Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast

42. The Lowcountry Irish: The Story of Savannah & Charleston

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:30:00 GMT

The coastal area of South Carolina and Georgia, known as the "Lowcountry", may not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to Irish America. But the historic cities of Savannah and Charleston have long, rich histories of Irish immigration that have forged connections which endure to this day. In the case of Savannah, that immigration was so large it saw the Irish population reach a percentage of the city's total white population that was comparable to New York. In this episode Professor David Gleeson makes a return to Transatlantic to discuss Charleston and Savannah's story and offer insights into a part of the U.S. he knows extremely well. We chat about their colonial origins and 18th century Ulster-Scots migrations, the expanding Irish Catholic communities of the 19th century, and the political and cultural legacies of the Irish in Savannah and Charleston in the 20th and 21st centuries. Along the way David introduces us to a fascinating cast of characters and uncovers some of the very specific regional ties the Lowcountry maintained with Ireland.

Dr David Gleeson is a Professor of History in the School of of Humanities and Social Sciences at Northumbia University Newcastle. The leading historian of the Irish in the southern United States, among his many publications are The Irish in the South, 1815-1817 and The Green and the Gray: The Irish in the Confederate States of America.

You can hear David's previous episode on Transatlantic, discussing the Irish in New Orleans in Episode 10, here.

Savannah St Patrick's Day Parade

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41. Over Here: The Americans in Northern Ireland in World War II

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:04:04 GMT

The U.S. entry into World War II in 1941 led to the deployment of tens of thousands of American troops to Ireland, just as it had during World War I. But this time they were concentrated only in Northern Ireland, which had remained part of the United Kingdom. The American arrival led to an unparalleled explosion in Northern Ireland's population. In this episode we are joined by Dr James O'Neill to discuss the U.S. military's return to the island. We cover the who, when and why of their presence, and move beyond the military to explore their social impact--covering everything from chewing gum and buying rounds to interactions with local women and racial segregation.

Dr James O'Neill is Collections Officer at the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum in Belfast's Catheral Quarter, which is dedicated to exploring the story of the Second World War in Northern Ireland. Jim is also the leading historian of the Nine Years' War (1593-1603) in Ireland; you can find his books on that here and here.

Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum

Transatlantic Episode 3: 1917- The American Invasion of Ireland

War and Navy Departments Washington D.C., 1942: A Pocket Guide to Northern Ireland

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40. The St. Patrick's Day Parade: The Real History

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is the centrepiece of celebrations of Ireland's patron saint the world over. But how did it start--and just who started it? In this episode Fin and Damian are joined by noted historian of the Irish aboard, Dr Cian McMahon, who is currently working on a new history of the Parade. In a far-reaching episode we discuss the Parade's origins, influences and legacy down to contemporary times. Among the nuggets Cian discusses are the misconceptions that ihe Parade's origins are as a Catholic Irish American event, and the idea that Dublin's Parade has been increasingly "Americanised."

Cian T. McMahon is Professor of History at the Department of History and Honors College at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He was the co-editor of The Routledge History of Irish America and is the author The Coffin Ship: Life and Death at Sea during the Great Irish Famine and The Global Dimensions of Irish Identity: Race, Nation and the Popular Press, 1840-1880.

Listen to Cian discuss his Coffin Ship book with Fin on the Irish History Podcast here

Read about some early St. Patrick's Day horrors in Temple Bar, involving a giant St. Patrick, a pint, and a plastic bag: https://www.thejournal.ie/st-patrick-temple-bar-pub-6968056-Feb2026/

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39. St Patrick: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:30:00 GMT

As the Irish communities prepare to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Fin and Damian look at who he was and what we know about his life. From his early days in the late Roman Empire to his time in Ireland as a slave and his role in conversion Ireland to Christianity.

Terry O’Hagan’s Vox Hiberionacum https://voxhib.com

St Patrick Dictionary of Irish Biography Entry

https://www.dib.ie/biography/patrick-patricius-patraic-padraig-a7225

Flechner, R. (2019) Saint Patrick Retold: The Legend of Ireland's Patron Saint

Pilgrimage in Medieval Ireland Website https://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/

Test of St.Patrick's Confessio https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english

Test of St Patrick's Letter to Corotocus: https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/epistola_english

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38. Early Catholic Power in New York: Rise and Resistance

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:30:00 GMT

The beginnings of the Catholic Irish story in New York City are usually associated with the mid-nineteenth century. But in the immediate wake of the Revolution, a small, vibrant community had already begun to establish itself, quickly making an impact on the religious, political and social life of New York. In this episode we will hear about the wealthy Irish Catholic merchants who helped create Manhattan's first Catholic parish and who sought to reshape New York politics. We also discuss the growth of the City's Catholic Irish working-class, and the early nativist tensions--and sometimes violent clashes--their growing numbers created.

We are joined in this episode by AoH historian Kevin Moore, who has been studying and researching Irish Catholics in New York between 1784-1806. To find out more about Kevin's work or to get in touch with him you can do so at the links below:

AOHNYC7.com

AOH.com

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37. American Emigrants in Irish Folklore

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Irish folklore often recalls an ancient past. However, in this episode Fin and Damian explore how America and the experiences of Irish emigrants had already become part of folklore by the early twentieth century. Set down almost 100 years ago, among the stories you will hear tales of ghosts that reflect a sense of loss and remembrance of emigrants, examples of how returned emigrants were sometimes seen as "other", and even find out about how Irish children had already become fascinated by the American West and Native Americans.

Folklore Archive www.duchas.ie

Seymour, S. True Irish ghost stories https://archive.org/details/trueirishghostst0000seym_s6t9

Tait, C Spectres Across the Atlantic, c.1820-1940: Communicating with the Dead Over Space and Time https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14780038.2023.2258606

Interview with Clodagh Tait acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/a-history-of-the-supernatural-in-ireland&ved=2ahUKEwjOxZbyoLCSAxWRW0EAHeZIC9sQFnoECDcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3kmEFkBqKv1hnVAg6DtN7B

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36. From Famine to the Frontline: The Irish in the US Civil War

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:30:00 GMT

The American Civil War was a defining moment for Irish Americans in the 1860s. Over 250,000 Irish Americans many of them Famine emigrants served in the Union army. Over the course of the war they played a key role in the defeat of the Confederacy.

However their service has been dogged by stereotypes and myth for more than 160 years.

In this episode Damian discusses his latest research published in his 2025 book Green and Blue. Fin and Damian explore the book that brings new perspectives to our understanding of the war. They examine the immense Irish contribution to the Union cause and what their experiences of the conflict were really like. They also address the darker aspects of Irish involvement. Damian explains how and why Irish attitudes to emancipation and racism were not what we might expect from a community that served the Union in such overwhelming numbers.

Damian’s book “Green and Blue Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861–1865” is a must read for anyone interested in the civil war of Irish America more broadly

Get your copy https://www.amazon.com/Green-Blue-Americans-Conflicting-Dimensions/dp/0807183709

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35. Catholicism & the Irish in California: Indomitable Sacramento

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:31:08 GMT

How did Catholicism develop on America's West Coast during the 19th and 20th centuries, and how did it differ from the experience in the major Eastern cities? What role did Irish Americans Catholics, both women and men, play in the pioneering years of the Golden State's gold rush and the development of California's state capital over the century that followed? These are just some of the questions we explore in our latest episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast, taking as our lens the Irish men and women who helped to build, develop and sustain the city of Sacramento.

We are joined to discuss this by leading historian of Catholicism in America Father Steven Avella, formerly Professor of History at Marquette University in Wisconsin. Father Avella has written a number of volumes on the history of Sacramento and Catholicism in the city, including Sacramento: Indomitable City, Sacramento and the Catholic Church: Shaping a Catholic CIty and Indomitable Sacramentans: A Social History of Catholics in the State Capital.

Father Steven M. Avella Books

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34. Tammany Hall: The Irish Political Machine in New York

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast, we’re joined by noted historian Dr. Terry Golway to explore the story of Tammany Hall, the famed New York political machine so long associated with Irish America. In this show you will hear about Tammany's origins, how and when it became a powerful force for Irish immigrants, and how the famed machine operated through its long existence.

Today, even the word "Tammany" is seen as a byword for corruption and excess. But is there more to Tammany’s story than scandal? Terry helps us to explore this, revealing how Ireland's politics influenced the development of Tammany's operations, and exploring Tammany's often overlooked positive contributions—demonstrating how this a story that is much more than just Boss Tweed and rampant corruption.

Notes & Sources:

Terry Golway. Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics.

Terry Golway Books

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33. Ben Franklin's Forgotten Trip to Ireland

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:30:00 GMT

In 1771 Benjamin Franklin spent more than six weeks traveling through Ireland at a moment when tensions between Britain and her colonies were rising. In this episode Damian and Fin trace his route from Dublin through the Irish countryside and explore the people he met and the conditions he witnessed. Despite being laid low with food poisoning on his first day he quickly became absorbed in what he saw. The poverty of rural Ireland the restrictions placed on Irish trade and the political frustrations of the Protestant elite all left a deep impression on him. These experiences helped shape the ideas he carried back to America and influenced his thinking in the years before the Revolution.

32. Irish Mountain Men: Pioneers of the American West?

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:30:00 GMT

One of the most enduring stereotypes of early US history is the Mountain Man. This figure often appears as the tough and resourceful frontiersman familiar from films like The Revenant. The stereotype is rooted in fact and in recent months Damian has been researching the Irish men who found themselves in the American West during the early nineteenth century. Fin and Damian explore this history along with who these men were and what brought them into the Rocky Mountains. They also look at how they interacted with Native American tribes in the region.

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31. Clare to Connecticut: One Family’s Escape from the Great Hunger

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:30:00 GMT

What can a micro-history of emigration, the story of a single townland, or even a single family, reveal about the wider Irish emigrant experience? In this episode, we trace the remarkable journey of the Clune family of Tyredagh Upper, Co. Clare, whose multigenerational migration to Norwalk, Connecticut offers insight into how local origins shaped settlement patterns in America.

We’re joined by Dr. Jane Halloran, historian, genealogist, and founder of Dalcassian Origins, to discuss her research on this chain migration and the powerful community networks that carried families like the Clunes across the Atlantic. Through their story, we uncover how one family’s path could influence patterns of migration from Ireland, and shed light on the wider 19th and early 20th century Irish emigrant experience.

30. Phelan & Collender: The Irishmen Who Built an American Billiards Empire

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Michael Phelan, born in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, rose to prominence as one of America's most gifted billiards player and showmen. In New York he encountered Hugh Collender, from Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, an exiled Irish nationalist who decided to turn his talents to business after the failed rising of 1848.

Phelan’s flair and Collender’s enterprise combined into one of the great economic successes of 19th century Irish America. Together they built Phelan & Collender, a company that revolutionised billiard-table manufacture and helped define an American leisure industry. This episode traces how two Irishmen, shaped by different beginnings but united by drive and ingenuity--and eventually by close family ties--carved out a partnership and business empire that became a household name in Gilded Age America.

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29. The Irish in Wisconsin

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Wisconsin isn't the first state that springs to mind when it comes to the Irish American Diaspora. But though often more associated with Germans (and German beer!), Wisconsin had a notable Irish presence. Today, Milwaukee is even home to Irish Fest, the largest Irish festival in the United States.

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tim McMahon of Marquette University to uncover the fascinating history of the Irish communities who made Wisconsin their home.

We chart their stroy from the early arrivals of the nineteenth century to their lasting influence in the twentieth, tracing how Irish immigrants shaped places like Milwaukee — building neighborhoods, parishes, and a distinct Irish-American identity in the heart of the Midwest.

We explore dramatic moments like the tragic Lady Elgin disaster- a maritime catastrophe for both Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Irish- and the later political and cultural connections maintained with Ireland. Tim also discusses Éamon de Valera’s visit, and the story behind that iconic photograph of De Valera in a Native American headdress.

Dr Tim McMahon: https://www.marquette.edu/history/directory/timothy-mcmahon.php

Milwaukee Irish Fest: https://irishfest.com/

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28. Irish Placenames in the USA

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 23:30:00 GMT

In this episode, Fin and Damian trace the Irish legacy scattered across the American map through the placenames they left behind. The journey takes them from Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill, named for a Wexford battlefield in hopes of attracting Irish immigrants, to Menlo Park, California, the major tech hub with roots in a Galway inspired ranch. They uncover how Irish immigrants, Irish Americans and Irish politicians and miners left their mark — through places like Glendalough State Park (in Minnesota, not Wicklow!), Roscommon and the "Irish" counties of Michigan, and the Texas ghost town in Texas that came to be called “Ireland.” From Avoca, Nebraska to "Dublin Gulch" in the California desert, we pick some of our favourite American Irish placenames to explore.

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27. The Red Branch: Dynamite, Death & Diaspora in 1880s San Francisco

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:30:00 GMT

In the early 1880s, crates of California dynamite found their way to London — not for trade, but for terror. Irish revolutionaries in the United States were plotting bombings in the heart of the British Empire, and San Francisco, with its deep Irish roots, became a key outpost in the transatlantic campaign.

In this episode, we speak with renowned author and historian Dr Myles Dungan about his new historical novel The Red Branch, set in 1883 San Francisco and inspired by these real-life dynamiters, secret societies, and British spies. We explore the real history and real characters behind the fiction--along the way charting the story and experience of Irish immigrants in the City by the Bay.

Sound by Kate Dunlea.

Shownotes

Myles Dungan. The Red Branch (Etruscan Press, 2025)

The History Show RTÉ Radio One

Myles Dungan Website

Myles Dungan Publications

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26. America's Most Notorious Grave Robbery: Patrick Jones & the AT Stewart Case

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:00:00 GMT

In 1878, one of the most infamous crimes in Gilded Age America stunned and captivated the nation: the corpse of Alexander Turney Stewart — an Irish immigrant turned millionaire merchant — was stolen from its grave in Manhattan and held for ransom.

What followed was a drawn out saga that dragged another Irishman into the spotlight: Patrick Henry Jones — a Civil War general, lawyer, and public servant — who found himself forced to act as reluctant go-between for the body snatchers and Stewart’s grieving widow. This is a story of grave robbing, coded newspaper ads, and the high-stakes politics of class, loyalty, and legacy in 19th-century New York. And at the centre of it all were two Irishmen — one dead, one in danger of losing everything.

We’re joined by historian Mark Dunkelman, biographer of Patrick Henry Jones and expert on the Stewart body snatching case, to dig into the truth behind the scandal that rocked Gilded Age America.

AT Stewart Dictionary of Irish Biography

Mark Dunkelman's Website: The Hardtack Regiment

Mark Dunkelman. Patrick Henry Jones- Irish American, Civil War General, and Gilded Age Politician (LUS Press, 2015).

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25. Heiresses of the Wild Atlantic Way: American Fortunes, Irish Families

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 23:30:00 GMT

When most people think of American heiresses marrying into the British or Irish aristocracy, they might picture Cora Crawley from Downton Abbey—the wealthy American who brought her fortune (and a bit of drama) to an English estate. But Cora’s story wasn’t entirely fiction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scores of American women crossed the Atlantic, bringing their wealth to some of Ireland’s most iconic estates.

In this episode, Fin and Damian explore the real-life stories behind these transatlantic marriages, as the elite of the Gilded Age wed into Victorian Ireland in its twilight years. We focus on three remarkable families who made their homes in mansions along the Wild Atlantic Way: Glenveagh Castle in Donegal, Kylemore House in Galway and Muckross House in Kerry.

Sound by Kate Dunlea.

Shownotes

Transatlantic 3.0: Cracking the Consistency Code

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 23:30:00 GMT

We had an unplanned break in the show, but we’re back with a streamlined Transatlantic, having finally unlocked the secrets of recording across several time zones. Tune in to find out what we have planned!

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24. The Fenians AKA When Irish Americans invaded Canada

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:30:00 GMT

One of the most famous Irish American organisations is the Fenians. In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Brennan MacDonald to explore the history of this enigmatic group. Brennan reveals how the Fenians harnessed the military experience gained in the US Civil War to challenge British rule in Ireland, and how their transatlantic networks shaped the struggle for Irish independence.

23. From Five Points to St. Peter’s: The Irish in New York

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Over the course of the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Irish people moved to New York, leaving a lasting impact on the city. In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Stack and Danny Leavy to explore the legacy of these immigrants in the streets of NYC today. Danny and Elizabeth are historians and Irish immigrants living in New York, and they share unique insights into the city’s Irish past from the notorious Five Points to St. Peter's Church.

You can virtually follow along to the stops we feature in this episode by using our episode map- click on the arrows beside each stop to see a dropdown list of each location we visited which will be highlighted as you click on them. Find the map here: https://maphub.net/irishacw/transatlantic-podcast-s2-episode11-new-york-irish

Resources and Sources:

In Search of Cornelius Heeney- Video with Danny Leavy & Dr Ciarán Reilly

A.T. Stewart in the Dictionary of Irish Biography

William "Boss" Tweed in Britannica

Terry Golway Book: Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics

Tyler Anbinder Book: Five Points

Tyler Anbinder Book: Plentiful Country

Jacob Riis Profile & Images via International Center for Photography

Ronald Bayor & Timothy Meagher Book: The New York Irish

Louis Eisenstein & Elliot Rosenberg Book: A Stripe of Tammany's Tiger

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22. The Irish at Gettysburg

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Gettysburg stands as one of the most iconic battles in American history, with thousands of Irish men fighting on both sides of the conflict. In this episode, Fin and Damian are joined by historian Harry Smeltzer to delve into the dramatic three days of the battle. Together, they uncover the pivotal roles played by Irish soldiers, share gripping stories from the front lines, and paint a vivid picture of what life was like on a Civil War battlefield.

Follow the story around the battlefield with this map (Click the arrow beside "Locations Mentioned" and "Monuments Mentioned" on the right of screen to expand the legend so you can see all the points mentioned in the show. You can follow along while listening and by clicking on each name will see where it is on the field.)

Harry Smeltzer Bull Runnings Website

American Battlefield Trust Overview and Maps of Battle of Gettysburg

Video of 69th Pennsylvania Infantry Position at Gettysburg

Photograph of James McKay Rorty

In Our Time: The Gettysburg Address

Sound: Kate Dunlea

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21. US Military Pensions: A Window into 19th century Irish Life

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:30:00 GMT

In 1881, Isabella Nugent wrote, “If having sexual intercourse made us man and wife, we were married.” Intimate, candid insights like this into the private lives of Irish people—both at home and abroad—are rare gems from the 19th century. Yet the private sex lives of our ancestors are just one of the many fascinating topics revealed in US Military Pension Files from that era.

After 15 years of research, Damian shares how you can unlock these invaluable resources to uncover the hidden stories of the past. From personal relationships to everyday struggles, these files offer a unique window into 19th-century lives that Irish history books often overlook.

The Forgotten Irish: Irish Emigrant Experiences in America

Green & Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865

Ordering Pension Files from the United States National Archives

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20. Irish Immigrant Voices: What Can 1000s of their Letters Tell Us?

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Ordinary people's letters provide the most immediate and intimate window into the lives of past Irish emigrants. In them are preserved their hopes, their fears and their stories. Now a new database brings thousands of these letters, written across four centuries, to our fingertips for the first time. In this episode, Damian chats with Breándán Mac Suibhne and Daniel Carey from the University of Galway's Imirce Project, discussing how it came about, how you can explore it, and what these letters reveal about the epic story of Irish migration.

Imirce Project Website

Kerby A. Miller. Emigrants and Exiles: Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America

Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne

Professor Daniel Carey

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19. How did the American Revolution change Ireland?

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 23:30:00 GMT

The American Revolution had a profound and lasting impact on Ireland. While thousands of Irish people fought in the conflict and Cork Harbour served as a vital British logistics hub, the repercussions were felt far beyond the battlefield. The ideals and upheavals of the war helped radicalise Irish society, pushing it towards its own age of revolution. In this episode, Damian and Fin explore how the tensions unleashed by the American Revolution set Ireland on a path toward rebellion, and reveal the unexpected ways the conflict influenced the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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Back on Track: Where did we go?

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 23:30:00 GMT

This is a short story of an Irish man in America, a broken mic and lots of great Irish American History to come.

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18. Annie Moore: The First Immigrant through Ellis Island

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

The Irish woman Annie Moore was the first person processed at the famous Ellis Island immigration station after it opened in 1892. Over the following 62 years nearly 12 million emigrants were processed there but Annie embodied this immigrant experience but who was this Irish woman?

In this episode, Fin and Damian interview Megan Smolenyak, a genealogist who has written a book titled The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island: Uncovering the True Story of the First Immigrant to Arrive at America's Isle of Hope. The podcast explores Annie's life in Ireland, how she rose to fame as the first emigrant to pass through Ellis Island, and how she later faded into obscurity and was misidentified until Megan began to research her story.

Megan Smolenyak is one of the best known genealogists of Irish America. She is the former Chief Family Historian and spokesperson for Ancestry.com and has appeared on programmes such Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Early Show, CNN, NPR and BBC and has consulted on shows like Who Do You Think You Are? She is the author of six books,including Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing and Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History.

Check out Megan's website https://megansmolenyak.com/

For more info on Ellis Island. Ellis Island National Park Service Website

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17. Irish Emigrant Nuns: What was Convent life like?

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Irish nuns are one of the enduring stereotypes of Irish emigrant communities. Thousands of Irish women joined these religious communities often erving as educators and nurses. In these roles they embedded themselves deeply in the communities they served leaving a lasting memory. In this episode, Damian and Fin interview Dr. Sophie Cooper of Queen’s University Belfast, an expert on the subject. We look at who these women were, why they joined and what life was like inside the convents where they lived

The discussion focuses on the fascinating case of Molly Dwyer, Fin’s grandaunt, who served as a nun in Dakota in the early 20th century. Molly left a vivid account of her life through a series of letters written to her brother, offering a unique window into the experiences of Irish nuns abroad.

Our guest, Dr Sophie Cooper, Queen's University Belfast has published extensively on this topic. You can find her work here—including her book Forging Identities in the Irish World: Melbourne and Chicago, c. 1830–1922 here. If you have any correspondence or stories relating to the female religious diaspora in your family, Dr. Cooper would love to hear from you!

Check out Fin’s podcast episode on his grandaunt Molly’s life as a nun here https://shows.acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/letters-from-dakota

Sound Kate Dunlea

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16. The Titanic: Irish Connections

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

The Titanic is unquestionably one of the most famous ships in history. Since it sank in 1912, it has been the focus of an endless stream of books, movies, and documentaries. In this episode, recorded in Titanic's final port of call—Cobh—Fin and Damian explore the Irish connections. It was not only built by Irish workers in an Irish shipyard, but many of the crew and passengers were also Irish.

Sources

Senan Molony, The irish Aboard Titanic

visitcobh.com

Know Thy Place Titanic Irish Map

Encyclopedia Titanica

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15. Who Did the Irish Support in the American Revolution?

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

America won its independence from the British in the 1770s. Although not widely known, the Irish played a significant role in the conflict. They fought in several key battles, and numerous signatories of the Declaration of Independence were Irish – it was even printed by an Irishman. However, that’s not the full story, as many Irish also fought in the British Army.

Join Damian and Fin as they pick apart the history.

Sources

John Barry Dictionary of Irish Biography

Pierce Butler Dictionary of Irish Biography

John Dunlap and the U.S. Declaration of Independence

Don N Hagist, Roger Lamb's American Revolution: A British Soldier's Story

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14. The Irish in Pennsylvania Coal Country

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:28:32 GMT

Pennsylvania has a long history of coal mining. In the late 19th century, the conditions in the coalfields were atrocious leading to major conflict between the miners and the mine owners. The most notorious incident involved the execution of twenty Irish immigrants for their role in what was dubbed the Molly Maguires, a secret society of miners. While the convictions were based on dubious testimonies, they have become synonymous with the hard lives in these mining communities.

In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Jake Wynn. Jake is a historian and expert in the mining history of Pennsylvania. In this podcast, we explore the fascinating history of the Irish in Pennsylvania's Coal Country.

Check out Jake Website Wynning History

Listen to Jake's podcast Public History with Jake and Justin Podcast is excellent!

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13. Typhoid Mary: Victim or Villain

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

'Typhoid Mary' is one of the most recognisable names in 20th-century American history, but the history behind this Irish woman is often lost in sensationalism. Born Mary Mallon in County Tyrone in 1869, she emigrated to the USA, where she enjoyed a successful career as a cook.

However, in 1907, she found herself at the center of a public health scare when she was accused of spreading typhoid fever. In this episode, Damian and Fin delve into the fascinating history of Mary Mallon. What exactly was she accused of, and was she a victim or a villain? Join us as we explore the complexities of her story and its impact on public health and individual rights.

Subscribe to the show at https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

If you have any ideas for episodes get in touch at @transatlanticseries@gmail.com

Sources

DIB Mary Mallon Entry

George Soper. The Curious Career of "Typhoid Mary"

New York American Article that coined the term "Typhoid Mary" via New York Public Library

Book: Judith Walter Leavitt. Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public's Health

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Season 2 is coming on Monday March 24th!

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Damian and Fin have been busy recording a new season! In this short episode they share what you can expect!

Subscribe to the show at https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

If you have any ideas for episodes get in touch at @transatlanticseries@gmail.com

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12. The Irish language in the USA

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Through 19th century hundreds of thousands of native Irish speakers emigrated to the USA. In this bonus episode Fin and Damian explore the history of the Irish language in the USA.

Season 2 is coming in late Feb - subscribe to get the first episode when it drops https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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11. Your Questions Answered: Christmas Special

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:30:32 GMT

In a special episode, Fin and Damian delve into the intricacies of 19th-century emigration, answering listeners' questions about this pivotal era. Discover how people managed to reconnect with relatives and friends after leaving Ireland during the Great Hunger. Learn about the ingenious methods used to send money home long before the days of Revolut or even telegrams. And what currency could you use? Explore the impact of the American Revolution on Ireland. Uncover tips on tracing your family roots back to the 19th century and understand why so many Irish place names can be found across the United States.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas! We'll return in February with Season 2, but stay tuned for a bonus episode or two before then!

Get in touch with Damian & Fin at transatlanticseries@gmail.com

Subcribe to the show at https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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10. The Irish in New Orleans

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:30:50 GMT

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. 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.

We are currently preparing Season 2, which is coming in early 2025. In the meantime, we are recording a special bonus Christmas episode where we answer your questions and share some fascinating stories we didn't get to include in Season 1. If you have any questions, get in touch at transatlanticseries@gmail.com.

Check out David's books:

The Irish in the American South 1815-1877 Link
The Green and the Gray: The Irish in the Confederate States of America (Civil War America) Link

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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9. Coffin Ships & Famine Emigrants: Surviving the American Journey

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:30:40 GMT

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." 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.’

Pre-order Damian’s new book Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861–1865 at https://lsupress.org/9780807183700/green-and-blue/

Sources mentioned in the episode.

The Coffin Ship by Cian T. McMahon.

Fin Dwyer: A Lethal Legacy: A History of Ireland in 18 Murders

The Irish History Podcast: The Great Famine Series Irish Histord

National Famine Museum, Strokestown Co. Roscommon

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8. Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:30:06 GMT

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."

Mother Jones's backstory is equally fascinating.

In this intriguing episode, Fin and Damian take you back to early 19th-century Cork, where she survived the Famine. They then follow her story after she emigrated to the US where she endured personal tragedy. Despite these challenges, she rose to become a leading figure in the American labour movement in the early 20th century. Remarkably active into her 70s and 80s, her fascinating story is summed up in her catchphrase: “Mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living."

Buckle up for one of the most incredible stories from Irish American history!

Subscribe to Transatlantic https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

Get in Touch with Fin and Damian Transatlanticseries (at) gmail.com

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7. We Share a History: But Are Irish Americans Really Irish?

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 23:30:17 GMT

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?

We delve into the shared history of the Great Famine, a pivotal event that profoundly shaped both Ireland and the Irish diaspora, discussing its lasting impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Join us for an unusual episode, recorded face-to-face during Damian's recent flying visit to Ireland. This unique setup—since we normally record remotely—sparked a great conversation. We offer a few hot takes on the evolving nature of Irishness, the dual identity of Irish Americans, and what it truly means to belong to a culture that spans continents and generations.

What do you think? Let Fin and Damian know at your thoughts at transatlanticseries at gmail.com

There will be no show next week, but we will return on Nov 4th with the story of the famine emigrant who went to become known as 'the most dangerous woman in the United States'.

Subscribe to the show at https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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6. From Ireland to Jamestown, Virginia: The Bloody Blueprint For English Colonialism

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 23:30:48 GMT

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. They also uncover how this led some Irish people to venture into the Transatlantic world, with some being among the first settlers in Jamestown.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Transatlantic at https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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5. Civil War, Slavery & Irish America

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 23:30:57 GMT

Join historians Fin Dwyer and Damian Shiels as they explore the road to Civil War in the United States. Irish 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.

Through engaging storytelling, they investigate the origins of these attitudes, questioning whether they arose from their own poverty or were shaped by experiences in Ireland. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of the past that resonates with today's conversations on race and identity.

Teaser for Next Episode: In the next episode we will explore Irish connections to the pivotal settlement of Jamestown Virginia, one of the first English colonies in the Americas. Subscribe to the show https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod.

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4. Pioneers of Irish America: Irish Emigration before the Great Famine

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 07:38:54 GMT

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. In this episode, Fin and Damian delve into the stories of this forgotten generation, exploring their motivations, experiences, and lasting impact.

Teaser for Next Episode: In the next episode, we will explore the Irish involvement in the violent tensions that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Subscribe to the show https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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3. 1917- The American Invasion of Ireland

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 23:30:50 GMT

In 1917, the USA entered the First World War. Some of the first Americans to arrive in Europe were stationed in Ireland. However, this did not go entirely to plan. While Irish American sailors based in Cork were excited to see the land of their forefathers for the first time, many in Ireland were less than enthused. The island was hurtling towards a revolution and the War of Independence. Irish republicans viewed the Americans as coming to aid Britain in what was becoming a deeply unpopular war. This led to clashes between Irish revolutionaries and US Navy personnel. Beyond these political tensions, relationships between Irish women and American sailors also caused resentment and tension.

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.

Episode 4 looks at the Forgotten Generations - The Irish who emigrated before the Great Hunger of the 1840s. Subscribe to Transatlantic here and get that episode when it drops.

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2. The Irish Witch of Boston: The Prelude to Salem

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 23:30:47 GMT

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.

In this episode, Fin and Damian explore Ann's life, what we know about her, and why we should remember her story.

Subscribe to Transatlantic - An Irish American History Podcast: https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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1. Who Was the First Irish Person in the Americas?

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:54 GMT

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?

Join us as we delve into historical records, legends, and scholarly debates to explore these intriguing possibilities. Through expert analysis and engaging storytelling, we aim to shed light on this captivating chapter of Irish American history.

Subscribe to Transatlantic today and be the first to listen to Episode 2 on the Forgotten Irish Witch of Boston: https://linktr.ee/transatlanticpod

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Introduction. Transatlantic - A History of Irish America

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 05:32:00 GMT

Transatlantic, the new podcast from Fin Dwyer and Damian Shiels, explores the history between Ireland and North America. Today, over 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. While many trace their origins to emigrants during the Great Hunger of the 1840s, Ireland's complex relationship with North America stretches back centuries. In this brand new show, Fin and Damian bring you on a journey exploring connections between Ireland and the Americas.

Series one is packed with fascinating stories.

Episode 1, coming on September 9th, looks at who the first Irish person to cross the Atlantic was. We will be exploring some fascinating and forgotten stories from our past, including Goody Glover, an Irish woman who was hanged as a witch in Boston, and the forgotten American invasion of Cork! We will also explore more well-known stories, including the experiences of emigrants during the Great Hunger and how Irish emigrants shaped the US Civil War.

Subscribe to Transatlantic today – Episode 1 drops on September 9th.

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