Highlights From Talking History

In this episode of Talking History, we explore the history of Dublin in books - O'Connell Street, its statues, monuments and buildings, with Nicola Pierce, author of ‘O’Connell Street – The History & Life of Dublin’s Iconic Street’, how we ended up with the Spire with historian Donal Fallon, and we'll also bring you the history of rugby in Leinster from the 19th century to present day, with historian Dr David Doolin.

In this episode of Talking History, we explore the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and debate whether he was the greatest composer of all time, and assess his remarkable legacy.

In this Christmas episode of Talking History, we're visiting the White House to find out about Christmas traditions and tales there from the 19th century to the present day. We'll find out how Jackie Kennedy reshaped the holiday and how different presidents and their families viewed the festivities. Joining us is Lina Mann, Historian at The White House Historical Association.

In this episode of Talking History: the remarkable life of Mary-Jane O'Donovan Rossa and how she helped to secure the legacy of her Fenian husband; the mysterious logic of the world's first writing systems; and we'll explore Newgrange and why it was built and whether there might be a second chamber still to be discovered.

Patrick Geoghegan examines the life and death of Theobald Wolfe Tone - on the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion - and debates his remarkable legacy. He's joined by Professor Tom Bartlett, Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University of Aberdeen; Dr Catriona Kennedy, senior lecturer in the history department and member of the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies at the University of York; Wolfe Tone relative William Atkins; and Dr Sylvie Kleinman, Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of History, Trinity College Dublin.

In this episode of Talking History: the end of the Hundred Years War and the pivotal role played by the 17-year-old Joan of Arc, with Jonathan Sumption; corruption and skullduggery in the Irish House of Commons in the 17th century with Dr Brid McGrath; and the history of the RCSI with Dr Ronan Kelly.

In this episode of Talking History, we're debating Ireland and empire as we explore how being a colony shaped our history and our own involvement in imperial pursuits. Joining Patrick Geoghegan is: Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, Erasmus Smith's Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, and author of ‘Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism and the Early Modern World’; Professor Brian McGing, Emeritus Professor of Greek at TCD; and Professor Micheál Ó Siochrú, Professor in Modern History and Head of the School of Histories and Humanities, Trinity College Dublin.

Was Napoleon a ruthless tyrant or the greatest Frenchman of all time? Patrick Geoghegan looks at his life, legacy and legend with Dr Sylvie Kleinman, who assisted in the establishment of the Napoleon Society of Ireland; Hugh Gough, Emeritus Professor of History at University College Dublin; Dr Rafe Blaufarb, specialist in Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and professor of history, director and Ben Weider Eminent Scholar in Napoleonic Studies at Florida State University; and Dr Joseph Clarke, Associate Professor in European History, Trinity College Dublin.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan explores how revolutionary ideas were translated into landscape design in the 18th century, looking at the houses and homes of figures such as George Washington and Lord Edward Fitzgerald, with Finola O’Kane, landscape historian, architect, and professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD. We'll also be finding out about the fight for change in Britain with Preeti Dhillon, researcher, writer and historian, and uncovering the contradictions in economic nationalism around the world, with Marvin Suesse, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Nationalist Dilemma’.

Coming up on this week's episode of Talking History: astronaut Tim Peake joins Patrick Geoghegan to explore the history of astronauts in space; we hear about James VI's relationship with Irish policy from Prof Clare Jackson from the University of Cambridge; and historian Donal Fallon shares the story of the Phoenix Park lamplighters.

On this episode of Talking History: Patrick Geoghegan hosts a special Halloween edition where we find out about how Dracula was created, the character and the book's remarkable longevity, and why we have such a fascination with horror. Joining Patrick to discuss is the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker.We also trace back the Irish origins of Halloween with Dr. Catherine Healy, Historian-in-residence, EPIC Museum.

Marking a new NGI exhibition on artist Sarah Purser, who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Irish art, Patrick Geoghegan explores her life, work and legacy alongside panellists Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dónal Maguire, Curator of the Sarah Purser exhibition (and former Curator of the ESB Centre for the Study of Irish Art and Keeper of Art and Industry, National Museum of Ireland), and Clodagh Finn, journalist and author of 'Through Her Eyes: a new history of Ireland in 21 women'.

On this episode of Talking History: host Patrick Geoghegan delves into the shelves of the National Archives with its director Orlaith McBride; follows the trials and triumphs of building Adare Manor with author, archivist and architectural historian Anna-Maria Hajba; and charts the story of one of the most ambitious, and one of the most contentious, international organizations ever created, the EU, with Professor Dermot Hodson, Professor of Political Economy and Digital Technologies, Loughborough University in the UK.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan looks at Ireland's connection to transatlantic slavery, and finds out how Irish enslavers profited across all the major European slave economies.Joining him to discuss this are:·         Prof Finola O’Kane, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at UCD, and co-editor of 'Ireland, Slavery and the Caribbean: Interdisciplinary Perspectives'·         Dr Ciaran O’Neill, Ussher Associate Professor in Nineteenth-Century History at TCD, and co-editor of 'Ireland, Slavery and the Caribbean: Interdisciplinary Perspectives'·         Prof David Dickson, Emeritus Professor of Modern History at TCD

In this episode, Patrick Geoghegan rounds up some of the most interesting recent history book releases - featuring:Queen of Codes : The Secret Life of Emily Anderson by Jackie Ui Chionna A Nation Is Born: Ireland In Colour 1923-1938 by Michael B. BarryAnd Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England by Rory Muir

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at a new multimedia exhibition, held at the National Museum of Ireland which delves into the history of the GAA.GAA: People, Objects & Stories casts a fresh perspective on Ireland's largest sporting organisation, spanning from the 15th century to the contemporary era, showcasing an array of artifacts painting a picture of the GAA's impact on Irish societyJoining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss this is Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, Dr Siobhán Doyle, Curator of GAA: People, Objects & Stories  and Dr Clodagh Doyle, a curator with the NMI - Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park, Mayo. 

In this episode of Talking History, we're looking at the life, legend and legacy of King David and we'll be finding out how the boy who killed Goliath became one of the most important figures in the Bible and an inspiration to later generations. Joining Patrick Geoghegan to discuss this is:Dr David Shepherd, Professor in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Trinity College Senior Lecturer and Director, Trinity Centre for Biblical Studies; Dr Tobias Winright, Professor of Moral Theology, St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth University; Dr. Bridget Martin, Teaching Fellow, School of Classics, UCD; and Prof Ruth Karras, Lecky Professor Of History at TCD, whose current research focuses on King David as a figure of masculinity in medieval Christian and Jewish culture, drawing on a variety of sources from across Europe.

On this episode of Talking History: Hitler's first crisis and defeat in 1923; the role of the Templar in medieval history; and the fascinating 500-year history of the Hampton Court.

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan reflects on the life, times and legacy of The Lord of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien to mark the 50th anniversary of his death this weekend.He's joined by:John McQuillen. Associate Curator at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York who organised the recent Tolkien exhibition at the MorganDr Barry Houlihan, archivist at the University of GalwayShaun Gunner, chair of the Tolkien SocietyAnd Dr Corey Olsen, 'The Tolkien Professor', President of Signum University and Mythgard Institute.

On this episode of Talking History: how the Jazz Age affected Ireland; why Irish ringforts were built; and how St Paul's Churchyard in London became the centre of the English literary world.