The Irish Passport

Oscar the Wilde Irishman 14.07.2026 53min

Before the world knew Oscar Wilde, Ireland knew Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde: the son of a famous nationalist poet mother and a pioneering surgeon who grew up at the heart of Ireland's cultural renaissance of the 19th century, between Dublin and famine-ravaged County Mayo. We discuss how Ireland shaped the budding writer and how Irish politics and the context of the time are key to understanding who he was. This is the first episode in a series dedicated to Wilde, a fascinating and pivotal figure for Ireland and the wider world, made available early for Patreon supporters. A bonus episode is available over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport/posts/halfpint-irish-163604289

Racist riots in Belfast 16.06.2026 25min

Last week footage of a shocking stabbing in Belfast went viral. After it emerged that the perpetrator was an asylum seeker originally from Sudan, protests were called that soon devolved into a racist pogrom. Gangs of young men created checkpoints, burnt out cars, and set fire to the homes of people suspected to be migrants. An old friend of the podcast, Matthew O'Toole, got a frontline view to the impact. The constitutency office he now runs as an elected official for the SDLP was converted into a temporary shelter for families fleeing their burning homes. He drove a family in the back of his car to safety in a convoy through Belfast as the violence still raged. Thanks to longtime listener James and to supporter Kathy for suggesting the topic. This is a bonus episode made specially to thank Patreon supporters - due to the urgency of the topic, we've decided to make this one public.

The mosquito that bit Cromwell 12.06.2026 1val 6min

A proposal for the smallest statue in the world to be built in Cork, in honour of the local mosquito that reputedly bit Oliver Cromwell ultimately causing his death, recently went viral. The idea inspired this episode discussing the diverging historical memory of Cromwell in Ireland, where he is remembered as a genocidal murderer, and in Britain, where he retains many admirers. We speak to Green party Cork Councillor Oliver Moran about the inspiration behind his statue proposal, a 'monument to the role of biodiversity in the national struggle' as one wag put it. Naomi and Tim then explore the stark divergences in Irish and British depictions of Cromwell in art and literature going back to the 16th century.

Granuaile- warrior of the waves 18.05.2026 1val 26min

Granuaile or Grace O'Malley: a woman chieftain in 16th century Ireland who ruled the seas with a fleet of ships and was both respected and deeply feared. Daughter of the seafaring Ó Máille Gaelic clan, Gráinne carved out a position of power for herself at a time when there was little recent precedent for doing so. She found herself contending with the encroachment of English invaders, and ended up sailing to London to plead her case directly to Queen Elizabeth I - and she won. Naomi and Tim delve into the remarkable life of Granuaile - the myths, the legends, but also first-hand historical accounts she and her contemporaries left behind - to chart a career that encapsulates the final days of Gaelic Ireland. A Halfpint bonus debrief is available on PAtreon discussing how while written history forgot Granuaile, she was kept alive by oral and cultural traditions that made her an enduring symbol of Irish defiance. https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-158088547 Recommended reading: Grace O'Malley : The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen 1530-1603 by Anne Chambers, to whom we are much indebted for research that allowed for the making of this episode.

Fuel protests blockade Ireland 16.04.2026 53min

For the past week Ireland has been blockaded by protests that have been described as among the largest seen since independence. It's one ripple effect from the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which sent the price of fuel used by farmers, truckers and fishermen soaring. In response protesters blocked motorways, ports, Ireland's only oil refinery, and much of the capital Dublin, demanding the government intervene to lower prices. In this episode, Naomi and Tim dig into the politics behind the protests and the international context. You can find some of previous reporting on the Healy Raes here https://soundcloud.com/theirishpassport/chaos-a-new-government-and-the

St Patrick's Day News Update 17.03.2026 56min

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! On this most turbulent of St Patrick’s Day, we cover some of the major events that are dominating news headlines: Gerry Adams in court in London, Mícheál Martin on the Taoiseach’s annual pilgrimage to the White House, and the how Ireland and Europe are reacting to the fallout of the US war with Iran. We’ll be releasing a halfpint with further discussion exclusively for Patreon supporters later in the week. To gain access to more than 100 bonus content episodes, you can sign up today on www.Patreon.com/theirishpassport.

Bridget: Saint, Goddess, Myth 23.02.2026 1val 10min

This month marks the official start of spring in Ireland and to mark it Naomi and Tim discuss the figure of Bridget, Brigid or Bríd. A goddess in Gaelic times who became Christianised into Saint Bridget, the stories about this figure reveal fascinating details about the society that produced them. A bonus Halfpint debrief episode is available here for Patreon supporters: https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-151451289 Here are links to some podcasts we mentioned in the episode that have delived into Bridget and her legacy in Ireland: The Irish History Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7frXuuvcxGMDnDdim5Wv20?si=77qeFMbERYSyD5yP-crldw Talking History: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LY4tBxJRYSfM6VIwJ3eyn?si=MBNVncl0SuqBjCppl0miww

Give me Greenland 22.01.2026 1val

A strategically-located island in the Atlantic circled by Russian ships and with few of its own defences... Greenland has caught the avaricious eye of the president of the United States and the result is destroying the assumptions that defined the post-WW2 era. As world leaders meet in Davos amid a crumbling world order, Naomi and Tim consider the tumultuous events of recent weeks and what it means for Ireland. Plus: Mercusor. Is the trade deal with Latin American countries a much-needed overture to strengthen alternative alliances, or is the ecological price too high? A bonus Halfpint debrief episode will be available on Patreon in which we discuss the surprising facts and figures behind gun ownership in Ireland.

The checkout workers who boycotted apartheid South Africa and other stories 12.12.2025 1val 14min

In this listener questions episode, Naomi and Tim take questions from listeners on everything from Gaelic Ulster, to nomadic patterns of land use, and the quirks of Ireland's postal system. We discuss the long effect of an old law that forced women to quit their jobs once they married. Tim tells the story of the supermarket workers who refused to handle goods from apartheid South Africa, and how they are still remembered today. Listener questions episodes are made to answer the queries and suggestions of Patreon supporters who back us at the €5 level or above. We have released this one as a taster of what you're missing! Patreon has introduced gift memberships for the first time this year. So if you know someone who would love access to 100+ bonus episodes of the Irish Passport, you know what to do! A guide to how to buy a gift membership is here: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/31344987943949-How-to-gift-memberships-to-other-fans Thanks so much to all of you and a big shout out to those listeners who sent in their questions. We'll do another listener questions episode soon!

The Economic War 27.11.2025 1val 12min

Naomi and Tim dig into the history of Ireland's Economic War, a challenging period for the early Irish state which ended up transforming the country as it shaped its new independence. We hear from someone who lived through that difficult period of the 1930s, when Britain slapped high tariffs on Ireland and the Irish state retaliated in turn. "The English were starving the Irish people that time," were his stark words. Naomi unpicks how her own family story intersects with Ireland's revolutionary history of land ownership, through the tale of the O'Leary family on the Kerry townland of Readrinagh. Naomi and Tim discuss more of the research behind this episode and reveal more secrets from the archives in a bonus debrief now available for supporters over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-144460322

The Real History of Guinness 20.10.2025 1val 35min

The famous 'pint of plain' has become one of the most recognisable commercial brands in the world, and is inextricably linked to the Irish pub. In light of a new Netflix series on the Guinness family, this episode dives into the real history of the 'Black stuff', and explores how the brand has reinvented itself time and time again through the miracle of marketing. An extra-content debrief on this episode is available exclusively to Patreon supporters, who also enjoyed early access to this episode. If you want to access our 100+ extra content episodes, you can sign up to support the podcast at www.patreon.com/theirishpassport.

Who will be Ireland's Next President? 19.09.2025 1val 12min

Naomi and Tim take a look at the candidates who have put themselves forward for the highest office in the land and consider what the Irish presidency means in the 21st century. We look at the odd nature of presidential office in Ireland, how the role has changed significantly over recent mandates, and why that could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis in the future. Bonus episodes are available for supporters over on www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

Rebel Music - Kneecap and Gaza 05.07.2025 59min

An Irish language rap group has improbably enough become the focus of global media attention and political debate. Why? For describing Israel's actions in Gaza as a genocide and accusing the United States of complicity before an approving crowd at the music festival Coachella. In this episode, Naomi and Tim explain the origins of Kneecap in the movement for Irish language rights, the controversies about the band as its fame grew to ever greater heights, and why it now appears to be becoming a test case for the freedom of cultural figures to speak out about Palestine. A new bonus episode in which Naomi and Tim take questions from listeners about the Irish language and generational trauma is available on patreon.com/theirishpassport You can also listen to our 2020 Halfpint about Kneecap and the politicisation of the Irish language here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34241066

Conquest Pt 7: The Curse of Cromwell 01.06.2025 1val 14min

In the grand finale of our Conquest series, Naomi and Tim dig into one of the most notorious episodes of Irish history, starring none other than Oliver Cromwell. We explore his rise to power as a major player in the puritan faction of England's civil war, and how he came to view the task of "pacifying" Ireland both as a way to solidify his support, and as a kind of holy war. Cromwell's actions in Ireland were genocidal. Nevertheless, we discuss how his actions in Ireland continue to be played down among historians in Britain to this day. Naomi and Tim discuss more, including the uncomfortable resonances to current day news, in a bonus debrief episode over on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-130363450 Micheál Ó Siochrú's authorative work on Cromwell, 'God's Executioner', is available here: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571218462-gods-executioner/?srsltid=AfmBOoqKEZw77QejfJJh-6OoFsKDvgeO55jZSaEZMvc665fFaNgx2SPE

Investigating a ruthless rental empire 04.05.2025 1val 21min

Naomi spent months investigating a rogue landlord who built up an empire of rental properties in Ireland backed by family wealth in Luxembourg. In this episode, we tell the story of Marc Godart: his back story, the controversial evictions that brought him to prominence, and the unusual ways he runs his businesses. This is based on reporting by Naomi and her colleagues at the Irish Times that was recently awarded the Mary Raftery Prize for social affairs journalism. The winning story is here: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/01/13/under-the-eye-of-landlord-marc-godart-how-a-tenant-who-objected-to-cctv-surveillance-was-evicted/ You can read more of Naomi's reporting here: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2024/02/17/working-for-marc-godart-paper-directors-shadow-airbnb-accounts-ruthless-staff-practices/ https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/04/15/the-luxembourg-family-behind-an-irish-property-empire/ Bonus episodes are available for supporters over on www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

Trump's Tempestuous Tariffs: Ireland and the EU React 03.04.2025 56min

In the last 24 hours the global economic order may have transformed forever, as Donald Trump declares crushing tariffs for countries all over the world, not least the European Union. In this hot-off-the-press episode, Naomi explains what this might mean for Ireland and the EU, how the figures add up (or how they don't) and why the reasoning behind these new tariffs has experts all over the world scratching their heads ...

Conquest Pt 6: The lost world of Gaelic Ireland 05.03.2025 1val 9min

A very different cultural and political model dominated Irish society prior to the British conquest: Gaelic Ireland. This was a system that prevailed for thousands of years, right back into prehistory, protected by Ireland's geographic isolation. What norms did this society have? What laws, what economic system, in what buildings did people live? Naomi and Tim paint a picture of life in Ireland before the British conquest, in the lost world of Gaelic Ireland. Naomi and Tim continue the discussion and delve into the enduring Gaelic dating practices around Irish horse fairs in a bonus episode now available for Patreon supporters! https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-123678971

Deporting the Irish 02.02.2025 1val 3min

Did you know that the United States' border policy and power to deport people was invented to get rid of famine-era immigrants from Ireland? It's a little-known chapter of history that challenges many current day stereotypes in anti-immigrant discourse. Naomi and Tim break it down in this new episode, featuring historian Hidetaka Hirota, whose book on the subject upended much of what was previously thought about the origins of US immigration policy. A surging nativist movement determined to root out the undocumented and deport immigrants deemed to be 'undesirable': it is a timely subject for the present day. We discuss how talk of raids and mass deportations by the new administration of Donald Trump is sparking fears among the thousands of undocumented Irish people living in the US. Naomi and Tim dig deeper into this history in a bonus debrief episode available for supporters over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/halfpint-debrief-121365055 "There is a hidden, unspoken assumption that European immigrants were always legal... I always argue that that is a really wrong association in the first place. Undocumented immigration has always involved European immigration." Patreon supporters can listen to the full interview with Hidetaka Hirota here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/deporting-poor-121367468

Chaos, a new government, and the Healy Raes 28.01.2025 49min

Why did chaos disrupt the formation of a new Irish government? What has the government promised to do, and who's in it? We break it down in this new episode. We also a look back on some of our prior reporting on the Healy Raes: rural political dynasty from County Kerry who have chosen to go into government for the first time - with Michael Healy Rae even set for a ministerial position. What will this mean for them? We discuss the stakes. For bonus episodes and early access, sign up to support the podcast on patreon.com/theirishpassport

Classic Irish Passport: Santa Granted Access to Irish Air Space 21.12.2024 21min

Nollaig shona daoibh go léir! During this festive season please enjoy this short holiday episode which we originally recorded last year. Every year the Irish government and national media lend their full attention to the arrival of Santa Claus on the island of Ireland, and discuss the various logistics of his visit to every child in the country. In this mini bonus episode, we bring you this most important news story of the year, and explain how, for a few days every December, Santa dominates the parliamentary agenda of Dáil Éireann.