The Irish Republic’s foundation is one hell of a story, complete with spying secretaries, pig thieves, politicians, poets, school teachers and the world’s biggest empire. In quick, bite-sized episodes, we’re going to explore the causes, characters and aftermath of the Irish War of Independence.
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The podcast The History of Ireland is created by Kevin Dolan. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
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In this episode we look at the history behind how The Wooing of Étain was uncovered and then dive into the story itself — as the Dagda swindles a poor man out of his home in Newgrange.
Imagery for the episode, used with permission, is Boann Bru Na Boinne by the iconic Jim FitzPatrick. You can view more of Jim's stunning work and purchase prints at jimfitzpatrick.com
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In this episode we finally get to the big clash between the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé. It's a brutal and beautiful piece of literature. It also may have been inspired by Viking invasions...
Imagery for the episode, used with permission, is Lugh Attacks the Fomor by the iconic Jim FitzPatrick. You can view more of Jim's stunning work and purchase prints at jimfitzpatrick.com
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In this episode we look at life in Ireland under the rulership of Bres the Beautiful and learn who is father was, as well as explore what a story of Dian Cecht can tell us about ancient Irish writers.
Cover image is an AI created image of Eriu staring out to sea. What do we think of something like this? I'm struggling to find good cover imagery for these stories so this feels a nice solution, but I'm also unsure and keen on to hear ye're thoughts.
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In this episode we dive into the First Battle of Moytura, telling the story of how the Tuatha Dé came to Ireland.
If you'd like to dive into the originals, check out UCC's CELT resource.
The image is one of the Cong Stone Circles in Mayo, which is said to be linked to the Battle of Moytura.
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In this episode, we look at how Maggie Doherty and the McCarthy sisters were totally and utterly failed by the Free State and how their stories highlight how women suffered due to the conflict.
Content Warning: This episode does discuss sexual assault.
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In this episode we celebrate 1,000,000 downloads by going down the supernatural rabbit hole that is the history of Halloween.
From druids to evil spirts, from Christianity to capitalism, Halloween is a fascinating mix of ancient folk traditions, religion and more.
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In this episode we look at the creation of Irish Free State constitution which was brought into law on December 6th 1922.
Here's the Radiolab episode on the Irish electoral system that I mention in the show:
https://radiolab.org/podcast/tweak-vote
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In this episode we look at the first series of executions carried out by the Free State in November 1922.
The image used for this episode is of Erskine Childers and his wife Molly, on their yacht the Asgard.
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From CS Lewis's bourgeois Protestant upbringing to Seamus Heaney's beautiful attempts at understanding his home, this episode I interview Alexander Poots author of The Strangers' House: Writing Northern Ireland and ask what Northern Irish writers can teach us about the history of the area. Sign up to Patreon for the full interview.
You can read more about the book, here:
https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/alexander-poots/the-strangers-house/9781538701584/
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After the Four Courts was blown to smithereens fighting continued for several days in and around Dublin. In this episode we imagine what it must have been like for those hold up in the hotels, shops and homes transformed into military bases — and what it must have been like for those attacking them.
The image shows the Gresham Hotel in flames.
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Today on the centenary of the death of Michael Collins I'm sharing excerpts from an interview with Anne Dolan and Will Murphy authors of Michael Collins: The Man & The Revolution and Days in the Life, Reading the Michael Collins Diaries 1918-1922. Reading the Michael Collins Diaries just came out last week and it was fascinating to unpack what Anne and Will learned while putting the new book together.
Subscribe to Patreon to listen to the full episode. Enjoy!
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The death of Sir Henry Wilson is a complicated affair that gives us a fascinating insight into the intersectional nature of the Ireland at the time. Whether figuring out who ordered the hit or examining those involved — nothing is simple or straightforward.
The photo is of Reginald Dunne.
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After chatting to a whole heap of listeners I've decided to bite the bullet and start a Patreon page. Though I'm dubious of podcasts constantly bugging listeners asking for money this will hopefully be a way to reward my most dedicated listeners while funding bigger and better things for the podcast. It'll be our own secret organisation — like the IRB but a little less violent.
The first piece of bonus content is an interview with Professor Colum Kenny. We chatted all things Arthur Griffith and I have I loved every minute of the conversation. I've included a teaser of the interview here but you can get the full thing at my new Patreon page.
I hope you enjoy and please get in touch if you have any feedback!
www.patreon.com/thehistoryofireland
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In this episode the Dail finally takes a vote on the Treaty. We look at the speeches that came before and after the vote, and how they set the scene for a nationwide split.
Keen eared listeners may hear some discrepancies in audio, please bear with me as I set up my new studio!
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In this episode we explore the internal conflict on both the Irish and British sides of the negotiation table.
Check out Gretchen Frieman's amazing book The Treaty for more information on the talks.
Image is of Michael Collins leaving 10 Downing Street during the talks from Getty Images.
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Be warned, this is a whopper of an episode. Today we get deep into the nitty gritty of the first two weeks of the treaty negotiations.
Photo is of Lloyd George and Lord Birkenhead coming out of 10 Downing Street during the treaty negotiations.
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In this episode we continue our examination of the plenipotentiaries, who they were and why Dev chose them.
Image: George Gavan Duffy, Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith.
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In this episode we introduce the men that would be sent over to London to negotiate with the British, and ask the question why did Éamon de Valera not take part in the Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations.
Cover photo: George Gavan Duffy, Erskine Childers, Robert Barton and Arthur Griffith in a group.
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Today we continue our look at the political negotiations that went on between Dev and Lloyd George in the build up to the treaty negotiations.
Stress Dreams by Four in the Morning (if anyone is interested)
https://orcd.co/3vlq6rn
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In this episode we ask what did the men of the IRA and their leaders got up to during the Truce period? The answer starts to shed light on the division within the movement and help us lay down the foundations for one of the saddest parts of Irish history.
Image is of Richard Mulcahy.
UCD Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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In this episode we explore how the violence War of Independence ramped up in 1921 and explore how one safe house in Clonmult turned out to be anything but safe.
The image from this episode is borrowed from The Battle of Clonmult by Tom O'Neil.
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In the last episode we look at the Irish approach to the war in quite broad strokes. Today we dive into the specifics, detailing a raid on a group of RIC men guarding a bread lorry and then looking at the propaganda battle that followed. A propaganda battle focused on one 18 year old medical student — Kevin Barry.
If you're interested in the version of the Ballad of Kevin Barry that was performed at the end of the episode you can check out more of Ciaran Boyle's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/49k7nWdOivgaMRjygriPZ8?si=rsNb9fI4Qdihh6c5sSxP4g or follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciaranboylemuso
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In this episode we look at how a few pints of a Monday night turned into one of the most infamous reprisals events of 1920.
For further information, check out the full talk from Jim Walsh of Balbriggran Historicla here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs6hfcBCMo&feature=emb_title
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Bang on 100 years ago on July 21st 1920, riots erupted in the Belfast shipyards. This week we investigate what was the cause and continue to look at Northern Ireland throughout the 1920s. We also introduce the Ancient Order of Hibernians, discuss pogroms and try to untangle a very complicated summer.
www.thehistoryofireland.com
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We've hit over 150,000 downloads and to celebrate I've teamed up with the amazing Luke Healy to put together some kick ass merch.
It's a great way to help support the show, plus who doesn't love a historically themed tshirt? As always, keen to hear what you folks think.
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Check it all out at:
https://thehistoryofireland.bigcartel.com
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In this episode we examine the men who made up the notorious Black & Tans and the impact they had when they first arrived in Ireland. There has been a lot of discussion around these men in the last few months so it was fascinating to dive in and see who they really were. Criminals? Shell shocked war vets? Or just opportunistic mercenaries? Like all things, the answer is always more complicated than it seems but is vital in understanding what happened next in the War of Independence.
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This episode we ask the question, who created the Black and Tans?
The men behind the British policy in 1919 and 1920 did not want to believe they were at war in Ireland and instead chose to push the narrative that Sinn Fein and the IRA were a simple "murder gang". So rather than sending in the army they further militarised the police in Ireland. Yep, in this episode we look at how David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill created one of the most hated groups in Irish history.
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So I've had a few episodes about the show, and a few random ones, so I thought I'd answer them all in one episode before we get back into the thick of it. Hope you enjoy and if you've any other questions get in touch at [email protected]
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Did someone say special Christmas episode? In a fortuitous coincidence it's the 26th episode on the 26th of December, which happens to be Wren Day! So we're taking a break from the War of Independence and exploring the weird semi pagan world of Wran Boys!
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It's 1920 and The War of Independence is really heating up. We look at how the IRA up the ante and took the fight to the RIC, while also examine the British's slightly unfocused approach to the increased violence
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1920 was a year that really saw The Irish War of Independence tilt into full swing. But just as important as the military aspect, was the politics and one often overlooked side of this was the local elections that were carried out in January and June of 1920. As well as that we introduce Eoin O'Duffy – a Republican hero and Ireland's answer to Mussolini.
In the episode I make a shameless plug for my band's new EP. You can check it out at the link below, if you're so inclined.
Listen to Four In The Morning – Safe Happy Scared
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In this episode we explore the ambush of Lord French in December 1919. It shook the country and set the scene for the escalation in the conflict in 1920.
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First off, I'm so sorry that this episode has taken so long. As life gets a little more hectic in the real world I'll be shifting towards fortnightly episodes. Hope you don't mind.
With a cruel sense of irony, in this delayed episode, I'll be discussing The Irish Bulletin. A Republican newspaper that did not miss a single issue throughout the entire war. Go figure. It was vital to the war effort and written by an eclectic mix of fanatical Catholics, switched on secretaries and famous novelists.
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In this episode we explore the British confused Irish policy throughout 1919 and explore what finally convinced them to ban the Dáil.
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In this episode we discuss the founding of The Squad, the IRA's team of professional assassins, and look at how they botched their very fist mission.
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This week we finally introduce David Nelligan, one of the Irish Intelligence networks most successful spies and learn how Michael Collins convinced him to turn double agent.
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In this episode we introduce the spy Ned Broy and tell the story of how he snuck Michael Collins into the G Divisions headquarters one April night in 1919.
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In this, the second episode on the the Irish intelligence network we meet the men who became undercover operatives inside the G Division, as well as the amazing librarian who helped introduce them to Collins and his team.
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How does a small island go about defeating one of the biggest empires in the world? By outsmarting them, over and over again. In this episode, the first of three parts, we explore the the intelligence warfare of The War of Independence and the amazing women who were perfectly placed to spy on the British.
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In this episode we explore the nitty gritty of getting a government off the ground. You need propaganda, money and proof that you can run things smoothly.
In 1919 the Dáil was working on all three. So strap in and get excited for government loans, court systems and more. Don't worry it's fascinating, trust me.
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This is the second part of our two part episode on the Limerick Soviet. After the death of Bobby Byrne things really kicked off, with Limerick creating it's own strange little socialist mini-state.
There's one mess up of a sentence in there, 10 points to Gryffindor if you can spot it.
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In this, the first of two episodes looking at the Limerick Soviet we follow how one angry postman kicked off a strange and short lived mini socialist state in Limerick.
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In this episode we follow Eamon De Valera after his breakout from Lincoln Gaol. What does he do now that he can return to Ireland, well he decides to head off to the United States.
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The War of Independence is finally kicking off. In this episode we look at the moment that's gone down (rightly or wrongly) as the first incident of the whole thing. We also investigate the difficulties in a decentralised military force like the Irish Volunteers/IRA and introduce some of the guys on the ground.
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In this episode we study the structure of the Irish Volunteers, charting how their increase aggression in 1918 and 1919 eventually led to a war finally kicking off.
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In this episode explore the formative years of Eamon de Valera – one of the most influential men in modern Irish history.
From prayer boy to politician, we examine how a teacher from Limerick turned himself into the figurehead of the post-Rising rebel movement.
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In this episode we go all West Wing on 1918 and look at the election that would completely transform the Irish political landscape. Finally, Sinn Fein move from the fringes to the forefront, while the IPP disappear into the history books.
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After successfully stopping conscription Sinn Fein and the Irish Volunteers started increasing pressure on the British. This led to an inevitable clash with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
In this episode we investigate the RIC, looking at how Sinn Fein turned the public against them and how this was an integral first step towards all out hostility.
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By 1918 Sinn Fein were on the rise. Home Rule had come to a stand still and the population had become more and more radicalised. All Sinn Fein needed was one last thing to unify the country against the British.
Did someone say conscription? Yep, that'll do.
This week, we look at the Conscription Crisis of 1918 and hear one of the big hits from that year.
Thanks to Ciaran Boyle for extra help with the music this episode. You can listen to his great EP, About Time here or follow him on Facebook.
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Cartoonists in love, tricksy Welsh wizards and a fickle public. In this episode we look at how the plucky little 1916 Rising went from being a haphazard mess to one of Ireland's most important historic events, and how this changed the radical fringe group Sinn Fein into a political heavyweight.
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Not dissimilar to Brexit and arguments over the backstop, the Home Rule Crisis was one of the biggest political nightmares of its day. In fact, it could very well have led to a British Civil War if World War 1 hadn't interrupted. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire.
In this episode we look at the mess that was the Home Rule Crisis, the influence of World War 1, and how it all led to the 1916 Rising.
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In this the inaugural episode the parties, players and movements bouncing around Ireland in the early 1900s are introduced.
Subscribe for more episodes coming soon.
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.