Episode – The Irish Passport: Recent Episodes
None
On Ireland’s west coast, far from the noise and fury of US partisan politics, presidential contender Donald Trump has been bested by a fearsome foe: a tiny snail no larger than a pin prick. Naomi and Tim dig into the curious links between the Republican candidate and this windswept corner of Ireland, most notably the … Continue reading "Trump versus the snail"
We’re on holiday! So please enjoy this classic episode of the podcast first recorded back in 2018. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes and Halfpint extra content. == The most popular sports in Ireland are the Gaelic games: uniquely Irish sports with an ancient history and a dramatic political backstory that are finding … Continue reading "Classic Passport Irish: The Gaelic Games"
In the fourth episode of our Conquest miniseries, we take on of the most defining moments in the history of Ireland: the mass-plantation of Ulster. We’ll see how the arrival of thousands of colonial settlers in this erstwhile Gaelic stronghold transformed the geopolitical dynamics of Ireland, Scotland, and England alike. We’ll look at how the … Continue reading "Conquest: The Ulster Plantation"
We have made this halfpint bonus episode freely available to all our listeners. If you want to access more than 100 extra-content episodes just like this, you can sign up to support the continued making of the podcast at www.patreon.com/theirishpassport. In this edition of halfpints, we answer questions about the recent EU and local elections … Continue reading "Halfpints: What the EU election results tell us about Ireland"
In February 2024, Michelle O’Neill assumed the position of first minister of Northern Ireland, making her the first person of an Irish-identifying, Catholic background to hold this most high-profile post in the devolved government. And yet, the difficulty O’Neill faced when trying to take her seat at Stormont highlighted the fact that, for a minority … Continue reading "Uppity Catholics"
The most expensive, most all-consuming war in Elizabethan England was not waged against France or Spain, but against Ireland. In the third instalment in our Conquest series, we see how the great clan chiefs of Ireland united under the banner of “Arch Traitor” Hugh O’Neill to stage a momentous uprising against the colonial English state. … Continue reading "Conquest: Rise of the Gaels"
In this political update, Naomi and Tim sum up the background of the incoming new Taoiseach Simon Harris and discuss the sudden resignation of Leo Varadkar and the different factors behind it. One of them was Ireland’s two recent referendums aimed at changing some of the more Catholic-influenced conservative language in the 1937 constitution, which … Continue reading "Who is Ireland’s incoming Taoiseach and why did Varadkar resign?"
Part two of our Conquest mini-series explores the violent occupation of Gaelic Ireland by Elizabethan adventurers between 1560 and 1590, heralding an age of terror and genocide that would ultimately lead to a full-scale war between the Gaelic clans of Ireland and the English crown. From the demise of the Old English Lordships to the … Continue reading "Conquest: Scorching The Earth"
In the period from 1534 to 1653 Ireland was profoundly transformed. At the start, it was almost entirely Gaelic, ruled by Gaelic clans with an ancient way of life, and unique legal and political system. A hundred years later, Ireland was unrecognisable. In this first part of our new mini series, Conquest, Tim and Naomi … Continue reading "Conquest: Making Ireland English"
Every year the Irish government and national media lend their full attention to the arrival of Santa Claus on the island of Ireland, and discuss the various logistics of his visit to every child in the country. In this mini bonus episode, we bring you this most important news story of the year, and explain … Continue reading "Breaking: Santa Granted Acess to Irish Air Space"
Tim published a book! How does nobility work as a power strategy, why does it bear so many curious similarities to the construct of race, and what does all of this have to do with Ireland? We delve into Tim’s book, “Nobility and the Making of Race in Eighteenth-Century Britain”, published by Bloomsbury Academic this … Continue reading "Ireland’s Imposter Aristocrats"
As the world reels from the horrific Hamas attack on Israel and its deadly retribution on the Gaza Strip, Ireland has emerged as a prominent player in the European response to the worsening conflict. In this episode, Naomi and Tim sum up the current situation and explain some of the historical context that explains why … Continue reading "Ireland and the Israel-Palestine conflict"
We’re back and diving straight into breaking politics, as Naomi explains the chilling implications of the UK government’s new “Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy Bill”. This controversial new law has provoked outrage from across the communities of Northern Ireland, uniting unionist and nationalist political parties against it. But what does this law entail, how will it … Continue reading "What does the “Troubles Legacy Bill” mean for Northern Ireland?"
Hi everyone, Naomi here. Like many people I’ve been reeling since the news of the death of Sinéad O’Connor. I took a moment to share some of my thoughts and a little about Sinéad and who she was – the girl with towering musical gifts who broke out of a Magdalene Laundry to busk on … Continue reading "Farewell Sinéad, we didn’t deserve you"
Ireland’s strict libel laws and onerously expensive legal system is stacked against journalists and in favour of wealthy people who abuse the situation to censor reporting about them. That’s when Naomi discovered in her research for a recent report for press freedom organisation the International Press Institute. She discusses what she found out, why property … Continue reading "How the wealthy and powerful muzzle reporting in Ireland"
What’s in a gene? We wade into the world of genetics, to find out all about an extensive DNA mapping project called the Irish DNA Atlas and to see what it can tell us about the history of Ireland. We also take a look at the phenomenon that is at-home DNA ancestry tests, which have … Continue reading "Mapping Ireland’s DNA"
In the second part of our episode on Ireland’s lost forests, Naomi travels to the Beara peninsula in Co. Cork to speak to sculptor and author Eoghan Daltun. Eoghan’s award-wining book, An Atlantic Rainforest: a Personal Journey into the Magic of Rewilding, recounts how he has brought a sector of ancient Irish woodland back to … Continue reading "Ireland’s Lost Forests Pt 2: an Atlantic Rainforest"
A rich political, social and economic history of Ireland can be told by an analysis of its landscape, and specifically through the history of its trees. In this episode, Naomi and Tim delve into the history of deforestation and its tangled associations with colonialism and agriculture, and whether the ‘green’ image of Ireland is all … Continue reading "Ireland’s Lost Forests"
Beannachtaí na féile Pádraig oraibh! To celebrate Ireland’s national day, please enjoy this classic St. Patrick’s Day episode from our archives, originally released in 2018.
After years of deadlock, EU and UK leaders have declared a historic reset in their relations as they reach an agreement on Northern Ireland called the ‘Windsor Framework’. Naomi and Tim unpick the details of what is in the deal on Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit arrangements, intended to resolve the dispute over the so-called Protocol that … Continue reading "What is the Windsor Framework?"
On the 27th of August 1979, the Provisional IRA assassinated one of the best known members of Britain’s royal family as he holidayed in County Sligo. But this was just one of 25 killings that took place that day. The events of that afternoon soon came to represent a watershed in the history of Anglo-Irish … Continue reading "Mountbatten and the IRA"
From a mystery in rural Ireland that has persisted for over a century, to the little-known link between a World Cup star footballer and the town of Donabate, to the unexpected ways that Hiberno English is spreading in Europe… it’s a story episode for you to enjoy over the holidays as Naomi and Tim share … Continue reading "Mystery tales of the strange and unexpected"
This is a repeat of an Irish Passport classic episode, “Ireland and India: Assassins of Empire”, originally published on June 21 2021. Today, Leo Varadkar takes over as Taoiseach. This means that both Britain and Ireland have governments led by people of Indian heritage, as in London Rishi Sunak took over as prime minister in … Continue reading "Classic Irish Passport: Ireland and India’s shared history, as Varadkar and Sunak lead the Irish and British governments"
Ireland’s dream as it emerged as an independent state was to ‘take its place among the nations of the world’. The principle of international cooperation has therefore always been tightly bound up with Irish nationalism and how the country pursues its goals. In this episode, Naomi and Tim explore Ireland’s quest for recognition, first at … Continue reading "Ireland and the United Nations"
As all Hell breaks loose in the halls of Westminster, Naomi and Tim break down what on earth has just happened in the UK. Why did Prime Minister Liz Truss resign after only 44 days? Who might take over her post? And what are the consequences of all this chaos for the island of Ireland? … Continue reading "Goodbye Liz, Hello Chaos: Another UK Prime Minister Resigns"
In the final episode of our War of Independence mini-series, Tim and Naomi lay out the historical events that split the emerging Irish nation and led to a civil war. As we pick up on the story, global condemnation has pressured the British government into offering a truce. Following years of gruelling guerilla warfare against … Continue reading "War of Independence: The Treaty"
Tensions threaten to flare again between Ireland, Britain and the EU with a new UK prime minister who has promised to take a hard line on the Northern Ireland Protocol. The death of Queen Elizabeth however put a pause on developments for the period of mourning, and produced some fascinating moments too as her successor … Continue reading "A looming crisis in Irish-British relations?"
The third installment in Naomi and Tim’s series on the War of Independence discusses a landmark of 20th century Irish history: the partition of the island. Tim digs into the backstory to reveal how once again, an unhappy chapter of Irish history is linked to Winston Churchill. This episode lays out the thinking at the … Continue reading "War of Independence: Partition"
The second installment of Naomi and Tim’s series on Ireland’s War of Independence focuses on the Black and Tans: the brutal reinforcements sent by Winston Churchill to put down the forces of the revolutionary Irish republic in 1920. Historian Dr Conor Mulvagh of University College Dublin lays out the key role of the women’s movement, … Continue reading "War of Independence: The Black and Tans"
The War of Independence was the moment in which Ireland threw off British rule and emerged as a state. The dramatic events that took place and the beliefs that informed them would shape the emerging nation, and play a role up until the present day. Tim and Naomi break down the events of 1919-1921 in … Continue reading "War of Independence: The First Dáil"
A seismic election in Northern Ireland returned the pro-Irish unity Sinn Féin as the largest party for the first time ever. The Alliance Party, identifying neither as nationalist nor unionist, surged to become the third force in northern politics in another historic first. Desite this, the power-sharing executive has yet to be formed due to … Continue reading "A new balance of power in Northern Ireland"
Since our last episode, Europe’s political landscape has been transformed – and that of Ireland along with it. Naomi lays out the facts about Ireland’s unique position in the international response to the Ukraine crisis. We find out why debates about military neutrality and NATO membership might once again be coming to the fore, and … Continue reading "Ireland’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis"
This weekend, a group of musicians gathered in O’Briens Irish pub in the Ukranian capital and belted out traditional Irish tunes as a distraction from the threat of war. In this episode we uncover the surprisingly rich common history shared by Ireland and Ukraine, as told by a woman living through the dramatic recent events … Continue reading "Ukraine and Ireland: a shared history"
From the streets of Brussels, to an office block in Greece, to a bus ride in San Francisco, the Irish language can pop up in some unexpected places. In this episode, we explore some of the new international frontiers of Irish. We speak to people whose knowledge of the language has launched them down far-flung … Continue reading "An Teanga Bheo"
Did you ever hear the one about the bishop and the airport? Or the unlikely group of Irish revolutionaries who ended up changing history through an ill-fated trip to Belgium on a yacht? Naomi and Tim tell some of their favourite, quirkiest stories from Irish history in this special seasonal story-time episode. Huge thanks to … Continue reading "The Bishop, the Guns, and the Virgin Mary"
This summer, the chaotic fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban left Irish citizens stranded, exposing the state’s lack of aircraft large enough to conduct an evacuation. It also highlighted the issue of Ireland’s tiny and under-funded defence forces, which force the state to rely on outside forces like Britain and the European Union for day-to-day … Continue reading "Neutrality, Part 2: Ireland’s Dubious Defence"
In 1939, the young Irish state stood at a crossroads in its history. Europe was descending into war, and the deeply impoverished and weakly defended nation feared its strategic location on Britain’s flank could mean invasion – by either side. In this episode, Naomi and Tim describe a moment when two towering figures of 20th … Continue reading "Neutrality, part 1: Churchill versus de Valera"
Live from Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, Naomi and Tim discuss place and power: unpacking how place names, landscape, and architecture contain secret histories hidden within plain sight. Guest Linda Ervine, manager of the Irish language project Turas, explains how learning Irish is helping many in the unionist community to rediscover their own local histories, … Continue reading "Live Show: Place and Power"
Who was the iconic woman depicted on Irish banknotes from 1927-1977? Why was she so integral to the story of Irish independence? And what lies behind her inscrutable stare? In our latest Halfpint episode, we discover the extraordinary life of Lady Lavery – a Chicago-born debutante who would go on to become the face of … Continue reading "Halfpints: Lady Lavery, the Face of Ireland"
Food shortages are hitting Britain hard, and things are set to get worse – but why are shelves still fully stocked in Northern Ireland? Naomi explains the ins and outs of Brexit’s effect on UK supply chains, and how traders and consumers are going to have to adapt to some new (and pricey) post-Brexit realities. … Continue reading "Brexit Update: Empty Shelves and Data Borders"
Special guests Naomi’s sister Molly May O’Leary and her musical collaborator Fionn Ó hAlmhain visit the podcast to play songs from and discuss their new album, Lambent Flame. It was recorded with the famed Hothouse Flowers singer and multi-instrumentalist Liam Ó Maonlaí over a difficult period when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down much of the … Continue reading "Irish music special"
This year, a whistleblower revealed a shocking secret. A popular British holiday camp business kept a ‘blacklist’ of Irish surnames, distributed to staff to bar customers from booking. In this episode, Naomi and Tim dig into the incident to explore how a policy meant to exclude Travellers inadvertently swept up a large part of the … Continue reading "Traveller exclusion: revealing an open secret"
Anarchist clubs, public assassinations, and secret rebel meetings in a notorious vegetarian restaurant – all these feature in this fascinating episode on the historical links between Ireland and India at the beginning of the 20th century. UCD’s Conor Mulvagh explains why Ireland and India were so symbolically important to the survival of the British Empire, … Continue reading "Ireland and India: Assassins of Empire"
Chaos hits the Democratic Unionist Party, Northern Ireland’s largest pro-British bloc, as new leader Edwin Poots is deposed in a revolt just 20 days after taking up the position. Naomi and Tim hear why the woman he usurped Arlene Foster is laughing, the Irish language dispute at the centre of Poots’ downfall, and what it … Continue reading "Halfpint: Drama in the DUP"
The Irish Passport brings you an interview with Jer O’Leary: actor, activist, artist, orator of Jim Larkin speeches and Dublin legend who recorded these tapes before he died in 2018. Jer discusses growing up in the Irish capital and how it changed over his life, and how he ended up in the national art college … Continue reading "Jer O’Leary: a Dublin life"
A profound industrial dispute rocked Dublin in 1913, playing into a rising tide of nationalism and shaping the unique political landscape of Ireland of the following century. In this episode, Naomi and Tim tell the story of the 1913 Dublin Lockout led by firebrand trade unionist James Larkin. We hear from Jer O’Leary, an artist … Continue reading "The Irish left: legacies of the Lockout"
Does the recent unrest in Northern Ireland betray a growing disconnect between the DUP, loyalist paramilitaries, and the communities they claim to represent? How have the protests been influenced by the international scrutiny of police oppression in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement? And why are class politics more central than ever to … Continue reading "Halfpints: What’s really going on in Northern Ireland?"
Harps, shamrocks, hands, crowns, swords, mythical female embodiments of Éire: all Irish symbols and all up for discussion in this episode, in which Tim and Naomi are joined by Darach Ó Séaghdha of the Motherfoclóir podcast to discuss Irish flags past, present, and future. We consider the merits and perils of the different symbols as … Continue reading "Halfpints: Flags of Ireland"
The real history of the Irish pub, the backstory to the leprechaun, and what St Patrick’s Day has meant throughout the generations: Naomi and Tim sum it up in this St. Patrick’s Day special in honour of the national day. If you are celebrating the holiday around the world, we have a special message for … Continue reading "St Patrick’s Day special"
Surprise! While we continue to prepare Season 5, we’ve decided to make last month’s Halfpint episode freely available to all our listeners. In this edition, Tim builds on our recent Season 4 finale by delving deeper into the colonial Irish Parliament around the time of the Act of Union of 1801. If you haven’t heard … Continue reading "Halfpints: Grattan and His Parliament"
New survey data suggests majorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland want referendums on whether to break with the union, and a majority across the United Kingdom expect Scotland to be independent within 10 years. With the bonds of the union under strain, Naomi and Tim sum up how the Brexit negotiations concluded, and explore the … Continue reading "Destructive Unionism: Part 2, The Current Day"
With the fallout of Brexit straining the bonds of the United Kingdom, Naomi and Tim look back on a period of history with huge resonance for the current moment. The union that still perseveres today was forged in crisis, as an emergency response by the British government to a Protestant-led Irish rebellion that deeply shook … Continue reading "Destructive Unionism: Part 1, The History"
Past guests including comedian Tara Flynn, Brendan Boyle, Caitríona Perry, Emma de Souza, Sarah Maria Griffin, Caelainn Hogan, Sarah Creighton, Ronan McCrea and Matthew O’Toole join us again for a Christmas reunion! It’s a bizarre one for many of us this year but we hear from people all around the world who are making it … Continue reading "Christmas reunion"
Self-described “Irish Catholic” Joe Biden has elected president of the United States after a momentous election that has the potential to transform international relations and potentially Ireland’s fortunes as the post-Brexit talks reach their final moment. Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney discuss the president-elect’s Irish roots, what his Catholic identity means in this historical … Continue reading "The most Irish US president ever?"
In this episode Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney hear the voices of women who lived through a profound social transformation in Ireland: the coming of electricity. The ability to turn on a light or boil a kettle with just a switch came relatively late to large parts of Ireland, part of an ambitious project … Continue reading "Electrifying Ireland"
It’s return of the clowns as Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney dissect the latest Brexit drama and speak to Congressman Brendan Boyle, whose cutting criticism of the British government went viral after the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared it would break international law. Where are we, how did we get here, and … Continue reading "Gloves off, Washington to the rescue! Brexit update"
A golf society dinner for 81 people has thrown the Irish government into chaos. Attended by a host of senior political figures, many at the forefront Ireland’s COVID health strategy, the event appeared to flout the very social distancing regulations some of its guests had devised. This is just the latest in a series of … Continue reading "Scandal! Can Ireland’s government survive?"
Celtic identity is politically powerful but historically nebulous, a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists, while being a source of inspiration to some and irritation to others. In this episode, Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney visit a Celtic music festival in the Netherlands to explore why the concept has such international appeal. Tim … Continue reading "Who were the Celts?"
After almost half a year of negotiations and political maneuvering, Ireland finally has a government. It’s unlike any that has come before it, and it doesn’t include the party that got the post votes in the last election, Sinn Féin. In this livestreamed podcast, Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney answer listener questions with special … Continue reading "Halfpint: New Irish government Q&A livestream"
Young Black people in Ireland have taken to the streets to demand an end to racism and discrimination in the midst of a global uprising inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Documentary maker Amanda Adé explores the conversations and momentum for change that is happening in Ireland in the wake of the protests. We … Continue reading "Ireland’s next revolution"
Protests against Ireland’s controversial system for housing asylum seekers Direct Provision have been re-ignited as demonstrations against racism sweep the United States. We interviewed Bulelani Mfaco where he lives in Knockalisheen Direct Provision centre on the border of Limerick and Clare for our episode on the system published in January. In this bonus episode made … Continue reading "Halfpints: Bulelani Mfaco on Direct Provision"
Ireland shares a fascinating history with the Australian continent – by the 19th century, in fact, about 25% of settlers in Australia were Irish-born. In this episode, we speak to Victoria University’s Diane Hall about the history of the Irish in Australia, Tim Mc Inerney meets two generations of Irish Australians who explain what their … Continue reading "Ireland and Australia"
As the Coronavirus hits the Native Americans hard, Irish people have taken the chance to repay a 173-year-old debt. A fundraiser to help the Navajo and Hopi Nations fight one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in the United States has taken off in Ireland. Donations have been flooding in, in tribute to an act of … Continue reading "Halfpints: Irish and Native American solidarity"
In our first episode of Season 4, we take on the Irish Accent: where did it come from? What secrets might it hide? And why is it so often an issue of contention? Tim Mc Inerney speaks to accent expert Shane Walshe of Zurich University about how Irish accents are seen by the wider world, … Continue reading "The Irish Accent"
In Northern Ireland, questions of national identity often come with some surprising answers. Our reporter Jennifer Smith catches up with two Belfast residents born around the time of the Good Friday Agreement. They explain their understanding of identity in Northern Ireland and how nationality there constitutes a complex and ever-changing web of politics, family history, … Continue reading "Halfpints: “Where are you From?” – National Identity in Northern Ireland"
In this bonus episode made specially to thank our Patreon supporters, Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney take a look at some of the good news coming out in the times of Coronavirus. We’ll be talking about drive-through testing centres in Dublin, mass volunteering efforts to help neighbours and the health service, EU officials embracing … Continue reading "Halfpints: The good news!"
A seismic result has emerged in the Irish election: the left-wing nationalist Sinn Fe’in are the most popular party, sweeping away the traditional dominance of Fine Gael and Fianna Fa’il for the first time in the history of the republic. What caused the political earthquake? And what happens now? Naomi O’Leary joins Tim Mc Inerney from … Continue reading "The election that changed history"
The global rise of radical right nativist parties seemed to skip Ireland. But the last 18 months have seen efforts to introduce anti-immigration politics to Ireland in a way not seen before, amid a backlash against the legalisation of abortion. We hear how a conspiracy theory elevated by US pundit Alex Jones has ended up … Continue reading "Rise of the right: what Ireland can learn. With political scientist Cas Mudde"
Tech workers abandoning Dublin due to housing costs, an Airbnb maintenance worker who is himself homeless, and the woman battling to transform Ireland’s swathe of vacant properties into homes. This episode takes an inside look at the housing crisis from the point of view of people facing the hard edge of the issue in different … Continue reading "Inside the Housing Crisis: the issue that could cost Leo Varadkar the election"
Ireland goes to the polls on February 8th. Naomi O’Leary breaks down six points that explain the election. Who are the players? Why was the election called? What are the main issues? How will the election work? What are the likely results? And what do the Black and Tans have to do with it? This … Continue reading "Six points that sum up Ireland’s 2020 election"
Contains an interview about anti-LGBT+ and anti-immigration violence. In this season finale, The Irish Passport takes on one of Ireland’s most controversial issues: Direct Provision. The system for housing people who apply for refugee status in Ireland turns 20 this year. Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary speak to Bulelani Mfaco, who fled persecution of … Continue reading "Direct Provision"
Every year, thousands of returning emigrants make their way through the sliding doors of Dublin airport arrivals to come home to Ireland for Christmas. Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary record from the scene to bring you the stories of those who have travelled from far and wide and come back home to celebrate the … Continue reading "Home for Christmas"
The UK has voted for a Boris Brexit, and the future of the union has never seemed so fragile. What does the biggest Conservative majority in a generation mean for Ireland north and south? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney dissect the election results, discuss how a number of upsets from the Democratic Unionist Party … Continue reading "What the UK election means for Ireland, Brexit and the union"
During the 20th century, a significant proportion of the Irish population was incarcerated in a network of institutions. These ranged from Magdalene laundries where ‘troublesome’ women were put into servitude, to industrial schools for children that were famed for their cruelty. Journalist Caelainn Hogan is the author of Republic of Shame: Stories from Ireland’s Institutions … Continue reading "Halfpints: Ireland’s history of locking up women: interview with Caelainn Hogan"
Live from Dublin, the Irish Passport brings you the hidden history of the Irish capital with Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney. Comedian and author Tara Flynn discusses her favourite Dublin secrets. Tonie Walsh describes gay life in the city before the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and the furious anger at violence against gay people that … Continue reading "Secret Dublin with comedian Tara Flynn, Irish Queer Archive’s Tonie Walsh, and historian Terry Fagan"
Islands on opposite sides of the world with deep differences, and surprising similarities! Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney explore the thriving traditional Irish music scene in Tokyo, reporting from a session in a downtown pub where dozens of Japanese musicians meet to play jigs and reels, many of them speaking in Irish accents. Ireland’s … Continue reading "Ireland and Japan"
A century since a revolutionary Irish government declared the birth of a new nation, we ask how Ireland could be re-invented for the future. We are living in a moment of rapid change. Great geopolitical shifts are destroying old certainties. Climate change is poised to transform our way of life. In Ireland, landmark referendums have … Continue reading "Re-inventing Ireland: live show with author Sarah Maria Griffin, Green Party’s Clare Bailey and political scientist David Farrell"
The Irish Passport is opening up the floor to listeners in this episode, and taking questions on everything from recent Irish political history, to life as a returned member of the diaspora. Several people got in touch with practical questions about a United Ireland. Is the republic prepared for the possibility of loyalist violence? And … Continue reading "Returning diaspora, repeat referendums and loyalists in a United Ireland: it’s a listener questions episode!"
The second installment in two episodes bringing you the voices of those with the most at stake as a disastrous No Deal Brexit threatens the island of Ireland. Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney speak to Orla Smyth, a businesswoman who has invested everything she had in building Belfast’s thriving Kaffe O coffee chain, only … Continue reading "Where the Brexit Stakes are Highest Part 2"
With the threat of a cliff edge Brexit posing extremely serious consequences for the island of Ireland and the border, we bring you the voices of people with the most at stake. Featuring a doctor in Derry who is worried about his patients getting their essential medicines, young people in Belfast facing changes to their … Continue reading "Where the Brexit Stakes are Highest Part 1"
Irish law in an international outlier in its restrictions on where its its citizens can vote. The franchise is limited to those resident inside the boundaries of the 26 counties of the republic, with almost no provision for early, postal or overseas voting. Ahead of a planned referendum to extend the right to vote for … Continue reading "Why can’t all Irish citizens vote?"
Fishermen kings, Spanish galleons, and fearsome pirate marauders – these are just some of the things that make the history of Galway City on the west coast of Ireland so intriguing. Take a tour around the medieval old town with Tim Mc Inerney and historian Adrian Martyn, and find out all about the infamous ‘Tribes … Continue reading "Galway, City of the Tribes"
A Newry woman visits her big brother in Paris. The two share a drink and talk all night. The next morning, he leaves instructions for taking the metro, and disappears. His family never see him again. The story of Anne Morgan’s 32-year search for her missing brother Seamus is just one told in this episode, … Continue reading "Poetry and Pain"
A brutal mass shooting shocks the world. In its wake, leaders vow to find those responsible and bring them to justice. But instead, the investigation goes nowhere. Evidence mysteriously goes missing or is destroyed. Suspects are tipped off before they are questioned. Leads are allowed to go cold. This episode delves into the murky history … Continue reading "Collusion"
Who are Irish Travellers? The answer is Ireland’s most hidden history: mistaught or not taught in schools, often invisible or misrepresented in the media, and abused by some for political gain. In this episode, three Irish Travellers explain who they are and what it means to be a Traveller. Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney … Continue reading "Travellers"
In this first episode of Season 3, Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney explore the fascinating story of Irish women in politics from 1916 to the present day. We ask why women – integral to the foundation of the state – almost disappeared from the country’s political landscape until relatively recently, and why 2019 could … Continue reading "Women in Politics"
This St Patrick’s Day weekend we’re bringing you a bonus live show! Tim Mc Inerney comes to you from the Museum London, where he speaks to journalist Séamas O’Reilly and historian Danielle Thom about the London-Irish Diaspora, past and present. We’ll also hear about how London’s historic Irish community was formed, with a few words … Continue reading "Bonus Live Show: The London-Irish Diaspora"
The Irish Passport’s first live show takes on the issues of race, politics and history between Ireland and the United States. We hear the backstage gossip from St. Patrick’s Day at the White house from RTÉ broadcaster Caitríona Perry, author of In America: Tales from Trump Country. We find out how strong the Irish-American lobby really is in Washington, and … Continue reading "Live show! Ireland and America: the long romance"
A sneak preview of a bonus episode published to thank our Patreon supporters. Hear the full episode at patreon.com/theirishpassport. How has Brexit transformed the debate on Irish unification? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney hear from locals in Northern Ireland on why a referendum on unity some thought they’d never see in their lifetime suddenly … Continue reading "Halfpints preview: Brexit, the border and Irish unity"
It’s the Season 2 finale of the Irish Passport Podcast, and we’re taking on Irish Nationalism. Naomi O’Leary interviews Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald about her concept of progressive Irish nationalism, and why she believes its anti-colonial roots distinguishes it from counterparts in continental Europe. Tim Mc Inerney speaks to historians Richard English and … Continue reading "Nationalism"
Strange things are happening in Co. Roscommon, where a controversial eviction has set the internet on fire. Who were the unidentified men who ejected an elderly family from their farm house last week? Why do ex-British soldiers appear to be involved? And where do the rumours stop and facts begin? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc … Continue reading "The Mysterious Eviction"
Ireland’s main political parties are not split on a traditional left-right model, but instead represent different sides of a bloody civil war in the 1920s. But why is this war spoken about so little today? Could it be that its memory is too painful? Or is it because it still so strangely dominant in modern … Continue reading "Irish Politics and the Civil War"
A hundred years since the end of the First World War, the remembrance poppy remains a controversial symbol in Ireland. Why? Writer Kylie Noble explains what the poppy meant to her as a child growing up in Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, and how she reconciles it with her British and Irish identity today. Naomi O’Leary … Continue reading "Halfpints: Why the poppy divides Ireland"
Ireland’s housing crisis is at boiling point, with homelessness at record levels and even well-paid people struggling to afford soaring rents and house prices. It’s the political issue everyone is talking about — but it’s one with a long and dramatic history. Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary trace the backstory to how an agrarian … Continue reading "The Housing Crisis"
Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary travel to Belfast for the peak of Northern Ireland’s marching season: the 11th and 12th of July, when unionists and British-identifying communities light enormous bonfires and parade through the streets to commemorate Protestant military victories of the 17th century. We speak to experts including Donald MacRaild and Dominic Bryan … Continue reading "The Glorious Twelfth"
Pope Francis visits Ireland in the wake of the abortion referendum, as Church infighting over the legacy of abuse in Catholic institutions threatens to derail the trip. We hear from people who protested the papal visit, and feature a special guest who decided he wanted to hear what the pope had to say for himself. … Continue reading "Halfpints: Pope Francis in Ireland"
Derry: ground zero for the outbreak of conflict in Northern Ireland. Is it once again being threatened with instability as Brexit causes deep uncertainty over the border? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney travel north just as unrest breaks out in the ancient city as Protestants and unionists prepare to mark the 12th of July: … Continue reading "Derry: “Ireland’s Jerusalem”"
The British government has locked itself in a country mansion to debate Brexit, like a demented Agatha Christie novel. In Brussels, Irish and European leaders grimly start planning for a cliff-edge, no-deal outcome. What’s going on and what does it all mean? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney untangle the latest developments and discuss the … Continue reading "Brexit Update 2018"
The most popular sports in Ireland are the Gaelic games: uniquely Irish sports with an ancient history and a dramatic political backstory that are finding increasing international success. Tim Mc Inerney visits the Paris Gaels to hear why players who have never set foot in Ireland have taken to Gaelic football, while Naomi O’Leary explores … Continue reading "The Gaelic Games"
Ireland has voted by a landslide to end its near-total abortion ban. We hear the voices of victorious campaigners in Dublin Castle in the moments when the result was announced. Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney discuss the historic moment in a Dublin pub. We ask what this means for Ireland, what it means for … Continue reading "After the Eighth. Ireland repeals abortion ban"
Ireland is fighting it out on whether or not to remove its constitutional abortion ban in a referendum on May 25. We investigate how tactics seen in the Trump and Brexit campaigns have come to Ireland, turning it into a battleground for progressive and conservative forces in a global culture war. Naomi O’Leary’s deep dive … Continue reading "Ireland’s Abortion Referendum: Information Warfare"
The rebellion of a raggedy band of teachers, nurses and poets sent shock waves around the world and changed Ireland forever. But why does the Easter Rising of 1916 still cause controversy? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney introduce the countess, the grocer’s daughter, the carpenter and the ex-cobbler who all picked up guns on … Continue reading "1916 and the Invention of Ireland"
A tale of powerful matriarchs, fearsome warriors, and supernaturally potent bullocks from Ireland’s ancient past. What’s not to love? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney take on the Táin Bó Cúailnge, a tale of cattle-raiding derring-do from before Christianity made it to Ireland. The first episode of our Halfpints mini-series, available to our Patreon subscribers … Continue reading "Halfpints: The Táin"
A bonus special episode in honour of our national day! We discuss the annual pilgrimage of Irish politicians to the White House that inevitably results in scandal. Tim Mc Inerney tells us the surprising origins of the St. Patrick’s Day festival and the murky history of the leprechaun mascot. Naomi O’Leary investigates the global empire … Continue reading "St. Patrick’s Day Special"
A United Ireland: the idea has been a political force in Irish and British politics for centuries, and it has been given fresh momentum by Brexit. Tim Mc Inerney explains how the concept long pre-dates the partition of the island and was once championed by Protestant elites. Naomi O’Leary visits a public meeting about unification … Continue reading "A United Ireland"
It’s the grand finale to the first season! Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary examine how a standoff over the Irish border in the Brexit negotiations brought ignorance about Ireland among politicians and media to the surface. We review the biggest embarrassing moments on air from the past few weeks, quiz ordinary English people about … Continue reading "The Invisible War"
Just below the surface of modern Ireland, a parallel world exists with its roots in pre-Christian belief. Irish fairies aren’t like Tinkerbell – they’re more like a supernatural mafia. So be careful what you say, because as the story goes, they’re probably listening. Tim Mc Inerney talks to one of Ireland’s last seanchaí or story-teller … Continue reading "Away with the Fairies"
Ireland has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. Banned unless the woman’s life is in serious danger, it carries a 14-year prison sentence. Rumblings of change are beginning, but some a campaign could open up ugly political fault lines. Why is Ireland like this? Tim Mc Inerney and Naomi O’Leary explore the strange … Continue reading "Abortion"
Have you ever heard that the Irish were slaves? If so, you may have been targeted with political propaganda. Naomi O’Leary speaks to actress and writer Azie Dungey about how Irish history is being abused for a political agenda in the United States, while Tim Mc Inerney asks two experts in the topic about the … Continue reading "The Irish Slaves Myth"
Ireland’s great famine was the worst peacetime disaster in 19th century Europe. It shaped both Ireland and the world. And it remains such a political bombshell that people still can’t agree on what to call it. Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney explore the hidden history of the mass starvation, from its little-known role in … Continue reading "The Great Hunger"
Applications for Irish passports surged in the last year, largely from people in Britain and Northern Ireland. Who are the new ‘Brexit Irish’? We meet them in this new episode and hear their motivations for claiming their Irish identity. We also speak to the Irish ambassador who found himself in the eye of the storm … Continue reading "The Brexit Irish"
Ireland and Europe: what is Ireland’s future in the EU now that its neighbour the United Kingdom is leaving? Is the so-called Irexit at all realistic? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney explore Ireland’s relationship with the continent now and in the future and unpick why Ireland differs so much from Britain in its history … Continue reading "Ireland and Europe"
Who are Ireland’s elites? That question was once easily answered, but not since independence upended the entire social order! In this episode Naomi O’Leary visits a castle in Dublin that has been the home of one family for 35 generations — and finds the current heir still feels he’s not accepted as one of Ireland’s … Continue reading "Elites"
For decades, Ireland was synonymous with Catholic state control - but the last 30 years have seen a new cultural climate take hold in the country, and a furious backlash has broken out against the legacies of the Church's institutional stranglehold. We'll be looking at how the Church became so powerful in the Irish Republic in the first place, and the reasons behind its dramatic fall from grace in recent times. We'll be talking to the formidable local historian Catherine Corless, who exposed institutional abuse and cover-ups on a massive scale in 2014, and we'll also interview journalists and doctors at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, which inspired public outrage when the state almost gave it over to an order of nuns with a very questionable past.
Recent politics have revealed a common lack of knowledge about Ireland and Northern Ireland in the Britain at a time when it is of vital strategic importance. What is behind the blind spot? We call this phenomenon ‘The Knowledge Gap’, and investigate how it came to be by comparing the history courses taught in Ireland … Continue reading "The Knowledge Gap"
Irish: a rare and ancient language that is spoken from the streets of Canada to the corridors of power in the European Union. This episode delves into why the language is such a powerful national symbol for Ireland, its fraught history, and how it's still a point of political strife today.
After the shock UK election result, what you need to know about Northern Irish politics.
What will happen to the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit? We discuss how Britain has ignored this problem, and speak to ordinary people on the border about their lives and their fears about any hardening of the border. Naomi O’Leary reports from the border on how Brexit could affect a family of … Continue reading "The Border"