Irish History Podcast Fin Dwyer

In 1895 Bridget Cleary was a confident independent woman in a rapidly changing Ireland. This brought her into conflict with dark and sinister figures in her own community. 
After being labelled a 'changeling' (a fairy who had taken the place of the real person) Bridget was tortured in a brutal ritual. This podcast, based in an original episode released in 2016, explores Cleary's life and why those closest to her ultimately murdered her.
The book mentioned in the show is The Burning of Bridget Cleary: A True Story by Angela Bourke
Sound By Kate Dunlea
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Until 1981 a woman was considered the property of her husband under Irish law. A husband could even sue another man for damaging his property if he had an affair with his wife. Referred to as 'criminal conversation’ these trials were demeaning and humiliating for the women involved. 'Women on trial looks' looks at the story of Alice Morton.
When her marriage fell apart in 1919, she found herself at the centre of a sensational divorce and criminal conversation trial. When this developed into an early 20th century sex scandal, Alice went on the run rather than be subjected to such humiliation.
The episode follows Alice's story as she evaded private detectives, and a court system stacked against her.
Sound: Kate Dunlea
Additional Narrations: Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray
Read more about criminal conversation trials:
Adultery in the Courts: Criminal Conversation in Ireland by Niamh Howlin https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2787632
Ireland’s criminal conversations by Diane Urquhart https://journals.openedition.org/etudesirlandaises/3162
Support the show
Patreon - https://patreon.com/irishpodcast
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On June 22nd 1922, the British Field Marshall, Henry Wilson was shot dead in London. The assassination sparked a major political crisis in Ireland. The British government blamed the killing on a faction of the IRA opposed to the recent Anglo-Irish Treaty. When they demanded action be taken against them, Michael Collins oversaw an attack on an IRA unit occupying the Four Courts in Dublin. This sparked the Irish Civil War.
Over the last century the incident has been shrouded in controversy.  Many at the time and since have accused Michael Collins himself of ordering the attack on Wilson. In this episode I am joined by John Dorney to discuss the assassination of Henry Wilson, the fallout and who was responsible.  
My exclusive supporters' series on the Irish Civil War with Dr Brian Hanley of Trinity College Dublin continued this week on Acast+ and Patreon. Ep #1 explains backdrop to the war, while Ep #2 profiles Michael Collins, his involvement in the war and his death in August 1922.
My guest on this week’s show is John Dorney. John’s website theIrishstory.com is one of the leading online resources on Irish History. He also the co host of the Irish History Show https://irishhistoryshow.ie/
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Spike Island in Cork Harbour is often referred to as 'Ireland’s Alcatraz'. While this famous island prison began life as a monastery it was transformed into a fortress during the American Revolutionary War. However Spike island gained it's notorious reputation during the Great Hunger of the 1840s when a prison was opened in the fort.
This episode recorded on Spike island tells the story of Ireland’s Alcatraz…
I would like to thank the team on Spike Island for facilitating the recording of this episode. In particular I would like to thank Tom O’Neill for his time and expertise.
Sound by Kate Dunlea
Visit Spike Island: https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/
If you want find out more about Spike Island these texts come highly recommended.
Spike Island: Saint Felons and Famine
Too beautiful for thieves and pickpockets: A history of the Victorian convict prison on spike island
Spike Island republican prisoners 1921
My exclusive Supporters Civil War Series with Dr Brian Hanley from Trinity College Dublin continues on Thursday. Episode II looks at Michael Collins and the Outbreak of the War. This is available on www.patreon.com/irishpodcast and Acast+.

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Between 1840 and 1860 the population of New York almost trebled growing from 300,000 to 800,000. This influx of migrants from Europe gave birth to modern Manhattan. At the heart of this story were the 250,000 Irish people who made the city their home in the aftermath of the Great Hunger. 
This is the story of the Famine Irish in New York.
In this episode I interview Dr Tyler Anbinder from George Washington University. An expert in the history of New York, Tyler vividly explain New York of the 1850s and how the Famine Irish adapted to life in the city. You can find Tyler’s books here https://history.columbian.gwu.edu/tyler-anbinder. I would recommend Five Points: The Nineteenth-Century New York City Neighborhood that Invented Tap Dance, Stole Elections, and Became the World's Most Notorious Slum
My series on the civil war continues next week when myself and Dr Brian Hanley discuss Michael Collins, the man, the myth and his role in the conflict. You can get the series on Acast+ or at the $5 tier on patreon.com/irishpodcast
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Five days after the end of the Second World War, Winston Churchill launched into a blistering critique of Irish neutrality on the BBC World Service. He would famously claim the government of Éamon de Valera had frolicked with German representatives in Dublin while Britain fought the Nazis. 
The reality of Irish neutrality in the World War II was somewhat more complicated. To discuss the story of Irish neutrality I am joined by the Dr Donal Ó Drisceoil from the History of Department of University College Cork.
Donal has written extensively on the history of neutrality and in this episode he explains why Ireland took a neutral position in the war. He also reveals how and why the government aided the Allies behind the scenes but remained adamant they were neutral. Sound by Kate Dunlea.
Support the show to get hours of exclusive content at patreon.com/irishpodcast
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