The Turtle Bunbury Podcast

Turtle Bunbury Histories

A living, breathing archive of Irish history, curated by historian and storyteller Turtle Bunbury. From Vanishing Ireland to the Irish diaspora, from Guinness to Maxol to Irish waterways, these immersive episodes blend interviews and vivid narrative to uncover the people, places and events that shaped Ireland – at home and across the globe.

  1. 12. Centenary: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    12. Centenary: The Maxol Story

    The final episdoe of the series takes on the 21st century. The last of the original Maxol depots are phased out as a new generation of award-winning service stations begin to appear across the island. The company rides out the economic recession and turns its attention to green energy options, while Covid 19 rears its head just as Maxol prepares to mark its centenary.

    19 min
  2. 11. Merge: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    11. Merge: The Maxol Story

    The company pushes into third place in the race to be Ireland's largest petrol retailer with the 'Deal of the Decade' and a renewed focus on retail. A transformative restructure creates the Maxol Group, while a reunification of management from 'north and south' becomes a corporate blueprint.

    40 min
  3. 10. Freedom: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    10. Freedom: The Maxol Story

    Maxol breaks free from Shell and launches a rebrand media blitz with new colours, a massively successful advertising campaign (Free a Nipper!) and some immaculately timed sporting sponsorship. Importing fuel into Drogheda and rationalisation are among the way to confront the Mandatory Regime and Price Control.

    48 min
  4. 9. Strike: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    9. Strike: The Maxol Story

    The Troubles in Northern Ireland, two major global oil crises and a glut of domestic strikes piles on the pressure as the next generation of McMullans take the helm. The company homes in on improving stations, staff and trucks, while a new venture in central heating is launched.

    38 min
  5. 8. Swing: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    8. Swing: The Maxol Story

    The Maxol brand is born in an age of newness from forecourts, pumps and trucks to strategies and uniforms. Drivers such as Billy 'True Gel' Murray and Rasher Halligan assert their rights at the East Wall depot while the death of the Boss paves the way for new management in Northern Ireland.

    54 min
  6. 7. Solus: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    7. Solus: The Maxol Story

    The boom strikes but the McMullans face severe pressure from the multinational oil giants and the solus system. The advent of diesel and a joint venture to establish Kosangas help save the day. Global politics comes into play with crises in Iran and the Suez leading to the birth of the Whitegate Refinery.

    33 min
  7. 6. Emergency: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    6. Emergency: The Maxol Story

    With Europe decimated by war, McMullans finds itself swallowed up by government ministries on both sides of the Irish border. The Boss takes a new wife, as do his two oldest sons, while everyone waits patiently for a post-war boom.

    12 min
  8. 5: Heat: The Maxol Story

    MAR 2

    5: Heat: The Maxol Story

    A fabulously timed deal to pioneer the sale of bottled domestic gas in Ireland makes amends for harder times as the McMullans concede to separate entities for its operations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

    12 min
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About

A living, breathing archive of Irish history, curated by historian and storyteller Turtle Bunbury. From Vanishing Ireland to the Irish diaspora, from Guinness to Maxol to Irish waterways, these immersive episodes blend interviews and vivid narrative to uncover the people, places and events that shaped Ireland – at home and across the globe.

Information

  • Creator
    Turtle Bunbury Histories
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Turtle Bunbury Podcast

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