We're looking at the history of American presidential debates as we explore some of the worst mistakes and iconic quips candidates have made and debate whether they can be the making or the breaking of a future president. Featuring Dr Daniel Rowe of the University of Oxford, Dr Sandra Scanlon of UCD, Dr Daniel Geary of Trinity College Dublin, and D…

This episode of Talking History centres on the life and legacy of Oliver Cromwell and the massacres in Ireland. Featuring Prof John Morrill, emeritus professor of British and Irish history at the University of Cambridge, Prof Ronald Hutton, Professor of History at the University of Bristol, Prof Micheál Ó Siochrú, Head of the School of Histories an…

We're shining a spotlight on one of the most significant yet overlooked figures in art history, Berthe Morisot, and we'll find out how she became a founding member of the Impressionist movement. Featuring art historian Dr Sinéad Furlong-Clancy, specialist in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century French Painting and a specialist lecturer for the N…

As the iconic musical comes to Dublin, we explore the life and legacy of one of America's most influential founders, Alexander Hamilton.

This week Dave and Conor discuss the European Court of Justice ruling that Ireland is owed €13.8bn in taxes due to illegal state aid. What are the implications for Ireland, and how does this illustrate the nature of the Irish comprodor economic system? If you want to support us, go to www.leftbloc.ie or www.patreon.com/leftbloc And don't forget to …

In this episode of Talking History, the kaleidoscopic history of London from the Swinging 60s to the 1980s, with John Davis, emeritus fellow in modern history and politics at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford; spycraft in the age of Elizabeth I, with Nadine Akkerman, professor of early modern literature and culture at Leiden University and …

To mark the 85th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, we'll find out about the Irish men and women who fought in the Resistance, with authors Clodagh Finn and John Morgan; we'll talk about the North Strand bombing and the different ways the war was experienced north and south, with author Michael B. Barry, and we'll go in search of Naz…

In this episode, we'll continue our series on Ireland's major political parties, as we look at the history of Fine Gael, and debate its successes and failures. Joining host Patrick Geoghegan is former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, as well as Dr Maurice Manning, former Chancellor of the National University of Ireland and former Fine Gael TD and Senator, D…

In this episode: a new look at the Irish Civil War and how many were killed, with Donal Ó Drisceoil of UCC; ritual and belief in Pagan Ireland, with John Waddell, formerly Professor of Archaeology in the University of Galway; and the forgotten Irish radicals whose dream of a Communist future brought them to Moscow in the 1920s, with historian Mauri…

In this episode of Talking History, we're investigating the resignation of President Nixon 50 years ago, the only time an American president has been forced from office in disgrace. Joining Patrick to explore this is Nixon Library resource archivist, Greg Cumming; Sandra Scanlon who lectures in American history at UCD and is an expert on American p…

In this episode of Talking History: the women who married Henry VIII have come to be encapsulated in a six-word rhyme - divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. But what were their real lives and legacies? A new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, called Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII's Queens, charts and rev…

In this episode: Irish First Ladies & First Gentlemen, 1919-2011, by Dr Bernadette Whelan; Cartomania: Celebrity & Photography in the 19th Century, by Paul Frecker; and Brian Friel: Beginnings by Dr Kelly Matthews.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, we will be looking at shootings in American presidential history as we find out about US presidents, and presidential candidates, who faced the shadow of the gunman. President Biden has since announced his decision to drop out of the presidential race. Joining Patric…

Patrick and his panel reflect on the early history of the Olympic Games, from ancient Greece to the revival in more modern times, discussing their historical significance, cultural impact and enduring legacy. Featuring Nigel Crowther, Emeritus Professor in Department of Classical Studies at University of Western Ontario; Supervising Professor at In…

Joining Patrick Geoghegan to delve into the lives and works of the Yeats sisters are: Dr Róisín Kennedy, Assistant Professor, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, UCD; Dr Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin, Associate Professor in Communications, University of Limerick; Susan O’Keeffe, Director of Yeats Society Sligo; and Dr Billy Shortall of Trinity Co…

This week on the podcast, Clare and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O Nualláin to discuss Northern Ireland and British Elections Imperialist Labour Party Gaza Genocide Garda Violence Pilot Strikes Mass evictions from Direct Provision Centres & Much More!

Ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame later this year, Patrick Geoghegan looks at the construction and re-construction of one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world. Joining him are: Dr Emily Guerry, Senior Lecturer in Medieval European History at the University of Kent, Dr Caroline Bruzelius, Professor Emerita of Art and Art History at Duke Uni…

This week Dave and Conor take a look at the EU and local elections where they review the performance of the parties, the media campaign and the strategies of the left. They also discuss, where to next... where will "left unity" come from?

From the marriage bar to unequal pay - we're finding out about the status and position of women in the independent Irish state and the long fight for equality. Patrick is joined by Dr Mary McAuliffe, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, and Director of Gender Studies at UCD, Dr Deirdre Foley, Irish Res…