In this episode, the boy are exploring Ireland's complex history of neutrality. The WWII decision is tackled in response to a audience question, highlighting its "pro-ally" nature despite limited military capacity and post-war criticism from Churchill. Hear about De Valera's controversial condolences on the death of Hitler and a prophetic 1925 call for Ireland to maintain neutrality against aerial war. This episode also covers the UK's 1975 EEC referendum, Fermanagh's changing politics, and the modern New Ireland debate, questioning neutrality's future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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58:30
The Ulster Covenant: Ireland's Forgotten Turning Point
In this episode, Cormac and Tim dive into the turbulent years before Irish independence — asking whether Home Rule could have prevented decades of violence. They explore the origins of the Home Rule movement, the rise of Edward Carson and the Ulster Covenant, and why unionists in Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan ultimately felt abandoned. The episode also touches on the historic Queen of Denmark's 1975 visit to the Soviet Union, the first royal visit since the Romanovs' execution. Listener questions are answered throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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45:01
GAA Politics, No Funding For The North, & Britain's First Brexit Debate
In this episode, Cormac and Tim trace the political roots of the GAA, focusing on how the association maintained its all-Ireland identity — even as the Ulster counties faced unique challenges under a hostile Northern government. The conversation moves to Northern Ireland’s economic reality in 1975, when a struggling British Labour government left the region underfunded and overlooked — an issue that still echoes today. Finally, they break down the UK’s 1975 EEC referendum, a moment of European uncertainty that feels strikingly familiar in the post-Brexit world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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42:54
Ireland's £160 Million Debt & Church Scandals
In this episode Cormac and Tim explore Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Treaty regarding the Free State's debt to Britain. They elaborate on how waving this £150m liability was linked to abandoning Northern nationalists after the failed Boundary Commission. Plus, they discuss Irish Catholic bishops' views on sexuality and marriage in 1975. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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45:15
Flags, Anthems, Accents & Europe
This episode, once again drawing inspiration from Irish News articles from 1925 and 1975, explores debates on Irish national symbols and identity. Topics include the 1925 flag (tricolour vs harp) and anthem (Soldier's Song / Amhrán na bhFiann) controversies. They discuss how accents, sport, and symbols reflect identity and division under partition in Ireland and they recall some contrasting views on Ireland's and the UK’s EEC membership back in 1975 with some interesting reflections on how parties have changed their stances on the topic of Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comedian Tim McGarry and Historian Cormac Moore select the stories from the archives of The Irish News that bring Irish history to life in enlightening and amusing ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland