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Pieces of History

Colum McGrath
Pieces of History
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  • 'Little Berlin': The Divided Village of Mödlareuth
    Episode twenty-six of the new series of Pieces of History takes us to one of the most strikingly symbolic places in Cold War Europe: Mödlareuth - the tiny village once known as “Little Berlin.” With only a few dozen residents, this quiet rural community found itself split by a concrete wall after 1945, becoming an unexpected microcosm of division and ideology.Joining me is historian Susan Berger, whose work focuses on the lived experiences of ordinary people shaped by major political events. Susan guides us through Mödlareuth’s past: what the village was like before the division, why such a small place ended up walled off, and how the emotional shock of separation transformed daily life.Drawing on local records, oral histories, and the memories of those who lived on either side, we explore how East and West Germany treated the people of Mödlareuth, what surprised Susan most in her research, and how personal stories from the village help us understand the broader Cold War landscape.Together, we reflect on how to balance grand historical narratives with intimate human experiences - and what Mödlareuth ultimately teaches us about borders, identity, and the communities shaped by division.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypodMuseum Modlareuth - https://www.moedlareuth.de/en/
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  • Ghosts of Spain: Landscapes, Memory & the Spanish Civil War
    Episode twenty-five of the new series of Pieces of History turns its gaze to Spain - a country where landscapes, ruins, and silences still carry the weight of a conflict that ended nearly a century ago. The Spanish Civil War continues to shape identity, politics, and memory, yet much of its legacy remains contested, hidden, or unspoken.Joining me is writer and historian Nick Lloyd, whose long connection with Spain and deep engagement with the war’s legacy come together in his powerful book Travels Through the Spanish Civil War. Rather than offering a traditional historical account, Nick travels through the places where the war was fought and remembered - from the shattered streets of Belchite to the refugee trails across the Pyrenees - uncovering the stories embedded in Spain’s terrain.Together, we explore the origins of the Civil War, the forces that shaped each side, and the human experiences that still echo in towns, archives, and family histories. Nick shares encounters with historians, journalists, and descendants of survivors; reflects on the emotional impact of tracing escape routes into France; and shines a light on figures like Francesc Boix, whose photographs became vital testimony at Nuremberg.In this episode, we delve into how Spain remembers - and forgets - its civil war, examining the landscapes, memories, and moral questions that continue to define its modern identity.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypodTravels Through the Spanish Civil War - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Travels-Through-Spanish-Civil-War-ebook/dp/B0DZQ7DSS3
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  • Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan
    Episode twenty-four of the new series of Pieces of History turns the spotlight on Uzbekistan - a country often overlooked in global discussions yet rich in history, culture, and complexity. From the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the modern-day shifts reshaping its society, Uzbekistan stands at a fascinating crossroads of past and future.Joining me is journalist and author Joanna Lillis, a long-time observer of Central Asia whose latest book, Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan, offers a vivid and revealing portrait of the country today. Together, we explore Uzbekistan’s geography, political dynamics, economic changes, and social transformations, uncovering the realities behind its evolving image.In this episode, we dive into the forces shaping Uzbekistan’s identity, challenge common assumptions, and shed light on a nation navigating a complex path between tradition and modernity.Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypodSilk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan - https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/silk-mirage-9781350292468/
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  • From Red Hugh to the Grand Fleet - Stories of Rathmullan
    Episode twenty-two of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to Rathmullan - a coastal village on the shores of Lough Swilly whose story spans centuries of Irish history. My guest is local historian and guide Deirdra Friel, who helps trace Rathmullan’s remarkable past - from the legacy of the McSweeneys and the Abbey to its surprising links with figures like Davy Crockett. We explore the dramatic kidnap of Red Hugh O’Donnell and the Flight of the Earls, events that changed the course of Ireland’s story, before turning to the turbulence of 1798, when Wolfe Tone and the French fleet appeared off the Donegal coast. Moving into the twentieth century, Deirdra also sheds light on Rathmullan’s connection to the First World War, the arrival of the Grand Fleet, and the enduring mystery of the HMS Saldanha.This is more than a tale of one village — it’s a journey through rebellion, resilience, and remembrance on the edge of the Atlantic.Donegal Heritage Trails: donegalheritagetrails.com Email: [email protected]: Pieces of History podcastInstagram: @pieceofhistorypod
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  • 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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A podcast that delves into some renowned and lesser-known events throughout history.
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