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Artwork for Three Castles Burning

Three Castles Burning

Donal Fallon
Dublin
Jim Larkin
Great Hunger
Irish Folk Music
Donnybrook Fair
Monto
Irish Language
1974 Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
Con Houlihan
National Archives Of Ireland
Irish History
Tommie Potts
The Pogues
The Dubliners
19th Century
Irish Famine
Luke Kelly
Ireland
Mount Jerome Cemetery
Dublin Lockout

Three Castles Burning is a social history podcast, dedicated to the story of the Irish capital. Dublin is a city of many stories, Three Castles Burning tells some of the more forgotten ones.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes101Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArts

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Artwork for Three Castles Burning

Latest Episodes

Albert Pierrepoint was a household name in his own lifetime, even penning the best-selling memoir Executioner. A hangman who followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Dublin was an important part of his story, including both Kilmainham Gaol ... more

In the early nineteenth century, Madame Tussaud spent several years in Dublin. Her waxworks and relics of the French Revolution proved a big draw for crowds here, packing out a gallery on Exchequer Street and touring the country. She would even creat... more

In Ulysses, the pub we know as J & M Cleary's appears as The Signal House. It seemed a good location to explore food in the time of James Joyce. Ann Marie Duffin's fantastic page Bia Duit has been exploring food history and folklore, and she joins me... more

At the recent Luke Kelly Festival, I was delighted to speak with Sabina Higgins (née Coyne) all about the Focus Theatre and Deirdre O'Connell. Bringing the Stanislavski acting system to Ireland in the 1960s, Deirdre transformed how young actors felt ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ann Marie Duffin
Creator of the Bia Duit social media page, focused on food history and folklore
Bia Duit
Episode: Bia Duit: Food in Dublin in 1904 (Live at The Signal House)
Sabina Higgins
A national figure who played a pioneering role in Deirdre O'Connell's Focus Theatre era
Episode: A Vision for Irish Theatre: Deirdre O'Connell (with Sabina Higgins)
Tony Shaw
Co-author of Cold War Football: The History in Ten Matches
Cambridge University Press (book publisher)
Episode: Cold War Football: Yugoslavia in Dalymount Park
Alan McDougall
Co-author of Cold War Football: The History in Ten Matches
Cambridge University Press (book publisher)
Episode: Cold War Football: Yugoslavia in Dalymount Park
Fergus Whelan
Author of Enemies of the State, historian of 1798
Author, Historian
Episode: Citizen or Lord? The Life of Edward Fitzgerald (with Fergus Whelan and Annie Hughes)
Annie Hughes
Singer and cultural contributor, On Góilín and Dublin singing community
Singer/Performer
Episode: Citizen or Lord? The Life of Edward Fitzgerald (with Fergus Whelan and Annie Hughes)
John Gibney
Historian, co-editor of The Story of Us, Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census
Royal Irish Academy
Episode: Back to the Census: The Story of Us (with John Gibney)
Rory Carroll
Guardian Ireland correspondent
The Guardian
Episode: Unquiet Ghost: The Bones of Roger Casement (with Rory Carroll)
Elizabeth Kehoe
Historian in residence with Dublin City Council, known for crafting tours of Parnell Square
Dublin City Council
Episode: From Rutland to Parnell: The Story of a Dublin Square (With Elizabeth Kehoe)

Host

Donal Fallon
Primary host and storyteller, known for Dublin-focused social history narration and accessibility

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Great way to fill in our history knowledge gaps

    As a Dun Laoghaire native living abroad and only visiting twice a year there’s a lot I don’t know about town and this podcast has taught me loads. A very pleasant listen that makes me want to go exploring much more that the usual stroll from the green to the spike and back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavidJOBrien
    Spain2 months ago
  • In-Depth, Informative, Nostalgic and Humourous

    Fantastic Podcast full of many aspects of past Dublin life and lore that is explored in Depth and with an easy to follow

    Narrative. Donal delivers the podcast with an informed knowledge; and with the addition of varied guests each episode brings its own charm

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ciaranfor
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Keeping in touch

    I love this podcast. For me it’s a way of keeping in touch with all things Dublin. I live in the US and read the Irish Times regularly. But Three Castles podcasts are what start interesting conversations with cousins and friends. I like going deeper into one place. I like the mix of history and contemporary stories. I like Donal’s awareness of different types of music. I sometimes fall behind but I do catch up. I haven’t missed an episode in years. Also… I’ve long felt that this role of chronicl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KJ Sweeney
    United States3 months ago
  • History tales, told at street level

    Not just the excellent choice of stories, but the way they are told - warmly unacademic but highly informed. This show paints colours in the corners of the history of Dublin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rockoni
    Ireland3 months ago
  • A real gem

    As an Irish history addict I have tried and tested so many podcasts on the topic but Three Castles Burning is, by a mile, my number 1. Donal is a natural story teller so there is an almost conversational tone to the shows.

    The subject matter varies so widely that no two episodes are the same, and quite often feature conversations with musicians, historians and artists that you may not have been exposed to prior, the episode with archivist Catriona Crowe being my personal favourite. Highly reco... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miledar
    Ireland3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are varied and bring fresh perspectives, enriching the storytelling.
Audience comments highlight high production quality and the podcast as a go-to for history-loving Dubliners and curious travelers alike.
Some episodes are noted as stronger than others, but overall the series is considered essential listening for Dublin-related history.
Listeners praise the show's warmth and clarity, noting it makes Dublin's history feel personal and alive.
The host's storytelling ability and city-focused research consistently shine, with many describing the episodes as highly engaging and informative.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#197
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#214
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#229
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#17
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#194
Chile/History
Apple Podcasts
#197
Spain/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bia Duit: Food in Dublin in 1904 (Live at The Signal House)
Q: What is the origin of the Bia Duit page and why did you set it up?
Ann Marie explains she started it after tiring of the notion that Ireland lacked a food history, driven by curiosity from her background in radio and documentary work; the page uncovers Lidl-like adverts, local brands, and immigrant influences to challenge that narrative.
Citizen or Lord? The Life of Edward Fitzgerald (with Fergus Whelan and Annie Hughes)
Q: Would you mind summarizing why Lord Edward Fitzgerald matters in the broader story of 1798?
He is a central figure who bridges aristocratic privilege and revolutionary politics, coordinating among United Irishmen while navigating personal loyalties, international diplomacy with France, and the brutal repression that followed, ultimately becoming a romantic symbol of Irish patriotism.
Modernist Mausoleum or Masterpiece? The US Embassy in Ballsbridge (With Cormac Murray)
Q: What drew you to the subject of the American Embassy?
Cormac was captivated by the building's unique design and construction, as well as its prominent setting in Dublin.
Grainne Shaffrey in Conversation: On Cities, Towns and Our Built Environment
Q: What practical steps can a town like Drogheda take if they want to regain themselves?
It starts with national policy and engagement from locals in planning processes.
From The Nation to Shane MacGowan: Finding James Clarence Mangan (with Bridget Hourican and Warren Farrell)
Q: Can you explain the significance of Mangan in the context of Dublin's literary history?
Mangan is seen as one of the first modern Irish poets, whose works were pivotal during a formative period in Irish literature, though his poetry has become largely overlooked in contemporary settings.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Three Castles Burning

What is Three Castles Burning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on Dublin's social history, bringing forgotten city stories to life through a mix of deep research, storytelling, and lively conversations. Episodes often weave architecture, theatre, food, politics, and music into vivid portraits of how people lived, worked, and remembered in the capital. Noteworthy are the live format episodes, collaborations with chefs, writers, and historians, and a knack for connecting past events to present-day culture. The show stands out for its approachable, narrative style, diverse guest mix, and a clear passion for Dublin's streets, soundscapes, and memory as social history that resonates with both locals and history enthusiasts.

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Which podcasts are similar to Three Castles Burning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Three Castles Burning:

1. Irish History Podcast
2. Documentary on One Podcast
3. Talking History with Patrick Geoghegan
4. What Were We Like
5. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

How many episodes of Three Castles Burning are there?

Three Castles Burning launched 7 years ago and published 101 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 Three Castles Burning?

Recent guests on Three Castles Burning include:

1. Ann Marie Duffin
2. Sabina Higgins
3. Tony Shaw
4. Alan McDougall
5. Fergus Whelan
6. Annie Hughes
7. John Gibney
8. Rory Carroll

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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