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Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan

Newstalk
Ireland
Roman Empire
Winston Churchill
Jane Austen
Trinity College Dublin
Fianna Fáil
World War II
Sinn Féin
Septimius Severus
JMW Turner
Slavery
Irish History
Napoleon Bonaparte
Oscar Wilde
Pride and Prejudice
Oliver Cromwell
Good Friday Agreement
Dublin
William the Conqueror
Irish Civil War

This unique and lively history show delves into some of the world's most important political, social and cultural events and the intriguing personalities behind them. Presented by Dr Patrick Geoghegan of Trinity College Dublin, Talking History unravels the gritty, sometimes uncomfortable, side of our past, and what we can learn from it.

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent tal... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes277Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Talking History

Latest Episodes

On this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan will be speaking to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin about the importance of history, and how it has shaped him as a politician.

In part two, Patrick looks at the history of the ghost story with Darr... more

This week on Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan looks at two books, Historian, Colin Barr's, "The Irish Pope: Paul Cullen, 1803-1878" and Michael Barry's book called Catalpa: The epic story of the greatest prison break in Irish History.

This week on Talking History, Patrick explores the relationship Ireland has with the United States as the country marks 250 years of independence.

This week on Talking History, Patrick discusses Brian Cowen's rise to the office of Taoiseach, the financial crisis that overwhelmed his government, and how he will be remembered in history.

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Recent Guests

Micheál Martin
Taoiseach of Ireland and author of Freedom to Choose
Episode: Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the importance of history
Darryl Jones
Professor of Modern British Literature at Trinity College Dublin and author of For the Dead Remember
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the importance of history
Jack Fennell
Writer, researcher and lecturer at the University of Limerick specializing in science fiction and fantasy
University of Limerick
Episode: Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the importance of history
Colin Barr
Historian and author of The Irish Pope: Paul Cullen, 1803-1878
University of Notre Dame
Episode: The Irish Pope & Catalpa
Michael Barry
Author of Catalpa: The epic story of the greatest prison break in Irish History
Episode: The Irish Pope & Catalpa
Turtle Bunbury
Author, historian, broadcaster and podcaster
Independent historian/author
Episode: The history of the Irish American relationship
Joel Herman
Teaching Fellow in Early Modern History, Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: The history of the Irish American relationship
Scott Lucas
Professor of International Politics, UCD Clinton Institute
University College Dublin
Episode: The history of the Irish American relationship
Bernadette Whelan
Professor Emeritus, University of Limerick
University of Limerick/Royal Irish Academy
Episode: The history of the Irish American relationship

Host

Patrick Geoghegan
Host of Talking History, affiliated with Newstalk; known for interdisciplinary history conversations with academics and authors.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 356 ratings
  • Always Fascinating

    I’m always so impressed by Dr. Geoghegan’s mastery of the diverse subjects he introduces here; It is what makes him a brilliant interviewer. His guests are accomplished and interesting. My “to read” book list is getting very long indeed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moira O'C
    United States3 years ago
  • A good history podcast

    Prof. Patrick Geoghegan asks a panel of academics to explain a topic in history each week.

    The topics range from the general to the very specific.

    I give it 4 stars on the grounds of the topics, which vary greatly in scope. The very general ones are, by their very nature, too vague but those of a specific nature are often excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    S. Redmond
    Switzerland4 years ago
  • Dreadful Sound Quality

    The dreadful sound quality matches the dreadful show. Phone in guests are barely understandable the quality is so poor.

    The presenter certainly enjoys the sound of his own voice and the overall presentation is lack lustre. I find myself drifting…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mallarie121
    United States4 years ago
  • Sound Levels Again

    Another great show, but the sound balance is terrible. Some of the participants dialing in are so low that I have to jack up the volume to hear but then I get blasted when the show moves on.

    Surely it cannot be beyond the wit of man to fix this?

    Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trappef in Texad
    United States6 years ago
  • Very good show. A real variety of topics, excellently moderated

    I’ve been a fan of this show for years. Having grown up in Ireland, I’m actually less interested in the shows on Irish history, and really look forward to the more general topics instead.

    But regardless of the topic, what really elevates this show above so many others is the presentation. There is usually an good variety of guests, and the researchers have clearly done their jobs. But Patrick Geoghegan is excellent as the host, keeping things moving along without ever cutting across his guests.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    G0S
    Ireland7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Readers note high regard for guest expertise and thoughtful historical context.
Some critique audio quality and call for more consistent download availability.
Listeners praise the host for smooth moderation and strong guest selection.
Many admire the depth of archival sourcing and interdisciplinary approach.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#39
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#215
Chile/History
Apple Podcasts
#248
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Irish Pope & Catalpa
Q: For someone who's never heard of this, tell us what happened.
Barry explains that six Fenian military prisoners transported to Western Australia were rescued through a plan organized by John Devoy, with a whaling ship and assistance from a clandestine network.
The Irish Pope & Catalpa
Q: Why exactly and how exactly was Paul Cullen so important?
Barr says Cullen filled the historical gap between Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell, standing at the center of Irish politics, religion and society for a generation.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the importance of history
Q: Can I ask a question about maybe ghost stories and where they come from, and ghosts and where they come from?
Darryl Jones says belief in ghosts appears throughout human history and in ancient literature, reflecting beliefs in the soul, life after death and an unseen order.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the importance of history
Q: Why do you think history matters?
Micheál Martin says history encourages openness to different interpretations, helps people resist certainty and political misuse of the past, and teaches useful skills for assessing evidence and making decisions.
Brian Cowen and his Legacy
Q: Might begin with a question about how this book came about.
The host explains the book project, its interviews with Cowen, and the balance sought between Cowen's perspective and other sources to create a nuanced portrait.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking History

What is Talking History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This history-focused show features in-depth conversations with academics, authors, and researchers on politics, culture, and society across eras. Episodes mix rigorous archival context with contemporary analysis, often linking past events to today's issues. A standout is the host's ability to weave together archaeology, literature, and political history through panels and expert guests, producing rich, interdisciplinary discussions. Listeners can expect well-researched, idea-forward debates, with strong emphasis on archival sources, fieldwork insights, and primary-source interpretation. The blend of Irish history with global contexts plus occasional touring exhibitions and book discussions gives the program a distinctive, education-forward ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking History:

1. Three Castles Burning
2. Irish History Podcast
3. What Were We Like
4. The Irish Passport
5. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

How many episodes of Talking History are there?

Talking History launched 20 years ago and published 277 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking History?

Recent guests on Talking History include:

1. Micheál Martin
2. Darryl Jones
3. Jack Fennell
4. Colin Barr
5. Michael Barry
6. Turtle Bunbury
7. Joel Herman
8. Scott Lucas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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