The Irish History Boys

Rent-Free in the Irish Free State: Why the British Government funded homes for WWI Veterans in 1926

Join Tim McGarry and Dr. Cormac Moore for another episode of The Irish History Boys, where they dig into the archives of the Irish News to explore the stories that shaped Ireland 50 and 100 years ago.   In this episode, we dive into the year 1926, a time of historical quirks and radical social shifts. They discuss the surprising reality of the British government funding homes for heroes for WWI veterans within the newly independent Irish Free State, a policy move that sparked political tension and eventually led to a landmark court case where veterans won the right to live rent-free.   We look into the 1926 report from the Association of Head Mistresses regarding barriers women faced in the workforce eight years after the end of the war.   The dramatic story of a cross-border ambulance dash through a hailstorm after a workhouse master tried to block a life-saving operation based on the new border sparks an interesting discussion followed by a 1920s farmers debate on the Irish Language.   Lastly, Tim and Cormac jump to the year 1976 and examine the fracturing of unionist unity as the UUUC began to split, and discuss the little-known talks between the Official Unionist Party and the SDLP aimed at ending direct rule. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Man Who Predicted Brexit: Seán Lemass on Britain, Ireland, and Northern Ireland

In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we delve into the "lost memoir" of Seán Lemass, drawing on newly discovered tapes that provide a blunt and candid look at the man who transformed a failing state.    We reflect on Lemass’s rise as the "power behind the throne" during Éamon de Valera’s final years, a period where he transitioned the country away from an "existential threat" and the despair of mass emigration.   We examine Lemass’s radical shift in economic policy, moving Ireland from the "sterile arguments" of protectionism toward a modern, open economy. This includes a look at the First Programme for Economic Expansion and his partnership with TK Whitaker, which replaced "fantasy land" policies with a pragmatic plan for growth that doubled the size of the Irish economy.   Additionally, we explore Lemass’s groundbreaking approach to Northern Ireland. We discuss the historic 1965 meeting with Terence O’Neill—the first time the leaders of the North and South had met in 40 years—and his realistic assessment that partition could only end through reconciliation, not military force or British coercion.    We also highlight his remarkably "prescient" views on Britain's relationship with Europe, including his 1960s warning that the British might only join the EEC to "slow down its development".   To conclude, we tackle the domestic legacy of the Lemass era, specifically the revolutionary introduction of free secondary education, which sought to remove what was called the "darkest stain" on the country. We also address his complex relationship with his son-in-law, Charles Haughey, and his final, unsentimental reflections on a career that, unlike most in politics, did not end in failure. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Rewriting Ireland's History - The Lost Memoirs of Sean Lemass

In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we delve into the "lost memoirs" of Seán Lemass, a man widely regarded as the architect of modern Ireland. Joined by author and editor Ronan McGrevy, we explore the significance of the rediscovered 1960s tapes that provide an unprecedented, first-hand account of Lemass’s 50-year public life. We confront the hidden personal tragedies that were long "elided" from his official life story, most notably the accidental childhood shooting of his brother Herbert, an event that remained unknown to the public and even his own daughter for decades. We also reflect on the brutal state-sanctioned execution of his brother Noel in 1923, a vengeful killing by Free State agents that eventually propelled Seán into his own political career. Additionally, we examine Lemass’s transition from revolutionary "poacher" to state "gamekeeper". We discuss his involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising and the controversial revelations found in his pension application regarding his role in the Bloody Sunday assassinations. We explore the tension between his militant Republican past and his later role as a pragmatic leader who helped found Fianna Fáil to move beyond "absolute abstentionism". To conclude, we analyze the modernization of the Irish economy under Lemass’s vision, shifting the nation away from protectionism and toward free trade and the EEC. We tackle his legacy in creating essential semi-state bodies like Aer Lingus and Bord na Móna, while providing a glimpse into his private character—a hardworking, incorruptible, and deeply compartmentalised man who remains, to this day, Ireland's most respected Taoiseach. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Lifting the Rock: Journalist Chris Moore Reveals Northern Ireland’s Most Dangerous Cover-Up

In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we continue our harrowing exploration of the Kincora Boys' Home scandal with award-winning journalist Chris Moore, uncovering the "rotten" truth beneath one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing institutional cover-ups. We delve into the tragic testimony of survivor Arthur Smith, who recounts his journey from a broken home to Kincora at just 11 years old—a place where his initial hope for safety was met with "horrendous" abuse at the hands of housewarden William McGrath. We further examine the "astonishing allegation" involving the Queen’s cousin, Lord "Dicky" Mountbatten, whom multiple survivors identify as a key abuser within the home. Through Moore’s investigative lens, we trace a disturbing pattern of predatory behaviour that allegedly extended from Kincora to Lambeth and various hotels across Ireland, highlighting the paradox of shame felt by the victims while their high-profile abusers remained protected. Additionally, we tackle the institutional wall of silence erected by the British state. We discuss the role of MI5 in allegedly covering up these crimes to "protect the sovereign," including the shocking revelation that intelligence officers discussed providing "false files" to official investigations to stymie the truth. This episode highlights the systemic obstruction faced by the RUC and journalists alike when attempting to hold powerful figures accountable. To conclude, we reflect on the personal stakes of Moore's decades-long investigation, from being "warned off" and threatened with prison by MI5 to the ongoing struggle to bring the "Lost Boys" of Kincora into the light. We address the enduring silence from the British media and the disturbing possibility that the networks of abuse described 45 years ago may still cast a shadow over the present day. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Britain’s Darkest Secret: The Northern Ireland Scandal MI5 Tried to Bury

**WARNING - This episode contains references to child sex abuse** In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we delve into the harrowing and long-suppressed history of the Kincora Boys' Home in East Belfast—a scandal described as "Britain’s Shame" and a profound betrayal of the most vulnerable children in society. We examine the systematic sexual abuse that began in the late 1950s under unqualified wardens and discuss how early reports of these "unpleasant" crimes were chillingly "sidestepped" by authorities. We explore the rise of William McGrath, the notorious "Beast of Kincora," an evangelical preacher who maintained a sinister double life as a paramilitary leader and alleged intelligence asset. We discuss how the grim violence of the Troubles provided a convenient backdrop for the state to ignore horrific complaints, as the relentless cycle of "bodies in the streets, bombs and bullets" often meant the cries of abused boys were tragically overlooked. Additionally, we dissect the British establishment’s enduring struggle to keep the truth of Kincora buried. Joined by award-winning investigative journalist Chris Moore, we examine the role of MI5 and the secret services in "blocking" a full judicial inquiry and the shocking decision to seal official files until 2065 and 2085. We discuss the tension between the public's right to the truth and the state's efforts to "knock the story on the head" to protect its own interests. To conclude, we reflect on the courage of the survivors who stood up against a system that threatened them with "death if they spoke". We highlight how, 45 years after the first exposé in the Irish Independent, the fight for accountability continues against a legacy of state-sponsored cover-ups and a judicial system that failed to grasp the "true damage" inflicted upon the souls of the children in its care ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.