112 episodes

A podcast about the culture, history and politics of Ireland by Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney. Taking on the knowledge gap since 2017.

The Irish Passport The Irish Passport

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 284 Ratings

A podcast about the culture, history and politics of Ireland by Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney. Taking on the knowledge gap since 2017.

    Conquest: Scorching The Earth

    Conquest: Scorching The Earth

    Part two of our Conquest mini-series explores the violent occupation of Gaelic Ireland by Elizabethan adventurers between 1560 and 1590, heralding an age of terror and genocide that would ultimately lead to a full-scale war between the Gaelic clans of Ireland and the English crown. From the demise of the Old English Lordships to the tentative plantations of Ulster, this episode lays out the very foundations for the colonisation of Ireland.

    A bonus debrief episode is available for Patreon supporters over on https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

    You'll find a link to the book we mentioned in the show here: https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2017/nine-years-war/

    You can find a link to the London Irish Centre, here: https://londonirishcentre.org/

    • 1 hr 25 min
    Conquest: Making Ireland English

    Conquest: Making Ireland English

    In the period from 1534 to 1653 Ireland was profoundly transformed. At the start, it was almost entirely Gaelic, ruled by Gaelic clans with an ancient way of life, and unique legal and political system. A hundred years later, Ireland was unrecognisable. In this first part of our new mini series, Conquest, Tim and Naomi set the scene for the profound transformation of the island of Ireland by colonial invasion.

    A bonus episode in which Naomi and Tim discuss the making of this episode and what stood out to them is now available for Patreon supporters here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/after-show-97840308

    • 59 min
    Breaking: Santa Granted Access To Irish Air Space

    Breaking: Santa Granted Access To Irish Air Space

    Every year the Irish government and national media lend their full attention to the arrival of Santa Claus on the island of Ireland, and discuss the various logistics of his visit to every child in the country. In this mini bonus episode, we bring you this most important news story of the year, and explain how, for a few days every December, Santa dominates the parliamentary agenda of Dáil Éireann.

    • 21 min
    Dublin Riots: Will the Far Right Change Irish Politics?

    Dublin Riots: Will the Far Right Change Irish Politics?

    We break down the political consequences of the recent far-right riots in Dublin, explaining how the violence began, who has been instigating movements like this, and how this could transform the country's political landscape. We see how members of the far right have failed in electoral gains, but have succeeded in disrupting the traditional political process, which until now has been remarkably accessible to Irish voters. With a host of national and European elections and referendums on the horizon, is the real disruption still to come?

    You can find the Go Fund Me pages for the victims and heroes of the Dublin knife attack here:

    https://www.gofundme.com/en-ie/c/act/parnell-square-attack-and-riots-how-to-help

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Ireland's Imposter Aristocrats

    Ireland's Imposter Aristocrats

    Tim published a book!

    How does nobility work as a power strategy, why does it bear so many curious similarities to the construct of race, and what does all of this have to do with Ireland?

    We delve into Tim's book, "Nobility and the Making of Race in Eighteenth-Century Britain", published by Bloomsbury Academic this autumn, and uncover the intricate power dynamics of Irish nobility in the eighteenth century. We find out how during this age of colonial expansion European naturalists began to classify global populations according to ancient traditions of blood hierarchy, reimagining white Europeans as the natural aristocracy of mankind. We also explore how the very idea of "natural nobility" in Ireland at this time brought up profound anxieties, revealing a dangerous power vacuum at the heart of colonial rule.

    Listeners can buy "Nobility and the Making of Race in Eighteenth-Century Britain" on the Bloomsbury Publishing website: www.bloomsbury.com.

    Patreon members benefit from early access to this episode -- thank you for keeping the show running! If you would like access to our 100+ episodes of extra content and support the continued making of show along the way, you can sign up at www.patreon.com/theirishpassport.

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Ireland and the Israel-Palestine conflict

    Ireland and the Israel-Palestine conflict

    As the world reels from the horrific Hamas attack on Israel and its deadly retribution on the Gaza Strip, Ireland has emerged as a prominent player in the European response to the worsening conflict.

    In this episode, Naomi and Tim sum up the current situation and explain some of the historical context that explains why Ireland has traditionally been one of the most sympathetic western countries towards the Palestinian cause.

    The two sides of this conflict have long been adopted by rival communities in Northern Ireland, with Irish republicans flying the Palestinian flag and British loyalists identifying with Israel. The episode reviews some of the lesser-known historical links between Ireland and the foundation of Israel, exploring the complexities of a time when the relationship between Zionism and Irish Republicanism was not the same as it is now.

    Finally, Naomi describes her reporting on the confused European response and why Ireland has emerged as a prominent voice.

    Tragically, after the recording of this episode we learned that the missing Irish citizen Kim Damti was confirmed dead. Our deepest condolences to her family.

    Thank you so much to all our Patreon supporters for helping us make this podcast. You can support us on: https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
284 Ratings

284 Ratings

Hawlistic ,

With Gratitude

I came across this podcast as I sought to learn more about Ireland and what it meant for me to travel there from America. I have learned a lot about Ireland and the world. I have also been uplifted in troubled times by your deep humanity.
Thank you very kindly.

MaeveTheFae ,

Wonderful podcast, excellent hosts, and very informative

This is an amazing podcast and I am so glad to have found it! It is very informative and formatted in such a thoughtful way. They cover things in a very investigative way and are very thorough. They are also clear about any bias they might have, instead of just pretending that you can report without a bias, and do an amazing job of looking at all angles objectively. The hosts are lovely and intelligent and listening to them discuss things is very enjoyable. They give quips and levity as needed and I just don’t know what else to say to encourage you to listen. If you want a comprehensive, informative podcast about Ireland, its culture, history, current events, etc. than this is the podcast for you.

Palunargar ,

Excellent podcast on Irish issues

I’m glad I finally found a podcast made by Irish people wish brings a different perspectives on topics where I only heard the British point of view. The hosts explain difficult or sensitive issues with a humane perspective. Specially, I recommend “The Famine” episode. I can’t wait to listen the “war of independence” episodes. I hope one day to visit Ireland and North Ireland!

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