Saint Jarlath of Tuam rarely makes the headlines of Irish history — yet without him, the spiritual map of Ireland would look very different.
A monk trained by the disciples of Patrick.
A teacher who shaped Brendan the Navigator.
A founder who built where a wheel broke — and changed a landscape forever.
Tuam did not begin as a town. It began as a sign.
In this episode, we uncover the story of a saint who didn’t seek fame, power, or glory — but whose quiet legacy still echoes through Ireland’s faith, identity, and memory.
Who was Jarlath?
Why did Brendan send him wandering in old age?
And what does it mean when a broken wheel becomes destiny?
Press play — and rediscover a forgotten founder.
—
Hosted by Liam Blake
The History & Heritage Podcast
--------
9:15
--------
9:15
The Four Patrons of Ireland: St. Laurence O'Toole
The twelfth century was a time of upheaval — kings at war, monasteries in reform, and a young Ireland caught between worlds.
From this storm rose one man: Lorcán Ua Tuathail — Saint Laurence O’Toole.
A prince taken hostage.
A monk who fed the hungry with the gold from his own altars.
A bishop who stood between Norman swords and his people — and stopped a massacre by the sheer power of faith.
This episode follows Laurence’s life from the glens of Wicklow to the councils of kings, and from Glendalough’s still waters to his final moments in Normandy. It’s a story of courage and conviction, of holiness lived through hardship, and of a man who proved that faith isn’t retreat from history — it’s redemption through it.
Join Liam Blake on The History and Heritage Podcast as we rediscover the life and legacy of the saint who became the conscience of a nation.
--------
11:43
--------
11:43
The Four Patron's of Ireland —1. St. Ailbe / St. Elvis
Before Patrick, before Armagh or Clonmacnoise, there was Ailbe of Emly — Ireland’s forgotten first bishop.
Legend says he was cast out as a child and suckled by a she-wolf in the forests of Tipperary. But when he grew, he sought wisdom beyond the sea — trained in Wales, ordained in Rome, and returned to the Irish plains to kindle a light that would never go out.
From Emly, the earliest centre of Christian learning in Munster, he taught kings, converted pagans, and set down the first Irish monastic rules. In Wales, his memory lived on under another name — St Elvis, said to have baptised St David himself.
This episode follows the historical and legendary threads of Ailbe’s life:
From early references in the Martyrology of Tallaght and Annals of Inisfallen, to his enduring veneration in Cashel and the strange echo of his name across the sea.
It’s a story of the earliest Irish Christianity — a world of wolves, wells, and whispered prayers — where holiness felt close to the wild earth itself.
And whether you believe or not, Ailbe’s tale challenges the modern listener:
Could faith still be something fierce, free, and deeply rooted — like Ireland once was?
--------
13:04
--------
13:04
Surname Series- Ryan
From the Gaelic “Ó Maoilriain” of medieval Tipperary to the emigrant Ryans who crossed oceans with little more than their faith and their name, this episode traces one of Ireland’s most enduring surnames. Through true stories of ordinary men and women — a famine-era schoolmaster, a soldier far from home, a nurse in 1918 — we explore what it means to carry a name through centuries of change.
Featuring people and reflections on identity, belonging, and endurance, this is the story of how one Irish name became a living heritage.
Listen now on Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow @liamblakepodcaster on Instagram for more history and heritage stories.
--------
14:12
--------
14:12
Surname Series: Blake
Join Liam Blake of the History and Heritage Podcast on a journey through one of Ireland’s most storied surnames — Blake — where faith, conquest, and endurance intertwine. From the martyred monk Bláthmac on Iona’s altar to the Norman knight Richard Caddell, “le Blak,” who forged a lineage of Galway merchants, bishops, and exiles, this episode traces a thousand years of courage and conviction. Discover how the Blakes became part of Ireland’s very soul — from castle walls along the Corrib to the dreamers and soldiers who carried their name across oceans. Two nations, one name, bound by faith and fortitude. Virtus sola nobilitas — virtue alone ennobles.
The History and Heritage Podcast, hosted by Liam Blake, invites you on an exhilarating journey through captivating stories of Ireland’s rich heritage and intriguing international topics. Each episode uncovers the connections between ancient traditions and significant global events, offering a unique perspective on cultural legacies. With expert insights and engaging narratives, this podcast makes history accessible and exciting for all. Tune in to discover the thrilling intersections of Ireland’s past and the wider world!
Ireland