Throughout history, bread has consistently been one of the most popular foods across the world. For two centuries, Ireland was an exception.

Indeed, by the early 19th century, some communities in the west of Ireland had lost all knowledge of how to bake bread.

This was down to the remarkable history of the potato in Ireland.

Our ancestors had an insatiable appetite for spuds. In this podcast, I explore the history of the potato in Ireland beyond the Famine. Beginning back in the 16th century, I chronicle our enduring love of the humble potato!

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William Joyce aka Lord Haw Haw was Ireland's most notorious Nazi. Raised in the west of Ireland he was an unlikely spokesman for Hitler's Third Reich. Nevertheless millions tuned in to his sinister broadcasts on behalf of the Nazi regime during the Second World War. This podcast follows his journey from Galway to Hitler’s Third Reich. In his teenage years, he acted as a scout for the Black and Tans and was implicated in one of the most notorious murders of the Irish War of Independence. This set the stage for his rise through violent far-right extremism, which eventually led him to Nazi Germany.

Support the show and get access to my exclusive series on the Outbreak of the Troubles https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Check out my episode on Ireland Redaktion which explores the history of Nazi propaganda towards Ireland https://shows.acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/irland-redaktion-world-war-ii-nazi-propaganda-in-ireland-125

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In this episode I delve into the lasting impact of the Great Hunger on Ireland. Its often said that the Famine was a taboo subject and a 'Great Silence' surrounded the 1840s. In this podcast I challenge this myth and explore how grief, guilt, and trauma were expressed and processed by the survivors. Join me as I uncover the untold stories and voices that defy the myth of an unspoken past. I also argue that it was revisionist historians and official Ireland who shut down debate on this crucial topic.

As always the history is structured around a story so the show begins with an unlikely person - the descendant of an Irish rebel living in India.

If you want to hear my thoughts on whether the Great Famine was an act of genocide, check out this episode: Was the Great Famine Genocide? - Irish History Podcast

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.