Irish History Podcast

This podcast is based on this article I wrote on my blog (irishhistorypodcast.ie) about Cristiana la Sadelhackere, a woman who worked as a prostitute in medieval Ireland. Her story is an intriguing account of a precarious life on the fringes of medieval society struggling against the authorities of the day. The podcast also takes a fascinating look at why women became prostitutes in medieval Ireland and how wider society viewed them. You can listen to the show here http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2014/01/23/podcast-prostitution-in-medieval-ireland-the-story-of-cristiana-la-sadelhackere/ or download directly at the link below  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The year is 1310. Ireland was gripped by a severe economic, military and political crisis - pretty much everything that could go wrong had gone wrong for the Norman colonists. In October, a man called Jordan the Chaplain made his way to Drogheda, a major port in medieval Ireland. However not long after arriving he got involved in a dispute with one of the townspeople - Robert the Tailor. What started as a fraca in a tavern, quickly escalated begining a fascinating story which ended in a murder, producing strange and unexpected reactions in the divided and crisis ridden Drogheda. This podcast is a little different that many of the previous episodes. In this story, I attempt to explain how a major crisis in Ireland in the 14th century affected two ordinary people who lived in these trying times. Through this story of murder and unexpected solidarity the podcast explains why such what were seemingly minor events were indicative of much bigger changes underway in medieval Ireland. It is a bit of an experiment so I would appreciate feedback - whether you enjoyed the show and whether agree with my argument or disagree, mail me at history@irishhistorypodcast.ie You can listen to the show here or download at the link below http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2013/12/05/drogheda-1310-murder-and-solidarity-in-a-medieval-crisis/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This show returns to the story of Gaelic Ireland in the final decades prior to the Norman Invasion. Ireland is being torn apart by long running tensions between the kings of Munster and Ulster. The show begins in 1101 with Donal McLochlainn the king of the O'Neills on his knees. His great rival Muirchertach O'Briain, the king of Munster had just invaded and ravaged his kingdom. However Donal is by no means finished; further war and bloodshed loom ahead. However for the people of medieval Ireland this is not the only problem they face as in 1102 the king of Norway Magnus Barelegs arrives threatening invasion! You can hear part one here http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2013/02/28/1090-1101-the-great-war-of-ulster-and-munster-part-i/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This podcast concludes our journey through the Top 5 turning points of Medieval Ireland. This show focuses on one of the most intriguing events of our medieval past, the Battle of Athenry in 1316. This conflict occured during one of the most fascinating wars in Irish history - the Bruce Invasion of 1315-18. In May 1315, a Scots army led by Edward Bruce, brother to the King of Scotland, invaded Ireland, so this podcast starts in Scotland, with none other than William Wallace a.k.a. Braveheart making an appearance.Then it follows the Scots invasion of Ireland in a story of sieges, battles, deceit and even cannibalism! Although the war would last until 1318, the decisive turning point I argue occured beneath the walls of Athenry on the 10th of August 1316. While there was not a single Scot on this battlefield this particularly bloody affair decided their fate nonetheless. Tune in to see how! Check out Part I here http://irishhistory.libsyn.com/top-5-turning-points-in-medieval-ireland-part-i If you want updates check the show out on facebook and follow irishhistory on twitter. Subscribe in iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/irish-history-podcast/id363368392 Support the podcast by making a contribution toward the cost of sources here. Thanks!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is a whistlestop tour through medieval Ireland stopping off at battlefields along the way, taking a look at the top five turning points as I see them. This podcast will introduce some of the key characters from Irish history, some of whom are well known such as Strongbow and Brian Boru, others less well-known but equally fascinating such as Flann Sinna and William 'Liath de Burgh'. Part I starts in 908 at the long forgotten battle of Ballymoon and finishes at the siege of Dublin in 1171. Part II out next week will conclude the top 5. If you want updates check the show out on facebook and follow irishhistory on twitter. Subscribe in iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/irish-history-podcast/id363368392 Support the podcast by making a contribution toward the cost of sources here. Thanks!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Honour was all important in Ireland in 1300 A.D. Unsurprisingly when a miller, Walter de Capella, insulted the mistress of John Thebaud it sparked a row between the two men. This row escalated and within a few short weeks a vicious and ultimately violent feud broke out. This podcast tells the story of the previously untold, hair-raising story of medieval honour, violence and justice... Support the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour - Dublinfaminetour.ie    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, the long forgotten ruins of the medieval fortress and town of Castlekevin, are situated in a remote valley in the Wicklow mountains. In the early 14th century this was the epicentre of a ferocious struggle between Gaelic Irish and Norman Colonists in the Wicklow Mountains. This podcast charts the long and bloody battle for survival at Castlekevin when the surrounding region became a warzone. Support the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour - Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During the high summer of 1235 the west of Ireland witnessed one of the most violent chapters in its history when the Normans launched their conquest of the west. This campaign culminated in the storming of an Island fortress using siege engines on floating platforms and fire-ships. Need I say more? Support the show at Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour - Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In February 1317 Dublin faced its greatest crisis. A huge army lead by Robert the Bruce, king of Scotlan d was making its way to lay siege to the city. With no army to defend the city, Dubliners were effectively on their own. However everyone in the city could not be trusted, a few days earlier the Earl of Ulster who also happened to be Bruce’s father in law arrived. Within weeks most of Dublin would be burned to the ground but not in the way you might expect Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode looks at the fascinating story of Dennis Doherty. Born in Derry in 1814, Doherty would spend most of his life in Australian prisons. His story is remarkable – he was flogged 3,000 times and spent years in solitary confinement but yet he continually struggled for freedom. Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During the high summer of 1235 the west of Ireland witnessed one of the most violent chapters in its history when the Normans invaded and conquered the province. This campaign culminated in the storming of an Island fortress using siege engines on floating platforms and fire-ships. This assault was the final chapter in a story [...]

After the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Wicklow region was surprisingly peaceful. Despite the fact the Gaelic Irish had been dispossessed, many appeared to be getting on with life. This was deceptive and in 1270 a massive rebellion broke out deep in the Mountains that would see settlement after settlement raided and burned. This is the story of that rebellion... Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1303 the Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgh, amassed a large army in Dublin which was destined for Scotland. In the podcast we look at a forgotten story of medieval Dubliners who had to undertake what now seem as strange, unusual and often chaotic preparations to get a medieval army to the battlefield and the chaos this caused for people in early 14th century Dublin. Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1090 Muirchertach O Briain, grandson of Brian Boru, faced the darkest moment of his rule as King of Munster. Defeated and vanquished by his rival the king of Ulster, Domnal McLochlainn, he faced two options; either accept his fate or try to claw his way back to power. As grandson of Brian Boru giving up wasn't in his DNA. Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1072 the aging King of Leinster Diarmait Mc Mael na mBó died. His death saw the descendents of Brian Boru try to follow in the footsteps of their famous ancestor and dominate Ireland but there was a queue of people waiting to stop them. Although initially Ireland witnessed a certain amount of stability, the rise of the O Briains sparked a ferocious struggle as several kings sought to dominate the island. In todays show we traverse Ireland in the late 11th century through a real life game of thrones, daring naval raids and unending brutality and war. Support the Podcast on Patreon.com/irishpodcast Join me on a tour Dublinfaminetour.ie  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.