Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
3,000 miles of ocean separate Ireland from the USA, but both countries share a deep and intertwined history. Links between North America and Ireland predate Columbus, stretching back over 1,000 years. Since then, Irish people have shaped the history of the United States. From Ann 'Goody' Glover, who was hanged as a witch in Boston in the 17th century, to JFK, the story of the Irish in the US is fascinating. Join historians Damian Sheils and Fin Dwyer as they join forces to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of Irish American history.
Introduction to Transatlantic - A History of Irish America
EP1/10
In the first episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast, historians Fin Dwyer and Damian Shiels embark on a quest to uncover the identity of the first Irish person to reach America.
Was it St. Brendan, the intrepid Irish monk who is said to have voyaged across the Atlantic centuries before Columbus?
Could it have been an Irish woman taken captive by Vikings who reached Newfoundland around 1000 AD?
Perhaps it was an Irish sailor aboard one of Columbus' ships?
EP2/10
In this episode, Fin and Damian explore Ann Glover’s life, what we know about her, and why we should remember her story.
Ann Glover was a poor Irish woman who lived in late 17th century Boston. Although she is a largely forgotten figure, she played a significant role in the famous Salem witchcraft trials. In 1688, Ann was accused of being a witch. Her trial and execution would shape the harrowing events that played out in nearby Salem just a few years later.
EP3/10
In this episode, Damian and Fin explore this forgotten story from World War I. We reveal the violence that erupted around the war and also look at the lives of Irish war brides—women who married sailors and emigrated to the USA, where life could be challenging and difficult.
EP4/10
In this episode, Fin and Damian delve into the stories of this forgotten generation, exploring their motivations, experiences, and lasting impact.
The stereotypical Irish emigrant is often seen as a famine exile from the west of Ireland. However, in the decades before the Great Hunger of the 1840s, over one million Irish people had already crossed the Atlantic. These early 19th-century emigrants, who laid the foundations of modern Irish American communities, differed significantly from the common stereotypes.
EP5/10
Join historians Fin Dwyer and Damian Shiels as they explore the road to Civil War in the United States. I
rish emigrants fought in huge numbers, but their motives were complex. Many assume that the Irish, who had endured oppression at home, would identify with African Americans struggling for emancipation from slavery. This was not always the case. Fin and Damian delve into how Irish Americans, many of whom fought for the Union against the Confederacy, often held deeply racist views and were not always opposed to slavery.
EP6/10
Fin and Damian explore the connections between English colonial settlements and the bloody conflicts of Tudor Ireland. They reveal how the violent plantation systems of 16th-century Ireland served as a blueprint for English colonial strategies in North America.
The episode also highlights how many of the early English colonists in Virginia had previously participated in similar ventures in Ireland, bringing their experiences and methods across the Atlantic.
EP7/10
In this episode, Fin and Damian explore the intriguing question: Are Irish Americans truly Irish? This complex inquiry challenges the reasons behind the strong protectiveness many Irish people feel over Irish identity. Is this protectiveness legitimate, or does it create barriers to a broader understanding of what it means to be Irish?
EP8/10
In this episode, Fin and Damian explore the life of one of the most renowned Irish American women in history: Mother Jones. Known as a fearless labour organiser at the turn of the 20th century, she played a pivotal role in the often violent struggles between workers and employers. Her very name instilled fear in the authorities, with one prosecutor famously calling her "the most dangerous woman in America."
EP9/10
Join us as we explore the stories of these resilient individuals, uncovering who they were and the compelling reasons behind their flight from Ireland. We also dissect the grim realities of their transatlantic voyage, encapsulated in the chilling term ‘Coffin Ships.’
Many Irish Americans trace their roots back to the Famine emigrants who escaped the death and disease that ravaged Ireland in the 1840s. In this episode, we delve into the harrowing journeys these emigrants faced aboard the infamous "Coffin Ships."
EP10/10
In this final episode of Season 1 (don't worry, we are already prepping Season 2), Damian and Fin are joined by Dr. David Gleeson, an expert on the Irish in the American South. David details the origins of New Orleans, when the Irish first arrived, how they shaped the city, and how they were influenced by its unique culture.
New Orleans is one of the most famous cities in the American South. World-renowned for Mardi Gras, the city has a unique history. Founded by the French, it was also an outpost of the Spanish, today, it is famous for its Creole and Cajun culture. However, the city also became home to tens of thousands of Irish emigrants in the 19th century.