash. They explore a 1975 court case involving fishermen and the long-standing dispute over jurisdiction around areas like Lough Foyle, stemming from the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Government of Ireland Act. The conversation also covers the deeply divisive post-partition split in Irish athletics and cycling, including the story of gold medallist Ronnie Delany. Finally, the boys touch upon the surrender of South Vietnam in 1975 as a notable event from that year. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheIrishHistoryBoys

Check out our other social platforms
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@irishhistoryboys
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/irishhistoryboys/

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41min
April 02, 2025 The Boundary Commission: A Borderline Disaster
One hundred years ago, the fate of Northern Ireland hung in the balance as the Boundary Commission convened. Nationalists hoped for significant territorial transfers, while unionists, despite a public boycott, had a man on the inside. Witness interviews, absurd questions about American grain, and leaked reports led to disappointment for the Free State. Turns out, the border was more stubborn than expected, leaving many a little less satisfied and a lot more confused and angry.

Watch the full video; YouTube

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52min

FAQs about The Irish History Boys:

How many episodes does The Irish History Boys have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.