The History of Ireland

Apr 09 2025 123 ep. 16 mins 3.3k
The History of Ireland Podcast artwork

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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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S3 EP11 – The Unique Oddness of Irish Mythology

Apr 09 2025 9 mins  
In this episode we get back into The Wooing of Étain, exploring her life as a fly and witness how she is reborn 1000 years later... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP10 – How Patrick Became Our Patron Saint

Mar 17 2025 16 mins  
In this episode we look at how a Welsh bishop with fringe apocalyptic ideas became the patron saint of Ireland – defeating a whole load of druids in the process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP9 — How Druids Learned To Read The Moon Through Story

Mar 07 2025 14 mins  
Did Étain represent the moon? And did The Wooing of Étain teach druids how to read the moon's movement over decades? In this episode we explore how connected to the natural world Irish stories really are and meet the eponymous Étain for the first time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP8 — A Lost Story of how the God's Fought Over Newgrange

Feb 19 2025 14 mins  
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 Hosted on Aca

S3 EP7 — Were the Fomorians a Metaphor for Vikings?

Feb 05 2025 19 mins  
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 Hoste

S3 EP6 – Why is Ireland's Father Deity So Different?

Jan 16 2025 11 mins  
In this episode we follow one of the strangest (and maybe raunchiest) moments in ancient Irish stories as the Dagda prepares for battle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP5 – How Lugh shows what the Irish cared about

Dec 17 2024 19 mins  
In this episode we greet the arrival of Lugh as the Tuatha Dé prepare for battle. We also dive into what the characters of Lugh and Bres tell us about what the ancient Irish looked for in a leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP4 – How Bres the Beautiful came to be

Dec 03 2024 18 mins  
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 nic

S3 EP3 – The Coming of the Tuatha Dé

Nov 19 2024 14 mins  
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 EP2 – The Filí

Nov 05 2024 14 mins  
In this episode we look at the people behind the Irish mythological stories and explore how the stories we have today are a fascinating blend of Irish paganism and Christian pseudo-history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.