The Irish History Boys

The Irish History Boys
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Comedian Tim McGarry and Historian Cormac Moore select the stories from the archives of The Irish News that bring Irish history to life in enlightening and amusing ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Northern Ireland in 1976: The Collapse of the Convention and the Move to Direct Rule

    3D AGO

    Northern Ireland in 1976: The Collapse of the Convention and the Move to Direct Rule

    In this episode of the Irish History Boys, Tim McGarry and Dr. Cormac Moore reflect on the "obituary" of the 1975–1976 Constitutional Convention, a failed British attempt to find a political solution that instead left Northern Ireland in a "complete political vacuum". We examine how the refusal of unionists to share power led to a period of "violence and stagnation," with 1976 becoming one of the bloodiest years of the Troubles. We also dive into the financial "insolvency" of Northern Ireland, tracing it back to 1926 when the statelet first required a "free gift" from the British Treasury to avoid bankruptcy and pay unemployment benefits. We discuss the myth of the North as a self-sustaining industrial powerhouse and reveal how it has evolved into the highest per-head drain on UK resources, now costing an estimated £14 billion a year. Additionally, we explore the social and legislative landscape of the mid-70s, from the introduction of sex discrimination laws to the "watered down" Fair Employment Act of 1975. We also discuss the historical "security lapse" of 1981, where the IRA came remarkably close to assassinating the Queen during a visit to the Shetland Islands. To conclude, we tackle the modern-day debate over a United Ireland, questioning whether the British truly want to leave and if the Republic of Ireland is prepared to inherit a "partition statelet" that has never truly paid its own way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  2. Judicial Robes and Jazz Panics

    FEB 19

    Judicial Robes and Jazz Panics

    In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we reflect on the barbaric 1976 murders of Mary Sloan, May Sloan, and Doris McGrath—a tragedy described at the time as a "new low in barbarity".  We examine these senseless killings within the context of 1976's grim violence and the ways in which such horrific events were often "hazed over" by the relentless cycle of conflict during the Troubles. Additionally, we explore the Irish Free State's struggle to "unshackle" itself from the British judicial yoke in 1926. We discuss the debate over judges’ wigs and gowns as a symbol of burgeoning statehood and the tension between adopting the inherited British system versus the more egalitarian, indigenous Dáil court system. To conclude, we tackle the "moral panic" of the 1920s, examining how both Catholic and Protestant leaders waged a social crusade against the perceived evils of jazz, modern dancing, and "evil literature". We also address 1926 proposals for border tolls on heavy lorries, highlighting how economic disputes further cemented the reality of partition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  3. Hunger Strikes and Splenetic Denunciations

    FEB 12

    Hunger Strikes and Splenetic Denunciations

    In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Frank Stagg’s 1976 hunger strike—a 60-day ordeal that ended in a "cloud of controversy" and left his family deeply divided. We examine the harrowing physiological toll of the strike and the Irish government's extraordinary tactical decision to intercept Stagg's remains via helicopter to prevent the IRA from achieving a "propaganda coup". Additionally, we travel back 100 years to 1926 to analyze the "splenetic denunciation" of the Irish Free State by the Unionist press. We discuss how the Irish News exposed this as a "political trick" used by leaders to distract their own public from domestic grievances by focusing on the "business worries" of their neighbours. To conclude, we address the international stage of the mid-1920s, specifically Benito Mussolini’s aggressive "Italianization" of South Tyrol. We examine his defiant stance against the "toothless" League of Nations, a bold assertion of power that signaled the darkening political climate of early 20th-century Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  4. Asserting Irish Independence with Coins and Customs

    FEB 5

    Asserting Irish Independence with Coins and Customs

    In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we examine the poignant death and funeral of Anthony Reavy in 1976—the third brother in one family to perish following a loyalist shooting. We place this tragedy within the broader context of the era's relentless sectarian violence and the prevailing "political vacuum" of the time. Additionally, we highlight the growth of indigenous Irish commercial entities, such as IPB Insurance, as symbols of burgeoning statehood and the drive to move away from British-run systems. To conclude, we address a listener's strategic question regarding the partition of Ireland: specifically, whether the unionists' decision to secure six counties instead of four ultimately created the demographic conditions for a future reunification. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  5. Pacts and Prisoners: The 1926 Release and the death of Frank Stagg

    JAN 29

    Pacts and Prisoners: The 1926 Release and the death of Frank Stagg

    his week we explore the fallout of the tripartite agreement of 1926, which led to the release of 33 political prisoners in Northern Ireland—though three "Derry prisoners" remained behind bars due to their roles in a fatal rescue attempt. We examine how political status served as a recurring bargaining chip, tracing the history of Republican resistance from the 1918 "German Plot" to the daring escapes of the Civil War. Finally, we discuss the harrowing death of hunger striker Frank Stagg in 1976 and the British government's "callous" refusal to grant him a transfer to a Northern Irish prison. We also look at the Irish government's extraordinary measures to prevent a Republican funeral, including the use of helicopters and concrete to secure his final resting place against his family's wishes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  6. Bans and Bandits: The GAA’s "Foreign" Struggle and the Stigma of "Bandit Country"

    JAN 22

    Bans and Bandits: The GAA’s "Foreign" Struggle and the Stigma of "Bandit Country"

    This week we explore the pivotal year of 1926 for the Gaelic Athletic Association, as delegates from Louth and Tipperary pushed for the removal of the compulsory ban on "foreign games" such as soccer, rugby, cricket, and hockey. We look at the systemic issues regarding the enforcement of these rules, including the 1938 removal of Ireland's first president, Douglas Hyde, as GAA patron and the deployment of vigilante committees to ensure members did not attend rival sporting events. We also discuss why Northern members were the strongest advocates for maintaining these bans, as they felt abandoned by the Free State and faced continued obstruction and British rule within the six counties. Finally, we chat about the controversial "bandit country" label applied to South Armagh in the 1970s, while examining a local citizen’s poignant letter protesting the "blackening" of their peace-loving community’s name. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  7. 1926 & 1976: Red Routes and the Darkest Days

    JAN 15

    1926 & 1976: Red Routes and the Darkest Days

    Tim McGarry and Dr Cormac look back at the significant news stories of 1926 and 1976. Regarding 1926, they explore the complexities of the cross-channel postal service and the unionist desire for a "red route" to bypass the Irish Free State, highlighting Northern Ireland's unique status as a "polity". They also examine the legacy of the Belfast boycott—a counterproductive campaign that may have accelerated the start of the Civil War—and a prophetic letter to the Irish News bemoaning the "lost art of conversation" in the face of new technologies like radio and cinema. Moving to 1976, they reflect on a "bleak and miserable" period defined by "pure evil" and a "total political vacuum" following the collapse of the Sunningdale agreement. They delve into the horrific sectarian atrocities in South Armagh, specifically the Reevy and O'Dowd family murders and the retaliatory Kingsmill massacre. The hosts discuss the long-term impact on survivors like Alan Black, the lack of formal inquests, and the unsettling questions regarding potential British collusion and the mysterious role of Robert Nairac. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  8. 1925 & 1975: A Unionist Triumph and the Miserable Year

    JAN 8

    1925 & 1975: A Unionist Triumph and the Miserable Year

    Tim McGarry and Dr Cormac look back at the significant news stories of 1925 and 1975. Regarding 1925, they delve into the Boundary Commission, which established the permanent border of Northern Ireland and was seen as a "triumph for unionism" under James Craig, alongside social issues like the emancipation of women smoking in public and a largely "forgotten" famine in the West of Ireland. Moving to 1975, they reflect on a "miserable year" defined by a political vacuum, horrific sectarian violence such as the Miami Showband murders, and the unexpected political conversion of hardliner William Craig to the idea of power-sharing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
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About

Comedian Tim McGarry and Historian Cormac Moore select the stories from the archives of The Irish News that bring Irish history to life in enlightening and amusing ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Irish History Boys
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Irish History Boys
  • Show Website
    The Irish History Boys

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