The Red Branch: Dynamite, Death & Diaspora in 1880s San Francisco
In the early 1880s, crates of California dynamite found their way to London — not for trade, but for terror. Irish revolutionaries in the United States were plotting bombings in the heart of the British Empire, and San Francisco, with its deep Irish roots, became a key outpost in the transatlantic campaign.In this episode, we speak with renowned author and historian Dr Myles Dungan about his new historical novel The Red Branch, set in 1883 San Francisco and inspired by these real-life dynamiters, secret societies, and British spies. We explore the real history and real characters behind the fiction--along the way charting the story and experience of Irish immigrants in the City by the Bay.Sound by Kate Dunlea.ShownotesMyles Dungan. The Red Branch (Etruscan Press, 2025)The History Show RTÉ Radio OneMyles Dungan WebsiteMyles Dungan Publications Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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America's Most Notorious Grave Robbery: Patrick Jones & the AT Stewart Case
In 1878, one of the most infamous crimes in Gilded Age America stunned and captivated the nation: the corpse of Alexander Turney Stewart — an Irish immigrant turned millionaire merchant — was stolen from its grave in Manhattan and held for ransom.What followed was a drawn out saga that dragged another Irishman into the spotlight: Patrick Henry Jones — a Civil War general, lawyer, and public servant — who found himself forced to act as reluctant go-between for the body snatchers and Stewart’s grieving widow. This is a story of grave robbing, coded newspaper ads, and the high-stakes politics of class, loyalty, and legacy in 19th-century New York. And at the centre of it all were two Irishmen — one dead, one in danger of losing everything.We’re joined by historian Mark Dunkelman, biographer of Patrick Henry Jones and expert on the Stewart body snatching case, to dig into the truth behind the scandal that rocked Gilded Age America. AT Stewart Dictionary of Irish BiographyMark Dunkelman's Website: The Hardtack RegimentMark Dunkelman. Patrick Henry Jones- Irish American, Civil War General, and Gilded Age Politician (LUS Press, 2015). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Heiresses of the Wild Atlantic Way: American Fortunes, Irish Families
When most people think of American heiresses marrying into the British or Irish aristocracy, they might picture Cora Crawley from Downton Abbey—the wealthy American who brought her fortune (and a bit of drama) to an English estate. But Cora’s story wasn’t entirely fiction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scores of American women crossed the Atlantic, bringing their wealth to some of Ireland’s most iconic estates.In this episode, Fin and Damian explore the real-life stories behind these transatlantic marriages, as the elite of the Gilded Age wed into Victorian Ireland in its twilight years. We focus on three remarkable families who made their homes in mansions along the Wild Atlantic Way: Glenveagh Castle in Donegal, Kylemore House in Galway and Muckross House in Kerry.Sound by Kate Dunlea. ShownotesFurther ReadingIta M. Murphy. Ladies of the Country House: Irish Aristocratic Women, 1870-1918.Muckross House & GardensKylemore AbbeyGlenveagh Castle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Transatlantic 3.0: Cracking the Consistency Code
We had an unplanned break in the show, but we’re back with a streamlined Transatlantic, having finally unlocked the secrets of recording across several time zones. Tune in to find out what we have planned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Fenians AKA When Irish Americans invaded Canada
One of the most famous Irish American organisations is the Fenians. In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Brennan MacDonald to explore the history of this enigmatic group. Brennan reveals how the Fenians harnessed the military experience gained in the US Civil War to challenge British rule in Ireland, and how their transatlantic networks shaped the struggle for Irish independence.Further reading and sourceJohn O'Mahony: Dictionary of Irish BiographyJames Stephens: Dictionary of Irish BiographyThomas Sweeny: Dictionary of Irish BiographyJohn O'Neill: Dictionary of Irish BiographyJeremiah O'Donovan Rossa: Dictionary of Irish BiographyPatrick Egan: Dictionary of Irish Biography1867 Fenian ProclamationBook Chapter: Caleb Richardson: "'The Failure of the Men to Come Up": The Reinvention of Irish AMerican Nationalism" in David Prior (ed.) Reconstruction in a Globalizing WorldBook: Brian Jenkins: Fenians and Anglo-American Relations During ReconstructionBook: Jack Morgan: Through American and Irish Wars: The Life and Times of General Thomas SweenyArticle: Michae Kane: “American Soldiers in Ireland, 1865–1867.” The Irish Sword 23 (Summer. 2002)Book: Jermiah O'Donovan Rossa: Rossa's Recollections on archive.orgBook: David Brundage: Irish Nationalists in America: The Politics of Exile, 1798-1998Book: Susannah Ural: The Harp and the Eagle: Irish American Volunteers and the Union Army, 1861-1865Book: Lucy Salyer: Under the Starry Flag: How a Band of Irish Americans Joined the Fenian Revolt and Sparked a Crisis in American CitizenshipBook: Francis Carroll: America and the Making of an Independent Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Transatlantic: An Irish American History Podcast
3,000 miles of ocean separate Ireland from the USA, but both countries share a deep and intertwined history. Links between North America and Ireland predate Columbus, stretching back over 1,000 years. Since then, Irish people have shaped the history of the United States. From Ann 'Goody' Glover, who was hanged as a witch in Boston in the 17th century, to JFK, the story of the Irish in the US is fascinating. Join historians Damian Sheils and Fin Dwyer as they join forces to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of Irish American history.In Season 1 Fin and Damian explore fascinating topics includingWho was the first Irish person to cross the Atlantic?The Story of Goody Glover who was hanged as a witch in Boston.What was it like to emigrate during the Great Famine of the 1840s?How Irish people shaped the US Civil War?And much more...Subscribe and join Fin and Damian on this fascinating journey through our history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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