Michael Collins House Podcast: Recent Episodes
Michael Collins House
The Michael Collins House Museum, Clonakilty's podcast is a place to listen to our past History Talks, History Scoops, interviews and discussions. While Michael Collins is a central theme we look at all things Irish history related, especially revolutionary Irish history.
On December 7th 1922 TD Seán Hales was shot a killed by an Anti-Treaty IRA gunman. His death would spark a series of retribution executions which tainted the beginning of the new Irish Free State and proved a point of division and bitterness in Ireland for decades to come. Author and historian Liz Gillis discusses.
On this episode Michael Collins House Museum Historian Cal McCarthy presents 'The Young Fella'; an insight into Michael Collins early years before he became 'The Big Fella'.
Historian and author Joseph EA Connell presents a talk on Michael Collins, his role in the Irish War of Independence and the period leading up to his death at Beal na Bláth. Recorded in July 2022 in Cork County Library as part of the Local Studies commemorative programme.
In Feb 1922 Cumann na mBan were the first organisation to officially reject the Anglo Irish Treaty by what seemed like a large majority. This had a significant effect on the organisation itself and would also have an effect on the women of Ireland for generations to come. Michael Collins House historian, Cal McCarthy discusses.
Fact is stranger than fiction in this last episode with an sunken boat, a hostile Irish cabinet meeting, a confused Irish delegation, a rush for last minute changes to the Treaty, a furious row between the Irish delegation, a threat of war, another furious row in the Irish delegation and an eventual agreement to sign the Treaty late into the night as well as a confirmation of a long term romantic commitment to Kitty and a hope for peace.
In this, the penultimate episode, after spending time with Kitty, Collins writes to apologies for the impact his work is having on their relationship in terms of his hectic schedule and his temperament. The negotiations draw to a close as both sides agree to present their final terms for consideration.
In this episode the Irish delegation are divided with Collins and Griffith on one side Barton, Duffy and Childers on the other as they try to bring the negotiations to a conclusion. Collins writes to Kitty to explain he has little time for writing or anything else with negotiations work taking up his days.
In this episode the Anglo Irish Treaty negotiations continue to cause divide in the Irish camp as Northern Ireland continues to prove a significant barrier to any agreement. The stress of the negotiations are telling on Collins as he struggles to find time to write to Kitty and the stresses of being apart are telling in their correspondence.
In this episode, division in the Irish delegation, issues in Northern Ireland and the threat of a collapse of the British Government have a significant effect of the development of the negotiations. In a somewhat poetic mood Collins laments of his time spent with Kitty and is eager to hear from her.
In this episode a line is drawn in the sand in the negotiations and a decision has to be made on the Oath to the King, neutrality and the Irish ports causing friction in the Irish camp. Collins tries to remain neutral in the arguments while Kitty expresses her concerns in over working and over indulgences.
In Episode 5 the Oath to the British King become the main item of contention within the negotiations while Collins attempts to convince Kitty to come to London. Without the opportunity to purchase appropriate 'gladrags' she is reluctant.
In Episode 4 the negotiations are tethering on the edge of collapsing while Collins returns to Ireland where he spends some time with Kitty. They look forward to a time they can be together.
In Episode 3 the negotiations the negotiations enter week 2 and hit a number of stalemate while Kitty seeks reassurances to some of her doubts about their relationship.
In Episode 2 the negotiations turn to Northern Ireland while Collins and Kittys seek reassurances of exclusivity in their relationship from each other.
'My Dearest Kitty...' is an 11 part series of short videos on the Anglo Irish Treaty negotiations and the evolving long distance relationship between Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan as told through their correspondence.
Episode 1 explores the early days of Collins and Kittys correspondence as the Anglo Irish Treaty negotiations began in London.
This project has been funded by the Cork County Council Commemorations Committee.
This podcast takes a slightly different format than usual with a live recorded interview with author Ryle Dwyer.
Dwyer the author of many Collins related books including 'Michael Collins' The Man Who Won The War', 'I Signed My Own Death Warrant' and 'Big Fellow, Long Fellow'- a joint Collins and De Velara biography, joins us to discuss the Collins, De Valera and the Anglo Irish Treaty.
This two part podcast will explore the relationship between the two leaders and that controversial decision of Collins going to negotiate and De Valera remaining in Ireland.
A Heritage Week 2021 special episode featuring a first hand account of a secretary who worked alongside Michael Collins and others in IRA General Headquarters. Molly Ryan, in a never heard beforeinterview from 40 years ago, tells her story.
In 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, Spike Island became the largest prison and internment camp for Republican prisoners in Ireland, housing over 1200 people. One of these was Michael Collins brother, Seán. Cal McCarthy of Michael Collins House and Tom O'Neill of Spike Island and on the release of his new book, Spike Islands Republican Prisoners, discuss.
Described by Michael Collins as 'the father of us all' was a hugely influential figure in the foundation of modern Ireland. An activist, a politician, an editor and an orator, Griffith was many things but is often one the lesser known figures of the Irish revolutionary period. Colum Kenny discusses the subject of his recent publication 'The Enigma of Arthur Griffith'.
Dr. Cormac Moore takes an impartial look at the history of the formation of the northern Irish border.
Well known historian and author Meda Ryan discusses the War of Independence in West Cork in early 1921. This was a particularly active time for the IRA leading up to a period Tom Barry referred to as the Twelve Dark Days where they suffered significant losses.
The Dripsey Ambush is infamous not just for the failure of the ambush itself but because of the dramatic events that took place in its aftermath. The IRA ignored warnings that their position had been compromised leading to the capture of eight of its men and two civilians. In the aftermath a local unionist, and her chauffer, who gave up the IRAs position were held hostage in an attempt to negotiate the release the captured IRA men. After failing to do so and after the execution of five of the IRA captives, both were executed.
On Dec 11th 1920 in an unprecedented act of destruction in the Irish War of Independence, Crown forces set fire to the commercial and civic heart of Cork city. Author Michael Lenihan discusses the event.
On this episode of the Michael Collins House Podcast our very own Manager and curator Jamie Murphy discusses the research process and the content of the our centenary commemorative War of Independence Exhibition.
This time on the Michael Collins House Podcast we have Shane Nolan in to discuss Terence MacSwiney and the Republican Hunger Strikes in Cork in the Autumn of 1920 with a focus on the human sides of the story as these men faced both physical and mental anguish as their bodies starved for the cause of an Irish Republic.
Episode 9- The Watchful Eye of the Skibbereen Eagle
Dr. Alan McCarthy looks at the history of the Skibbereen Eagle newspaper that once famously claimed it had its watchful eye on the Czar of Russia. An interesting story of revolutionary politics, propaganda, and even a feud with rival Skibbereen newspaper The Southern Star.
This time on the Michael Collins House Podcast it is part two of Cumann na mBan & the Irish Revolution with Cal McCarthy. This time we look at the role of Cumann na mBan during the Irish War of Independence and the Civil War.
This time Michael Collins House' own Cal McCarthy joins us to discuss Cumann na mBan and the Irish Revolution. This is part 1 of a two part podcast, with this episode looking at the formation and development of Cumann na mBan up until the 1916 Rising.
This time on the Michael Collins House podcast Dudley Martin, a researcher and Phd candidate from University College Cork discusses the formation of the Irish Free State National Army.
On this episode of the Michael Collins House Podcast we welcome Dr. Andy Bielenberg who discusses fatalities in Cork during the Irish War of Independence. Dr. Bielenberg uses statistics from the Cork Fatality Register to illustrate the geographical breakdown and compare and contrast the different regions of Cork. West Cork has a reputation for being one of the most active regions during the war but does this reputation stand up to scrutiny when faced with the facts and figures?
Dr. Andrew McCarthy discusses 'The Finance War'. A look at Michael Collins' rise to and role as Minister for Finance for Dáil Éireann during the Irish War of Independence.
On this episode of the Michael Collins House Podcast Philip O'Regan from Skibbereen Heritage Centre discusses Gearoid O'Sullivan. The man who raised the Tri-Colour over the GPO in 1916 and so much more.
Dr. John Borgonovo discusses the IRA Intelligence war in the Irish War of Independence through the lens of Florence O'Donoghue, Intelligence officer of the Cork 1st Brigade and Director of Intelligence Michael Collins.
A recording of Michael Collins House History Talks from August 2019 featuring Dr. Anne Dolan from Trinity College Dublin. Covering a topic from her recently book 'Michael Collins: The Man and the Revolution', co-authored with Dr. William Murphy, Dr. Dolan discusses the ever changing perception of Michael Collins in pop culture.