The Medieval Irish History Podcast

May 16 2024 67
The Medieval Irish History Podcast artwork

Hosted by Dr. Niamh Wycherley, this podcast shows that medieval Irish history is complex and dynamic — not at all stuffy or static. Via lively and engaging chats with leading experts, it explores aspects of a largely ignored, but commonly evoked, period, and shares new and exciting research on medieval Ireland. [email protected] Twitter X: @EarlyIrishPod Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, and the Irish Research Council. Views expressed are the speakers' own. Production: Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva. Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa Music: Lexin_Music

RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Queenship in the Irish Sea World with Dr Charles Insley

May 16 2024 33 mins  
Special bonus episode! An extra treat as part of our mini series on Irish Queens. In this episode Niamh and Dr Charles Insley (The University of Manchester) chat all about what Queens Aethelflaed (Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians), Emma of Normandy and Gormlaith of Dublin have in common. Dr Insley tells us about an overarching framework of queenship which applied across the Irish

The Book of Kells with Dr Donncha MacGabhann

May 09 2024 54 mins  
In today's episode, Dr Niamh Wycherley and Dr Donncha MacGabhann explore The Book of Kells, one of Ireland's most famous medieval manuscripts. This Irish treasure now exhibited at Trinity College Dublin, displays a carefully crafted script and astonishing miniatures, which showcase the expertise of medieval Irish artistic expression. Where was it made? When? How? By whom?

Winners and Losers at the Battle of Clontarf with Dr Denis Casey

Apr 25 2024 49 mins  
The Battle of Clontarf (1014) was one of those unique and dividing moments in Irish History, but how much do we know about it? The traditional narrative of this event places the Irish fighting against the Norse invaders who held Dublin. Still, in this episode, Dr Denis Casey https://deniscasey.com/ shows us that this hypothesis is not entirely true. Brian Boru, king of Ireland and

Early Irish Law with Prof. Robin Chapman Stacey

Apr 11 2024 53 mins  
In this episode Prof. Robin Chapman Stacey (University of Washington) chats to Niamh and Tiago about medieval Ireland's unique and remarkable legal system and the huge volume of law tracts that survive in both Latin and the Irish language. With topics ranging from status and gender to what happens when you get stung by a neighbour's bee, we discuss social theorising, how us

Ogham and the Early Irish language with Prof. David Stifter

Mar 28 2024 53 mins  
Featuring the greatest periwinkle story ever told, this episode explores the evidence for the language spoken in Ireland in late antiquity with the highly entertaining Prof. David Stifter (Maynooth University). He tells us all about the uniqueness of the ogham/ogam writing script (which may or may not have been invented by a Kerryman) and how difficult Old Irish is to learn. Stay t

St Patrick with Terry O'Hagan

Mar 14 2024 53 mins  
Continuing our tour of Ireland in late antiquity, this episode examines the life of the historical Patrick, the 'poster boy' of the period. Dr. Niamh Wycherley invites Terry O'Hagan, also known as blogger Vox Hiberionacum, to delve deep into the writings of Patrick, the real man behind Ireland's famous patron saint. Suggested reading: www.confessio.ie https://voxhi

Ireland and the Roman Empire with Dr Elva Johnston

Feb 29 2024 52 mins  
In this episode, host Dr Niamh Wycherley explores the rich world of late antiquity (approx. 3rd to 7th centuries AD) with Dr Elva Johnston (School of History, UCD) when Irish elites imported wine, foodstuffs, fancy earbuds and Christianity from the Roman world. Dr Johnston makes the important distinction that Ireland wasn't 'part of' nor 'apart from' the Roman E

Queens of Medieval Ireland — Gormlaith (d. 1030) with Dr Catherine Swift (Part One)

Feb 15 2024 56 mins  
In this episode, Dr Niamh Wycherley and Dr Catherine Swift (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick) take a deep dive into the complex contexts of the ultimate Queen of medieval Ireland, Gormlaith, daughter of Murchad, son of Finn (King of Leinster). Famous as the mother of kings and wife to kings, she was born into Leinster aristocracy and is remembered in the Annals of In

St Brigit with Prof. Catherine McKenna

Jan 31 2024 52 mins  
Was Brigit a true feminist icon? Was she even real? Or merely made up by a man to exploit the veneration of a 'pagan' goddess? All this and more in our special St Brigit's Day episode with Prof. Catherine McKenna (Harvard University) to celebrate the Brigit 1500 commemorations in 2024. Happy St Brigit's Day! Niamh's suggested reading: Since the podcast aired Dr

Towns in medieval Ireland with Dr Michael Potterton

Jan 19 2024 56 mins  
Suggested reading now added below. Were towns introduced by vikings? Were the Irish settled around monastic centres? What actually is a 'town' and what is 'monastic'? In this episode, Dr. Niamh Wycherley invites Dr. Michael Potterton, lecturer in the Department of History at Maynooth University, to discuss some key aspects and intersections between medieval history