167 episodes

This unique and lively history show delves into some of the world's most important political, social and cultural events and the intriguing personalities behind them.

Presented by Dr Patrick Geoghegan of Trinity College Dublin, Talking History unravels the gritty, sometimes uncomfortable, side of our past, and what we can learn from it.

Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan Newstalk

    • History
    • 4.7 • 42 Ratings

This unique and lively history show delves into some of the world's most important political, social and cultural events and the intriguing personalities behind them.

Presented by Dr Patrick Geoghegan of Trinity College Dublin, Talking History unravels the gritty, sometimes uncomfortable, side of our past, and what we can learn from it.

    Presidential Shootings

    Presidential Shootings

    In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, we will be looking at shootings in American presidential history as we find out about US presidents, and presidential candidates, who faced the shadow of the gunman.
    President Biden has since announced his decision to drop out of the presidential race.
    Joining Patrick Geoghegan is Michael Cullinane, the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University, Public Historian for the Theodore Roosevelt Association, author of 'Remembering Theodore Roosevelt', and contributor to the design and curation of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library due to open in 2026; Daniel Mulhall, former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States; Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent for Bauer Media; and Dr Sandra Scanlon, who lectures in American history in the UCD School of History and is an expert on American political culture and its relationship with US foreign policy during the Cold War.

    • 52 min
    The Early History of the Olympics

    The Early History of the Olympics

    Patrick and his panel reflect on the early history of the Olympic Games, from ancient Greece to the revival in more modern times, discussing their historical significance, cultural impact and enduring legacy. Featuring Nigel Crowther, Emeritus Professor in Department of Classical Studies at University of Western Ontario; Supervising Professor at International Olympic Academy, Olympia, Greece (2004-05); Former Director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies; Dr Siobhán Doyle, Curatorial Researcher at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks; Dr Jim Parry, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague; and Dr Nigel Spivey, Senior Lecturer in Classical Art and Archaeology in the Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge.

    • 53 min
    The Yeats Sisters

    The Yeats Sisters

    Joining Patrick Geoghegan to delve into the lives and works of the Yeats sisters are: Dr Róisín Kennedy, Assistant Professor, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, UCD; Dr Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin, Associate Professor in Communications, University of Limerick; Susan O’Keeffe, Director of Yeats Society Sligo; and Dr Billy Shortall of Trinity College Dublin, who worked on the Cuala Press Project.

    • 51 min
    Notre Dame

    Notre Dame

    Ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame later this year, Patrick Geoghegan looks at the construction and re-construction of one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world. Joining him are: Dr Emily Guerry, Senior Lecturer in Medieval European History at the University of Kent, Dr Caroline Bruzelius, Professor Emerita of Art and Art History at Duke University, Dr Jennifer M. Feltman, Associate Professor of Art History and Medieval Art at the University of Alabama, and Dr Meredith Cohen, Associate Professor of Medieval Art and Architecture at UCLA.

    • 52 min
    Women and the Irish State

    Women and the Irish State

    From the marriage bar to unequal pay - we're finding out about the status and position of women in the independent Irish state and the long fight for equality. Patrick is joined by Dr Mary McAuliffe, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, and Director of Gender Studies at UCD, Dr Deirdre Foley, Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of History, Trinity College Dublin, and Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, Associate Professor in History at the University of Galway.

    • 52 min
    Best of June Books

    Best of June Books

    In this episode of Newstalk's Talking History: From Tudor to Stuart: The Regime Change from Elizabeth I to James I, by Susan Doran, Professor of Early Modern British History at the University of Oxford; The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York, with Prof Tyler Anbinder, formerly of the Department of History, George Washington University; and ‘Reeling in the Queers – Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past’, with Dr Páraic Kerrigan, Assistant Professor in the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin.

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

Moira O'C ,

Always Fascinating

I’m always so impressed by Dr. Geoghegan’s mastery of the diverse subjects he introduces here; It is what makes him a brilliant interviewer. His guests are accomplished and interesting. My “to read” book list is getting very long indeed.

Trappef in Texad ,

Sound Levels Again

Another great show, but the sound balance is terrible. Some of the participants dialing in are so low that I have to jack up the volume to hear but then I get blasted when the show moves on.

Surely it cannot be beyond the wit of man to fix this?

Thanks.

Mallarie121 ,

Dreadful Sound Quality

The dreadful sound quality matches the dreadful show. Phone in guests are barely understandable the quality is so poor.
The presenter certainly enjoys the sound of his own voice and the overall presentation is lack lustre. I find myself drifting…

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