The Irish Immigrants Who Built Britain's NHS

The 1790s remain one of the most important decades in modern Irish history. After years of rising tensions, the island was rocked by the 1798 Rebellion—the largest uprising in Irish history. In just a few months, more people perished than in all the conflicts of the 20th century combined. These events continue to cast a long shadow over life in Ireland and are central to understanding this island in the 21st century. In many ways, 1798 is our foundational story. So much of what followed from the War of Independence to the Troubles sought to answer questions first posed by Ireland’s revolutionary generation of the 1790s. What does it mean to be Irish? Why is our history so deeply divided along religious lines? And what lies at the heart of the bitterness that has marked modern Anglo-Irish relations? In my gripping new series, starting next week, I’ll take you deep into life in 18th-century Ireland and uncover the dramatic story of the 1798 Rebellion. Through the gripping narratives of people who lived through these remarkable events, we’ll explore the anti-Catholic Penal Laws, the impact of the American and French Revolutions, and how Ireland’s republican movement emerged in the 1790s. It’s a story dominated by larger-than-life characters from the great-grandson of an English king who became Ireland’s leading revolutionary, to the spies and agents who betrayed friends and comrades. The series navigates global revolutions and the brutal realities of war and sectarianism in Ireland. Whether you’re new to Irish history or searching for fresh insights, this series brings the drama, the characters, and the high stakes of the 1790s to life. Join me as we uncover how the 1798 Rebellion changed Ireland forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William the Conqueror has been dead for nearly a thousand years, and he never set foot in Ireland—so how did he end up at the centre of a modern Irish culture war? With Normandy gearing up for “The Year of the Norman” in 2027, a celebration of William’s legacy has sparked fierce debate on this side of the Irish Sea. Should Ireland join in commemorating a figure whose impact here is so fraught and contested? What does this row reveal about how we remember the past, and who gets to decide what’s worth celebrating? In this episode, I explore how a medieval king became the unlikely flashpoint for Ireland’s latest history debate, and what it tells us about the way we use and sometimes misuse our history today. Want to dive deeper into Ireland’s medieval past? You can get both of my bestselling books—Life in Medieval Ireland and 1348: A Medieval Apocalypse – The Black Death in Ireland—together for just €30. Grab the Medieval Ireland Book Bundle now at https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/product/medieval-ireland-book-bundle-two-bestsellers-for-30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1973, just two people attended the lonely funeral of May O’Callaghan, an Irish emigrant in North London. Few could have imagined that this quiet woman from Wexford had once stood at the very heart of Soviet power. In the 1920s, May O’Callaghan worked in the Kremlin as the Soviet Union emerged, working alongside figures like Stalin, Trotsky, and the future Marshal Tito. For decades, her remarkable story was forgotten until historian Maurice Casey uncovered her story in his acclaimed book, Hotel Lux. In this episode, I interview Maurice about May's life and the extraordinary journey that took May from Ireland to the corridors of Soviet power. Get your copy of Hotel Lux: https://linktr.ee/hotelluxpreorders Check out Maurice's personal website: mauricejcasey.com Support The Irish History Podcast patreon.com/irishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special episode of the Irish History Podcast, in partnership with An Post, marks the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth. In this podcast, I explore the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most influential figures. Known as 'The Liberator' O’Connell’s campaign for Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and his role in shaping modern Ireland are legendary, but his story is complex. From his early days in Kerry and his experiences during the French Revolution to the personal demons that haunted him, O’Connell is an intriguing figure. Although a pacifist, he killed a rival in a fatal duel. A founding father of Irish nationalism, O’Connell was also a monarchist. This episode teases out these contradictions. To mark the anniversary of his birth, An Post has released two commemorative stamps capturing pivotal moments in O’Connell’s story: his iconic ‘monster meetings’ and his release from prison in 1844. Check out the stamps at anpost.com/history. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Brian Casey, historian and archives manager at the Dublin Cemeteries Trust, for a fascinating conversation recorded in Glasnevin Cemetery, just steps from O’Connell’s final resting place. Together, Brian and I explore the history behind this legendary figure. You can get the commemorative stamps now at anpost.com/history and in selected post offices across Ireland. Audio edit by Kate Dunlea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of our island through biography. The DIB, a free to access to website has thousands of biographies on figures from Irish History. From Henry McCullough, the only Irish musician at Woodstock, to Ann Lovett, whose tragic death forced a nation to confront uncomfortable truths, and Brendan Hughes, whose life mirrored the turbulence of the Troubles, this conversation delves into the complexities of who gets remembered—and why. People mentioned in the episode. Ann Lovett  https://www.dib.ie/biography/lovett-ann-a10324 Eamon De Valera https://www.dib.ie/biography/de-valera-eamon-dev-a2472 Bang Bang https://www.dib.ie/biography/dudley-thomas-bang-bang-a2803 The Dice man https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcginty-thom-diceman-a5672 John Mitchel https://www.dib.ie/biography/mitchel-john-a5834 John Redmond https://www.dib.ie/biography/redmond-john-edward-a7602 Brendan Hughes https://www.dib.ie/biography/hughes-brendan-a9636 Dolours Price https://www.dib.ie/biography/price-dolours-a10048 Martin McGuinmess https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcguinness-james-martin-pacelli-a10375 Michael Collins https://www.dib.ie/biography/collins-michael-a1860 Daniel O’Connell https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconnell-daniel-a6555 Charles Stewart Parnell https://www.dib.ie/index.php/biography/parnell-charles-stewart-a7199 Francis Sheehy Skeffington https://www.dib.ie/biography/skeffington-francis-sheehy-a8105 Lady Mary Heath https://www.dib.ie/biography/heath-sophie-mary-lady-heath-nee-peirce-evans-other-married-name-eliott-lynn-a2963 Henry McCullough https://www.dib.ie/biography/mccullough-henry-campbell-liken-a10389 Eva Gore Booth https://www.dib.ie/biography/booth-eva-selina-gore-a0784   Do you have suggestion for entries. Contact the DIB at [email protected]   Sound by Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.