Ragged Trousers and Paint Brushes (with Jimmy Murphy)
Release Date: 04/25/2023
The Animal Gangs: An Irish Peaky Blinders?
Three Castles Burning
A nice mention for the podcast recently on Crime World inspired me to go back to the subject of the Animal Gang. Seperating fact from folklore, just who made up the so-called Animal Gang of 1930s and 1940s Dublin. Was there one gang, or does the term mean something much broader? What was the relationship between the Animal Gang and the turbulent politics of the time. For more on the Animal Gang, see John Gibney’s Doc On One at https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/647163-documentary-podcast-animal-gangs-inner-city-dublin-folklore
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Streets Broad and Narrow: Tony Gregory and Molly Malone
Three Castles Burning
Tony Gregory remains one of the most beloved TD’s in the history of the city. Lately, talk of the Molly Malone monument has reminded me of the story of Gregory’s activism on behalf of Dublin’s largely female street traders, and his comments on the statue of Molly in the late 1980s. Is it time to move her to a more fitting location, where Jeanne Rynhart’s monument might finally be respected?
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Blueshirt Bluster? The March on Dublin
Three Castles Burning
Historian Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc has just produced Burn Them Out, a history of the Irish far-right. One of its most intriguing chapters studies the Blueshirt movement, tracing its development from an association of veterans into something much broader. Studying intelligence files and reports, Ó Ruairc demonstrates the surprising level of violence associated with this movement around the country. So, was Eoin O’Duffy’s so-called ‘March on Dublin’ ever a serious proposal, and what could have happened on the streets of Dublin in August 1933? Buy the book:...
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Leo Burdock and Ivan Beshoff: Fish, Chips and Revolution
Three Castles Burning
Both Patrick Leo Burdock and Ivan Beshoff were revolutionaries, though in very different circumstances. These two names remain stalwarts of the Dublin chipper landscape, but did you know a branch of Leo Burdock’s was raided in 1941, or that Ivan Beshoff lived to be over 100? From the Battleship Potemkin to a tramway strike in Dublin, this is the story of two remarkable men.
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The End of Monto: A Century On
Three Castles Burning
This edition of the podcast contains adult language and themes and is not suitable for younger listeners. This special live edition of the podcast was part of Abair, an annual programme within the Saint Patrick’s Festival. Joining me is Caroline West (author of a recent best selling history about Monto and a sex educator and columnist), Terry Fagan (oral historian and Monto expert), MacDara Yeates (singer and cultural programmer) as well as musical guests Sean Fitzgerald (The Deadlians) and Phelim Drew.
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The Dawning of the Day: Last Orders at the Early House
Three Castles Burning
In Dublin, just a handful of public houses now open at seven o’clock in the morning. Where did these early houses come from, and what has influenced their decline? On this journey across the city, we visit a pub financed by the Beamish & Crawford Brewery, as well as the historic fruit and vegetable market. Thanks to Brand New Retro for scanning SLATE Magazine!
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A Complete Unknown? When Dylan came to Dublin
Three Castles Burning
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:
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Traditional Singing from Dublin (with Macdara Yeates)
Three Castles Burning
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
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From The Nation to Shane MacGowan: Finding James Clarence Mangan (with Bridget Hourican and Warren Farrell)
Three Castles Burning
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.
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Tonehenge: Edward Delaney's Wolfe Tone Monument
Three Castles Burning
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/
info_outlineThe 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.