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Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes260Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Talking History

Latest Episodes

Featuring: Dr Sonja Tiernan, National Coordinator of the Irish Humanities Alliance, Royal Irish Academy, and the author of ‘Eva Gore-Booth: An Image of Such Politics’ and ‘Eva Gore-Booth: Irish Radical Poet, Rebel and Reformer’; Dr Mary McAuliffe, hi... more

In this episode, we look back at our excavation of the medieval history of Medieval Dublin - with Ruth Johnson, Dublin’s City Archaeologist; Paul Duffy, archaeologist, historian and author; Dr Grace O’Keeffe, a medieval historian based in Dublin and ... more

In this episode, we look at Mussolini and Fascist Italy in myth and memory and explore the regime through the eyes of Mussolini's daughter Edda, once described as the most dangerous woman in Europe.

Featuring: Prof Paul Corner, University of Siena,... more

In this episode, we discuss the rise to power of the Nazis and what it meant for ordinary Germans. Featuring Prof Nick Stargardt, Professor of Modern European History at Magdalen College, Oxford University, and Katja Hoyer, historian and journalist, ... more

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Recent Guests

Caroline Moorehead
Author of Edda Mussolini, the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe
Author
Episode: Mussolini and Fascist Italy
Síle McGuckian
Historian and lawyer; author
University/Oxford and UCD via bio mentioned
Episode: Wellington and Ireland
Gareth Glover
Former Royal Navy officer; military historian
Independent historian; Napoleonic Wars specialist
Episode: Wellington and Ireland
Michael Broers
Emeritus Professor of Western European History
University of Oxford
Episode: Wellington and Ireland
Daniel Cook
Professor of English and Scottish Literature, University of Dundee
University of Dundee
Episode: Gulliver's Travels at 300
Jason McElligott
Director of Marsh's Library
Marsh's Library
Episode: Gulliver's Travels at 300
Clíona Ó Gallchoir
Lectures in English and Digital Humanities, UCC
University College Cork
Episode: Gulliver's Travels at 300
David Kenny
Professor in Law, Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: Gulliver's Travels at 300
Neil Cummins
Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
Episode: Irish Emigration To Britain

Host

Patrick Geoghegan
Host with a background in history and public discourse, frequently guiding scholarly conversations and linking exhibitions to broader themes.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 346 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
    Switzerland3 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 States5 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.

Balancing depth with accessibility makes it appealing to both specialists and general listeners.
Highly informative with thorough scholarly context.
Audio quality can be inconsistent across episodes.
Strong host and varied guests elevate topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#200
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#23
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
Brazil/History
Apple Podcasts
#245
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#250
United Arab Emirates/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mussolini and Fascist Italy
Q: How should modern audiences think about remembering Italian fascism without letting myth overwrite history?
By recognizing both the regime's public projects and its brutal repression, and by listening to diverse archival sources, including diaries and testimonies, to avoid romanticizing a violent dictatorship.
Mussolini and Fascist Italy
Q: Why did the diaries of Ciano become such a focal point in the plot to rescue him, and what did their fate reveal about the period?
The diaries were believed to contain incriminating material about Nazi leaders and their collaboration with Italy; their dramatic journey—from hiding with Edda to being exploited by the Americans—highlights how fragile sources can shape postwar understanding of fascism.
Mussolini and Fascist Italy
Q: What is the most surprising thing you found about Edda Mussolini's role in fascist Italy?
Her position as a glamorous but politically instrumental figure who bridged aristocratic society and fascist power, while the regime used her image to soften and popularize its politics, underscores how personal celebrity intertwined with political propaganda.
Rasputin
Q: Do you think Rasputin helped in terms of their son? And do you think that he did have some kind of healing power?
Rappaport and Beevor discuss Rasputin's perceived healing influence over the hemophiliac heir, noting psychosomatic effects and the power of belief, while also acknowledging genuine doubt about supernatural abilities.
Rasputin
Q: So to talk to us about this story, Anthony, why do you think the story of Rasputin captures the public imagination and captures the imagination of historians?
Beevor explains Rasputin's paradoxical influence, suggesting that his physical presence, political leverage through the Empress, and the surrounding myths all combined to create a lasting, sensational narrative rather than a straightforward historical figure.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking History

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

A history-focused discussion program that brings together scholars, museum curators, and experts to unpack major political, social, and cultural events across eras. Episodes blend archival research, exhibition context, and cross-disciplinary analysis—from Swift and Gulliver to Irish emigration, Blake, Proust, samurai history, Rasputin, and pivotal figures in Irish and American history. The format tends to pair rigorous scholarly context with accessible storytelling, often connecting past events to memory, national identity, and cultural legacy through exhibitions, archives, and dialogue. Notable strengths include data-informed historical perspectives, wide-ranging guest panels, and a knack for linking literature, art, and public history to ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking History:

1. The History Show
2. Three Castles Burning
3. Irish History Podcast
4. Documentary on One Podcast
5. What Were We Like

How many episodes of Talking History are there?

Talking History launched 19 years ago and published 260 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. Caroline Moorehead
2. Síle McGuckian
3. Gareth Glover
4. Michael Broers
5. Daniel Cook
6. Jason McElligott
7. Clíona Ó Gallchoir
8. David Kenny

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