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Feb 2025
40m 59s

232. Colonising Ireland: The First Plant...

Goalhanger
About this episode

In 1607, after launching a failed rebellion in Ulster against the English, Hugh O’Neill and other Irish nobles are forced to flee Ireland, and their lands are confiscated. In response to the revolt, an insidious narrative about Irish people emerges in Tudor England, describing them as ‘caterpillars’ and ‘barbarians’ who needed ‘civilising’.


In the wake of the development of the Ulster Plantation, a group of London merchants establish The Honourable Irish Society to colonise County Derry, renaming it County Londonderry in an ode to their origins. How did the city’s 17th century history shape its role in The Troubles? And what’s the difference between plantations in Ireland and plantations in the Caribbean?


Listen as William and Anita are joined once again by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer at Jaipur Literature Festival to discuss English imperialism in Ireland in the early 1600s.


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Empire UK Live Tour: The Booze & Brews live show is going on a UK tour! William and Anita will be discussing the extraordinary history of ordinary drinks such as tea, beer and gin & tonic, highlighting how interconnected our drinks cabinets are with the British Empire. Empire Club members will receive a link to the members' pre-sale on Wednesday 26th of February, and general sale goes live on Thursday 27th of February.


If any members who signed up through Apple Podcasts don't receive a link to the ticket presale, please email us at empire@goalhanger.com!



Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and a weekly newsletter! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up.


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Assistant Producer: Becki Hills


Producer: Anouska Lewis


Senior Producer: Callum Hill

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