Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchWomen invade Dublin's male-only swimming spot
The Forty Foot is a famous sea swimming spot in Ireland’s capital city of Dublin. For hundreds of years, only men had the privilege of bathing in its deep, icy waters – naked if they chose.
That was u…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
Celtic Tiger: Ireland's 'ghost estates'
In 2006, Michele Burke and her fiancé William were looking forward to moving into their dream home in the picturesque town of Killaloe, in Ireland.
But when Ireland's economic boom - known as the Cel…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
The first Rose of Tralee
In 1959, Tralee, in Ireland, hosted a festival to promote the town and build Irish connections around the world.
It became known as the Rose of Tralee and is now one of Ireland’s oldest and largest f…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
How electricity came to rural Ireland
In May 1948, Canon John Hayes flicked a switch and brought electricity to the parish of Bansha, in Ireland.
The village was the first in County Tipperary to be connected to the grid, under the Rural …
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
Easter Rising in Ireland
At Easter 1916, a small army of Irish rebels attempted to start a revolution against British rule.
They held out for more than a week against a massive British military response.
Simon Watts brings tog…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
The Wizard of Oz: The stolen ruby slippers
The ruby slippers from the 1939 movie 'The Wizard of Oz' are some of the most treasured film memorabilia of all time. There are thought to be four pairs from the film that have survived.
This is the …
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
Judy Garland: The final shows
Judy Garland ended her long and glitzy stage and screen career at a London theatre club in January 1969. She was booked for five weeks of nightly shows at the 'Talk of the Town', but by that time, th…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
Returning Benin Bronzes
In 2004, a chance encounter in Nigeria led to the return of two of the country’s ancient artworks, the looted Benin Bronzes.
The treasures were among thousands stolen from Benin City by the British Ar…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
Iran: How the prime minister was overthrown in 1953
The coup of 1953 changed the course of Iranian history. The USA - with British help - overthrew a nationalist prime minister and installed the Shah in power.
In 2010, Alan Johnston heard archive reco…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago
The boy who discovered a new species of human ancestor
On 15 August 2008, nine-year-old Matt Berger tripped over a fossil that would lead to one of the most important discoveries in the history of human evolution.
The young adventurer had been exploring t…
Published on 2 years, 4 months ago