Episodes

In this special Irish family history episode we take two letters from our Green Room members. We chat about the approach they should take to uncover more about their respective Irish ancestral homelands. The first letter comes from one of our members in Australia and shares the story of her Irish Irish ancestors. She wonders how to go about discovering the actual origin for these ancestors in Ireland. Mike shares his approach - and comes up with a target destination! In the second letter we chat...

In this special episode we choose one of our Green Room members (see more about the Green Room here) and accompany them on a genealogical trip back to County Cork. Cathy Abraham lives in Boston, USA and her great-grandparents arrived there in the 1870s from County Cork. They were Timothy O'Callaghan and Ellen Richardson. The story went that Timothy was a poor farm-hand on Ellen's parents farm just outside Cork City. They eloped to America as Ellen's parents did not approve of a match between the...

In this episode we look at a very difficult time in Ireland - one that triggered a time of death across the population of the island as well as emigration for many generations afterwards. I'm talking, of course, about "An Gorta Mór" - also known as "The Great Hunger" or "The Great Famine" of the mid 1800s. The first letter looks at a particular landless class in Ireland - who formed a sizeable percentage of our population - but who were, more or less, wiped out during the Famine. I wrote the sec...

In this episode we look at two of the major family surnames of Ireland - O'Neill and O'Connor. The first story asks if you have Niall of the Nine Hostages DNA?. This Niall was the patriarch of the O'Neills of Meath and Ulster and there are a surprising number of people on the planet today who have a direct link back to this one individual. We then move on to the O'Connors - who provided us with the last two High Kings of Ireland. Using the first and second name of the late, great, singer - Sinéa...

In this musical episode we look at a very personal choice of the eight most unique Irish MALE singing voices. I wonder will you agree? Maybe it will introduce you to a new talent that you have not heard before - or maybe you feel I have left out one or two of your own favourites! Either way, I hope you enjoy this selection of beautiful Irish songs and voices. Music featured in this episode: "Samhradh, Samhradh" performed by Iarla Ó Lionáird and The Gloaming. "Bodenstown Churchyard" performed by ...

In this episode we tell the story of not one, but two, Irish families that came out of the area surrounding the town of Bantry in West Cork, Ireland. The first story shares the story of Francis O'Neill who emigrated to the USA and Chicago - eventually becoming a chief of police. More importantly, he became an avid collector and preserver of traditional Irish music. The healthy state of Irish traditional music today owes a lot to the efforts of this one man. We then follow the Keohane family who ...

In this musical episode we look at a very personal choice of the eight most beautiful Irish femail singing voices. I wonder will you agree? Maybe it will introduce you to a new talent that you have not heard before - or maybe you feel I have left out one or two of your own favourites! Either way, I hope you enjoy this selection of beautiful Irish songs and voices. Music featured in this episode: "This is to Mother You" performed by Sinéad O'Connor. "No Frontiers" performed by Mary Black. "Mystic...

In this episode we travel to that fascinating county at the north-east of the island of Ireland - County Antrim. We explore it's rich heritage and history as well as the most numerous surnames in the county. We then go to the south-east of the county to the city of Belfast and again, explore it's rich history and heritage. A "must-listen" if your Irish ancestor came from this beautiful and fascinating part of the island of Ireland. We also have some wonderful Irish songs and music to help us alo...

In this episode we celebrate 10 years of the Letter from Ireland! In the summer of 2013, we started to write, and send out, a weekly letter from Ireland. Two years later we started the Letter from Ireland podcast. Today, the letter goes out every Sunday to 60,000 people of Irish descent all around the world and continues to thrive - all due to the support and feedback we get from our wonderful listeners and readers. Thank you one and all! We share two letters entitled - "10 Years of The Letter f...

In this episode we look at two different Irish races - one from the 18th century and one from the early 20th century. Our first story charts the origins of that iconic horserace - the Steeplechase - between two towns in County Cork. We then go on to look at an early motorcar road race that took place in Ireland in 1903 and gave rise to the iconic colour of British Race motoring - "British Racing Green" - which was not actually British in origin at all!. We also have some Irish sporting music to ...

In this episode we look at how the growth of Irish towns and cities was tied to a clean source of water at the time of the Vikings - and how that same water used for the brewing of beer by the Franciscans in later years. We then chat about the explosion in the Irish population in the early 1800s, the easy availability of alcohol and the associated social disorder. This led, in turn, to the emergence of the Irish temperance movement. We also have some Irish drinking songs to help us along the way...

In this very special episode we take a trip around Inishmore - the largest of the Aran Islands - in the company of Cyril O'Flaherty. Cyril is a well known local historian and artist and gives a special insight into many old Irish culture and traditions as we travel around - many of which are still alive in this most beautiful of settings. Along the way, Carina and Mike have plenty of chat, craic and music. We do hope you enjoy! Support the Letter from Ireland Show: Thank you for listening to th...

In this episode we take a trip inside the "Hedge Schools" of Ireland - places of learning that were dotted around Ireland right up to the mid-1800s. We also look at the prevalence of so many biblical/latin first names in Ireland - names such as Jeremiah or Cornelius - and explain just why they were so popular. And lots of great music to enjoy along the way! Support the Letter from Ireland Show: Thank you for listening to the Letter from Ireland show. To support the podcast, get lots of member-o...

In this episode we cover two infamous real life murder cases in the west of Ireland during the 1800s. The first murder was as a result of mass evictions from an Irish estate during the famine - and the second involved a travesty of justice where the accused were tried in a language they did not understand. We've selected three pieces of music to accompany these letters: We do hope you enjoy! Music featured in this episode: "The Great Hunger" - performed by The Wolfe Tones. "The Fields of Athenry...

In today's episode we chat about all things Irish - the Irish language that is! The first letter looks at Irish sayings and proverbs in their original Irish, how to pronounce them and what they mean in English. We then go on to examine how local Irish accents changed how one Irish surname was anglicised in different parts of the island. We also feature three very beautiful Irish songs in their original Irish. Hope you enjoy! Support the Letter from Ireland Show: Thank you for listening to the L...

In this episode we take a musical trip around the nine counties of Ulster: Derry (Londonderry), Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. Alongside the immortal "Danny Boy", we feature at least one tune or song from each of the counties. I refer to a map while talking - and you can see the map in the shownotes at aletterfromireland.com/732 . This episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast was based on an earlier show we broadcast only to Green Room members. Enjoy! Mus...

In this episode we look at the journey a branch of the Vikings took and established a Dukedom in what became known as "Normandy" in northern France. We look at their culture and traditions - traditions that they brought with them to England in 1066 and then onto Ireland in the late part of the 1100s. From this group we have so many of the Norman-Irish surnames that we know today -Fitzgerald, Barry, Roche etc. We also feature the music of a singer from Gweedore in County Donegal who become known ...

In this episode we look at two different styles of story-telling. First, Carina reads out "Which County did your Irish Ancestor Come from?". This is a letter in a standard essay format - and Carina chats about the formation of the different counties in Ireland. In the second feature we do something very different - but very Irish! We ask an Irish Poet/Bard to look at the family history of one of our Green Room members and then to put the entire saga from their origins in Ireland and move to the ...

In this episode we look at how the Celtic Druids of Ireland in pre-christian times evolved into the monks, priests, brehon judges, bards and poets of christian times - and also chat about some of the Irish family surnames associated with those "druidic" professions and vocations. We then go on to ask the question: "Do you see yourself as Irish?". This question, and our answer, was triggered by an enquiry from one of our readers. Have a listen - and see what answer you come up with yourself. We a...

You are most likely familiar with the song Danny Boy - Ireland's unofficial anthem. In this episode we first have a listen to Danny Boy and then choose 5 other songs which are also suitable contenders for the title of "Irish Anthem". I define Irish anthems as songs that you are likely to hear both on the sports terraces and anywhere that Irish people gather for a celebration! See if you agree - or maybe suggest one or two alternatives of your own. Music featured in this episode: "Danny Boy" per...

If you have ever visited Ireland then you have almost certainly visited our capital city of Dublin! There are so many cultural, heritage and historical sites spread around the city - and I'm sure you have a few of your own. In this episode we share just some of our own favourite stops in Dublin and chat to some fascinating characters who graciously shared their knowledge of some of them. You can see a list of our stops below - and if you would like to look at the map we mention, go to our full s...

As we approach the month of May, we celebrate the coming of summer here in Ireland. The month of May is called "Bealtaine" in the Irish language, which is also the Irish name for the celtic festival that marks the turning of spring to summer in early May. In this episode we celebrate Bealtaine by sharing some of our stories and travels that look a little closer at this festival and time of year. We travel to a place in the centre of Ireland where Bealtaine is celebrated in a very special way. We...

In this episode we chat with a native Irish Gaelic Speaker - Eoin Ó Conchúir (Eoin O'Connor) from Ennis in County Clare. Eoin started a company called Bitesize Irish about 12 years ago and in this episode he shares more on his early childhood years in an Irish-speaking household, why he started a company to help people around the world learn and enjoy the Irish Gaelic language. We also chat about the importance of the Irish language and how it is used today. Also, lots of great Irish music along...

In this episode we visit a field in the wilds of Connemara in County Galway and chat about two significant events - each of which brought about a huge step forward in technology and communications and are associated with this field. In the first letter, we introduce you to an Italian genius and his Irish mother. You will see his name marked on a gate as you enter the field. Why? Do listen on to find out! The second letter looks at a record-breaking flight that landed in this field in the early ...