show episodes
 
From the Norman Invasion to the War of Independence, the Great Famine to the Troubles, the Irish History Podcast takes you on a journey through the most fascinating stories in Ireland's past. Whether it’s the siege of Dublin in 1171 or gun battles in the 1920s, the podcast vividly recreates a sense of time and place. Each episode is meticulously researched, creating character-driven narratives that are engaging and accessible for all. Since the first episode was released back in 2010, the po ...
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show series
 
Gary Colton joins Nules once again on the podcast, this time to discuss the psychology of serial killers and recent true crime cases. They explore the "Dark Triad" personality traits common in serial killers, the motivations behind familicide, and the impact of social media on high-profile cases like Chris Watts. Gary offers insights into the menta…
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A story from the 1920s that will reshape the way you view our great grandparents lives! Unfortunately, there’s no new show this week, but I wanted to re-share an episode I really enjoyed making two years ago. It'll well worth another spin. In 1920s Ireland, Alice Morton’s marriage breakdown sparked a sensational divorce trial. Accused of adultery, …
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This episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries delves into the disappearance of David O'Sullivan, a 25-year-old Irish hiker who vanished while attempting the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. The podcast explores David's background, his preparation for the hike, and his last known communications. It details the challenges of the trail, the search efforts,…
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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. Predating Christianity, the Irish wake stretches back thousands of yea…
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Quick Note: I realize there is no theme music in this and it's due to a lot of computer issues recording. Recording on a new computer that wouldn't save my file, a new version of what I record on and not having some of the tools I need to do certain editing things, etc. Sooooo, I just got fed up and decided to leave it out. Because life is short, a…
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In times past, childbirth was a profoundly communal and intimate experience, guided by the steady hands and wisdom of community midwives. Known as Bean Ghlúine—the Women of the Knee—these women were among the most important figures in rural Irish communities. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Emma Laffey to explore the world of birth and mid…
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Patrick O'Donnell, a retired sergeant with 25 years of police experience, shares insights from his law enforcement career and transition to writing and podcasting. He discusses the realities of police work, including memorable cases and the importance of community policing. Patrick reflects on the challenges and rewards of the job, from high-stakes…
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Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, …
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Join Nules in a bonus Q&A episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, where she pulls back the curtain on the podcast's creation. Discover how Nules selects gripping cases, balancing between famous and overlooked stories, and the emotional toll of researching sensitive topics. She shares heartfelt feedback from families, revealing the profound impact …
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Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most iconic and picturesque destinations. Its medieval monastery and stunning mountain landscape attract around one million tourists every year. However behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a history that rarely makes it into the tourist brochures. In this episode, I veer off the well-trodden paths to uncover the…
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In this episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries we delve into the brutal murder of Irene White in 2005. Host Nules recounts the tragic story of a mother of three stabbed 34 times in her Dundalk home. The podcast explores the complex investigation, including anonymous tips from Australia, the eventual arrest of the killer, and the surprising confess…
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Vast, windswept, and seemingly untouched—the landscape around the Sally Gap in Wicklow is a place where history appears to vanish into the heather and mist. With no houses and few traces of human settlement, this moorland feels like a true wilderness. Yet, the story of this landscape is one forged by ancient forces, human ambition, and exploitation…
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At the end of summer 1944, the residents of small town Mattoon, Illinois, started reporting strange chemical smells in their homes that led to intense symptoms of sickness. Many also reported seeing a figure outside their home that would flee the scene. This figure became known as the Mad Gasser of Mattoon and for weeks, a terrorized town and polic…
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In 1800, in the wake of the 1798 Rebellion, the British military began construction of the Wicklow Military Road. Designed to bring control to the so-called “bandit country” of the Wicklow Mountains, this road now winds through some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland. Its history is as dramatic as the scenery it traverses. Bui…
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In this episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries Nules delves into the chilling case of Elaine O'Hara's disappearance and murder in Dublin in August 2012. The disappearance and murder of Elaine O'Hara shocked Ireland. What seemed like a tragic suicide became one of the country's most infamous killings. This case shows how even the most carefully pla…
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In 1925, nineteen IRA prisoners orchestrated a daring escape from Mountjoy Jail in the heart of Dublin. Join me and historian Sam McGrath as we delve into the history of the IRA following the Civil War and uncover the remarkable story behind this audacious breakout. Sound: Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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A father's love turned deadly. A mother's unwavering hope. The Deirdre Crowley case shook Ireland to its core. In our latest episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, Nules tells the tragic story of 4-year-old Deirdre Crowley, whose disappearance captivated a nation for 20 months. It offers a chilling look at parental abduction, the failures in the …
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The history of the Great Hunger is often recounted through statistics and impersonal narratives. There are many reasons for this, but one significant factor is that many survivors were reluctant to share their stories of survival. In this episode, based on letters from the 1840s, I uncover a challenging chapter in our history. Among the stories rec…
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A 14-year-old boy vanishes without a trace. His body is found in a storm drain six days later. But the mystery only deepens. In our latest episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, we delve into the perplexing case of Noah Donoghue. His disappearance and death in Belfast in 2020 left a community reeling and a mother desperately searching for answers…
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Typhoid Mary has inspired books, movies, and even a Marvel character, but the history of the Irish woman behind the name is less well known. Mary Mallon was born in County Tyrone in the late 19th century before emigrating to the US. While she initially enjoyed a successful career as a cook, she became the central figure in a major scandal when she …
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By 1855, over two million Irish people had fled Ireland to escape the devastation of the Great Hunger. The journeys of these emigrants were often harrowing, and the term "Coffin Ship" has become synonymous with their perilous crossings of the Atlantic. While the term evokes images of misery, what was the actual experience like? This episode, origin…
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A picture-perfect family. A thriving business. A loving marriage. But beneath the surface, darkness lurked. What drove a man with everything to commit an unthinkable act? In the latest episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, Nules delves into the chilling story of the Flood family in County Wexford. This tragic tale shook a small town and left a n…
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Being hard drinkers is one of the most common stereotypes of Irish people around the world. While Irish consumption of alcohol is nowhere near the highest in Europe, there is no question beer and pubs are deeply ingrained in our culture. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Christina Wade, who recently published a book on the history of beer in Irel…
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In May 1170, a small group of mercenaries landed in a remote corner of County Wexford, setting the stage for a dramatic chapter in Irish history. Just fourteen miles away, in the medieval city of Waterford, their arrival sparked intense debate and uncertainty. How would the city react to this looming threat? What unfolded was a real-life medieval e…
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Damien Hipwell, best friend of missing Dean Roche, shares insights into the decade-long search for answers. The podcast delves into Dean's disappearance from Ballyfoyle, County Kilkenny in 2015, exploring conflicting accounts, investigative challenges, and the impact on Dean's family. Damien discusses his what has happened in that 10 years, the ong…
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Ellen Greenberg was found in her Philadelphia apartment in the middle of a 2011 snow storm with 20 stab wounds to her body, including 10 to the back of her neck. It seemed to many to be an obvious homicide. The Medical Examiner's eventual "revised" ruling in the manner of Ellen's death would shock many and send her parents on a quest for justice fo…
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Over a century after his death, Michael Collins remains one of Irish history's most iconic figures. Yet, his life and untimely death are still shrouded in myth and conspiracy. In this compelling episode, I am joined by historians Dr. Brian Hanley and John Dorney to peel back the layers of Collins' life to reveal the true history behind the myths. W…
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This episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries explores the tragic case of Inge Maria Hauser, an 18-year-old German backpacker murdered in Northern Ireland in 1988. The podcast traces Inge's journey from Germany through Europe, her arrival in Northern Ireland, and her subsequent disappearance. It delves into the investigation's challenges and the cas…
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Margaretta Eagar is a little-known figure in Irish history. In the early 20th century, she worked as a governess to the last Romanov Tsars of Russia. Eagar was just one of thousands of Irish people who emigrated to Imperial Russia. In this episode, historian Angela Byrne joins me to discuss why these Irish emigrants went east. Our fascinating conve…
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St. Brigid is one of Ireland's most well-known saints. While Christian churches have experienced a crisis of faith in recent decades, she seems to buck the trend. People of all faiths and none can identify with this figure. In this short episode, I explore the history of St. Brigid, asking if she was a Christian saint or a pagan goddess and why she…
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This episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries delves into the chilling murder of Rachel O'Reilly in 2004. Host Nules recounts the tragic story of Rachel's death at the hands of her husband Joe, exploring the investigation that led to his conviction. The podcast examines Joe's erratic behavior following the murder, his affair, and the groundbreaking …
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In March 1939, James Murphy, a Cork man, became a wanted figure in Nazi Germany. As Europe hurtled towards war, Murphy published an unedited English translation of Hitler’s notorious book, Mein Kampf, which revealed Hitler’s long-held intentions to invade Eastern Europe. However, Murphy's story is complicated. Often presented as an opponent of the …
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Over the past three decades, the Catholic Church has been engulfed by numerous sexual abuse scandals and accusations of power abuse. This has prompted many to question how it initially gained such influence in Ireland. In this podcast, I delve into the history of the Catholic Church within modern Irish society. While its influence is often linked t…
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In this gripping episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, host Nules explores the mysterious disappearance of Eva Brennan in 1993. Set against the backdrop of Rathgar, County Dublin, the episode delves into Eva's life, her family's desperate search, and the frustrating investigation that followed. Despite her family's efforts, Eva's case remains un…
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Winston Churchill is one of the most famous figures of the 20th century. Hailed in Britain as the man who won the war, his legacy in Ireland is far more complex. In this episode, I delve into history behind the celebrated war hero who saved Britain who was also a staunch imperialist with a controversial past. Join me as I navigate the contrasting n…
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In the first episode of 2025, Nules is joined by Ciaran McConnell as he returns to discuss the JoJo Dullard case, a high-profile missing person investigation in Ireland. The conversation delves into recent developments, including the November 2024 arrest of a suspect and subsequent search operations. Ciaran and Nules explore various theories and th…
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In the season finale of "Ireland Crimes and Mysteries," host Nules takes listeners on a journey through the mysterious disappearance of postman Larry Griffin on Christmas Day 1929. Set in the quaint village of Stradbally, County Waterford, this episode unravels the complex web of events and witnesses accounts surrounding Larry's sudden disappearanc…
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Victorian London was a city of immense wealth, but also shocking poverty. The historian Jerry White described it as "a metropolis of wealth, grandeur, culture, and sophistication alongside a hell of starving, degrading, and heart-rending poverty." The largest city in the world at the time, London was also home to tens of thousands of Irish emigrant…
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Join Nules as she unravels the chilling tale of Dr. Charles Langley and his wife, Ellen. This episode delves into the dark alleys of 19th-century Ireland, exploring themes of betrayal, societal norms, and the harrowing life of Ellen Langley. Discover how a respected doctor, driven by ambition and disdain, allegedly orchestrated a sinister plan agai…
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She wasn't as famous as the Titanic, but the RMS Empress of Ireland was an important part of life for so many traveling from Canada to Europe and the crew that worked on her. But on her first journey of the season in May 1914, tragedy struck The Empress of Ireland, sending her sinking from under her passengers before many would even know what was h…
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During the Great Hunger of the 1840s, one million Irish perished from starvation and hunger-related diseases. However, Ireland is surrounded by some of the best fishing grounds in Europe. This begs the question: why didn't the Irish turn to the sea to survive? Some have argued that our ancestors didn't know how to fish or that they didn't like fish…
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In this episode of Ireland Crimes and Mysteries, host Nules welcomes Gary Colton, creator of the Dark Finds podcast and author of the novel "Dark Finds." The discussion delves into the chilling world of true crime, exploring the psychological intricacies of serial killers and the unsettling allure they hold for some. Gary shares insights from his a…
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Life expectancy in Ireland has doubled over the past 200 years, but why was it so low for so long? In this podcast, I delve into the factors that kept life expectancy down in Ireland's history and what those numbers truly mean. Did people really only live to 40 in the past? During the Great Hunger, life expectancy plummeted to just 20 years—what do…
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RE-RELEASED WITHOUT BACKGROUND MUSIC Originally released in July 2023. Could a passion for horses, a financial blunder, and an alleged affair lead to a tragic end? This unmissable episode takes you on a chilling journey into the mysterious and unsolved case surrounding the death of Father Niall Molloy. As we unravel the threads of deception, a dark…
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In 1719, the 17-year-old Polish Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska was seized by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. While the move shocked many in Europe, in the following months a group of Irish exiles plotted a daring rescue of Maria Clementina. This led to a dramatic 400-kilometer chase across 18th-century Europe. In this episode, I am joined by…
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