In Ireland bogs are found in various regions, mainly in the midlands. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the British government began to encourage the development of Ireland’s peatlands, and the improvement of the quality of turf for fuel. In the 1930s the government of the Irish Free State formed the Turf Development […]
Scattery Island is situated at the mouth of the River Shannon on the west coast of Ireland. It has a long and rich history. The island is associated with St. Senan since the 6th century, and in the 9th century it was home to the Vikings. For centuries Scattery was an ecclesiastical seat of learning, […]
In 2011 we were commissioned by Trinity College Dublin to compile an oral history collection. 88 people were recorded, many of whom have since passed away. The voices you will hear on this podcast are those of former academic staff, former students and domestic staff. Joseph Haughton, Fellow Emeritus, Prof. Geography Leslie Greer, Graduate French […]
In 1901 John Pearson and Joseph Smith began to manufacture gates and fencing. Their showrooms and offices were situated at 47 Dawson St., Dublin. The company exported high quality ironwork to the British colonies and to South America, and they expanded their business to manufacture structural steelwork. This podcast explores the successes and challenges the […]
In 1851 in Waterford city, Jacobs was set up, and some years later the business relocated to Bishop Street in Dublin. During the 1970s Jacobs merged with Boland’s Biscuits to form Irish Biscuits Ltd., and the factory relocated to Tallaght on the Dublin outskirts. This podcast reveals the many challenges and successes of the […]
Trevor Wood tells a fascinating story of his family business in this podcast. Beginning by recalling his father Leonard Wood, a true entrepreneur who set up the business in Dublin, trading under the name of Burwoods, and retailing early radios and crystal sets. In 1927 he opened a business in Merchants St., and in 1932 […]
This podcast features Denis O’Neill who is the last in the family line to manage the Winstanley Shoes business which closed in the 1980s. He gives a detailed insight into the business which was based in The Liberties, and illustrates a Dublin business life which has now gone forever. This is the first in a […]
This podcast provides a truly fascinating glimpse of the game of hurling in Kilkenny during the 20th century. You will hear the voices of some of the county’s great hurlers as they recall details of some memorable sporting occasions. Willie Lynch Walsh recounts stories from Civil War days, and Martin White recalls playing in the […]
The wonderful entertainment enjoyed in various venues around Cork city in earlier decades is recalled in this podcast which features the voices of many of the participants and performers. These people were hugely passionate about their craft and provided enormous entertainment, wit, humour and banter in the city, and the memories of those glorious nights […]
Each year on St. Stephen’s Day, December 26th, sees the tradition of people in towns and villages in Ireland dress up in costume which includes a straw head covering, and parade through the streets behind a local band. This is a tradition which has remained unbroken for centuries and is still very strong in […]
