This March I have been focusing specifically on the Irish experience on The Napoleonicist in a sequence of five episodes taking an unflinching look at Ireland's story, and the at times terrible things the English were responsible for.
I began by talking to Dr Catriona Kennedy (University of York) about the 1798 Irish Rebellion, which is crushed by the English:
Watch: (4) A Laboratory for Empire? Britain, Ireland and the 1798 Rebellion - YouTube
I was then joined by Jim Deery (PhD Researcher, Maynooth University) to talk about the more complex reality of the experiences, motivations and actions of Irish troops serving in Wellington's Army:
Listen: https://anchor.fm/the-napoleonicist/episodes/Wellingtons-Irish-Army-er7mrn
Watch: Wellington's Irish Army - YouTube
This was followed by an epic interview with Marcus Beresford, distant descendant of Marshal William Carr Beresford, in a two long feature discussing the man's life and contribution to the British and Portuguese armies, and the allied success in the Peninsular War:
Watch: Marshal William Carr Beresford - YouTube
The last interview was with Andrew Dorman (PhD Researcher, Dublin City University), as we talked about the Irish-military establishment in the late 1700s, and the day-to-day interactions between British troops and the Irish population:
Listen: https://anchor.fm/the-napoleonicist/episodes/Irish-Attitudes-to-the-British-Army-et8a0n
Watch: Irish Attitudes to the British Army in the 1700s - YouTube
And finally, I reprised the 'Voices' oral history series (which featured in Waterloo Remembered) to bring listeners a montage of letter, memoir and diary extracts giving a flavour of the diversity of experiences left to us by or about Irish men and women from this period: https://anchor.fm/the-napoleonicist/episodes/Voices-from-Ireland-etecba
I'd just like to end by thanking my extremely generous patreon supporters, who's kindness contributes to the production costs of the podcast, and makes the continued production possible. Find out more at www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicist
Thanks for the series so far, I wish, though the other side - fighting against the British - is also mentioned - I would have loved to see a complete podcast about those who fought for France and the liberty of Ireland - evidently a lot of Irish, dare I say Irish catholics, seemed not too happy how they were treated in the Napoleonic area and still the Easter Rising of 1916 - is seen by some as being treacherous to the British effort in WW1 - while for others is was a strife of independence.
Great to listen to all those podcasts, very impressive contributors who know their stuff by heart, and lovely to listen to an Irish accent.