Podcast Archive

Welcome to the podcast archive page for "The Letter from Ireland Podcast". Here you'll find a link to all of our podcast episodes covering Irish Genealogy & Family History, Irish Surnames, Irish Culture & Customs, Ireland Travel and much more.

 

Browse the podcast episodes listed on this page and jump to one that interests you, or enter a placename, surname or other item in the search box below to see related podcasts.

All of our podcasts to date

Maddens Buildings 2 jpg - A Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandmother (#802)

A Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandmother (#802)

In this episode we trace the origins – and more – of Carina’s mystery Irish grandmother. I say “mystery” because Carina only ever knew her as “Granny Cronin”. So, join us as we look to solve this mystery – with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way. We hope you…

transatlantic 3 jpeg - Come into This World of Celtic Music (#801)

Come into This World of Celtic Music (#801)

In this episode we explore not just the world of Irish music – but 10 tracks from the extended Celtic family. We use music featured on the TV programme – “The Transatlantic Sessions” – to bring you music and song from Ireland, Scotland, the USA and much more. With lots of chat between each song.…

Boy and Irish Wolfhound jpeg - My Top Irish Names for Boys and Girls (#747)

My Top Irish Names for Boys and Girls (#747)

In today’s episode we share some old Irish names – quite beautiful ones – that are just some of our favourites for boys and girls. Perhaps you already have one or two in your own family? We also share the story of Jimmy Hasty, an Irish footballer from Dundalk in County Louth and how I…

Top 10 Letter from Ireland Podcast Episodes jpg - Top 10 Letter from Ireland Podcast Episodes

Top 10 Letter from Ireland Podcast Episodes

In todays special end of year episode, we look back over 2022 and select the 10 most popular Letter from Ireland Podcast episodes during the year. Something here for everyone! Let’s begin the countdown – starting at number 10 and working our way to number 1: At Number 10: “From The Vikings to The Normans”.We look…

A Merry Irish Christmas 10 Old Irish Christmas Songs copy jpg - A Merry Irish Christmas - 10 Old Irish Christmas Songs (#748)

A Merry Irish Christmas – 10 Old Irish Christmas Songs (#748)

In todays special Christmas episode, we share a selection of old Irish Christmas carols, songs and tunes. Something here for everyone! They include: With lots of chat along the way! We hope you enjoy! You can listen to the show on your computer/smartphone by clicking on the play button above (the triangle with the circle…

Liverpool, UK - May 17 2018: Bronze statue of the Beatles stands at the Pier Head on the side of River Mersey, sculpted by Andrew Edwards and erected in December 2015

The Leaving of Liverpool, The Irish & The Beatles (#746)

We chat about just some of the Irish families who decided to stay in Liverpool – and their very famous descendants, four lads who formed a band called The Beatles.

Emigration from Ireland

The Most Irish of Towns Outside Ireland? (#745)

This week we look at the fact that there are many, many more people of Irish descent OUTSIDE the island of Ireland than on the island of Ireland. Many Irish immigrants brought their Irish place names with them when they settled in a new country. We look at just two cities with an Irish pedigree…

Connaughtmusic counties - Galway Bay and the Music and Songs of Connaught (#744)

Galway Bay and the Music and Songs of Connaught (#744)

Welcome to this special musical edition of the Letter from Ireland podcast. We take a tour around the five counties – Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon – of the Irish province of Connaught. We have chosen two songs/pieces of music from each County with plenty of history and stories along the way. We hope…

Bould Thady Quill - Is This The Best Memorial For an Irish Ancestor? (#743)

Is This The Best Memorial For an Irish Ancestor? (#743)

In this episode we look at two types of storyteller. First, we have the “bard” who composes songs to honour the deeds and exploits of the great (and not so great) among us. In this case, a certain gentleman called “Thady Quill” had a song composed in his honour which has lived on long past…

Celtic cross in Irish church graveyard

How The Irish Saved Civilisation (#742)

In this episode, we look at the time of the Brehon laws of Ireland and take an example of just some of these Gaelic common laws that held our society together. We also chat about the Brehon families and some of the Irish surnames associated with these families. We then go on to chat about…