Best Irish Translated Podcasts (2025)

1
The Irish Wake: A History 50:11

14m ago50:11

50:11

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…

1
Plague, famine and chivalry: a human history of the 14th century 51:04

1h ago51:04

51:04

Plague, war, regicide, famine, revolt – during the 14th century, life for people in England was turned on its head. Historian Helen Carr charts this extraordinarily turbulent period through the lives of three very different monarchs, each with their own idea of what it meant to wield power. Exploring the humanity of those on the throne, she speaks …

1
WW2 legacies and Magna Carta: history behind the headlines 47:40

17h ago47:40

47:40

In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, historians Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the ways the Second World War continues to shape the world of today. Plus the medieval manuscripts hitting the headlines, and an express history of rail nationalisation. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team b…

1
Drink, dance, death: wine in ancient Egypt 37:19

1d ago37:19

37:19

From merriment to mummification, new year revelries to funerary rites, wine played a key role in ancient Egyptian culture. Islam Issa speaks to Matt Elton about why the alcoholic drink was so important – and how it inspired everything from a wine vending machine to the Festival of Drunkenness. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/hepod⁠⁠ …

1
The Scottish Enlightenment: everything you wanted to know 39:58

3d ago39:58

39:58

In everything from the social sciences and technology to art and architecture, 18th-century Scotland saw a flowering of ideas and innovation. But what made the Enlightenment in Scotland different to the rest of Europe? Who were some of its key thinkers? And why were so few women involved? Historian Craig Smith, from the University of Glasgow, runs …

1
Deadly skies: the WW2 mission to fly over the Himalayas 47:27

5d ago47:27

47:27

During the Second World War, a promise by President Roosevelt to provide supplies to nationalist China led to the creation of an ill-fated air supply route from India, across a perilous stretch of the Himalayan foothills known as 'the hump'. Caroline Alexander tells Elinor Evans about the young American pilots who braved the world’s most dangerous …

1
Midwives & Mothers: A History of Birth in Ireland 28:47

7d ago28:47

28:47

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…

1
Royal sisters: the tragic lives of Queen Victoria's granddaughters 38:47

7d ago38:47

38:47

Victoria, Ella, Irene and Alix of Hesse were four young European princesses and granddaughters of Queen Victoria, whose marriages would change the face of early 20th-century Europe. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Frances Welch introduces the four sisters. She explores their relationships with one another, and reveals how their stories stretch from the c…

1
Calamity Jane: life of the week 46:15

8d ago46:15

46:15

Calamity Jane roars into the popular imagination atop the Deadwood Stage with a 'whip-crack-away' and her pistol ready-loaded. A bold and resourceful frontierswoman, Calamity held her own among the men of the American West. But she was also instrumental in the making of her own myth. Emily Briffett spoke to historian Karen Jones to piece together w…

1
Spiritual showmen: the 1920s occult 36:40

9d ago36:40

36:40

Tahra Bey became a celebrity with his apparent ability to control his pulse, stab himself without pain and even bury himself alive. Dr Dahesh, meanwhile, was a spiritualist who sparked an entire religious movement. Speaking to Lauren Good, Raphael Cormack explores the lives of these two figures who made a name for themselves in the occult scene of …

1
Cheese history: everything you wanted to know 40:16

10d ago40:16

40:16

Nothing beats a well-loaded cheeseboard. But while so many of us enjoy a stinky stilton and ripe brie, or chuck a reliable old cheddar into our basket at the supermarket each week, what do we actually know about the history of the cheese we eat? From sustaining Roman troops to becoming a staple in lunchboxes across the globe, the history of cheese …

1
Taking sides: how the Civil War turned friends into enemies 31:12

12d ago31:12

31:12

As 17th-century Britain edged ever closer to civil war, two friends, Bulstrode Whitelock and Ned Hyde, found their relationship under increasing strain. Minoo Dinshaw tells Ellie Cawthorne about how these two companions found themselves on opposite sides of a political and ideological divide, and reflects on how the Civil War caused painful rupture…

1
Here’s How 180 – Medieval Attitudes 1:06:42

13d ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Dr Kirill Bumin is Associate Dean of Metropolitan College of Boston University and Dr Mordechai Inbari is Professor of Religion at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. ***** That’s the diminutive Justin Barrett, formerly of Youth Defence and a string of other far-right organisations, Litler himself, talking to a commentator with the Canadi…

1
Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland? 36:54

14d ago36:54

36:54

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, …

1
Were Roman women done dirty by modern translations? 37:09

14d ago37:09

37:09

The stories of ancient Rome are littered with despicable women, and those of the Julio-Claudian dynasty are especially infamous. But where do these stories come from? And why have they endured for centuries? Speaking to Elinor Evans, Joan Smith explores how Roman misogyny, mistranslations, and modern historians have shaped a distorted narrative – c…

1
Otto von Bismarck: life of the week 43:33

15d ago43:33

43:33

Few 19th-century leaders have a CV quite like Otto von Bismarck's. This formidable statesman's cunning, charisma and eye for an opportunity helped him drive the unification of Germany and engineer a stunning defeat of France in 1871. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Katja Hoyer introduces a man whose rise would change the face of European …

1
The Einstein murders 39:02

16d ago39:02

39:02

In the summer of 1944, as the German forces were retreating in northern Italy, a small group of soldiers made a detour to a remote villa in search of Albert Einstein's cousin. Robert Einstein posed no threat to the Nazi regime, but nonetheless they were determined to hunt him down. The tragic events that followed are the basis of a new book by the …

1
The Beaker People: everything you wanted to know 39:58

17d ago39:58

39:58

Who were the Beaker People? What was their contribution to the building of Stonehenge? And did their arrival in Britain really lead to the obliteration of the indigenous population? Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Mike Parker-Pearson answers the most pressing questions on the prehistoric culture that changed Britain for good. The HistoryE…

1
Gods, demons, witches and exorcists: inside an ancient Assyrian library 40:57

19d ago40:57

40:57

In the seventh century BC, the ancient Assyrian king Ashurbanipal created a gigantic library in his capital city – one that contained centuries of wisdom. And this vast wealth of ancient knowledge can reveal a lot about how the people of the Near East thought about their gods. Dr Selena Wisnom tells David Musgrove more about the Assyrians' religiou…

1
Glendalough & The History Tourists Are Never Told 35:00

21d ago35:00

35:00

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…

1
Peaks, perils, and pioneers: the deadly history of mountaineering 37:36

21d ago37:36

37:36

What has prompted humans throughout history to risk life and limb to conquer some of the world's highest mountains? Author and climber Daniel Light talks to Rachel Dinning about why humans have always been drawn to mountains, the evolution of mountaineering as a sport, and the stories of the individuals who risked everything to make it to the top o…

1
Josephine Baker: life of the week 47:17

22d ago47:17

47:17

Showbusiness, spying and civil rights - the extraordinary life of Josephine Baker had it all. From difficult beginnings, Baker transformed herself into the world's first black superstar, before turning her talents to espionage on behalf of the French Resistance. Hanna Diamond tells Ellie Cawthorne more about Baker's showbiz lifestyle, tireless camp…

1
Women who ruled over Africa 41:58

23d ago41:58

41:58

From rainmaking queens to dogged isolationists, the lives and reigns of Africa’s female rulers have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding and misogyny. Over the centuries and throughout the continent, these individuals navigated the rigid traditions of their own cultures to wield power – even to the detriment of their subjects. Speaking t…

1
The Taiping Rebellion: everything you wanted to know 58:04

24d ago58:04

58:04

It's considered to be the bloodiest civil war in history, but there's a fair chance you've never heard of it. The Taiping Rebellion convulsed China from 1850 to 1864, leading to over 20 million deaths and severely weakening the Qing dynasty, but it remains little known outside of China today. Speaking to Rob Attar, Professor Stephen R Platt answers…

1
How to choose a pope 40:57

26d ago40:57

40:57

All eyes have been on the Vatican in recent days, as the conclave have decided who will be the next pope. But how does the process today compare to that of past centuries? What have been some of the most dramatic papal elections down the centuries? And was there ever really a female pope? Matt Elton caught up with expert in papal history Rebecca Ri…

1
34. Chinese Poet Han Dong Reads His Own Poetry! With Translator Nicky Harman 35:37

28d ago35:37

35:37

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to the translator Nicky Harman about the Chinese poet Han Dong (1961-) Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www.helenwing.com/the-elixir-poetry-podcast Support The Elixir…

1
How composer Leoš Janáček set his daughter’s last words to music 46:04

28d ago46:04

46:04

As 20-year-old Olga Janáčková lay dying from typhoid fever, her father wrote down everything she said. Later, he transformed those words—and gasps—into music. The grieving father, Czech composer Leoš Janáček, called the ultra-short musical pieces "speech melodies." In this episode, language writer Michael Erard invites cellist Petronella Torin to p…

1
How composer Leoš Janáček set his daughter’s last words to music 46:03

28d ago46:03

46:03

As 20-year-old Olga Janáčková lay dying from typhoid fever, her father wrote down everything she said. Later, he transformed those words—and gasps—into music. The grieving father, Czech composer Leoš Janáček, called the ultra-short musical pieces "speech melodies." In this episode, language writer Michael Erard invites cellist Petronella Torin to p…

1
A History of Ireland's Last Great Wilderness 30:10

28d ago30:10

30:10

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…

1
VE Day: a people's history 29:07

28d ago29:07

29:07

Nazi Germany had finally been defeated. And, for 24 hours, Britons could let their hair down and celebrate. But not everyone was in the mood to party. As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary, John Willis tells the story of VE Day via the experiences of ordinary Britons who lived through it. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, he discusses what the…

1
Nikola Tesla: life of the week 40:44

29d ago40:44

40:44

Nikola Tesla is remembered as an enigmatic, eccentric genius who harnessed the power of electricity. But if we strip away some of this myth, what can we really say about the inventor's life and legacy? For this Life of the Week episode, Iwan Morus joins Ellie Cawthorne to reveal how Tesla believed he could invent a death ray, whether he was really …

1
What caused the Irish Famine? 44:57

1M ago44:57

44:57

In the 1840s, famine hit Ireland with devastating consequences. But what were the circumstances that turned a potato blight into a catastrophe that shattered societal structures and caused around a million deaths? Padraic X Scanlan speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the causes and impact of the famine, linking the disaster to the economic structures o…

1
The unification of Italy: everything you wanted to know 46:11

1M ago46:11

46:11

In 1861, the kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, unifying the various Italian states under one national banner. But what did it mean to be 'Italian' in the mid-19th century? How did the pope react to the concept of a united Italy? And why did so many British women fall in love with Garibaldi? In conversation with Spencer Mizen, historian David Laven a…

1
Public vs private: history behind closed doors 43:05

1M ago43:05

43:05

What's the difference between private and public life – and where should we draw the line between the two? Over the centuries, these boundaries have often been blurred, as Tiffany Jenkins explores in her book Strangers and Intimates. In this episode, she speaks to Lauren Good about everything from the rigid separation of public and personal spheres…

1
33. ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron with Mark Saunders: "No One Should Tell You How You Should Interpret Poetry!" 30:05

1M ago30:05

30:05

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Mark Saunders, a writer and broadcaster, about ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron (1788—1824) Topics: Physical & inner beauty Beauty in the world around us How Poetry got Mark into reading books No one should tell you how you should interpret Shakespeare, any book, or poetry Classism in the arts Poets…

1
The rise of James VI & I: when Britain went global 38:05

1M ago38:05

38:05

Was Elizabeth I holding England back from establishing itself upon the global stage? Speaking to James Osborne, Professor Anna Whitelock explores how the accession of the new king James VI & I, and the arrival of the Jacobean era, tilted the Britain's gaze toward the future. (Ad) Anna Whitelock is the author of The Sun Rising: James I and the Dawn …

1
Breaking Ireland's Bandit Country: The Wicklow Military Road 42:21

1M ago42:21

42:21

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…

1
Papal elections and tariff troubles: history behind the headlines 47:14

1M ago47:14

47:14

In the latest episode of our monthly podcast series, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by Frank Trentmann to discuss the historical parallels behind recent developments in the global trade war – plus the tumultuous history of papal elections, and the surprising connection between Katy Perry and Alexander the Great. Hear mor…

1
How the English took Manhattan 46:05

1M ago46:05

46:05

How did the English take Manhattan from the Dutch in the 17th century without firing a single shot? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian Russell Shorto explains a many-layered colonial history, including pragmatic deals, personal rivalries, and ideological divides, that led to the ultimately peaceful takeover of New Amsterdam in 1664. (Ad) Russell S…

1
Troubadours: everything you wanted to know 41:02

1M ago41:02

41:02

Composing songs of courtly love and war in the High Middle Ages, the troubadours were the poet-musicians of western and southern Europe – especially southern France. But were they really the lovesick wandering minstrels popular culture would have us believe? Or was there more to their artistry? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Linda Paterson answers you…

1
The 93 penises of the Bayeux Tapestry 35:02

1M ago35:02

35:02

Historians have counted lots of things in the Bayeux Tapestry – animals, ships, hands and plants. But nobody had counted the number of penises it contained until Oxford historian Professor George Garnett decided to take on the challenge. David Musgrove invites George to discuss his findings, and explain why this is, in fact, serious research that h…

1
What happened to Ireland’s Protestant Community after the Revolution? 31:35

1M ago31:35

31:35

Between 1911 and 1926, the Irish Protestant population fell by over 30%. This podcast explores why this happened, as well as how the majority who remained adapted to life in the Free State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
32. The Power of Poetry with Russian-Ukrainian Filmmaker Albina Kovalyova. “Poetry Is An Oral Tradition”. 26:06

1M ago26:06

26:06

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Albina Kovalyova about two of her own poems, discussing poetry & filmmaking, the Russian & Ukrainian languages, and much more! Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www…

1
The great siege of Malta: Knights Hospitaller vs the Ottoman empire 37:56

1M ago37:56

37:56

In the summer of 1565, the might of the Ottoman empire faced off against a few hundred Knights Hospitaller and their allies on the island of Malta. The outcome might have seemed inevitable but the events of the subsequent siege were far from predictable, as the defenders waged a desperate battle for their home and their lives. Speaking to Rob Attar…

1
Joanna Plantagenet: life of the week 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

Richard the Lionheart is well-known for his travels to distant lands, time on crusade, and wrangling with international politics… But, less well known is the fact that his sister, Joanna Plantagenet (otherwise known as Joan of England, Queen of Sicily) led a life of adventure and danger to rival that of her famous brother. A princess, queen, prison…

1
Suleyman the Magnificent's bid for world domination 37:35

1M ago37:35

37:35

Henry VIII lorded it over England. Francis I dominated France. Charles V was the main man in central Europe. Yet arguably none was as powerful as Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent – a true heavyweight of the 16th century. Speaking to Spencer Mizen, author Christopher de Bellaigue discusses a man who had designs on becoming 'world emperor', on…

1
The Etruscans: everything you wanted to know 54:48

2M ago54:48

54:48

Lasting from the ninth century BC right up until Roman conquest in the first century BC, the Etruscans were a powerful ancient civilisation who inhabited Etruria in ancient Italy, and rubbed shoulders with the other iconic ancient cultures of their day. Often painted as a mysterious people whose culture has now largely vanished from view, researche…

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