Here's the opening bit of a recent episode we did on Patreon about Tipp's finest TD, Mattie McGrath. If you want to hear the rest of this episode, and all the other stuff we've been doing on Patreon, you can get it all for a fiver by signing up here!

100 years ago today, on the 27th of July 1922, Frank Aiken (the future Tánaiste of Ireland) orchestrated the biggest jailbreak in Irish history when his battalion blew a hole in the side of the Dundalk Gaol. We got to record an episode about the jail break live from inside the Gaol (which is now the Oriel Centre) back in May and we're realising the audio for the centenary. If you've been missing us talking shite we've been releasing episodes all month over on the patreon, you can join here for a fiver to get access to all our bonus content! Also you can follow us on Instagram or Eventbrite to find out about upcoming live events (including the next one at the Edinburgh Fringe)

For the last episode of the season we jumped on the Stranger Things bandwagon and talked about Dublin's Hellfire Club. Thanks for listening to our shite for another season and we'll see ye all in September! But if you miss our voices you can follow the patreon here, you can follow us on instagram here and you can find out about our comedy club here! 

We went to Amsterdam on holiday and met up with one of our favourite Irish internet personalities, Cork comedian Ronan Brosnan, AKA Shite Guides, AKA The Delivery Boy, AKA a very sound lad altogether. We discussed Amsterdam, Cork, the boring paintings of Johannes Vermeer, and the exciting thefts of the boring paintings of Johannes Vermeer by the Ra, AKA the IRA. You call follow Ronan's Youtube channel over at Shite Guides, and check out his music as The Delivery Boy with his Minimum Wage Mixtape. You can find us over on the Shite Talk Instagram, Twitter, or on The Facebook.

This is the recording from our live 100th episode / 3rd birthday show we did last month, thanks a million to everyone who came out for it, and a special thanks to our wonderful guest on the night, Donal Fallon! You can hear more of Donal's work on his own (much more successful) podcast, Three Castles Burning, and if you want to hear more of US you can sign up to our patreon to get access to all the bonus content here!

This week we had Andrew Dorman on to tell us about the 18th century Irish army and the time the French invaded. Andrew's a fine man (and soon to be historical doctor) so go check out his comedy shows!

This week we had Damo Clarke on to talk with us about a Monaghan man who made it big in Tasmania back in the 1800s. Damo is one of the resident MCs of the Craic Den Comedy Club in Dublin which you should all check out if you're in town, but even if you're not, you can pretend you are by listening to their podcast here. And if you like listening to podcasts, why not listen to more of ours over on the patreon!

This week we had Shane Clifford on to talk about Ireland's favourite saint, the man who found America (100% confirmed), and Kerry's finest son, St. Brendan the Navigator. Shane is a great man all together, you can find more of his stuff on IG here, on twitter here and on his own podcast here We also talked for far too long and ended up putting all our film and general shite talk on our patreon, which you can sign up to here And (this is the last time we'll plug it!) you can get tickets to our last live show of the year here: James Joyce in the Wild Duck with Donal Fallon of 3 Castles Burning - Thursday the 19th of May

We had Fiona Frawley on with us this week to talk to us about the teenage mecca of Dublin's early 2000s nightlife, Wezz Nightclub.  You can (and should) follow Fiona on IG here And you can get tickets to our last live show of the year here: James Joyce in the Wild Duck with Donal Fallon of 3 Castles Burning

For this week's episode we're talking about the famous Corkconian lawman, John Philpot Curran. It's an episode we recorded a few weeks ago with Roger O'Sullivan and we're releasing it now because himself and Denis Len have just released the first episode of their new podcast, Unexplained Legends! So if you enjoy this show definitely go check them out. We've got two live shows left in Ireland for 2022 so you should come see us in either: Dundalk - Dundalk Gaol for a retelling of the 1922 Jail Break Dublin - Wild Duck with Donal Fallon of 3 Castles Burning Also, if you want to listen to more of the live episodes (and the bonus, cowboy and film club stuff) you can find it all on our Patreon

This week Kevin told Jason, and our guest Darren Matthews, all about the life and times of Edward Carson, the father of Ulster Unionism.  We've got two shows left in Ireland for 2022 so you should come see us in either: Dundalk - Dundalk Gaol for a retelling of the 1922 Jail Break Dublin - Wild Duck with Donal Fallon of 3 Castles Burning Also, go check out Jordan Robinson who joined us for the first Edward Carson reading when we did it live in the Sunflower, Belfast! 

We were delighted to get the opportunity to record this episode about the 1913 lockout, live inside the historic Emmet Hall of Inchicore. The building was once owned by James Larkin and home to one of the striker leaders, and later one of the men executed for 1916, Michael Mallin.  If you want to hear more of ourselves and Donal Fallon you can come join us in the Wild Duck in Dublin on the 19th of May by getting tickets here! Also, a huge thanks to D8 Development and Lauren Tuite for setting us up in the newly renovated hall, if you live around the area you should definitely follow them to see the great work they're doing for Inchicore.  

Hello! For the first episode of Season 8 we had Des Bishop on to talk about the original Fenian bad boy (slash possible father of modern terrorism) Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa! We've got three shows left in Ireland for 2022 so you should come see us in: Carlow - Scragg's Alley with Shannon Basso Gaule Dundalk - Dundalk Gaol for a retelling of the 1922 Jail Break Dublin - Wild Duck with Donal Fallon of 3 Castles Burning  

We were joined by Mob Theatre's Stephen Bradley and John Spillane to talk about the life and times of the great Danno O'Mahony, Ireland's first ever Pro Wrestling Champ! For tickets to our 3-Year-Birthday/100th Episode Special with Donal Fallon click on over to here, and for all our other gigs in Mullingar, Carlow, and Dundalk head this way.

For the last proper episode of season 7 Kevin told Jason all about the exploits of Horace de Vere Cole, the master prankster of Cork.  We had a class time last night doing our live show in Cork (the audio will be up on the patreon soon) but if you're reading this today, Saturday the 5th of March, come see us both do stand up in the CoCo Comedy Club in Cork tonight! You can get tickets here

We decided to release the second ever episode of our Film Club for free this week to give you all a taste of what's behind that sweet, sweet Patreon paywall. Joining us for this episode is Entertainment.ie's Movie Editor, Brian Lloyd (@BrianMLloyd) as we head back to 1981 for John Boorman's 'Excalibur' as we try to figure out what the hell was going on in this film.  The Film Club's third episode will be behind the Patreon as usual, so if you want to hear us break down 'Leap Year' later this week you know where to find us!

For this weeks episode Kevin told Jason about the time the people of Ireland got taken for a spin by a stamp salesman We're doing a live show in Sin E, Dublin on the 19th of February (this Saturday) and you can get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/260269482027

This week Jason tells Kevin all about Irish nationalist Thomas Francis Meagher and his role in the Young Irelander rebellion Get tickets to our lives shows in Dublin & Cork here: https://linktr.ee/shitetalkhistory The title picture was colourised by reddit user u/packersfanmw87

This week Jason tells Kevin the story of the time time Munster Rugby faced the almight All Blacks in Thomond Park, 1978...and also every other time the sides met, which weren't as fun.

This is a crossover, bonus episode we did with Brian O'Toole & James Cadden from the Brian & James Fuck Each Other podcast where we talked about Michael Collins the movie, Carlow living and our dreams for a new republic. You can check out the BJ-FEO podcast where ever you're listening to this one: https://myurls.co/brianandjamesfuckeachother

This week Kevin tells Jason all about Dublin's George McElroy, a distinguished WW1 fighter pilot and flying Ace

This is a bonus Sunday episode that we recorded a few weeks ago where we talked with Vietnamese born / Dublin based comic Nghĩa Mai about a few of the connections between Ireland and Vietnam. You can find more from Nghĩa on IG @nmaicomedy and twitter @nmai_comedy

This week Jason tells Kevin all about Ireland's most famous sea beasts; from Fionn mac Cumhaill's Caoránach to Killarney's Muckie, and all the Oilliphéists in between. Also, happy new year to ye all!

For our Christmas special Kevin tells Jason the story of the 7th largest bank robbery in the history of robbing banks. Merry Christmas everyone, hopefully if you're stuck in quarantine with covid this will distract you for a bit! Omicron is only a wee bollix.

This week Jason tells Kevin all about local Carlow man, Beauchamp Bagenal. Described as an Irish rake, buck, duellist and politician, he was known (for a time) as the most handsome man in Ireland.

It's time for an old mythological Irish story you've probably all heard before too many times but, likes us, have more than likely forgotten, if not some of the details, the complete story entirely other than...SWANS!!! We're also doing a live gig in Kilkenny tomorrow (the 9th of December) where we'll be talking about Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh, definitely one of the most interesting subjects we've covered yet. We'll be joined on the night with another local man, comedian Mike Rice! If you wanna come see us then here's the tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/shite-talk-an-irish-history-podcast-live-in-kilkenny-with-mike-rice-tickets-207124764747

To finish off season 6 we're doing an episode about the Orange Order, as suggested to us on Patreon by Monica Neuhauser!  We're also delighted to announce that (with Jason's return to Ireland) we'll be doing some live shows over the next few weeks, the first of which will be a Halloween Special in Sin E on the 30th of October!

This week Jason told Kevin about the legend of Buile Shuibhne aka Mad Sweeney, the wandering King. We also did a bonus episode about the Annals fo the Four Masters (the ancient book this story comes from) which you can listen to over on our patreon.

This week Kevin tells Jason about the great schism of Ballygawley and it's knock on effect on Tyrone GAA

This week we had our first ever guest spot where Isabelle Duff came on and told the two of us about the moral panic in 1960s Ireland caused by the arrival of mini skirts

This week Kevin tells Jason all about Lady Arabella Denny of Kerry and her work on the Magdalen Asylums

This week Kevin told Jason all about James F O'Connell, a Liberties man who became a unwitting pioneer in the world of body art

This week Jason told Kevin about Carlingford man Thomas D'Arcy Magee, from his time with the Young Irelanders to his role in Canadian politics

Jason finishes the story of Brendan Bracken and his role in WWII

This week Jason tells Kevin about Brendan Bracken, a Tipperary man who wormed his way into power at Churchill's side

Kevin tells Jason about the history and antics of Ireland's favourite human crisp

We're back and Jason is starting off season 6 with a story about a pint drinking, ghost chatting, 19th century poet by the name of James Clarence Mangan

Here's a teaser for the 3rd and final episode of the Quinn trilogy, Revenge of the Quinn. We talk about what happened after Quinn lost control of his company, the post recession fallout for the bankers (Sean Fitzpatrick and David Drumm) as well as the current state of affairs in Quinn county with Kevin Lunney. You can get access to the full episode for €5 over at www.buymeacoffee.com/shitetalkhistory OR www.patreon.com/shitetalkhistory

In Part 2 of this Cowboy Special we talk about Sean Quinn and Anglo Irish Bank during the financial crash. The final episode, Part 3 - Revenge of the Quinn, will be out later today on Patreon AND Buy Me A Coffee so head over to either to get access and find out what happens next!

We're back with the season 5 cowboy special! This time it's 2008's richest Irishman, Sean Quinn

For the season five finale Jason tells Kevin all about Gráinne Ní Mháille, the pirate queen. Thanks for all the support this season, happy St. Patrick's day and we'll see you all in a few weeks!

This week Kevin tells Jason the story of Eileen Flynn and her legal battle with the Sisters of the Holy Faith

For this week's episode Kevin tells Jason the story of Dublin woman Violet Gibson and her crusade against Benito Mussolini

To finish off the Guglielmo Marconi story, Kevin told Jason about Marconi's Transatlantic Messaging Station in Clifden and his connection to the world's first transatlantic flight

In part one of this two parter, Kevin tells Jason about the radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi and his connections to Ireland through the Jamesons of Jameson Whiskey

This week Jason tells Kevin about Jim Leavy and Johnny Murphy, some Irish born gunslingers on the American frontier

This week Kevin tells Jason the grim Irish origins of a popular 20th century phrase

This week Jason tells Kevin the story of St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints and a fine woman altogether. Actually, she came across as a bit annoying to be honest, and she wouldn't be high up on the list of the the saints you'd fancy a pint with.  However, it's St. Brigid's Day so we thought we'd cash in on all her clout and chase a few extra listeners that'll be googling her. Enjoy. ------------------------------------------------------------------ P.S. - Friend of the pod James Lonergan's new single, 'Braid', is out this week so we've stuck it at the end of the episode. Tis whopper, give'r an auld listen. G'wan.

This week Kevin tells Jason the story of the last man who stormed the US Capitol, General Robert Ross

We're back and starting off season 5 with Jason telling Kevin all about the ancient Irish sport of Collar & Elbow wrestling

We're finishing off this story, and the year, with the second part of the missing postman tale, the Trial of Stradbally. Happy Christmas everyone and we'll be back in a few weeks!

Here's a special, festive episode of Shite Talk for this Christmas season, all about the disappearance of the Kilmacthomas postman, Larry Griffin. 

We're finishing up this season (and celebrating reaching 50 episodes!) with a Shite Talk History Cowboy Special on the former head of the FAI, Don John Delaney.

To finish up our series on the fall of the 13th Dáil we talked out Dr. Noel Browne going up against the 1950s Catholic Hierarchy with his Mother and Child Scheme

This week we've got a Samhain (Halloween) special, featuring Ireland's most haunted house and a one handed man from Cavan

This week we cover the second scandal to hit Costello's government, the battle for Baltinglass post office. 

For October we'll be covering the three scandals that brought down John A. Costello's 1948 rainbow coalition, the government of the 13th Dáil. First up, the day Ireland became a Republic.

We were guests on the excellent Candlelit Tales podcast last week were we talked about the historical reference of the ancient lord, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Listen to the first part of the episode (Episode 51) over at the Candlelit Tales Podcast or watch a recording of the livestream on their YouTube channel.

Kevin finishes telling Jason about Kit Cavanagh, the 17th century Irish woman fighting for Churchill in the Spanish War of Succession

Kevin tells Jason the first part of the story of Christian "Kit" Cavanagh, a 17th century Dublin woman who went to great lengths to find her husband

Jason tells Kevin the story of The Irish National Invincibles, a splinter group of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, whose main objective was to assassinate high ranking government officials.

Margaret Leeson, aka Peg Plunkett, was an 18th century courtesan who literally wrote the book on the Dublin brothel game. 

This week Jason tells Kevin about the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels (aka the Jewels Belonging to the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick) back in 1907

This week Jason tells Kevin about the Temple Bar murders of October 1867, when the Fenians clashed with the local Johnny Raws

This is it, the final episode of the Twelfth series, the end of the War of the Two Kings! This week is all about the Battle of Aughrim and the second siege of Limerick.

For part 5 of this series on the War of the Two Kings we introduce Jacobite leader Patrick Sarsfield and talk about the siege of Limerick

After three weeks of prologue we've finally made it to the action, the first of the two main battles that decided the War of the Two Kings, the Battle of the Boyne.

Continuing our series on The War of the Two Kings this week we talk about James II's arrival to Ireland, the Patriot Parliament and the Siege of Derry / the Londonsiege of Londonderry.

In this week's episode (which is Part 2 in our series on the 12th of July) Kevin tells Jason all about King James II's reign as a Catholic monarch, the origin of his rival/nephew/son-in-law Prince William of Orange and their first big battle during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

For the first episode of season 4 we tried to cover about 200 years of history to make up for lost time. In an attempt to understand the orange order's celebration of the glorious 12th of July we talked about how Henry VIII first turned England towards protestantism, England's subsequent weird relationship with Catholicism and the rise of Catholic James II and his friend Dick Talbot. Also some shite about the time Christopher Columbus visited Galway.

Finishing of the story from last week, Kevin gives Jason an idea of Communist sentiment in Ireland during the 30's and tells him what happened the Russian Crown Jewels in the end.  This is the last episode of season 3 so thanks for listening, hope you've enjoyed it so far and we'll be back in a few weeks x

For the penultimate episode of season 3 Kevin starts telling Jason about the time the nascent Irish state lent the newly formed Russian government some cash in exchange for a few of their crown jewels, which ended up in the hands of one Mr. Harry Boland. 

This week Jason tells Kevin the story of the fall and fall of the once great Massey clan, and their home at Killakee House, Rathfarnham. A tale of death, despair, money, massive houses, and a bit of the RA.

For this weeks episode Kevin told Jason all about Mary Elmes, a genuine hero who dedicated her life to helping others; she travelled from Cork to Nazi occupied France via war torn Spain and did some amazing things along the way. 

For this weeks episode Jason continues the story of the Fenian Brotherhood from last week and tells Kevin about their attempts to invade Canada. 

For this weeks episode Jason told Kevin all about the life of John O'Mahony, founder of the American Fenian Brotherhood

For this weeks episode Kevin told Jason about the rise and fall of Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street, as well as a couple of other weird monuments that have found their way onto the main street of our capital. 

For this weeks episode Jason told Kevin the 100% true story of Darkey Kelly, the madam of the Maiden Tower brothel in Dublin who may (or may not) have been Ireland's first serial killer. 

For this weeks episode Kevin told Jason all about Erskine Childers and his part in the Howth Gun-Running of 1914, where 1000's of German guns were delivered to the Irish Volunteers, as well as his life during the Civil War / War of Independence. We've done a couple of episodes around that period for the centenary so expect to see a few more coming up this season! This episode also features some shite talk about Kevin's dog, Antz and Harry Potter

For the first episode of season 3 Jason read Kevin the story of Albert Cashier. Born in Co. Louth, he travelled to Illinois and made it big in the Union Army under some extreme circumstances. Also some shite talk about a Clogherhead diner, viking splash tours and how tall Jason's gotten.

For this week’s episode Kevin continues reading Jason the story of convicted felon, and infamous hypocrite, John Mitchel. In part two of the story we cover his exile to Van Diemen's land and the curious opinions he expressed in his later writings. Also, some shite talk about Tir Na Nog, Tennessee and Jason's relationship advice. Intro song is John Mitchel by The Freemen

For this week’s episode Kevin reads Jason the story of 19th century nationalist, and founder of the United Irishman, John Mitchel. This is a two part episode and in part one we cover Mitchel's early life, his foray into anti-British journalism and his eventual trial for treason. Also, some shite talk about Cork's bad naval record, James McClean and robot lawnmowers.

For this weeks episode Jason reads Kevin the story of Hugh O'Conor, an Irish born man who made it big in the states on behalf of the Spanish crown. There's also some shite talk about Mac DeMarco, Catch me if you can and Jason's Spanish accents. This weeks episode photo is a statue of O'Conor in Tucson (a town he founded in Arizona), I don't think I've ever seen a statue with ginger hair before, it is truly wonderful.

For this weeks episode Kevin reads Jason the tale of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington; a celebrated pacifist, feminist and socialist of early 1900s Ireland who lost his life trying to keep the peace during the Easter rising. There's also some shite talk about Henry Ford, James Joyce and Jason's selfie etiquette. This will be the last episode of the year but we'll be back with the end of season 2 in January!

This week Jason tells Kevin about Paddy McCarthy, a Tipperary man who took the boat to South America and became a major figure in Argentinian football. Also featuring some shite talk about Louth GAA, Mad Men and Kevin's knowledge of sport.

This week Kevin tells Jason all about the Parson family of Birr, Co. Offaly. They built the worlds biggest telescopes and changed the field of astronomy, were early contributors to photography and built one of the oldest surviving dark rooms, invented the steam turbine revolutionising sea travel and were involved in the worlds first car fatality. They got around. Plus some shite talk about Jason's homeschooling, Air (the band not the gas) and David Fincher. 

In this week's episode Jason tell Kevin the story of Nellie Cashman, a Cork woman who followed the gold rush around America making a name for herself as a business woman, restauranteur, philanthropist and all round sound lady. Also some shite talk about Doc Holiday, haircuts and jeans.

In this weeks episode Kevin tells Jason the story of Elizabeth Sugrue aka Lady Betty aka the woman from hell. Oscar Wilde's father recorded the story in his book "Ireland: Her wit, Peculiarities and Popular Superstitions" after asking the people of Roscommon about the infamous executioner who lived in their town Gaol. Also some shite talk about Brendan Behan and Jason's relationship with his mother. 

This week Jason tells Kevin the story of William Joyce, aka Lord Haw Haw of Zeesen, a young lad who grew up in Galway and went on to become a propaganda broadcaster for the Nazis during WWII. Also some shite talk about Irish radio and Jason kind of predicts Gay Byrne's death. 

This week Kevin tells Jason about Richard "Humanity Dick" Martin, a bad ass man from Galway who spent his days fighting for animal rights while also literally fighting anyone he crossed, the man loved to duel. Also some shite talk about Ricky Martin, Wolf Tone and a bear.

Dropping knowledge bombs like the Luftwaffe did spies into Ireland during the war, today's story is about a spy who dropped into Ireland out of a Luftwaffe plane during the war. A German spy by the name of Hermann Görtz, stolen British intelligence plans, Luftwaffe uniforms, big chunks of cash, a code-breaking Irish librarian, Nazis teaming up with the RA to defeat the British, and that's just our last night out in Dublin. This episode is pretty interesting too to be fair. G'wan, have a listen.   Welcome to Season 2 of Shite Talk: An Irish History Podcast, we're back and we're better than ever. Not just a throwaway line, we've actually gone all out and hired a producer, Silent Dan. He's going to fix all of our audio, making sure this time around it's only the content that's shite. Get in touch with us via  e-mail at [email protected] or on the social media at shitetalkhistory.