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 ... Show More
Apr 22
353. Hezbollah, Hostages, & Exploding Pagers (Part 8)
What lessons have been learned from Occupation? How did Hezbollah emerge in the wake of the Iranian Revolution and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon? How did Hezbollah evolve from 1982 to 2023? In the final episode in the series on the Arab-Israeli Conflict of 1967-1982, William is ... Show More
58 m
Jul 2025
579. The Irish War of Independence: Showdown in London (Part 4)
What were the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in December 1921, following negotiations between the UK and Sinn Féin? How was it received by the Irish people? What was the process by which it was agreed between Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Michael Collins, and Arthur G ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 2025
The Rising Storm: The American War of Independence & Ireland
<p><em>This episode is part of a wider series on the 1798 Rebellion, but you can enjoy it as a stand-alone story.</em></p><br><p>When the American Revolution broke out in the 1770s, it sent shock waves across the Atlantic, transforming Irish politics and society. To explore this ... Show More
43 m
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
Apr 2022
180. England & Englishness
George Orwell, a love of wildlife, and Raheem Sterling - but what does it mean to be English in the modern world?
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by the New Statesman editor, Jason Cowley, to discuss England and Englishness in the 20th century.
Jason's new book ' ... Show More
57m 37s
Aug 2025
593. The Fight of the Century
Why did two men - John Heenan and and Tom Sayers - illegally meet in a field in Hampshire, in 1860, to brutally fight one another, captivating Britain in the process? What can the fight tell us about the nature of Britishness in the 19th century? Was this the birth of boxing? Who ... Show More
58m 57s
Sep 2025
The Penal Laws: An Irish Apartheid?
<p><em>This podcast opens a broader series on the 1798 Rebellion, but also works as a stand alone episode.</em></p><p>For over a century, Irish Catholics and Presbyterians were subjected to the Penal Laws. Although the vast majority of the population, they were banned from voting ... Show More
47m 19s