Many cities pride themselves in their humble origins. Few however, could more humble than Dublin. It was around this sewer that channels the river Poddle into the Liffey that the Vikings built a settlement that would grow into Dublin. The original settlement was built on a strip of land between these two rivers. The poddle [...]
Archive for the ‘ireland’ Category
The Sewer that spawned a city….
Posted in 10th century, 9th Century, Dublin, Dublin history, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, Vikings on April 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Dalkey’s Night with Nazism
Posted in 20th Century, Dublin history, ireland, Irish history, Nazi, Nazism, tagged antifascism, Fascism, Nazi, Otto Skorzeny on March 8, 2012 | 6 Comments »
Wednesday 31st August 1960 is a day Dalkey Literary, Historical & Debating Society probably don’t like to mention much. That evening the society, based in one of Dublins most affluent suburbs, had as their guest speaker none other than former Nazi commando Colonel Otto Skorzeny. Skorzeny, dubbed by the US General Dwight D Eisenhower as [...]
(1000 -1022) Brian Boru, The Battle of Clontarf and its aftermath
Posted in 10th century, 11th century, Annals, Archaeology, Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru, Dal Cais, Dublin history, Episode 11, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast, Vikings, tagged Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru, Brian Boruma, Flaithbertach, Gormlaith, Ireland 1014., Mael Mordha, Maelseachnaill II, Sitric, Sitric Silkenbeard on February 27, 2012 | 3 Comments »
Episode 11. Brian Boru is without doubt Ireland’s most well known medieval figure while a battle he fought in 1014, the Battle of Contarf, is Irelands most famous medieval conflict. In this podcast we look at the real story behind Brian and the Battle of Clontarf. How did he become high-king? Was he really the [...]
Dublin in photos: the difference a century makes.
Posted in 19th century, 20th Century, British Army, Civil war, Dublin, Dublin history, IRA, ireland, Irish history on November 1, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
In 1961 the Evening Standard Newspaper celebrated its centential with a special supplement looking at Dublin over the previous hundred years (1861 – 1961). This supplment contained these fascinating early photos of Dublin before and after Independence in 1921. The change in Dublin’s streetscape is dramatic, illustrating what the city was like when it had [...]
Virtual tour of Caernarfon Castle, Wales
Posted in 14th century, Archaeology, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe on October 28, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Built by Edward III in the 13th century, Caernarfon castle is one of the most impressive castles in Britain. Situated in Gwynedd on the north-west coast of Wales it is an enormous structure unlike any castle still standing in Ireland. Along with with several other castles in the region including Conwy and Beaumaris it was constructed [...]
Special: The story of Ireland’s Spanish Armada Shipwrecks (2010)
Posted in 16th century, Archaeology, ireland, Irish history, Spanish Armada, Spanish History, tagged Archaeology, Armada, Co Donegal, Spanish Armada on August 8, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Over the last week archaeologists have begun to excavate the remains of a shipwreck from the Spanish Armada. Lying off the coast of County Donegal, the timbers, musketballs and pottery found so far reveal a tantalising glimpse of what else may lie on the sea bed. In this podcast, first released in 2010, you can [...]
5 Great Film Clips from Irish History
Posted in 20th Century, Bloody Sunday, British Army, Dublin history, fenians, IRA, ireland, Irish history, War of Independence, tagged Irish history on May 3, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Imagine how our understanding of the Norman invasion of Ireland might change if we had footage of Strongbow entering Dublin in 1170 or what we might think of Brian Boru if we had footage of his burial at Armagh in 1014. These comparisons highlight the role that film footage will play as we construct the [...]
Special: A history of St. Patrick and Ireland’s conversion to Christianity
Posted in 5th century, 6th century, 7th century, Catholic Church, Christianity, Early Christian Ireland, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Monasticism, St Patrick, tagged History st patrick, Paddy's day, Saint Patrick, St Patrick, St Patricks day on March 15, 2011 | 3 Comments »
Episode 7: Around the world on March 17th, millions of people will attend St Patrick’s day parades in memory of the man who supposedly “converted the Irish to Christianity”. He is a figure shrouded in mystery and myth but in this podcast we examine the truth behind the one time slave and famous bishop Patrick. [...]
5 Controversial Dublin Monuments
Posted in 18th century, 19th century, 20th Century, Civil war, Dublin, IRA, ireland, Irish history, War of Independence, tagged Arthur Griffith, Lord Nelson, Michael Collins, millenium Clock, Nelsons Pillar, Sean Russell, Time in the Slime, William Of Orange on February 7, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
5.The Time in the Slime (the river Liffey) Back in the late 1990’s when Ireland’s economy started to grow for the first time in centuries the government, instead of building schools and hospitals, decided Dublin needed a clock in the river Liffey that counted down to the millennium. Officially called “The Millennium Clock”, it was [...]
(919-944) The Pursuit of Power (pt. 1) The Decline of the O’Neills
Posted in 10th century, Annals, Archaeology, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, O Neills, Vikings, tagged Brian Boru, Cenel Conaill, Cenel Eoghan, Cennetig Mac Lorcan, Clann Colman, Congalach Cnogba, Dail Cais, Deise, Donnchad Donn, Eoganacht, Flann Sinna, Muirteach Mac Neill. Muirchertach Mac Neill, Ossory, Ruaidrí ua Canannáin on February 3, 2011 | 3 Comments »
Episode 6 is the start of a fascinating story, full of twists and turns. Over the next three shows we will see the O Neill kingdom who have dominated the first five shows see their power challenged by the Dal Cais (the family of Brian Boru). This will see many challengers rise and fall as [...]
Photo Essay: A brief history of Medieval Kilkenny in Pictures
Posted in Archaeology, castles, cromwell, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, tagged Black Abbey, Friar john Clyn, Kilkenny, Kilkenny castle, Kyteler, Maudlin castle, maudlin st, St Canices cathedral, St Francis Abbey on January 17, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Kilkenny more than any other Irish city has a distinctively medieval feel about it. Its small streets wind around several medieval buildings whilst its skyline is still dominated by a 13th century castle and cathedral. Through some of these buildings we can reconstruct the major events of the city’s past from witch trials to the [...]
(902-930) Changing Times: Ireland 902-930
Posted in 10th century, 9th Century, Archaeology, Bibliography, Dublin, early medieval, Economy, Eoganacht, episode 5, Gaelic Ireland, historiography, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast, Vikings, tagged bealach mugna, Cormac Mac Cuilenain, Flann Sinna, medieval war, Niall Glundubh, Sitric, St Mullins, Warfare on November 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Episode 5 Episode five is an exciting journey through one of the most turbulent times in Medieval Ireland. The years 902- 930 see Ireland’s most powerful faction – The O Neill kingdom go to war with their traditional enemies – The Eoganacht. After three years of war only one survives creating a power vacuum, which [...]
The 1641 Depositions: your window into 17th Century Ireland…..
Posted in 17th century, historiography, ireland, Irish history, O Neills, tagged 1641 depositions, 1641 rebellion, O Siochru, Ulster plantation on October 29, 2010 | 3 Comments »
Last week the depositions collected in the aftermath of the 1641 rebellion were published online. The depositions, which are free to access, amount to what were witness statements of survivors, collected by government officials. These are an incredible insight into Ireland in the 17th century and how people at the time perceived what was happening [...]
Hidden Dungeons and a Medieval Priory – A day in medieval Kilkenny…..
Posted in Archaeology, castles, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, tour, tagged Clara Castle, historical tours, Kells Priory, Kilkenny castle on August 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Want to spend a day exploring castles with hidden chambers or wandering around monasteries that were bigger than small towns? Here’s how to visit three sites for €6! Although you’ll probably only have heard of one – Kilkenny castle, the others – Clara castle and Kells Priory are equally interesting. They are all close to [...]
(820-902) Gaelic Ireland; Raiding and Trading with the Vikings.
Posted in 9th Century, Dublin, Episode 4, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, Vikings on August 17, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Episode 4 The 820-40’s saw the Vikings step it up a gear as vast fleets attacked Ireland and establish bases called longphorts around the coast . However by the late 840’s Gaelic Ireland struck back and the Vikings changed their tactics by forming alliances with Gaelic kingdoms. This episode looks at the widespread war and [...]
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