Cover of the first edition of At Swim-Two-Birds. Published by Longman's Green & Co., (1939)On March 13th, 1939, just six months before the of World War II, Longman's Green published "At Swim Two Birds". The book had been recommended to the Bri…
The remains of Nelson's Pillar before it's final destructionAt 1:32 AM on March 8, 1966, many Dubliner's were woken by an explosion emanating from O'Connell Street, the Pillar was no more. A substantial chunk of the column was left, but the …
Eilís Dillon occupies a significant position within Irish literature with an extensive body of work spanning five decades. Born in Galway on March 7th. 1920, she was immersed in the traditions and struggles of the Irish nation. Her family a…
Battle of Tallaght from the London Illustrated NewsOn March 5th 1867, a planned uprising by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, also known as the Fenians, resulted in a brief skirmish near Dublin.The Fenians, aiming to overthrow British rule in Ir…
The first episode of our new season features the voices of 4 different women. That was a departure for Irish Stew as we've never had a podcast episode with that number of guests before and had to split up our recording session to accomodate everyone…
Spike Milligan 1990Terence Alan Milligan, better known as Spike Milligan was born in Ahmednagar, India on April 16th, 1918 to a Sligo born Irish father and British mother. He was best known as a comedian, but also proved to be an adept writer, mus…
Peadar O'Donnell, a man whose life embodied the complexities of 20th-century Irish history, was born in Meenmore, Donegal on February 22nd, 1893. His background could best be described as one of economic impoverishment from which he escaped th…
Born Muiris Ó Súilleabháin on the 19th of Febuary 1904, Maurice O'Sullivan's life and work intertwined with the unique Gaelic culture of Ireland's remote Great Blasket Island. His experiences, deeply marked by the island's harsh…
George Johnstone Stoney (1826–1911)Irish physicist George Johnstone Stoney was born in clareen, Offaly on February 15th, 1826. He carved his niche in history not with a groundbreaking discovery, but with a name – electron. Though the p…
Ellen Hutchins (1775 - 1815) Botanical illustrationsThere are no paintings or drawings of Ellen Hutchins,. She lived before the time of photography and sadly died young, limiting the opportunities for an artist to record her likeness. Fortunately …
Marguerite Moore was born Marguerite Nagle in Waterford, Ireland in 1846. Her precise date of birth is unclear. Tragically by age 12 she had lost both her parents. The orphaned Marguerite was enrolled in the Sacred Heart Convent boarding school in R…
Born around 1748 in County Cork, Philip Cogan's early life remains obscure. His documented musical journey began as a choirboy at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, later serving as a lay vicar. This foundation equipped him with skills that propelled him on…
From left to right: St. Brigid by by Patrick Joseph Tuohy;A Brigid cross rendered in stained glass;Brigid turning water into beer: 16th-century fresco by Lorenzo LottoFebuary 1st marks the feast day of St. Brigid. Traditionally, feast days align w…
At Irish Stew, our podcast episodes are lengthy. We make no apology for that, we don't think we come to grips with a person's life in 15 minutes. In truth, it is ridiculous to believe that we can do so in an hour, which is roughly the duration of ti…
Jim Larkin Speaking in Dublin's O'Connell StreetJim Larkin (1874 - 1947), "Big Jim" and labor leader, was born in Liverpool to Irish parents on January 28th, 1874. His childhood was marked by poverty, beginning work at 7 years of age and leaving s…
At Irish Stew, our podcast episodes are lengthy. We make no apology for that, we don't think we come to grips with a person's life in 15 minutes. In truth, it is ridiculous to believe that we can do so in an hour, which is roughly the duration of ti…
At Irish Stew, our podcast episodes are lengthy. We make no apology for that, we don't think we come to grips with a person's life in 15 minutes. In truth, it is ridiculous to believe that we can do so in an hour, which is roughly the duration of ti…
At Irish Stew, our podcast episodes are lengthy. We make no apology for that, we don't think we come to grips with a person's life in 15 minutes. In truth, it is ridiculous to believe that we can do so in an hour, which is roughly the duration of ti…
Photo credit for Marybeth Shea: Chris SuspectAt Irish Stew, our podcast episodes are lengthy. We make no apology for that, we don't think we come to grips with a person's life in 15 minutes. In truth, it is ridiculous to believe that we can do so …
1798 Print Depicting the Position of the English and French armies at Ballinamuck Prior to SurrenderThe last major military land engagement of the 1798 Rebellion took place on September 8, 1798 at Ballinamuck in Longford. A combined force of Frenc…
Podcast episodes on Irish Stew are long - we make no apologies for that. Originally when John Lee and I started Irish Stew, we decided to shoot for episodes which were 30 - 40 minutes in duration. Supposedly that is the optimal length for a show a…
William Parsons, astronomer and 3rd Earl of Rosse was born in York, England on the 17th of June 1800. Parsons is best remembered for his construction of the world's largest telescope at Birr Castle.Parsons was educated at both Trinity College Dubl…
Actor, Ray McAnally was born in Buncrana, Donegal on the 30th of Mar, 1926. He was the winner of 4 BAFTA awards for his work in both film and television.Playing Patrick Brown father of Christy Brown in the Award Winning My Left FootRay McAnall…
Note the racist depiction of Irish men with simian features - an ugly feature of many 19th century American publicationsOn Sunday, June 11th, 1837, a shoving match transformed into a full-scale sectarian riot in Boston between Irish American Cat…