Oscar Wilde is one of the most famous Irish writers of all time. His writings are well known, leading many to forget that his mother was probably the greatest female Irish writer of her generation. His scandalous private life overshadows his brother's equally tempestuous time. And his fame means that "the Wilde libel case" will usually refer to his doomed attempt to clear his name - and not the far darker accusations levelled at his father.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

The presidency of Ireland is a role with little actual power, but some people have still projected a great amount of presence in it. Michael D Higgins and Mary Robinson are both presidents who have left an imprint on the Irish psyche. Against them Patrick Hillery fades into the background, despite being Ireland's president for 14 years. But he was a man who actually had a very large impact on Ireland's history in the 20th century - often for what he didn't do, rather than what he did.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

The Irish have a reputation for eccentricity, and it's not entirely undeserved. Join us on a tour through some of the most memorable, from one of Dublin's most loved characters, to Dublin's most famous madams, via vegan farmers, aristocratic jailrats, and the only High Queen of Ireland. Ireland wouldn't be the same without wild old characters like these

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

Although Ireland gained its independence in 1922, it remained a part of the British Empire for another 14 years. During that time three men served as governor general - the representative of the British crown in its dominion. The last of them was the least likely man imaginable - an Easter Rising veteran named Domhnall Ua Buachalla.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

For the season that's in it, we take a look at the history of Christmas in Ireland. Follow us down the centuries, from the ancient midwinter magic of Newgrange, through to English kings in Dublin, a young future priest in Wexford, and a homesick nurse in Donegal. We'll also take a look at some uniquely Irish Christmas traditions, including one very dear to my own heart.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

Nowadays, Dublin native Dionysus Lardner is a pretty obscure name. But in the first half of the 19th century, he was one of the most famous scientists in the world. His "Cabinet Cyclopedia" had some of the greatest writers of the day sharing their knowledge with the public, and his lecture tour of America reached fifty thousand people across over a hundred lectures. But it was his wild personal life, being involved in two different divorce cases, and his longterm rivalry with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, that really kept him in the headlines.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

In 19th century Donegal, few men were as hated as Black Jack Adair. Mothers would scare their children to sleep with his name, and even after his death a monument to him was destroyed. But why was he so despised, and what were the mysterious cursing stones one woman hoped to destroy him with?

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk

In this episode we look at the preserved corpses of Ireland - from the Egyptian mummies brought into the country, to the home-grown mummies of St Michans, to the mysterious bog bodies from our own distant past. Each of these was a life once lived, and each of them has a story to tell.

Wild Old Times is a podcast about the strange and obscure corners of Irish history, written and presented by Ciaran Conliffe.

Our logo is by Liffy Designs.

The opening theme is The Cat That Ate The Candle. The closing theme is The Parting Glass. Both were recorded by Gregory Mahan and are used under a Creative Commons license. You can find more of his music at https://tinwhistler.com

Wild Old Times is recorded at Farset Labs in Belfast. Learn more about Northern Ireland’s favourite hackerspace at https://farsetlabs.org.uk