Wild Old Times

Ciaran Conliffe

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.behance.net/liffydesigns The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

  1. 4 days ago

    A History of the Early Irish Film Industry, Part 4: The Story of Darby O'Gill

    The Walt Disney movie Darby O'Gill and the Little People has an infamous reputation among Irish film students. In this episode we unpick the roots of Darby's version of Irishness, and how it has shaped Ireland's global image - including making the leprechaun the symbol that none of us want. You can watch the episode of Walt Disney Presents that I mention here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgSNPj803AY   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    25 min

  2. 18 Jun

    A History of the Early Irish Film Industry, Part 3: The Post-War Years

    After a brief digression across World War 2 propaganda, we return to the history of Irish films with a look at some films made in Ireland in the years after the war. From a personal favourite to an acknowledged classic, these show how Ireland's film industry developed despite the heavy hand of the Catholic Church.   The following films were mentioned in this episode and are available online: - A Pathe newsreel about the 1936 All-Ireland Hurling Final: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl_DJpK-WzY - Orson Welles’ Othello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09NWcKA7JKw - Return to Glennascaul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxdfK9vcGlA   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    24 min

  3. 4 Jun

    World War 2 Films About Ireland

    In a break from our history of the Irish film industry, we look at how both sides of the conflict portrayed Ireland in their propaganda movies. From an American comedy starring a future Hollywood star to a German film with literal blood on its hands, these films show how Ireland was less a place and more a symbol during those wartime years.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    25 min

  4. 21 May

    A History of the Early Irish Film Industry, Part 2: Film In The Irish Free State

    In our last episode, we covered the history of Irish film in the years before it gained independence. But a new era for the country meant a new era for the Irish film industry, so in this episode we look at the films made in Ireland and by Irish people during those early years of Irish independence.   The following films were mentioned in this episode and are available online. Irish Destiny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYNRrAShn0  Nanook of the North: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSigF6ELY9I  Moana (1926): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3fnxzYHzb4  Man of Aran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JxnU0_BFzw  Oidhche Sheanchais (A Night of Storytelling): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu0EteAgnYc   (Incidentally, I made a couple of mistakes in the episode talking about this film due to misreading my notes. First, I say there were four cast members in this movie. It’s actually five. And I referred to Tom O’Dioran (the storyteller) as Maggie ni Mhaolain’s husband, but he is actually her brother in law. Apologies.) The Dawn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjtfAmY0L-U   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    28 min

  5. 7 May

    A History of the Early Irish Film Industry, Part 1: The Pre-Independence Years

    Ireland is a country that punches above its weight these days, both in films made here and as a location for films to be made. This is the result of a history stretching back nearly a hundred and thirty years, with many ups and downs in the time. In this first part of an ongoing series, we'll look at the history of film in Ireland before it gained independence in 1922. Featuring one returning character from a previous episode, and hints of several episodes yet to come.   The following films were mentioned in this podcast. Any not included below are either lost media or just not available online. Dublin 1897 film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5d02GAoma8 Belfast 1897 film: https://digitalfilmarchive.net/media/lumiere-freres-pompiers-alert-9 The Lad From Old Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPs8vbcVXMc Rory O’More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ0_Q1OJ518 The Colleen Bawn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xFi021DhJQ From The Manger To The Cross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyjo5_zf-MQ Sadly the only version of Ireland: A Nation available (courtesy of TCD) is a re-edited version of it released in 1920. It’s missing the first reel and the Home Rule meeting at the end, and it has some other stuff edited in (including a reference to Eamon de Valera as a Sinn Fein member, which didn’t happen until 1917) but it does include a lot of the original footage. (Thank you to Vlad T and aes26thetic on the ITC slack for helping me clear that up.)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMqM7SyTqoY Knocknagow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A-R9F6OqXs Willy Reilly and his Colleen Bawn (includes a short intro by a member of the Sullivan family): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWB5dhuLb40 The Dail Bonds film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMiDCgmwe90 Various works by the Horgan Brothers including their animated short: https://ifiarchiveplayer.ie/horgan/   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    26 min

  6. 23 Apr

    The Invented History of James McPherson

    In this episode we ask the question: where does folklore end and fiction begin? Every country's destiny is shaped by its myths and legends, but do they need to be real to have that impact? Ireland as a nation owes more than it might be willing to admit to the inventive mind of a Scottish schoolteacher who enchanted Europe.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    25 min

  7. 9 Apr

    Poitin, Ireland's Ancient Moonshine

    The history of poitin, Irish moonshine, is a history of Ireland itself. It has been around for over a millennia, surviving both attempts to destroy it and to tame it. Join us as we travel from monks through revenuers to trendy cocktail bars on a history of Ireland's unquenchable spirit.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    27 min

  8. 26 Mar

    Lola Montez, the Sligo Woman Who Entranced The World

    In this episode we're going to talk about the Sligo woman who brought a king from his throne and the world to their feet. Across three continents, from Europe to America to Australia she broke hearts and roused passions wherever she went. She was born as Eliza Gilbert but the world knew here better as the unstoppable Lola Montez.   Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

    25 min
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About

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe. Our logo is by Liffy Designs. Check them out at https://www.behance.net/liffydesigns The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Ciaran Conliffe
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Wild Old Times