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Available Episodes

5 of 38

From Castle to Cathedral - The Story of Lisburn
Episode twenty-one of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to Lisburn, a city with a layered past and a living heritage.My guest is local historian and tour guide Aaron McIntyre, who helps trace Lisburn’s story from its earliest settlements to the city we see today. We look at the debate around its pre-Plantation origins, the transformation of the seventeenth century with the Plantation, linen, and Lisburn Castle, and the great fire of 1707 that reshaped its streets and architecture.Moving into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Aaron explores the dominance of the linen industry, the rise of families like the Barbours, and the town’s political life — from the Volunteer Movement and 1783 election to the ideals of the United Irishmen. Finally, we reflect on modern Lisburn, how heritage balances with city life, and where its past remains most visible today.This is more than just a walk through Lisburn’s streets — it’s a journey into how history, industry, and community shaped one of Ulster’s most significant towns.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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Drawing the Roman Past
Episode twenty of the new season of Pieces of History brings us into the world of Roman Britain through the work of archaeologist and illustrator Dr. David Neal. Over his career, Dr. Neal has recorded and interpreted some of the most important mosaics ever uncovered in Britain.We’ll trace his journey from early influences and training, to the moment he discovered the connection between art and archaeology. Along the way, Dr. Neal explains what mosaics are, why they matter, and what they reveal about Roman society and daily life. He shares how he developed new techniques to document them, the challenges of balancing creativity with accuracy, and the milestones that shaped his career.From the evolution of archaeological recording in the digital age to the enduring role of traditional illustration, we’ll explore how his work has preserved the Roman past for future generations.Join us for a conversation that uncovers not only the beauty of Roman mosaics, but also the craft of bringing them back to life on the page.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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Kilkenny: Where History Walks the Streets
Episode nineteen of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to the heart of Ireland’s medieval capital - Kilkenny. I’m joined by John Comerford, a local historian and tour guide, to explore the city’s rich past and enduring legacy.Together, we’ll walk through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, uncovering stories behind its well-preserved cobblestone streets, soaring cathedrals, and, of course, the imposing Kilkenny Castle. John shares how the city’s unique blend of Norman, ecclesiastical, and civic architecture reflects centuries of power, faith, and community life.From medieval guilds to political intrigue, from the Black Abbey to St. Canice’s Cathedral, we’ll reveal how Kilkenny’s monuments are more than stone - they are living markers of Ireland’s turbulent and fascinating history.How has Kilkenny managed to preserve its medieval charm so vividly into the 21st century? And what do its landmarks tell us about Ireland’s wider story of conquest, resilience, and cultural identity?Join us as we journey into the streets and stories of Kilkenny, guided by one of the people who knows them best.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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A Most Audacious Heist
Episode eighteen of the new season of Pieces of History delves into a tale of intrigue, ambition, and one of the most daring thefts in history. Journalist and podcast writer Emma-Jane Kirby joins me to discuss A Most Audacious Heist, her gripping show that uncovers the extraordinary true story of the theft of the Sisi Star - a priceless diamond hairpiece belonging to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi.We’ll explore Emma-Jane’s journey from journalism to podcasting and how her investigative background shapes the way she brings historical narratives to life. Together, we’ll unravel the story of Daniel Blanchard, the enigmatic thief at the centre of this audacious crime, and the life and legacy of Empress Sisi, a figure both adored and misunderstood in 19th-century Europe.Was the theft a crime of greed, a political statement, or something more? And how does this heist fit into the broader historical landscape of its time? Join us as we dive into a story of glamour, deception, and high-stakes intrigue.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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The Princely House
Episode seventeen of the new series of Pieces of History journeys deep into the Alps - and deeper still into one of Europe’s quietest royal dynasties: the Princely House of Liechtenstein.In this episode, we follow the unlikely rise of a family that didn’t conquer a kingdom - they bought one. From medieval Austria to the court of the Habsburg emperors, the Liechtensteins navigated war, revolution, and exile not with armies, but with alliances, land deals, and political calculation.Why did they acquire two obscure Alpine territories? How did they go from absentee landlords to active monarchs? And how, in a century that shattered empires and toppled kings, did Liechtenstein survive - and thrive?This isn’t just a story about a tiny country with discreet banks and snowy peaks. It’s about status, survival, and the art of monarchy in the shadows - a house that forged a nation not for power, but for legitimacy, and ended up outlasting the very empire that once defined it.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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