Three Castles Burning

Three Castles Burning

Donal Fallon

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.

A Complete Unknown? When Dylan came to Dublin

A Complete Unknown? When Dylan came to Dublin

Bob Dylan’s 1966 visit to the Adelphi Cinema is a concert on which there is very little agreement. Torn apart by one Dublin reviewer, many who were there describe the gig in different terms entirely. For many in attendance, it was an extraordinary experience. Visiting Dublin in a year when The Clancy Brothers were putting Dublin’s story on the international map, the Dylan concert survives. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Jan 26, • 28:38

Traditional Singing from Dublin (with Macdara Yeates)

Traditional Singing from Dublin (with Macdara Yeates)

Described by The Irish Times as 'raucous, bawdy, reflective and wistful in turn', Traditional Singing from Dublin is more than just an album of songs. Inspired by figures as diverse as Liam Weldon and Seosamh Ó hÉanaí, this work has a strong sense of history throughout. Macdara Yeates joins me. You can stream Traditional Singing from Dublin now. Tickets for TradFest are available at www.tradfest.com

Jan 11, • 31:10

From The Nation to Shane MacGowan: Finding James Clarence Mangan (with Bridget Hourican and Warren Farrell)

From The Nation to Shane MacGowan: Finding James Clarence Mangan (with Bridget Hourican and Warren Farrell)

In Glasnevin Cemetery, James Clarence Mangan’s grave lists him as ‘Ireland’s National Poet.’ Today, he is a curiously overlooked character. His influence on figures as diverse as Philip Lynott and Shane MacGowan is explored in this podcast, where Mangan’s biographer Bridget Hourican explores his life, and historian Warren Farrell discusses his resting place and memory. ‘Finding Mangan’ and ‘So Once Was I’ are both available now.

Dec 20, 2024 • 35:17

Tonehenge: Edward Delaney's Wolfe Tone Monument

Tonehenge: Edward Delaney's Wolfe Tone Monument

In 1898, tens of thousands of people paraded in Dublin for the unveiling of a foundation stone to a Wolfe Tone statue. So why did it not happen? Only in 1967 did Edward Delaney’s tribute to Tone appear on St Stephen’s Green. In this podcast, celebrating the fact the Tone monument is part of Dublin City Council’s Dublin Winter Lights, Delaney’s son and biographer joins me at the memorial to talk about one of my favourite Dublin statues. For more see: https://www.dublinwinterlights.ie/

Dec 17, 2024 • 31:54

Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum

These are exciting times at the Collins Barracks branch of the National Museum of Ireland. This week, the first Harry Clarke display at the museum opens, showcasing six works by Ireland's most beloved stained glass artist. The Museum is also taking part in the Dublin City Council 'Dublin Winter Lights' for the first time. Dónal Maguire, Keeper of Art & Industry at the National Museum of Ireland, gave me a sense of the museum and its collections. Tickets and more information from www.dublinwinter

Dec 2, 2024 • 35:16

The Stained Glass Artist From a Dublin Tenement

The Stained Glass Artist From a Dublin Tenement

The story of Michael Healy is one that tells us much about the Dublin of his time. Born into a working class inner-city family in 1873, Healy was shaped by the artistic and cultural movements of the time, becoming a central figure in the stained glass studio An Túr Gloine. The work of that studio is still to be found across Dublin today. His biographer David Caron joined me in Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery to discuss Healy and his time. Be sure to check out the Hugh Lane Gallery's fantastic After H

Nov 29, 2024 • 56:50

Remembering The SFX Hall (with Paul Page and David Bell)

Remembering The SFX Hall (with Paul Page and David Bell)

In the heart of Dublin’s north inner-city, the SFX was one of the defining venues of Dublin’s music scene. U2, The Smiths, New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Pogues are just some of the acts to have taken to the stage in the Jesuit hall that enjoyed a remarkable second life. I’m joined by David Bell (who experienced the venue as a fan, reporter, merchman and band manager) and Paul Page (Whipping Boy). Thanks to Laura Williams, Jackie Trulock and all at the Annesley Bridge House.

Nov 8, 2024 • 41:02

The Women of Bram Stoker’s Life: Memory, Folklore and Patriotism (with Marion McGarry and Eva Jane Gaffney)

The Women of Bram Stoker’s Life: Memory, Folklore and Patriotism (with Marion McGarry and Eva Jane Gaffney)

Bram Stoker’s life and career was shaped by the strong women around him. Charlotte Stoker, his mother, raised him on folklore and stories of her own youth, while Speranza (Lady Jane Wilde, the mother of Oscar) was a key influence in expanding his knowledge of Ireland’s folklore and mythology.  I’m joined by Marion McGarry, author of the acclaimed book Irish Customs and Rituals and an authority on Charlotte Stoker to discuss some of the women central to Stoker’s life and work. Live readings by ac

Oct 30, 2024 • 1:03:02

Irish Food History: From B.C. Times to the Grogan’s Toastie

Irish Food History: From B.C. Times to the Grogan’s Toastie

Irish Food History: A Companion is an extraordinary thing - a moment in Irish publishing history. Coming in around 800 pages, it covers everything from archaeology and food to the pub grub of today. Full of archival images, poetry, recipes and more besides, the book captures the best of what is happening in Irish food research. On this episode, editors Dorothy Cashman and Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire join me to go through this collection. The book is available from: https://booksupstairs.ie/product/i

Oct 12, 2024 • 1:02:22

Paula Meehan: History and Poetry

Paula Meehan: History and Poetry

Paula Meehan is a poet for whom history is a constant source of inspiration. In this discussion at the Dublin Festival of History, she reads a number of poems written throughout the Decade of Centenaries, as well as other work shaped by the past. Paula’s collection, The Solace of Artemis, is available from: https://booksupstairs.ie/product/the-solace-of-artemis/

Oct 6, 2024 • 1:06:21

Lee Miller: From Hitler’s Bathtub to The Palace Bar

Lee Miller: From Hitler’s Bathtub to The Palace Bar

Lee Miller is best recalled now for her defining images of the Second World War. With Kate Winslet playing the role of Miller in a new film, it seems a good time to explore Miller’s visit to Dublin in the winter of 1946. Sent by Vogue to photograph James Joyce’s Dublin, her images capture scenes like Barney Kiernan’s public house and Belvedere College.

Sep 26, 2024 • 30:06

Catriona Crowe in Conversation (Live at the Seán Corcoran Series)

Catriona Crowe in Conversation (Live at the Seán Corcoran Series)

Catriona Crowe is former Head of Special Projects at the National Archives of Ireland. She is Ireland’s most recognisable archivist, and someone to whom all historians of modern Ireland are indebted. At the recent Seán Corcoran Series (www.seancorcoranseries.com/) we discussed archives, oral history and much more.

Sep 14, 2024 • 1:01:15

The Moore Street Woman who Fought the Nazis (with Clodagh Finn and John Morgan)

The Moore Street Woman who Fought the Nazis (with Clodagh Finn and John Morgan)

Clodagh Finn and John Morgan have produced an important history of the involvement of Irishmen and women in the anti-fascist movements of the Second World War. One of the most extraordinary stories they have uncovered is Catherine Crean, a woman in her sixties originally from Dublin’s Moore Street. She would give everything in defence of democracy and in opposition to Hitlerism. The Irish in the Resistance is out now (Gill Books.)

Sep 5, 2024 • 34:32

Destination Anywhere: Getting Around the Hibernian Metropolis

Destination Anywhere: Getting Around the Hibernian Metropolis

This year marks four decades of the DART. Along with that, the Luas has turned twenty. These two services have radically changed how we live in Dublin, but where did they come from and how did Dublin's transport history shape them? This episode explores these things and questions of tomorrow.

Aug 31, 2024 • 34:01

A Sensation Once Again: Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones (Live at Mindfield, EP)

A Sensation Once Again: Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones (Live at Mindfield, EP)

Seeing the inevitable headlines on the horizon around the Wolfe Tones performing at Electric Picnic, I decided to reach out to Brian Warfield for a chat about his book, The Ramblings of an Irish Ballad Singer. Amongst other things, Brian spoke to me about his family origins, why the Tones recorded songs like 'The Sash', and the importance of the English folk music revival for his band. (Original image: Richard Walshe, Mindfield Flickr)

Aug 20, 2024 • 47:35

Olympic Glory: Jack B. Yeats and The Liffey Swim

Olympic Glory: Jack B. Yeats and The Liffey Swim

The Liffey Swim is a beloved painting, and one of the most visited works in the National Gallery of Ireland. A century ago, it led to the first Olympic medal of the new Free State. With calls for the creative arts to return as a competitive dimension of the Olympics, this episode explores Jack B. Yeats and the cultural and political context of his win. Support TCB at www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Aug 10, 2024 • 30:39

Nothing Highfalutin: The Brilliance of Hilary Heron (with Billy Shortall)

Nothing Highfalutin: The Brilliance of Hilary Heron (with Billy Shortall)

At the Irish Museum of Modern Art, a new exhibition explores the life and work of artist Hilary Heron.  Like many, I came away from it amazed that this important modernist sculptor was not better known here. Born in Dublin in 1923, her work achieved international recognition in her own lifetime. Dr. Billy Shortall is the author of an essay on Heron in the exhibition catalogue, and has done great work to bring her back to  deserved prominence. An article by Billy on Heron can be read at www.rte.

Jul 30, 2024 • 30:20

On Tommie Potts and The Liffey Banks (with Martin Hayes)

On Tommie Potts and The Liffey Banks (with Martin Hayes)

More than just one of Ireland's most beloved musicians, Martin Hayes is also the author of Shared Notes: A Musical Journey. In his memoir he introduces us to a host of brilliant characters, ranging from childhood friends and relations in East Clare to those who would become central to The Gloaming. One figure we meet is Tommie Potts, a Dublin firefighter from the Coombe and a fiddle player. The Liffey Banks remains a beloved record. In this excerpt from a conversation at London's Féile MOTH, Hay

Jul 12, 2024 • 18:40

Adoration and Protest: Orson Welles and Dublin

Adoration and Protest: Orson Welles and Dublin

Orson Welles made his stage debut in Dublin. To him, The Gate Theatre would always be a part of the story of his own life development and professional career. Later, he returned to scenes of protest against the same theatre for hosting him. In time, all was forgiven and Welles would deliver an astonishing Q and A before a packed Dublin crowd who quizzed him on everything from American politics to the future of cinema.

Jul 7, 2024 • 40:08

Red Roses For Me (with Spider Stacy and James Fearnley)

Red Roses For Me (with Spider Stacy and James Fearnley)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Red Roses For Me, the first album from The Pogues. Borrowing its title from Sean O'Casey, it also carries literary influences like Ulysses and Brendan Behan proudly. As an exhibition on the London-Irish currently runs in Dublin's EPIC emigration museum, what better time to discuss this defining London-Irish band who still mean so much? Here Comes Everybody by James Fearnley (Faber & Faber) is available now.

Jun 19, 2024 • 1:21:17

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet

We know it as ‘On Raglan Road’, but the journey of the song that began life as a poem tells us a lot about Bohemian Dublin in an earlier time. In the Bailey tent at the Luke Kelly Festival, playwright Jimmy Murphy takes us through the story of the Kavanagh masterpiece Luke Kelly made his own. We also get a great rendition from Fergus Whelan (with a little help from Patrick Kavanagh in the recording!).

Jun 13, 2024 • 53:04

Remembering The Dubliners (with Brian Hand and Phelim Drew)

Remembering The Dubliners (with Brian Hand and Phelim Drew)

Like his father Jim Hand before him, promoter Brian Hand would build a real and lasting relationship with The Dubliners over many years. For singer and actor Phelim Drew, the band were like an extension of family. In this discussion, recorded live at the Luke Kelly Festival, we get into great personal memories of The Dubliners and what the band still mean today. Contains some bad language.

May 29, 2024 • 55:47

The Anatomy of a Massacre

The Anatomy of a Massacre

Fifty years ago today, a series of no-warning car bombs erupted across Dublin and Monaghan.  This would prove to be the bloodiest day of the Troubles. Immediately, questions were raised about how this event had come to pass. In a new documentary, director Joe Lee and producer Fergus Dowd explore what happened on 17 May 1974. Warning: This episode is quite graphic in describing the day. This episode of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of Derek Byrne.

May 17, 2024 • 30:39

Portals, Clocks and Cows

Portals, Clocks and Cows

Temporary interventions into the Dublin streetscape have a curious history. This week, the livestream portal with New York made international headlines. For me, it recalled the CowParade, Bowl of Light and other such things. When you put something out there on the street, there's no way of telling how people will respond. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

May 15, 2024 • 29:51

The Isle of Wight on Emmet Road

The Isle of Wight on Emmet Road

In 1970, the outdoor rock festival was a totally new idea in Ireland. Amidst press coverage of Woodstock and the Isle of Wight, focused on LSD and exagerated crowd trouble, the booking of Mungo Jerry, Thin Lizzy and others for Richmond Park would be the first Dublin experience of such a festival here. Why did this festival fail? And how, just a few short years later, had the festival become such an integral part of Irish youth culture?

Apr 26, 2024 • 31:46

The Battle of Tallaght: 'Yankee Fenians' and 1867

The Battle of Tallaght: 'Yankee Fenians' and 1867

To the Dublin press, the American Civil War veterans in Dublin cut an unusual shape. These ‘Yankee’ characters looked different, but they also behaved differently. Under the direction of Captain Thomas J. Kelly, these men would be centrally important to the Fenian uprising of 1867. While history remembers this as a skirmish on a hill in Tallaght, much more happened in March 1867 than that.

Apr 12, 2024 • 40:09

'Then Mount Jerome for the Protestants.'

'Then Mount Jerome for the Protestants.'

The story of Mount Jerome Cemetery is the story of Victorian Dublin. There, many of the great innovaters of the city are at rest. If Glasnevin brings to mind the Irish revolution, Mount Jerome instead makes us think of the nineteenth century. Still, there is great diversity in who is (and isn't) buied there. This is a story that touches on everyone from Charles Stewart Parnell to the so-called 'General.' Thanks to Patrons of the podcast whose support made this research possible.

Mar 30, 2024 • 45:11

The Divine Mission of Discontent (Jim Larkin Part II)

The Divine Mission of Discontent (Jim Larkin Part II)

The labour leader Jim Larkin was international news when he departed Ireland in 1914. In America, Larkin would cross paths with the FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover, landing in prison for 'Criminal Anarchy'. What did all of this mean back in Dublin? My guest is Ronan Burtenshaw, author of a recent piece on Larkin for Jacobin magazine: https://jacobin.com/2024/01/jim-larkin-ireland-labor-150

Mar 12, 2024 • 45:35

The Rising of the Moon (Jim Larkin Part I)

The Rising of the Moon (Jim Larkin Part I)

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Jim Larkin. In this two-part special, Ronan Burtenshaw (author of a recent piece exploring Larkin for Jacobin magazine) joins me to discuss this important and divisive revolutionary figure. Larkin in Dublin means 1913, but where did he come from? This story brings us from Liverpool Cathedral to the streets of West Belfast. Ronan's piece: https://jacobin.com/2024/01/jim-larkin-ireland-labor-150)

Feb 23, 2024 • 34:51

Before Mosley: The British Fascisti in Dublin

Before Mosley: The British Fascisti in Dublin

Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc is no stranger to this podcast. While his latest book explores 'The Disappeared' (launching this month from Merrion Press), he has also been undertaking a study of the far-right in Ireland historically. Moving beyond the familiar, like the Army Comrades Association ('the Blueshirts'), Pádraig's study begins with some more overlooked groups. Even before Oswald Mosley, the British Fascisti were a force with surprising connections to Dublin, and an active branch in the city.

Feb 2, 2024 • 41:52

Flying Fists and Union Jacks

Flying Fists and Union Jacks

SEASON 3! A recent television debate on the Irish language in schools reminded me of a curious story from history. The Language Freedom Movement touches on many widely known figures in 1960s Ireland, including John B. Keane and the broadcaster Gay Byrne. In the Mansion House, a meeting descended into chaos.

Jan 14, 2024 • 24:08

From Ten Till Dusk: 200 Years of the RHA (with Cristín Leach)

From Ten Till Dusk: 200 Years of the RHA (with Cristín Leach)

2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the Royal Hibernian Academy, an institution which has moved across the Liffey owing to the flames of Easter Week, and which has championed the visual arts through an ever-changing Ireland.  Cristín Leach is the author of a new creative study of the body, which weaves history and art to tell the story.

Dec 22, 2023 • 34:36

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

Over five generations, one family have played a unique role in the story of the Phoenix Park. More than that, the Flanagan family have a history that stretches back even earlier in the story of this beloved space. Joyce maintained that in the particular is contained the universal - can we tell the story of a place through this one unique tale? The Lamplighters of the Phoenix Park is available now from all good bookshops.

Dec 19, 2023 • 28:25

Asylum: Inside Grangegorman

Asylum: Inside Grangegorman

Brendan Kelly is the author of a new history of Grangegorman and the asylum located there for generations. This conversation was recorded within the grounds of the site. What was the life of a patient in an asylum really like? Through letters, medical records and doctors' notes, Brendan Kelly gives us a glimpse inside Grangegorman and the lives of those who lived and worked there. Not a particularly easy listen at times - and please note that some of the language, drawn from primary sources, ref

Dec 14, 2023 • 28:53

Napoleon's Toothbrush

Napoleon's Toothbrush

Ridley Scott doesn't seem to get on with historians, but here is a nice little story all about Napoleon and his surprising Dublin connections. One of the most revealing and personal insights into Napoleon came from a Dublin doctor who spent time with him on the island of St Helena. My Name Is Napoleon Bonaparte by Dónal Lunny and Frank Harte was released in 2001.

Dec 11, 2023 • 19:28

Bringing Light to O'Connell Street (with Nicola Pierce)

Bringing Light to O'Connell Street (with Nicola Pierce)

Nicola Pierce is the author of O'Connell Street: The History and Life of Dublin's O'Connell Street. It is a book as much about people as buildings, which charts the unique story of Ireland's most famous street. Now illuminated in a unique way as part of Dublin Winter Lights, we walked the street together on a busy evening chatting about its statues and landmarks. Thanks to the team at Dublin Winter Lights (www.dublinwinterlights.ie)

Dec 8, 2023 • 31:03

'And Beckett plays the gong.'

'And Beckett plays the gong.'

James Morrissey has produced a beautiful and important book exploring the history of Claddagh Records and Garech Browne. 'Real to Reel' explores a record label which championed not only Irish folk and traditional music, but also poetry and the visual arts. Now, the label has returned with great new talents including OXN. Both me and James Morrissey will be appearing at 'Banter' at Other Voices this weekend. Thanks for your patience. We raised thousands of euro towards a good cause, as mentioned

Dec 1, 2023 • 34:13

Roger Doyle: The Godfather of Irish Electronic Music

Roger Doyle: The Godfather of Irish Electronic Music

Roger Doyle has made an incredible contribution to Irish music across decades. In this discussion he talks about everything from his own musical beginnings to Operating Theatre, and from The Diceman (Thom McGinty) to James Joyce. Roger Doyle's music is available from https://rogerdoyle1.bandcamp.com/ This edition of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of my friend Hughie Friel. (Image Credit: The cover of 'Spring is Coming with a Strawberry in the Mouth' by All City Records, image by Amelia S

Nov 11, 2023 • 46:37

The Irish Supernatural (with Kathy Rose O'Brien and Brian J. Showers)

The Irish Supernatural (with Kathy Rose O'Brien and Brian J. Showers)

Irish supernatural writing did not begin or end with the great Bram Stoker. Indeed, even within Stoker's own family there were other great writers. In this very special edition of the podcast, actor Kathy Rose O'Brien brings to life four extraordinary authors, while Brian J. Showers of Swan River Press talks us through this genre. www.swanriverpress.ie

Nov 5, 2023 • 1:05:17

Dead as Doornails

Dead as Doornails

This December - most likely - marks the centenary of the birth of Anthony Cronin. His memoir of Bohemian Dublin, Dead As Doornails (1976),  remains a masterpiece. With Jimmy Murphy, I went through the book and its importance. With thanks to Ian Dunphy at the Museum of Literature Ireland for sound. P.S, 'The Lamplighters of the Phoenix Park' is out now!: https://www.kennys.ie/shop/pre-order-category/the-lamplighters-of-the-phoenix-park-donal-fallon-with-james-and-frank-flanagan-9781399722810

Oct 19, 2023 • 55:41

Other People's Lives (with Dermot Bolger)

Other People's Lives (with Dermot Bolger)

Did you learn much about yourself in Lockdown times? Dermot Bolger (poet, publisher, playwright and more besides) discovered some of the incredible people who lived in his locality in times gone by. These included the radical Grace Gifford Plunkett, architect Herbert Simms and the writer Patricia Lynch. In Other People's Lives, Dermot honours these people and captures a moment in time beautifully. Available from: https://www.newisland.ie/poetry-drama/other-peoples-lives

Oct 6, 2023 • 44:39

Dublin in Maps: From the Soviet Union to D6W (with Joseph Brady)

Dublin in Maps: From the Soviet Union to D6W (with Joseph Brady)

Geographer Joseph Brady is the co-producer of a new study of Dublin in maps. This journey begins with the earliest depictions of the Irish capital, but brings us through some fascinating oddities. Did you know that the Soviet Union produced a map of the city for intelligence purposes, or that mapping Dublin's postcodes has proven surprisingly divisive? Dublin: Mapping the City is available now.

Sep 27, 2023 • 29:31

Dónal Lunny: From Emmet Spiceland to Kate Bush

Dónal Lunny: From Emmet Spiceland to Kate Bush

There are few careers in Irish music as extraordinary as that of Dónal Lunny. His name will forever be connected with the groups Emmet Spiceland, Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. Yet beyond being a defining musician, he has made important contributions on the other side of the sound desk too. In this discusssion, recorded at Another Love Story, we pass through some of the greatest Irish albums of the twentieth century. Three Castles Burning: A History of Dublin in Twelve Streets is ava

Sep 17, 2023 • 50:50

Jim Fitzpatrick: On Che, Phil Lynott and Sinéad O'Connor

Jim Fitzpatrick: On Che, Phil Lynott and Sinéad O'Connor

A real privilege to talk to an artist who first emerged in the 1960s, and who is still making fantastic work today. Any discussion with Jim Fitzpatrick passes through subjects as diverse as Harry Clarke, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, Phil Lynott, Sinéad O'Connor and the world of Marvel. Recorded at the Electric Picnic, thanks to those of you who came along. This episode touches on some serious issues including the Dublin bombings, the Troubles and addiction. Visuals can be viewed on Instagram at @three

Sep 4, 2023 • 50:26

From Jim Larkin to Alfred Hitchcock: The Life of O'Casey

From Jim Larkin to Alfred Hitchcock: The Life of O'Casey

Seán O'Casey had a turbulent relationship with the Abbey Theatre. Now, his Dublin trilogy is back on the stage of the national theatre. Championed with his arrival on the stage in 1923, and denounced in 1926 with The Plough and the Stars, O'Casey remains one of the most inspirational figures of twentieth-century Irish theatre. Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock tried his hand at bringing O'Casey to the world of cinema?  TCB book with free P&P in Ireland: https://www.kennys.ie/shop/three-castles-

Aug 30, 2023 • 38:03

Peig McManus: A Dublin Childhood and a Life Less Ordinary

Peig McManus: A Dublin Childhood and a Life Less Ordinary

Peig McManus was born into a life in tenement Dublin in the late 1930s. In subsequent decades, she became one of Ireland's most recognisable voices for educational reform. In her brilliant memoir, I Will Be Good: A Dublin Childhood and a Life Less Ordinary, she talks about her childhood, her time in school, her activism over many decades and the various campaigns for educational reform. Recorded live at 14 Henrietta Street.   Peig's book: https://chaptersbookstore.com/products/peig-mcmanus-i-

Aug 16, 2023 • 47:06

"My body to Ireland, my heart to Rome...." (with Claire Halpin)

"My body to Ireland, my heart to Rome...." (with Claire Halpin)

The body of Daniel O'Connell is at rest in Glasnevin Cemetery, an institution with which he is eternally linked. His heart? Well, that has been something of a mystery. Dublin artist Claire Halpin joins me this week to talk about her recent show in Rome, and a little intervention she made into the question of just what happened to the heart of 'The Liberator'. https://clairehalpin2011.wordpress.com/

Aug 9, 2023 • 29:25

The Foggy Dew: From Father O'Neill to Sinéad O'Connor

The Foggy Dew: From Father O'Neill to Sinéad O'Connor

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Sinéad O'Connor. The Foggy Dew is in itself a historic document. Written in 1919, this story of the Easter Rising and the contrasting World War has gone around the world. This episode of the podcast explores the song and its meaning, and how it came to bring together the incredible talents of The Chieftains and Sinéad O'Connor.

Jul 31, 2023 • 30:10

From Lugs Branigan to Led Zeppelin

From Lugs Branigan to Led Zeppelin

The National Stadium on the South Circular Road has witnessed some really incredible nights. To some, it is the home of Irish boxing, a story that's connected to the sporting history of the Gardaí as well as the endless enthusiasm of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association. To others, it is a gig venue which recalls names like Planxty, Led Zeppelin and Leonard Cohen. Thanks for your memories!

Jul 9, 2023 • 29:27

Motorcades and Martyr Graves

Motorcades and Martyr Graves

In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy arrived into a city in crisis. As Dublin tenements seemed to be collapsing to the touch, the visit of a U.S President was a welcome distraction. In some ways, it was a distraction for him, too. History recalls New Ross, but in Dublin there were significant moments, captured brilliantly by reporters and writers like the poet Louis MacNeice.  Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Jun 30, 2023 • 30:42

Roddy Doyle Interview: Taxi to Barrytown!

Roddy Doyle Interview: Taxi to Barrytown!

Sincere thanks to the Dalkey Book Festival for the invitation to interview Roddy Doyle. This was a chance to talk about things as diverse as Maeve Brennan, the impact of the 1974 Dublin bombings, Myles na gCopaleen and more. A language warning on this one.

Jun 20, 2023 • 57:58

1954: The Birth of Bloomsday

1954: The Birth of Bloomsday

Bloomsday as we know it owes its existence to Brian O'Nolan, otherwise Myles na gCopaleen, otherwise Flann O'Brien. In 1954, he was the catalyst for gathering together a number of Dublin McDaidsian types who embarked on an epic journey of their own in honour of Leopold Bloom, Buck Mulligan and the cast of Ulysses. They didn't make it too far.

Jun 15, 2023 • 24:01

Tatters Cullen and the Vanishing Suffragettes

Tatters Cullen and the Vanishing Suffragettes

This week, we got some data from the 2022 Census. It seems a good time to look into the past. The census has always given us unusual insights into Ireland. We can find humour and protest in it too.  See: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

Jun 4, 2023 • 33:29

From Skin-the-Goat to Buckshot Forster: The Phoenix Park Assassinations

From Skin-the-Goat to Buckshot Forster: The Phoenix Park Assassinations

The Phoenix Park assassinations of May 1882 shook British politics. All had heard of the Fenians, but who were the Invincibles? Today, a cross in the grass on Chesterfield Avenue marks the location where these events played out - but who put it there?

May 25, 2023 • 42:03

Old Songs and New Revivals (with Macdara Yeates)

Old Songs and New Revivals (with Macdara Yeates)

Thanks for your patience! This new episode explores the incredible life and influence of Peadar Kearney, a key figure in the Cultural Revival then, and the folk revival now. My guest is Macdara Yeates of 'The Night Before Larry Was Stretched', a monthly singing session in The Cobblestone. He's also co-producing 'One Hundred Years of Brendan Behan'. https://ilfdublin.com/whats-on/one-hundred-years-of-brendan-behan/

May 18, 2023 • 31:13

Ragged Trousers and Paint Brushes (with Jimmy Murphy)

Ragged Trousers and Paint Brushes (with Jimmy Murphy)

The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists is a book that had a massive impact on British society. Some say it helped win a General Election, George Orwell called it essential reading. In Ireland, it is little known, despite the author coming from Wexford Street. This week, playwright Jimmy Murphy joins me to talk about the impact this book had on his own life and work.

Apr 25, 2023 • 31:17

From the Ormond Market to the Hacienda

From the Ormond Market to the Hacienda

The area between Smithfield and Capel Street has historically been known as 'The Markets'. A recent event gave some idea of what this area could be. Today, we're exploring it with a hopeful message for the future.

Apr 17, 2023 • 31:42

Noël Browne and the Archbishop (with Robert Ballagh)

Noël Browne and the Archbishop (with Robert Ballagh)

This week marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. I visited the studio of acclaimed artist Robert Ballagh, who has just painted the Archbishop. In the 1980s, Ballagh painted Noël Browne, the Minister for Health who clashed with McQuaid. These two works are connected in many ways.

Apr 6, 2023 • 39:18

A Sort of Homecoming

A Sort of Homecoming

The story of U2's emergence is connected to the broader story of late 1970s Dublin. From the Project Arts Centre to the explosive visit of The Clash to the unlikely setting of Trinity College Dublin's exam hall, this episode brings you behind the scenes of the recent documentary U2: A Sort of Homecoming.

Mar 26, 2023 • 30:20

The Beginnings of Dublin Theatre (with Arran Henderson)

The Beginnings of Dublin Theatre (with Arran Henderson)

Arran Henderson of Dublin Decoded knows the streets of Dublin inside out. On a walk through streets I always think of as part of a different Dublin story, he showed me how Werburgh Street, Fishamble Street and others were all central to the story of early Dublin theatre. On this journey we meet some interesting characters, from a pioneering nationalist theatre director to the much-feared Lord Deputy of Ireland. Dublin Decoded tour tickets are available from dublindecoded.com (Image: Thomas Wentw

Mar 15, 2023 • 30:09

Dublin: A Writer's City (with Chris Morash)

Dublin: A Writer's City (with Chris Morash)

One of the most eagerly awaited books about the city in recent years, Dublin: A Writer's City is a triumph. In this edition of the podcast, presented as part of the Young Hearts Run Free series, author Chris Morash brings us on a journey across literary Dublin. (Event poster by Niall McCormack)

Mar 9, 2023 • 53:43

The Bogside and Fu Manchu: Dublin as Somewhere Else

The Bogside and Fu Manchu: Dublin as Somewhere Else

This episode of the podcast explores some of the most peculiar films shot in Dublin over many decades. From Fu Manchu to the Bogside, we're looking at times directors turned Dublin into somewhere else.

Feb 28, 2023 • 29:53

The Fame and the Fall

The Fame and the Fall

(Reupload, apologies due to podcast hosting gremlins!) Part II of the Brendan Behan centenary special, this journey brings us through some surprising places. From Littlewood's London to strange times in North America, this is the story of the fame and fall of Brendan Behan.

Feb 19, 2023 • 32:47

The Fame and the Fall

The Fame and the Fall

Part II of the Brendan Behan centenary special goes to some surprising places. At the heart of the story is the brilliant Joan Littlewood, who championed Behan's work and brought him to new audiences. We're passing through London, New York, Toronto and more. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning www.ko-fi.com/threecastlesburning

Feb 19, 2023 • 32:47

The Young Brendan Behan

The Young Brendan Behan

This week marks the centenary of the birth of Brendan Behan. Over two editions, Three Castles Burning will explore the life and times of this remarkable talent. In the first part, we look at Behan's revolutionary days and the impact of Borstal on him.

Feb 7, 2023 • 32:14

Exploring Lucia Joyce (with Joe Chester)

Exploring Lucia Joyce (with Joe Chester)

Musician Joe Chester has produced a beautiful musical tribute to Lucia Joyce, the dancer and illustrator. Daughter of James Joyce, Lucia was born in Trieste in 1907. She would spend more than four decades of her life in institutions after being diagnosed as schizophrenic in the mid-1930s. 'Lucia' by Joe Chester is his first major composition for classical guitar & strings, inspired by her journey. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Feb 2, 2023 • 30:03

Diving Bells and Missing Elephants

Diving Bells and Missing Elephants

This week, a new app launched exploring the history of Dublin's Docklands. Where do the Docklands begin, and what remains are left of its industrial past? This episode explores the changing fortunes of Dublin's Docklands, and the working class communities who lived and worked alongside it. Oh, and a disappearing elephant! Dublin Discovery Trails: https://doorsintodocklands.com/

Jan 12, 2023 • 29:42

"When Collins was killed The Terror began" (with John Dorney)

"When Collins was killed The Terror began" (with John Dorney)

On the outskirts of Dublin city, a series of memorial crosses mark sites were bodies were discovered in 1922 and 1923.    A sad part of the Civil War conflict, they are a reminder of how the conflict deteriorated in the city. In a war with no clean hands, as discussed in this show, they show how former comrades could turn on one another. Historian John Dorney, author of The Civil War in Dublin (Merrion Press), joins me.   Dorney's book: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-civil-war-

Jan 8, 2023 • 41:09

Soccer's Sinatra: Pele in Dalymount Park

Soccer's Sinatra: Pele in Dalymount Park

When Pele visited Dublin with Santos in 1972, one Irish newspaper proclaimed him to be "Soccer's Sinatra." In a country that came late to television - and which fell in love with the global game thanks in no small part to the magic of Pele in the 1970 World Cup - Santos vs Bohemians/Drumcondra was the hottest ticket in town. The game proved somewhat lacklustre, but many will never forget seeing Pele on Irish soil. Happy New Year! Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Jan 2, 2023 • 25:42

From the Duke of Wellington to Kellie Harrington

From the Duke of Wellington to Kellie Harrington

Luke McManus has produced North Circular, a documentary which brings the viewer on a journey from the Wellington Testimonial all the way through the north inner-city. He chatted to me about the NCR, the various people who call it home and what it means for Dublin today. North Circular info:  https://twitter.com/northcircular_ Vote for TCB for Eason's Book of the Year: https://www.easons.com/Books/eason-favourite-book-poll/?utm_source=TopMiniBanner&utm_medium=BookPoll&utm_campaign=HP&utm_id

Dec 16, 2022 • 32:12

Walking the Winter Lights (with Fergus Whelan)

Walking the Winter Lights (with Fergus Whelan)

Each year, Dublin City Council hosts the Winter Lights festival, lighting up key buildings and sites around Dublin. Myself and historian Fergus Whelan went for a walk through some of the 2022 locations, from the Marshalsea Prison to Wolfe Tone Park. Did you know that the 'Father of the Scottish Enlightenment' is buried in Dublin, or that Smithfield was once transformed into Checkpoint Charlie? For more see:  Dublin Winter Lights.

Dec 1, 2022 • 39:37

An Inchicore Institution (with Dermot Looney)

An Inchicore Institution (with Dermot Looney)

Dermot Looney has spent years working away on a history of Saint Patrick's Athletic. The final product, which includes a beautiful introduction by Brian Kerr, is something much broader - an important social history of Inchicore. Saint Pat's emerge as a club strongly connected to the railway works, and with surprising connections from the very beginning. Saints Rising is available now.

Nov 25, 2022 • 31:43

From The Citizen to John 3:7 (with Siobhán Doyle)

From The Citizen to John 3:7 (with Siobhán Doyle)

What can we learn about a subject by looking at 100 objects? Thanks to Siobhán Doyle, author of a new study 'A History of the GAA in 100 Objects', for getting into material culture, museums and the social history of the Gaelic Athletic Association with me. From Michael Cusack (was he 'The Citizen?') to yellow sliothars, we're talking about.....stuff. Support Three Castles Burning: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning // www.ko-fi.com/threecastlesburning

Nov 18, 2022 • 33:40

Halloween Special: Hans Holzer and the Ghosts of Dublin

Halloween Special: Hans Holzer and the Ghosts of Dublin

Hans Holzer was a well-known broadcaster and author in the United States, perhaps the most famous 'ghost hunter' of his day. In 1965 and 1966, he made research visits to Ireland. In Dublin, he heard some amazing stories, and went in search of ghosts in some familiar and lesser-known places.

Oct 28, 2022 • 33:11

The Central Bank and Beyond: Sam Stephenson's Dublin

The Central Bank and Beyond: Sam Stephenson's Dublin

Sam Stephenson (1933-2006) is one of the most important - and divisive - architects in the history of the Irish capital. As the Central Bank returns to view, we're looking at it and other Stephenson projects in the city. Some, like the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS), have recently become protected structures. Others have already been lost.

Oct 18, 2022 • 36:49

The Country Girl Returns

The Country Girl Returns

A young Edna O'Brien fell in love with Dublin. The city would shape her life and her work. It brought love, lust, learning. Now, at 91, her play Joyce's Women takes to the stage of the Abbey Theatre. This podcast explores how Dublin impacted on her, and how she impacted on it.

Sep 30, 2022 • 30:43

The History and Present of Housing (with Eoin Ó Broin)

The History and Present of Housing (with Eoin Ó Broin)

Housing is today the issue of issues in Ireland, but what can we learn from looking back? Over the course of a century, the Irish state has had successes and failures when it comes to housing. Eoin Ó Broin is the author of Home: Why Public Housing is the Answer, he's also someone firmly at the centre of the political debates around housing in Ireland today. On a wet day in a field in Laois, he answered my questions and a few from the floor. With thanks to Naoise Nunn and Mindfield at Electric Pi

Sep 15, 2022 • 1:05:12

31 August 1913

31 August 1913

When standing in front of Clery's today, and beside the Larkin statue, it is difficult to imagine this was once the site of a brutal police riot in 1913. Just what happened on the first Bloody Sunday in twentieth century Irish history? This is the story of Larkin, the ITGWU and a city of tension.

Aug 31, 2022 • 43:39

The Crumlin Kremlin

The Crumlin Kremlin

In recent weeks, a headstone was unveiled in Deansgrange Cemetery honouring Kathleen and Stephen Behan. The parents at 70 Kildare Road in Crumlin, their children would produce an astonishing array of songs and plays capturing the Irish experience. This podcast includes voices from the day, as well as rich archive. Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Aug 22, 2022 • 31:40

South William Street

South William Street

From The Rag Trade to The Castle Lounge, South William Street has come on a great journey. Now, the street is set for significant change. This journey brings us through the changing fortunes of a city, and while the Georgian buildings may speak loudest on the street, there is much more to South William Street.

Jul 24, 2022 • 32:40

Refugees Welcome?

Refugees Welcome?

This episode of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of Mícheál Ó Doibhilín.   In 1922, thousands of people from Belfast and other northern cities were arriving into Dublin and other places in the new Free State. Where would these people be housed, and what kind of life could they expect? There was surprising opposition to what the press termed the 'Belfast Pogrom refugees'.

Jul 12, 2022 • 30:48

Sites of Memory: Gay Dublin

Sites of Memory: Gay Dublin

In Temple Bar, a plaque honours the Hirschfeld Centre. At Bow Lane East, an aging sign is all that remains of Incognito, a gay sauna that made it to the front of the international press in the early 1990s for all of the wrong reasons. Then there's Dublin Castle, a site of joy and scandal. These are just some of the many sites of memory that help us tell the story of Gay Dublin. *This episode contains some explicit language.* Support TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Jun 26, 2022 • 31:41

Sylvia Beach and Us

Sylvia Beach and Us

In June 1962, Sylvia Beach was in the last months of her life. She unveiled a tower in Sandycove as a museum to James Joyce. Without her, would the world have known the significance of that place? Her little Parisian bookshop will forever be bound to Dublin.

Jun 15, 2022 • 31:23

The Stolpersteine of Donore Avenue

The Stolpersteine of Donore Avenue

Last week, a series of commemorative brass plaques were unveiled on Dublin 8's Donore Avenue in honour of six victims of the Holocaust with connections to Dublin. These memorial stones are part of a truly global project honouring the victims of the Holocaust, but marked the first on Irish soil. This edition of the podcast explores the background to this project.

Jun 7, 2022 • 30:47

Dublin's First Female Councillor

Dublin's First Female Councillor

Sarah Cecilia Harrison (1863–1941) lived many lives in one. A Suffragist, a social campaigner, a nationalist and an artist, she was closely aligned with Hugh Lane in the battle for a modern art gallery in London. The first female member of Dublin Corporation, she is the subject of a new study. Editor Margarita Cappock joins me to discuss her importance.

May 27, 2022 • 32:22

Dublin since the 1970s (with Joseph Brady)

Dublin since the 1970s (with Joseph Brady)

Joseph Brady is a geographer with a special interest in the changing landscape of the city and county of Dublin. A discussion on Dublin since the 1970s brings us through things like smog, the stinking Liffey, the quays and the changing docklands. Some change was good, some wasn't, and some remains on the table. Brady's new study Dublin from 1970 to 1990: The City Transformed is available now.

May 16, 2022 • 41:09

Thomas Kinsella from The Ranch

Thomas Kinsella from The Ranch

Thomas Kinsella from The Ranch was one of Ireland's great poets, but Dublin - and working class Dublin especially - was at the very heart of his work. This podcast explores what we might call Thomas Kinsella's Dublin, from his home on the border of Inchicore and Ballyfermot to Wood Quay.

May 2, 2022 • 32:06

The Playboy Riots

The Playboy Riots

"In writing The Playboy of the Western World, as in my other plays, I have used one or two words only that I have not heard among the country people of Ireland, or spoken in my own nursery before I could read the newspapers." Why did Synge's masterpiece cause such trouble in the Dublin of 1907, and was it really a 'riot' or something else?

Apr 25, 2022 • 34:56

The Calm Before The Storm

The Calm Before The Storm

The story of 24 April 1916 is well told. What about the day before? In Dublin, the eve of an insurrection was a strange day of rumour, horse racing tips and - in Phibsborough - a kidnap saga. TCB is ad free. Support it on Patreon: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Apr 18, 2022 • 32:11

Doggerel for a Departed Dublin

Doggerel for a Departed Dublin

This edition of the podcast explores some of the poetry of the late Vincent Caprani. A proud Italo-Irish Dub, Caprani wrote some excellent and memorable poems about the city and its people. He died last October. Contains bad language, but plenty of soul.

Apr 10, 2022 • 25:39

Alderman Tom Kelly and The Tenters (with Cathy Scuffil)

Alderman Tom Kelly and The Tenters (with Cathy Scuffil)

Alderman Tom Kelly is one of Dublin's great forgotten heroes. A Councillor who championed housing (even before the houses of the city were collapsing in 1913) he came from Dublin's tenements and insisted on the need to replace them with good quality housing. Part of his legacy is The Tenters, a series of streets in Dublin 8. Cathy Scuffil is a Historian in Residence to Dublin City Council and an authority on Dublin 8.

Apr 2, 2022 • 36:43

From Misery Hill to Champions' Avenue

From Misery Hill to Champions' Avenue

Dublin is a city and county with some brilliant and downright odd street names, reflecting all from industrial history to the moon landings. This week we're exploring some of the more unusual ones, and looking at some names which have somehow survived major change. (Podcast thumbnail: William Murphy, Flickr)

Mar 26, 2022 • 30:09

Moscow, Marino, Orwell Road

Moscow, Marino, Orwell Road

We're back! Series 2, Episode 1. In recent weeks, there has been much talk about the Russian Embassy on Orwell Road. The story of Ireland's connections to the former Soviet Union is a sometimes surprising journey, taking in all from the Lockout to the (alleged) Russian Crown Jewels.

Mar 19, 2022 • 35:37

Harry Kernoff: Capturing Dublin (With Kathryn Milligan)

Harry Kernoff: Capturing Dublin (With Kathryn Milligan)

Kathryn Milligan is the author of one of my favourite books on Dublin in recent years, Painting Dublin: 1886-1949. It explores how various artists have depicted the Hibernian Metropolis. We share a great love for Harry Kernoff, and in this episode she shares great insights into the man and the artist.

Feb 17, 2022 • 44:17

The Handover (With Kate O'Malley)

The Handover (With Kate O'Malley)

How can we compare the handing over of Dublin Castle with key moments in the history of other nations like India or Barbados? How accurate was the depiction of the transfer of power in Neil Jordan's 1996 classic Michael Collins? Kate O'Malley, co-author of The Handover (with John Gibney) joined me to explore what the handing over of Dublin Castle meant in the context of Empire.

Feb 8, 2022 • 34:04

Kathleen Clarke: A Very Different Lord Mayor

Kathleen Clarke: A Very Different Lord Mayor

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of Dublin's first female Lord Mayor, Kathleen Clarke. A founding member of Fianna Fáil, her time in the Mansion House brought her into serious confrontation with the party. She transformed the  symbols of the city and paved the way for the nine other women who have followed her.

Feb 1, 2022 • 34:23

Seizing The Rotunda

Seizing The Rotunda

A red flag over the Rotunda, and a manifesto which demanded employment. The 1922 protest of the unemployed led by World War One veteran and writer Liam O'Flaherty grabbed plenty of headlines in Ireland and internationally. A century on, this is the story of what some called 'The Rotunda Soviet'.

Jan 24, 2022 • 29:03

The Arrival of Television

The Arrival of Television

It is sixty years since the arrival of Irish television. De Valera launched the station into the world, telling viewers that "I must admit that sometimes when I think of television and radio and their immense power I feel somewhat afraid." What did television mean for Dublin?

Jan 16, 2022 • 33:03

“The Monarch of the Liberties and King of the Mob"

“The Monarch of the Liberties and King of the Mob"

January is a time for thinking about mental health. Few names are as important in that story in an Irish context as Jonathan Swift, the founder of Saint Patrick's Hospital. Swift transformed the area around his Cathedral, ensuring work and dignity for the people of the Liberties, but the hospital remains the most important part of his legacy.

Jan 8, 2022 • 34:56

On Photography

On Photography

Dublin has been well served by photographers, men and women who have captured the Hibernian Metropolis in all of its glory and tragedy. A new exhibition tells the story of photography in Ireland from 1839 right up to the present.   (Thumbnail: Elinor Wiltshire image of Arbour Hill, NLI)

Dec 31, 2021 • 36:20

Shaping the City and Suburbs (with Ruth McManus)

Shaping the City and Suburbs (with Ruth McManus)

In 2002, Dr. Ruth McManus published her landmark study Dublin 1910-1940, shaping the city and suburbs. Now, ahead of its twentieth anniversary, it is back on our shelves. Ruth joined me to talk about all things planning and suburbia in a Dublin that was changing rapidly.

Dec 20, 2021 • 34:25

From Berlin to Dublin: Agnes Bernelle

From Berlin to Dublin: Agnes Bernelle

Agnes Bernelle brought the spirit of Berlin to the stage of Dublin. Described in one obituary as "a true Bohemian", she was a guiding light to a generation of Irish performers. Her story passes through Blitz-era London, the development of young Phil Chevron and more besides.

Dec 9, 2021 • 31:36

A City of Bookshops

A City of Bookshops

As we say goodbye to Chapters, TCB looks at some of Dublin's great bookshops of old and more recent times. How did British copyright law shape our bookshops? What impact did censorship have? How did a theatre end up in the back of Connolly Books? If you like TCB support it at www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Dec 2, 2021 • 34:17

Frank McDonald: A Fighter For Dublin

Frank McDonald: A Fighter For Dublin

Frank McDonald's The Destruction of Dublin (1985) is one of the most important books ever written on this city. His latest book,  A Little History of the Future of Dublin (Martello Publishing) takes up some of the same battles. What is to be done?

Nov 22, 2021 • 35:05

From The Four Courts to The Quiet Man: Ernie O'Malley (Part 2)

From The Four Courts to The Quiet Man: Ernie O'Malley (Part 2)

Last week, Cormac O'Malley joined me to talk about his father and his journey to the War of Independence. This week, we talk about the life of Ernie O'Malley from the Civil War through to his great contributions to Bohemian Dublin's art scene, and his marriage to Helen Hooker. Ernie O'Malley: A Life is out now (Merrion Press)

Nov 14, 2021 • 36:52

Bohemian Revolutionary: Ernie O'Malley (Part 1)

Bohemian Revolutionary: Ernie O'Malley (Part 1)

Ernie O'Malley's life is the stuff of a big screen film - in a sense it was, as a central inspiration to The Wind That Shakes The Barley. A young medical student at the time of the Rising, he became a key link between the IRA GHQ in Dublin and the army in the field. He was also a key figure in Dublin's bohemian art scene, together with his wife Helen Hooker. My guest is Cormac O'Malley. Ernie O'Malley: A Life is out now from Merrion Press.

Nov 7, 2021 • 39:45

The Hellfire Club: Fact and Folklore

The Hellfire Club: Fact and Folklore

Yes, there was a Hellfire Club in eighteenth century Dublin. We know they existed, we know their antics, but what about the ruin in the Dublin mountains? The story of the Hellfire Club is not only the story of history, but also folklore.

Oct 31, 2021 • 35:35

(Episode 100) Eustace Street: A Street of Ideas

(Episode 100) Eustace Street: A Street of Ideas

Eustace Street in Temple Bar is a street of ideas. It is a street which produced the first meeting of the United Irishmen,  the street which hosted Frederick Douglass twice during his visit to the city, and the street that plays home to the IFI, a cinema which challenged censorship.

Oct 23, 2021 • 33:02

Merchant's Arch Then and Now

Merchant's Arch Then and Now

Merchant's Arch is a part of the story of the golden age - just about - of Dublin planning. From the Wide Streets Commission to the redevelopment of Temple Bar, this Dublin passageway is at the centre of the story of a changing city. So, what to do with it?

Oct 13, 2021 • 26:01

Benches of Reflection

Benches of Reflection

This edition of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of historian, singer and trade unionist Manus O'Riordan.  I hope you all enjoy finding these benches across the city, places which remember and honour some incredible lives.

Oct 7, 2021 • 31:33

Bang Bang Shoots The Buses

Bang Bang Shoots The Buses

In 2017, Dubliners came together to mark the final resting place of Thomas Dudley, better known to Dublin as 'Bang Bang'. This podcast, with Daniel Lambert from Phibsboro's Bang Bang Cafe, explores the great love of the city for this never-forgotten character.

Sep 24, 2021 • 24:58

Factory Girls: The Working Lives of Dublin Women

Factory Girls: The Working Lives of Dublin Women

Please forgive sound as I'm away from - and between - homes. Recorded from deepest East Berlin. I have long been interested in the factory buildings that dot Dublin - Art Deco gems like Kodak and Player Wills especially - but who worked in them? And what should be done with them? (Pod Thumbnail: Williams and Woods from G&T Crampton Archive, UCD)

Sep 17, 2021 • 29:56

A School For Young Radicals

A School For Young Radicals

St Enda's - Scoil Eanna - was a radical new approach to education.  With a strong emphasis on art and nature, as well as a keen internationalism in its approach, the school was a key part of the cultural revival in early twentieth century Dublin. SUPPORT TCB: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Sep 6, 2021 • 30:58

"Long Live the Rolling Stones!"- Dublin,1965

"Long Live the Rolling Stones!"- Dublin,1965

In 1965, The Rolling Stones toured Ireland twice. On both occasions, they packed them in to Dublin's Adelphi. They were stars in January but superstars by September. Recorded this one at the weekend as a tribute to Charlie Watts,RIP. (Spotfy Thumbnail is Subset's Rolling Stones mural, Dublin 2018)

Aug 30, 2021 • 21:31

A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours

A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours

Jane Wilde - Speranza - was a nationalist, a champion of the rights of women, a poet and a Dublin socialite. In her lifetime her son Oscar achieved international fame, and her husband infamy at home. She also inspired the title of a Smiths song,  and deserves a Dublin memorial.

Aug 23, 2021 • 35:58

Fig Rolls, Charles Haughey and the Road to IMMA

Fig Rolls, Charles Haughey and the Road to IMMA

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is celebrating thirty years in 2021. One of Ireland's finest and most engaging cultural centres, the story of how it came into being is sometimes surprising. This is the story of Gordon Lambert, Charles J. Haughey, and generations of modern artists from Mainie Jellett to Robert Ballagh.

Aug 15, 2021 • 32:30

The Great Escapes: George Gilmore, Mountjoy and Dundrum

The Great Escapes: George Gilmore, Mountjoy and Dundrum

In November 1925, 19 men were sprung from Mountjoy by George Gilmore, a young maverick Republican. A few short months later, he carried out an even more impressive action - breaking the famous Jack Keogh out of Dundrum Lunatic Asylum.

Aug 7, 2021 • 30:39

The Dublin That Never Was: Abercrombie and Others

The Dublin That Never Was: Abercrombie and Others

Through history, many changes to Dublin have been proposed and never realised. These included concreting over the canals, an art gallery on the Liffey and, perhaps most famously, a Temple Bar bus station. This podcast explores the Dublin that could have been.

Jul 30, 2021 • 33:15

Forza Azzurri: A Busy Night in Dublin 7

Forza Azzurri: A Busy Night in Dublin 7

How many eager Dubliners can you fit into Dalymount Park? On 5 February 1985, more than forty thousand of us somehow squeezed in to watch Ireland take on the Azzurri. At a time when Ireland was mad for Italian football - in no small part thanks to a Whitehall boy - the game could have resulted in tragedy.

Jul 23, 2021 • 29:33

It's the End of the War as We Know It (With Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc)

It's the End of the War as We Know It (With Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc)

The end of the War of Independence in Dublin was a strange thing: Even on the very day a truce was being negotiated, the IRA was planning a spectacular. But were they capable of doing it? Who was Margaret Keogh, the Cumann na mBan activist killed at the very end of the conflict? And what was different about Dublin in 1921? My guest is Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, author of a study of the Truce.

Jul 16, 2021 • 32:53

Living With Pride: Christopher Robson's Photography (with Tonie Walsh)

Living With Pride: Christopher Robson's Photography (with Tonie Walsh)

Christopher Robson took more than two thousand images of Pride and gay rights activism in Dublin from 1992 onwards, some of which are now on display in the National Photographic Archive. They capture iconic Dublin faces like Thom McGinty - the Diceman - and a city in a time of transition and change.

Jul 8, 2021 • 32:32

The Press, The Pubs, The Camac: The Dublin of Con Houlihan

The Press, The Pubs, The Camac: The Dublin of Con Houlihan

Few writers are as fondly remembered in Dublin as Con Houlihan. Even in his own lifetime, a series of testimonials were erected to him in public houses he frequented. On paper a sportswriter, Con was something much broader. His story touches on things as diverse as the Evening Press, Saint Patrick's Athletic, Welsh miners and Mulligans.

Jul 1, 2021 • 28:46

Lord Carson of Harcourt Street (With Cormac Moore)

Lord Carson of Harcourt Street (With Cormac Moore)

Arguably the most influential Dublin-born politician of the modern age was Edward Carson, the unlikely figurehead of Unionism who played no small role in the partition of Ireland. Cormac Moore, author of Birth of The Border, joins me to discuss Carson and Unionism more broadly, at a time when contemporary Unionism seems in freefall.

Jun 24, 2021 • 31:19

Joseph Strick's Ulysses (1967)

Joseph Strick's Ulysses (1967)

HAPPY BLOOMSDAY! In the 1960s, American director Joseph Strick did what many felt was impossible - he brought Ulysses to screen. There was a fistfight at the Cannes Film Festival, segregated audiences in New Zealand and  complaints from the League of Decency at home.

Jun 16, 2021 • 21:30

Building Up And Tearing Dublin Down: Housing and the 1960s

Building Up And Tearing Dublin Down: Housing and the 1960s

The great hope of 1960s Dublin housing, Ballymun, followed on from the 1963 tenement collapse. As homes collapsed in the city centre, killing four Dubliners, it was a time for new thinking on working class housing. There was activism and anger in the city, but Dublin itself seemed to continue expanding into new suburbia.

Jun 14, 2021 • 30:55

Capel Street: Sex Shops, Pawnbrokers and a Revolutionary Library

Capel Street: Sex Shops, Pawnbrokers and a Revolutionary Library

Few streets in Dublin have the history of Capel Street - and now, it seems destined for major change. This podcast explores a street with an architeictural history stretching back to pre-Georgian times, and at the heart of change in more recent decades.

Jun 6, 2021 • 28:35

The Pike: Dublin's Bohemian Theatre

The Pike: Dublin's Bohemian Theatre

With less than sixty seats, the tiny Pike Theatre still brought new life into Irish theatre, and introduced Irish audiences to internaitonal talent. Yet it all lasted less than a decade, thanks to a campaign waged against it by state forces.

May 31, 2021 • 28:03

Dublin's Historian: Éamonn MacThomáis

Dublin's Historian: Éamonn MacThomáis

Éamonn MacThomais did much to popularise Dublin's history.  Best remembered for his television series, Dublin: A Personal View,  he wrote his book Me Jewel And Darlin' Dublin while a guest of the state in Mountjoy Prison. His life story tells us much about republicanism and Dublin in the twentieth century.

May 22, 2021 • 31:16

From Dalkey to Vogue

From Dalkey to Vogue

Carmel Snow, from Dalkey, lived a remarkable life. At the helm of both Vogue and Harper's Bazaar at a transformative time in journalism, Snow was a champion of Irish writers and Irish designers. Her name is associated with Dior, Balenciaga and others closer to home like Sybil Connolly.

May 16, 2021 • 32:24

When Dublin Rushed North

When Dublin Rushed North

In April and May 1941, Dublin bravely answered the call of Belfast, after bombs reduced much of the city to rubble. It remains an inspiring moment of human heroism, all the more important to remember against the backdrop of the current political situation in the North. This edition of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of Joe Fallon.

May 6, 2021 • 35:37

A Social History of the Bicycle

A Social History of the Bicycle

The bicycle has been at the heart of Irish history in sometimes surprising ways. Sport, revolution and literature have all benefited from its place in our lives. This edition of the podcast is dedicated to the memory of Paddy Cahill.

Apr 29, 2021 • 33:35

Dublin and the road to the Spanish Civil War

Dublin and the road to the Spanish Civil War

A besieged party office on Great Strand Street, a planned ambush from the rooftops of Westmoreland Street, a riot in Glasnevin Cemetery and a march on Leinster House abandoned at the eleventh hour. These events are all part of the story of Dublin and the road to the Spanish Civil War. Historian Fergus Whelan joins me on this edition of the show.

Apr 22, 2021 • 52:06

United's Irishman: Billy Behan and the Beautiful Game

United's Irishman: Billy Behan and the Beautiful Game

Billy Behan came from a family steeped in Dublin's footballing tradition. He went on to become chief scout for Manchester United in Ireland, spotting all from Liam Whelan to Paul McGrath. Over several decades, players he found went on to international acclaim.

Apr 15, 2021 • 33:35

The Dublin Metropolitan Police

The Dublin Metropolitan Police

From the 1830s until 1925, the Dublin Metropolitan Police patrolled the streets of Dublin. From rampaging bulls to political radicals, they were ever-busy. Surprising traces of them remain in Dublin today.

Apr 6, 2021 • 39:30

Towards A Healthier City: Parke Neville's Dublin

Towards A Healthier City: Parke Neville's Dublin

Parke Neville was a surveyor and engineer. He transformed Dublin in ways we still see today - the Fruit and Vegetable Market was his idea and design, the Vartry water scheme was his crowning achievement and he even paved our streets. Curiously forgotten now, he remains one of Dublin's greatest servants.

Mar 30, 2021 • 31:40

Strumpet City, Synge Street and Socialism: James Plunkett

Strumpet City, Synge Street and Socialism: James Plunkett

The writer James Plunkett gave us one of the all-time Dublin classics in Strumpet City. He idealised Big Jim Larkin, seeing in him a living representation of a heroic time in the city in which his own father had played a part. Condemned from pulpit and defended by Behan, this is the story of James Plunkett.             The writer James Plunkett gave us one of the all-time Dublin classics in Strumpet City. He idealised Big Jim Larkin, seeing in him a living represent

Mar 23, 2021 • 28:33

From Nassau Street to the Pagan O'Leary: Dublin and Saint Patrick

From Nassau Street to the Pagan O'Leary: Dublin and Saint Patrick

There are curious traces of Patrick - and his legacy - around Dublin today. A mural painted during the Irish cultural revival in City Hall positions him amidst nationalist struggle, while a well hidden below Trinity College claims strong connections. How much of Saint Patrick - and our idea of him - is imported from the United States?

Mar 17, 2021 • 32:25

Poetry, Protests and Pranksters: The O'Connell Bridge

Poetry, Protests and Pranksters: The O'Connell Bridge

EPISODE 70! Thanks for your support. The O'Connell Bridge has a surprising history - from James Gandon to Father Pat Noise. It has long been a place of protest and a place of commerce. This podcast explores the bridge and its many characters.

Mar 9, 2021 • 31:41

The Rise and Demise of Dublin's Cinemas

The Rise and Demise of Dublin's Cinemas

Cinemas boomed in the Dublin of the 1920s and 1930s, but by the 1960s and 1970s the industry was in massive decline. How did some cinemas make it less than two decades before becoming bingo halls? And how did one Dublin cinema club prosper even against the backdrop of a dying industry?

Mar 1, 2021 • 34:09

Surrey House and the Rathmines Revolutionaries

Surrey House and the Rathmines Revolutionaries

The Leinster Road home of Constance Markievicz was the de-facto headquarters of revolutionary boyscouts Na Fianna Éireann, an Irish nationalist hijacking of the Baden Powell boyscout ideals. In Unionist Rathmines, Surrey House was a centre of nationalism, Suffrage activism and socialism.

Feb 22, 2021 • 35:18

St Valentine and Whitefriar Street Church

St Valentine and Whitefriar Street Church

A short edition of the podcast to mark Valentine's Day and the presence of the relics of Saint Valentine in Whitefriar Street Church. Dublin owes much to Father John Spratt, a man of charity and a social reformer, who is to thank for the presence of the relics here. The story of Valentine's relics is also the story of one of Dublin's great female sculptors, Irene Broe.

Feb 14, 2021 • 18:18

Old Streets and New Communities

Old Streets and New Communities

This special edition of the podcast, produced for Dublin Chinese Lunar New Year, explores the Parnell Street and Moore Street areas in the context of how new communities have come to settle there. This area is now fundamentally linked to Chinese and Asian cuisine and culture in Dublin, but also has a surprisingly long history of migration. Is Parnell Street Dublin’s Chinatown, and what does the future hold for Moore Street?

Feb 10, 2021 • 32:54

Patrick Kavanagh's Dublin

Patrick Kavanagh's Dublin

Patrick Kavanagh described coming to Dublin as the worst mistake of his life. In truth, the city would shape him as a poet and as a man.  There are traces of Kavanagh to be found in different parts of the city today, but nowhere moreso than in the Dublin 4 neighbourhood he immortalised forever. *Contains some bad language.*

Feb 2, 2021 • 36:22

The Poolbeg Stacks

The Poolbeg Stacks

2021 marks 50 years since the first of the Poolbeg stacks went up. The Pigeon House/Poolbeg is at the centre of the story of electricity in Dublin. How have these red and white chimneys come to be a symbol of Dublin, and why are other industrial features forgotten by comparison? Most importantly, what does the future hopd for them?

Jan 24, 2021 • 32:03

Take Her Up To Monto

Take Her Up To Monto

Where did Monto come from, and how did it last so long? Immortalised as Nighttown by Joyce, Dublin's red light district was a product of more than just the military presence in Dublin. This podcast explores the Monto in reality and memory.

Jan 19, 2021 • 32:21

Storming The Parliament: The 1759 College Green Riot

Storming The Parliament: The 1759 College Green Riot

In December 1759, a 'mob' of some three thousand people made their way from the Coombe to College Green. Some of them proceeded to enter the Irish Parliament, demanding that politicians swear an oath and even occupying the throne of the House of Lords.  But what influenced them to do it, and what became -or should become  of the College Green parliament? TCB is on Twitter: @3CastlesBurning www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

Jan 11, 2021 • 32:49

The Students are Revolting: Dublin and 1968

The Students are Revolting: Dublin and 1968

1968 brings to mind the occupied universities of Paris, or the student protests for Civil Rights reform in the United States. In a year of global student revolt, curious things were happening on Irish campuses. From Maoists in Trinity College to a young Kevin Myers in UCD, many were seeking change. In Paris, the students found an unlikely friend in a Dublin-born film producer too. This is the story of 1968.

Jan 5, 2021 • 34:41

The Burning of the Custom House (with Las Fallon)

The Burning of the Custom House (with Las Fallon)

The 25 May 1921 witnessed the Second Battalion of the Dublin Brigade IRA enter the Custom House. The masterpiece of James Gandon, and the home of the Local Government Board, it was set on fire in minutes. But the fire became an inferno only after the fire brigade arrived. How exactly did this happen? Fire brigade historian and author Las Fallon joins me to discuss a remarkable day of collusion between the DFB and the IRA.

Dec 30, 2020 • 55:26

Houses, Markets and Pints of Plain: Lord Iveagh's Dublin

Houses, Markets and Pints of Plain: Lord Iveagh's Dublin

Last night, a Christmas tree appeared outside the Iveagh Markets. On one level, it was a long standing tradition (until the late 1980s), but on another it was a sign of hope, that the markets may yet be reborn. This year is an important milestone for the Iveagh Trust, and it seems the Iveagh Markets is coming back too. Who was Iveagh, and why did he do it all?

Dec 21, 2020 • 32:05

A Few Men Faithful and a Deathless Dream: Kilmainham Gaol (With Gillian O'Brien)

A Few Men Faithful and a Deathless Dream: Kilmainham Gaol (With Gillian O'Brien)

Gillian O'Brien, author of The Darkness Echoing, joins Donal to talk about her new book and Kilmainham Gaol. From 1796 to 1924, Kilmainham was at the heart of Irish history, but how has its meaning shifted through time?

Dec 14, 2020 • 40:41

Christmas in the Hibernian Metropolis

Christmas in the Hibernian Metropolis

A potted history of Christmas in Dublin, from a tense Christmas which saw a policeman chucked into the Liffey to the annual Wrenboy tradition which still happens in parts of Dublin. What was Christmas like in 1920, and what about during the years of the so-called Emergency?

Dec 6, 2020 • 29:24

The Vegetarian Restaurant of the Irish Revolution

The Vegetarian Restaurant of the Irish Revolution

21 Henry Street, the vegetarian restaurant where the 1916 Proclamation was signed, was later attacked by the IRA in the Civil War, owing to the politics of its owner, Jennie Wyse Power. In its day it fed suffragettes, socialists, Indian students and perhaps the occasional G Man. A future President of Ireland, and a future President of India, both frequented it.

Nov 28, 2020 • 25:20

The Gresham Hotel on Bloody Sunday

The Gresham Hotel on Bloody Sunday

On this day a century ago, two men are killed in The Gresham Hotel in Dublin. Just who they were, and why they found themselves on a hitlist that morning, remains something of a mystery today. This podcast is a sequel of sorts to a recent edition on Bloody Sunday.

Nov 21, 2020 • 24:22

The Zoological Gardens (EXTRA)

The Zoological Gardens (EXTRA)

This week, an unexpected extra edition of the podcast to celebrate the zoological gardens. Where did Dublin Zoo come from and how has it changed? Our planned show this week, on the Gresham Hotel and Bloody Sunday, will be coming this weekend to mark the centenary of events there. (Spotify thumbail image by Luke Fallon)

Nov 20, 2020 • 21:05

J.P Donleavy, Richard Harris and the Archbishop

J.P Donleavy, Richard Harris and the Archbishop

WARNING: This edition of the podcast contains much bad language. In 1959, J.P Donleavy brought his masterpiece The Ginger Man to the stage. Richard Harris stepped into the very big boots of Sebastian Dangerfield. In England, the censor was horrified and the public complained, but in Ireland things played out differently. This is the story of one of the great banned masterpieces of the Irish twentieth century, The Ginger Man.

Nov 13, 2020 • 34:58

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