In this episode, I want to talk about St Patrick’s day! St Patrick’s day is an incredibly popular celebration of Ireland and Irish culture with events taking place around the world. However, the history of this holiday is incredibly surprising. Let’s learn about the life of St Patrick, the history of the festival, and some of the myths surrounding the events ... Show More
Jun 1
390. What are the “New” Seven Wonders of the World? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Thousands of years ago, Ancient Greek travellers created a list of the most extraordinary sights they encountered: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These included places like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Colossus of Rhodes. Today th ... Show More
31m 38s
May 25
389. What Was the First Book Ever Written? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Humans have been speaking languages for tens of thousands of years. We told stories around fires, passed down myths from parents to children, and memorised important information about survival and history. But for a very long time, nobody could write anything down. Then, at some ... Show More
28m 31s
May 18
388. Is the American Dream Dead? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
If you work hard, can you build yourself a better life? For a long time, millions of people believed the answer in the USA was yes. The “American Dream” is the idea that anyone, no matter where they start in life, can achieve success through hard work and determination. You could ... Show More
26m 5s
Oct 2022
St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland: Traditions, Idioms, and Real English with Sylvia
<p><strong>🚀 Episode Summary:</strong><br>Curious about the real story behind St. Patrick’s Day? In this episode of <em>Speak English Confidently</em>, Grace is joined by Sylvia from Ireland, who shares the origins of the holiday, how it’s celebrated in Ireland, and the cultural ... Show More
34m 19s
Apr 2021
The Irish Saints: Redeemed Paganism
<p>In an earlier episode, the Pugsters talked about Tolkien’s ideas of the value of pagan myth and the need to Christianize it. In this episode, Glenn picks up on that and applies it not to mythology but to culture, specifically, the religion of pre-Christian Ireland and what hap ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2025
The Irish Wake: A History
The Irish funeral wake is a unique tradition where family and friends gather around the body of the deceased to share stories, remember their life, and celebrate their legacy. Often resembling a lively party with plenty of drink, this ritual is both a farewell and a celebration.P ... Show More
50m 11s
Jul 2025
Yola: A History of Ireland’s Lost Language
When we think of Ireland’s past, we usually envisage an island shaped by two languages: Irish and English. But hidden in the history of South Wexford is Yola, a unique dialect that survived for centuries after the Norman invasion, only to vanish almost without a trace.In this epi ... Show More
20 m