Between 1845 and 1852, Ireland suffered an appalling famine after the repeated failure of the potato crop, its national staple. But though caused by a natural blight, a combination of ancient prejudices, simmering tensions and political short-termism turned a national emergency into a disaster for the ages. So why did the authorities in Westminster seem to w ... Show More
Yesterday
The European Middle Ages (Part 1 of 2)
The period known as the Middle Ages was defined by more than knights and warfare. It began centuries before the First Crusade was called, in the confusion that followed the end of Roman rule in western Europe. And it persisted for a thousand years, until the Renaissance, the Prot ... Show More
58m 10s
Feb 23
The Silk Roads
From the deserts of Central Asia to the gates of ancient China, from the bazaars of Persia to the harbours of the Mediterranean, the Silk Roads were never just one route. A living network of paths, mountain passes, and caravan trails, they carried not only silk and spices, but st ... Show More
57m 32s
Jun 2013
The Irish Potato Famine: An Unnatural Disaster, Pt. 2
<p>In the mid-1800s, the poorest people in Ireland ate almost nothing but potatoes. Other crops were for selling. So when a blight cut a swath through the potato crop, the impact was severe, and politics played a significant role in the tragedy.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
21m 17s
Aug 2020
SYMHC Classics: Irish Famine, Part 2
The second episode in our revisit of the Irish Famine covers the mid-1800s, when the poorest people in Ireland ate almost nothing but potatoes, saving other crops for selling. So a blight, plus politics, led to tragedy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas ... Show More
19m 46s
Mar 2024
Exiled: Irish Writers in the 1930s
<p><br></p><p>The 1930s stood out as one of the most dramatic decades in modern history. Fascism was on the rise, and Europe was hurtling towards the Second World War.</p><p>However, it was a peculiar time in Ireland. The Revolutionary Era was firmly in the rearview, and the opti ... Show More
28m 1s
Aug 2022
‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’ - The Irish in London
<p>The 1950s were a dismal time in Ireland. While the economy tanked, the catholic church, at the height of its power, maintained strict control over social life. Desperate to find a better life, nearly 500,000 Irish people emigrated. This staggering figure was equivalent to 80% ... Show More
37m 25s