Irish History Podcast

Irish History Podcast

From the Norman Invasion to the War of Independence, the Great Famine to the Troubles, the Irish History Podcast takes you on a journey through the most fascinating stories in Ireland's past. Whether it’s the siege of Dublin in 1171 or gun battles in the 1920s, the podcast vividly recreates a sense of time and place. Each episode is meticulously researched, creating character-driven narratives that are engaging and accessible for all.


Since the first episode was released back in 2010, the podcast has covered scores of captivating stories. Major multi-part series have explored the Great Famine, the Norman Invasion, and Irish involvement in the Spanish Civil War. If you are looking for standalone episodes, there are lots of great interviews with leading Irish historians covering topics from medieval sex magic to Irish connections in the Jack the Ripper murders!


Why not start with 'Three Days in July', an acclaimed mini-series from the summer of 2024. It explores the early years of the Troubles and the forgotten story of a young Londoner who was shot dead by the British Army in Belfast in 1970.


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Episodes

483-

The Rise of the Provisional IRA: Conspiracy vs Reality

16 Sep 2026
482-

The Golden Age of Irish Smuggling

09 Sep 2026
481-

Why Did Nazi Germany Bomb an Irish Village in 1940?

This episode explores the arrival of World War II-related tragedies to neutral Ireland, beginning with the discovery of casualties from the Battle of the Atlantic on Irish shores and the specific bombing of the village of Campile in August 1940. It examines how German planes bypassed strategic targets to strike a seemingly insignificant location, raising questions about the intentionality behind the attack. The investigation delves into eyewitness accounts and the tension between the Irish government's desire to frame the raid as an accident to maintain neutrality and military intelligence evidence suggesting a deliberate act. The episode weighs theories regarding whether the bombing targeted strategic export infrastructure or was simply a navigational error.

26 Aug 2026
480-

The Sinking of the Lusitania

This episode explores the history and tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania, from its construction as a high-speed transatlantic liner to its fateful encounter with a German U-boat during WWI. The discussion covers the ship's technical rivalry, the impact of submarine warfare on passenger security, and the chaotic 18-minute descent that led to massive loss of life. The conversation further examines the aftermath of the disaster, including the discovery of wreckage along the Irish coast, the controversy surrounding munitions in the ship's cargo, and modern findings regarding the mysterious second explosion. Finally, the episode touches upon the human stories of survivors and the lasting memorials dedicated to those lost.

19 Aug 2026
479-

Ireland’s Shipwrecks: History from the Depths

Host Finn DeWire interviews Lara Joy, Heritage Director of Dublin Port, to explore the maritime history and shipwreck exhibition in Dublin Bay. The episode delves into the vast number of identified wrecks along the Irish coast, the challenges of preserving delicate artifacts like metal cannons, and the historical development of maritime safety infrastructure such as lighthouses and refuge harbours. The discussion also covers the human cost of maritime disasters, from the 1807 tragedy of the Rochdale to the impact of World War I and II on Irish waters. The episode highlights how technological advancements have changed our understanding of these sites and emphasizes the ethical importance of treating shipwrecks as protected graves.

12 Aug 2026