Irish History Podcast

Several theories have been forwarded to explain the brutal murder that came to light in a bog at Oldcroghan in 2003. Through meticulous research, the former Keeper of Antiquities in the National Museum of Ireland Eamon Kelly has developed the most convincing explanation. In this episode he reveals who exactly the victim was and why he died. Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode we return to the the scene of the crime Clonearl bog in Croghan where the body was found. This will help us understand who exactly may have carried out the murder… Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bogs are strange places. Their unique properties slow down the process of decay. They not only preserve bodies, but also evidence of what may have happened to them... Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marie Cassidy the state pathologist arrives in Croghan to examine the remains of the victim. When Kevin Barry leads her to the corpse she makes a startling discovery. Sound by Jason Looney Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Croghan, Co Offaly is a remarkable place. The scenery is stunning; the local community are friendly and welcoming. However their future is far from certain - the major employer in the region is closing down. In the midst of this crisis, local people are increasingly talking about a dark chapter in their past, a murder that came to light in 2003. This is the start of the Road to Oldcroghan…. Sound by Jason Looney  Artwork by Keith Hynes Support the show - www.patreon.com/irishpodcast Check out the shop - www.irishhistorypodcast.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 1 of the Road to Oldcroghan drops on October 5th. Exclusive early access available at patreon.com/irishpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the 1790s onwards numerous Black anti-slavery activists visited Ireland to build support for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery itself. This would see some of the most famous African Americans in history including Frederick Douglas visit Ireland. I was delighted to interview Christine Kinealy, one of the leading historians of 19th century Ireland, for this episode. She discusses three activists. Alongside Frederick Douglas she also talks about the lives of Equiano Olaudah and Sarah Parker Remond and their experiences in Ireland. While Christine talks about these activists featured in her new book called ‘Black Abolitionists in Ireland’, in this wide-ranging interview she also discusses the support for anti slavery movements in Ireland in the 1790s, how former slaves were treated in Ireland and also the tensions that emerged between Irish emigrants in the US and people back in Ireland over the issue of slavery.  Sound by Jason Looney Next Friday Christine is organising a virtual tour for Culture Night. This free online event retraces the steps of Frederick Douglas and the time he spent in Dublin. Book your ticket https://culturenight.ie/event/irelands-great-hunger-institute-at-quinnipiac-university/ Support the show at patreon.com/irishpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Preban cemetery is not only where the communities in the surrounding region bury their dead, but it also has an important place in day to day life for many in the area. In this podcast, the final episode in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’ Damian and myself look at how the graveyard has been used through the 20th century through to the present day. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Great Famine haunts every graveyard in Ireland. Alongside victims of the Great Hunger, many graveyards include the names of those who were forced to emigrate. In this podcast we look at how these events affected the communities around Preban. This episode is the sixth of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graveyards chronicle the history of the communities where we. At Preban, Co Wicklow one of the most tragic stories is that of the Mulhall family. In this episode local resident Helen Byrne talks about the fate of the Mulhall family, who were killed in an avalanche in the hills above Wicklow a story that was covered across the world at the time. This episode is the fourth of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Narration by Aidan Crowe Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the summer of 1798 large parts of Ireland were ravaged by one of the largest rebellions in Irish history. Numerous people in communities around Preban marched off to fight alongside the rebels. Some paid a heavy price and their graves can be found in Preban Graveyard. In this episode you will hear the story of the 1798 rebellion and how people from Preban were involved. This episode is the fourth of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

St Aidan's well is located in the environs Preban graveyard. Rituals have been performed at this holy well for centuries possibly even longer. Although these traditions are now dying out, in this episode we hear the words of the late Maura Carty who can remember pilgrims coming to the well. We also interview Dr Louise Nugent an expert on pilgrimmage and holy sites to hear more about this important archaeological site that links the present community around Preban to their distant ancestors Thanks to Dr Louise Nugent for her time. This episode is the third of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part II of 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’ Damian and myself journey back into the earliest history of Preban. This takes us deep into the medieval period. We follow the story of the graveyard through the late Middle Ages and the religious turmoil that followed the Reformation. We also talk to archaeologist Chris Corlett to hear the fascinating story of the stonemasons who carved some of the outstanding gravestones that still stand in the cemetery today. This episode is the second of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ancient graveyard of Preban is situated in the southern foothills of the Wicklow Mountains near the picteuresque town of Tinahely. While its history stretches back over 1,000 years, it fell into severe disrepair through the later 20th century. In 2010 local residents in the Preban Graveyard Committee set about cleaning up the cemetery. In the course of their work they discovered incredible stories stretching back thousands of years. In this podcast series, made with Damian Shiels, host of the Forgotten Irish Podcast, you will hear this remarkable history. In this episode, the first of seven, Damian and myself meet the local community and get a sense of this remarkable place and its rich history. This episode is the first of seven in 'Stories from a Living Graveyard’. The series will be released daily as part of Heritage Week 2020. Sound by Jason Looney Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty, the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Coucil & Preban Graveyard Committee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This seven part series starting Monday August 17th, explores fascinating stories from a forgotten graveyard. Until 2010 Preban cemetery in Co Wicklow was completely overgrown and largely inaccessible. When the local community set about restoring their graveyard they discovered remarkable personal histories of their ancestors. These incude 1798 rebels, famine emigrants not to mention rock art that stretches back thousands of years. Tune in on Monday to find out more. Episodes will be released daily. Created by Fin Dwyer & Damian Shiels Special thanks to Yvonne Whitty & the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.