Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan

In this episode of Talking History, we're investigating the resignation of President Nixon 50 years ago, the only time an American president has been forced from office in disgrace.

Joining Patrick to explore this is Nixon Library resource archivist, Greg Cumming; Sandra Scanlon who lectures in American history at UCD and is an expert on American political culture and its relationship with US foreign policy during the Cold War; Sarah Thelen who lectures in the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning at UCC, who is an expert on Nixon and the silent majority as well as patriotism and the Nixon White House; and Prof Luke A. Nichter who is Professor of History and James H. Cavanaugh Endowed Chair in Presidential Studies at Chapman University and the author of Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968.

In this episode of Talking History: the women who married Henry VIII have come to be encapsulated in a six-word rhyme - divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. But what were their real lives and legacies? A new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, called Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII's Queens, charts and reveals the extraordinary stories of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

Joining Patrick to discuss this is Dr Charlotte Bolland, curator of the exhibition, and the Gallery’s Senior Curator of Research and 16th Century Collections, managing the display of the collection in the Tudor galleries; Dr Nikki Clark, who wrote the essay in the catalogue about Ladies in Waiting, and is the author of The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens and Gender, Family, and Politics: The Howard Women, 1485–1558; and Dr Nicola Tallis, who wrote the essay about the Queens’ Jewels in the catalogue, and has published All the Queen’s Jewels, 1445–1548: Power, Majesty and Display.

In this episode: Irish First Ladies & First Gentlemen, 1919-2011, by Dr Bernadette Whelan; Cartomania: Celebrity & Photography in the 19th Century, by Paul Frecker; and Brian Friel: Beginnings by Dr Kelly Matthews.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, we will be looking at shootings in American presidential history as we find out about US presidents, and presidential candidates, who faced the shadow of the gunman.

President Biden has since announced his decision to drop out of the presidential race.

Joining Patrick Geoghegan is Michael Cullinane, the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University, Public Historian for the Theodore Roosevelt Association, author of 'Remembering Theodore Roosevelt', and contributor to the design and curation of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library due to open in 2026; Daniel Mulhall, former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States; Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent for Bauer Media; and Dr Sandra Scanlon, who lectures in American history in the UCD School of History and is an expert on American political culture and its relationship with US foreign policy during the Cold War.

Patrick and his panel reflect on the early history of the Olympic Games, from ancient Greece to the revival in more modern times, discussing their historical significance, cultural impact and enduring legacy. Featuring Nigel Crowther, Emeritus Professor in Department of Classical Studies at University of Western Ontario; Supervising Professor at International Olympic Academy, Olympia, Greece (2004-05); Former Director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies; Dr Siobhán Doyle, Curatorial Researcher at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks; Dr Jim Parry, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague; and Dr Nigel Spivey, Senior Lecturer in Classical Art and Archaeology in the Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge.

Joining Patrick Geoghegan to delve into the lives and works of the Yeats sisters are: Dr Róisín Kennedy, Assistant Professor, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, UCD; Dr Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin, Associate Professor in Communications, University of Limerick; Susan O’Keeffe, Director of Yeats Society Sligo; and Dr Billy Shortall of Trinity College Dublin, who worked on the Cuala Press Project.

Ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame later this year, Patrick Geoghegan looks at the construction and re-construction of one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world. Joining him are: Dr Emily Guerry, Senior Lecturer in Medieval European History at the University of Kent, Dr Caroline Bruzelius, Professor Emerita of Art and Art History at Duke University, Dr Jennifer M. Feltman, Associate Professor of Art History and Medieval Art at the University of Alabama, and Dr Meredith Cohen, Associate Professor of Medieval Art and Architecture at UCLA.

From the marriage bar to unequal pay - we're finding out about the status and position of women in the independent Irish state and the long fight for equality. Patrick is joined by Dr Mary McAuliffe, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, and Director of Gender Studies at UCD, Dr Deirdre Foley, Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of History, Trinity College Dublin, and Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, Associate Professor in History at the University of Galway.

In this episode of Newstalk's Talking History: From Tudor to Stuart: The Regime Change from Elizabeth I to James I, by Susan Doran, Professor of Early Modern British History at the University of Oxford; The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York, with Prof Tyler Anbinder, formerly of the Department of History, George Washington University; and ‘Reeling in the Queers – Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past’, with Dr Páraic Kerrigan, Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin.

In this episode of Talking History on Newstalk, we're looking at the history of the Leaving Certificate - 100 years old this year - and debating its impact on Irish education .

Featuring: Dr Orla McCormack, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Limerick; Deirdre Mac Mathuna, Past President and now Public Relations Officer for the History Teachers’ Association of Ireland and a lecturer at Trinity College Dublin in History Pedagogy; Dr Hazel Murray, cybersecurity lecturer at Munster Technological University; and Dr Colm Mac Gearailt, postdoctoral researcher on the ‘Cartlann’ archive at University of Galway.

In this D-Day special, Talking History explores the D-Day landings on the 80th anniversary of the Longest Day, and how they changed the course of the Second World War.

Joining host Patrick Geoghegan is: Prof Richard Overy, professor of history at the University of Exeter, and author of ‘World War II: The Definitive Visual History Volume I: From the Munich Crisis to the Battle of Kursk 1938-43'; Dr Mark Jones, Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Global History at University College Dublin; Professor Jonathan Fennell, Professor of the History of War and Society at King’s College London and co-founder of the Second World War Research Group; and Dr Rachel Lance, author of 'Chamber Divers: The Untold Story of the D-Day Scientists Who Changed Special Operations Forever'.

Patrick Geoghegan and his panel explore the life, times and legacy of William The Conqueror. Was he a hero who instituted great changes, brought in legal and administrative innovations, and unified England, or a villain and invader who conquered it in a dramatic overthrow?

Featuring Prof George Garnett, Professor of Medieval History at St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford; Prof Virginia Davis, Professor of Medieval History, Queen Mary University of London; Prof Seán Duffy, Professor of Medieval Irish and Insular History, Trinity College Dublin; Dr Marc Morris, a historian who specializes in the Middle Ages; and Prof Hugh M. Thomas, author of The Norman Conquest: England after William the Conqueror.

In this episode, we're telling the story of Ireland through its records with Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives of Ireland; we'll also find out about the life and legacy of Roger Casement, with Roland Philipps, author of Broken Archangel: The Tempestuous Lives of Roger Casement; we'll discuss the formation of the RNLI 200 years ago and its key early personnel with Helen Doe, historian and author of ‘One Crew: The RNLI's Official 200-Year History’; and we'll analyse the Anglo-French War of the late 13th century with David Pilling, historian and author of Edward Longshanks' Forgotten Conflict - The Anglo-French War 1294-1303.

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at the life and music of Tchaikovsky and debating his remarkable artistic legacy. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is Prof Philip Ross Bullock, Professor of Russian Literature and Music, University of Oxford; Dr Ciarán Crilly, Associate Professor, UCD School of Music, and Artistic Director of the UCD Symphony Orchestra; and Dr Tamsin Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Music and Head of the Centre for Russian Music at Goldsmiths, University of London.

In this episode, we're exploring the Library of Alexandria and finding out how it became the ancient world's greatest repository of knowledge. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is Willeke Wendrich, Research Professor of Egyptian Archaeology and Digital Humanities, UCLA; Prof Islam Issa, Professor of Literature and History at Birmingham City University; and Dr Cynthia Johnston, Senior Lecturer in History of the Book at the School of Advanced Study at the University of London.

In a new mini-series over the next year, Talking History explores the history of Ireland's political parties, from their achievements in office, to their failures, leaders and legacy. In this first episode, we look back the history of Fianna Fáil: the good, the bad and the ugly of the party which has been in power in Ireland for longer than any other.

Patrick Geoghegan is joined by Dr Eoin O’Malley, Associate Professor in Political Science at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Prof Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, Prof Eunan O'Halpin, Emeritus Professor of Contemporary Irish History, Trinity College Dublin, and Senator Lisa Chambers of Fianna Fáil.

Marking the international touring exhibition 'Imagine: 100 Years of International Surrealism', Patrick Geoghegan finds out what this movement meant to the art world and its global significance still today. Joining him is Dr Felicity Gee, Senior Lecturer in Modernism and World Cinema at the University of Exeter, and Vice President of the International Society for the Study of Surrealism; Dr Matthew Affron, curator for modern and contemporary art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art who is leading the surrealism exhibition there; Professor Alyce Mahon, the University of Cambridge’s Department of History of Art specialist in Modern and Contemporary Art History and Theory; and Dr. Tara Plunkett, Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, at University College Dublin.

In this April Books Special, we'll find out how the Oxford English Dictionary was crowdsourced from a surprising and diverse group of people from astronomers to murderers, with author Dr Sarah Ogilvie, Senior Research Fellow in Linguistics at the University of Oxford; we'll also explore one of the bloodiest periods in English history known as the Anarchy with author and historian Sharon Bennett Connolly; and discuss two centuries of Plantagenet history which included the murder of kings and a devastating pandemic, in the book 'Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State' with Dr Caroline Burt, medieval historian at the University of Cambridge, and Richard Partington, Fellow in History at St John's College, University of Cambridge.

In this episode of Talking History, we're remembering Abba's Eurovision win 50 years ago and finding out how the song Waterloo helped to propel them to global superstardom. Joining Patrick Geoghegan are: Carl Magnus Palm, historian and author of ‘Abba On Record', Ingmarie Halling, Creative Director and Curator at ABBA The Museum, Hedley Swain, CEO of Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust, on the Abba exhibition at Brighton Museum, and Dr. Dónal Mulligan, lecturer and researcher at the DCU School of Communication.

On this week's Talking History, we're looking at the creation of the Irish courts system 100 years ago and exploring how our legal system came about. On Patrick Geoghegan's panel: Dr Niamh Howlin, Associate Professor at the UCD Sutherland School of Law and main organiser of the Dublin Castle event commemorating the Courts of Justice Act 1924; Dr Donal Coffey, Lecturer and Assistant Professor, School of Law, Maynooth University; Dr Róisin Costello, Assistant Professor of EU and International Law at TCD; Dr Kevin Costello, Senior Lecturer in the Sutherland School of Law at UCD; and Hon. Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Ireland’s foremost constitutional lawyer.

In this World War Two-themed March Books Special, Patrick Geoghegan meets the nephew of Alan Turing to discuss the enigma traitors. We'll also hear about the travels of Winston Churchill from Robin Cross, and debate why the Luftwaffe lost the aerial war over Germany, with Jonathan Trigg.

Happy St Patrick's Day! In this episode, we chart the history of Taoisigh visiting the White House, how the tradition started and evolved, and why Ireland is the only country that gets this special treatment in the United States. Joining Patrick's panel is Marion R. Casey, Clinical Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies and historian at New York University. She is the author of ‘The Green Space: The Transformation of the Irish Image’ and co-editor of ‘Making The Irish American: History and Heritage of Irish in the United States’; Dr Catherine Healy, Historian-in-Residence, EPIC Irish Emigration Museum; Ted Smyth, president of the Advisory Board of Glucksman Ireland House NYU, Chair of the Clinton Institute for American Studies in University College Dublin, and former Irish diplomat; Dr Daniel Geary, Mark Pigott Associate Professor in American History, Trinity College Dublin; and Cian T. McMahon, Associate Professor at the Department of History & Honors College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

On this week's episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan traces the highs and lows of The Oscars, the underrated and underwhelming nominations of the past, and the trailblazers for Irish cinematic success.

He's joined by Prof Mark Glancy, Professor of Film History, Queen Mary University of London; Dr Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies and lecturer in film and media studies at the University of Galway; Prof Ruth Barton, Professor in Film Studies, Trinity College Dublin; and Prof Kevin Rockett, Fellow Emeritus and former Professor in Film Studies at Trinity College Dublin, and former Chairman of the Irish Film Institute.

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at FDR and the New Deal as we debate the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his attempts to tackle the Great Depression. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is Iwan Morgan, Emeritus Professor of US Studies at UCL and author of FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America; Dr Bernadette Whelan, professor emeritus in the Department of History, University of Limerick; Michael Cullinane, the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University, Public Historian for the Theodore Roosevelt Association, and author of 'Remembering Theodore Roosevelt'; and Jonathan Darman, former political correspondent for Newsweek and author of ‘Becoming FDR’.

On this episode of Talking History, to mark the anniversary of the birth of George Harrison, we're looking at the music, history and legacy of The Beatles: the band that changed popular culture forever. Patrick Geoghegan is joined by Dr Holly Tessler of the University of Liverpool; Roag Best of the Liverpool Beatles Museum; Beatles superfan Terrie Colman-Black; and Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music for Liverpool.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan reflects on the symbolism of Stormont and what we can learn about Northern Irish politics from studying the building, with Dr Suzanne O'Neill, adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Classics at Trinity College Dublin; why the Treaty is incorrectly blamed for partition, with author and historian Joe Connell; and the lessons we can learn about leadership by looking at historical figures, with Prof Martin Gutmann of the Lucerne School of Business and author of The Unseen Leader: How History Can Help Us Rethink Leadership.

'The Liberator', former Lord Mayor of Dublin, and Kerryman Daniel O'Connell is the subject of this week's episode of Talking History. Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss him is Professor Maurice Bric, Emeritus Professor of History at UCD and director of the Daniel O'Connell Summer School; Conor Dodd, a historian for Dublin Cemeteries Trust who manages its heritage and education department within the Experience Glasnevin visitor centre in Glasnevin Cemetery; Professor Christine Kinealy, Director of Ireland's Great Hunger Institute and Professor of History at Quinnipiac University; and Brian Crowley, OPW National Monuments Service.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan explores the life and times of Roman emperor Septimius Severus. He's joined by Dr David Woods, Head of the Department of Classics at UCC; Prof Mark Humphries, Professor of Ancient History, Swansea University; and Dr Rebecca Usherwood, Assistant Professor in Late Antique and Early Byzantine Studies at Trinity College Dublin.

In this episode, we're finding out about the Lithuanian-born solicitor who was the legal advisor to Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and Constance Markievicz, with Dr Barry Whelan; we'll also hear about Britain's very first women's movement, with Dr Susannah Gibson; and the changing world of Irish barristers after independence, with Dr Niamh Howlin.

On this episode of Talking History, we're looking at Gladstone and Ireland, and finding out how the Grand Old Man became a convert to Home Rule and tried to bring in justice for Ireland. Patrick Geoghegan is joined by Prof Matthew Kelly, Professor of Modern History, University of Northumbria; Dr Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone's Library; and Dr Caoimhe Nic Dháibhéid, Faculty Director of Education for Arts and Humanities and Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Sheffield.

This week on Talking History:

Patrick explores the abdication of King Edward VIII with Adrian Phillips, author of 'The King Who Had to Go: Edward VIII, Mrs. Simpson, and the Hidden Politics of the Abdication Crisis' as well as 'The First Royal Media War: Edward VIII, the Abdication and the Press'; journalist and author, Emily Hourican; and Cathal Brennan, co-presenter of 'The Irish History Show Podcast'.

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.

On this episode of Talking History: Patrick Geoghegan hosts a special Halloween edition where we find out about how Dracula was created, the character and the book's remarkable longevity, and why we have such a fascination with horror. Joining Patrick to discuss is the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker.

We also trace back the Irish origins of Halloween with Dr. Catherine Healy, Historian-in-residence, EPIC Museum.

Marking a new NGI exhibition on artist Sarah Purser, who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Irish art, Patrick Geoghegan explores her life, work and legacy alongside panellists Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dónal Maguire, Curator of the Sarah Purser exhibition (and former Curator of the ESB Centre for the Study of Irish Art and Keeper of Art and Industry, National Museum of Ireland), and Clodagh Finn, journalist and author of 'Through Her Eyes: a new history of Ireland in 21 women'.

On this episode of Talking History: host Patrick Geoghegan delves into the shelves of the National Archives with its director Orlaith McBride; follows the trials and triumphs of building Adare Manor with author, archivist and architectural historian Anna-Maria Hajba; and charts the story of one of the most ambitious, and one of the most contentious, international organizations ever created, the EU, with Professor Dermot Hodson, Professor of Political Economy and Digital Technologies, Loughborough University in the UK.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan looks at Ireland's connection to transatlantic slavery, and finds out how Irish enslavers profited across all the major European slave economies.

Joining him to discuss this are:

·         Prof Finola O’Kane, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at UCD, and co-editor of 'Ireland, Slavery and the Caribbean: Interdisciplinary Perspectives'

·         Dr Ciaran O’Neill, Ussher Associate Professor in Nineteenth-Century History at TCD, and co-editor of 'Ireland, Slavery and the Caribbean: Interdisciplinary Perspectives'

·         Prof David Dickson, Emeritus Professor of Modern History at TCD

In this episode, Patrick Geoghegan rounds up some of the most interesting recent history book releases - featuring:

• Queen of Codes : The Secret Life of Emily Anderson by Jackie Ui Chionna

• A Nation Is Born: Ireland In Colour 1923-1938 by Michael B. Barry

• And Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England by Rory Muir

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at a new multimedia exhibition, held at the National Museum of Ireland which delves into the history of the GAA.

GAA: People, Objects & Stories casts a fresh perspective on Ireland's largest sporting organisation, spanning from the 15th century to the contemporary era, showcasing an array of artifacts painting a picture of the GAA's impact on Irish society

Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss this is Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, Dr Siobhán Doyle, Curator of GAA: People, Objects & Stories  and Dr Clodagh Doyle, a curator with the NMI - Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park, Mayo. 

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at the life, legend and legacy of King David and we'll be finding out how the boy who killed Goliath became one of the most important figures in the Bible and an inspiration to later generations.

Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss this is:

Dr David Shepherd, Professor in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Trinity College Senior Lecturer and Director, Trinity Centre for Biblical Studies; Dr Tobias Winright, Professor of Moral Theology, St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth University; Dr. Bridget Martin, Teaching Fellow, School of Classics, UCD; and Prof Ruth Karras, Lecky Professor Of History at TCD, whose current research focuses on King David as a figure of masculinity in medieval Christian and Jewish culture, drawing on a variety of sources from across Europe.

On this episode of Talking History: Hitler's first crisis and defeat in 1923; the role of the Templar in medieval history; and the fascinating 500-year history of the Hampton Court.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan reflects on the life, times and legacy of The Lord of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien to mark the 50th anniversary of his death this weekend.

He's joined by:

• John McQuillen. Associate Curator at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York who organised the recent Tolkien exhibition at the Morgan

• Dr Barry Houlihan, archivist at the University of Galway

• Shaun Gunner, chair of the Tolkien Society

• And Dr Corey Olsen, 'The Tolkien Professor', President of Signum University and Mythgard Institute.

On this episode of Talking History: how the Jazz Age affected Ireland; why Irish ringforts were built; and how St Paul's Churchyard in London became the centre of the English literary world.