It’s the Season 2 finale of the Irish Passport Podcast, and we’re taking on Irish Nationalism. Naomi O’Leary interviews Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald about her concept of progressive Irish nationalism, and why she believes its anti-colonial roots distinguishes it from counterparts in continental Europe. Tim Mc Inerney speaks to historians Richard English and Aidan Beatty to find out why race, gender and a whole lot of misunderstandings made Irish nationalism what it is today. And guest reporter Michael Lanigan heads to Dublin, where a Republic of Ireland versus Northern Ireland soccer match offers an interesting perspective on one of the newer national identities on the island: Northern Irish.
This episode is sponsored by Tigh Neachtain pub in Galway. This sponsorship allowed us to hire an audio editor for this episode: thank you very much to Alan Meaney.
Strange things are happening in Co. Roscommon, where a controversial eviction has set the internet on fire. Who were the unidentified men who ejected an elderly family from their farm house last week? Why do ex-British soldiers appear to be involved? And where do the rumours stop and facts begin? Naomi O’Leary and Tim Mc Inerney uncover the dramatic story of this eviction and its deep historical resonances in the Irish cultural consciousness. They trace out the facts of what exactly happened in the townland of Falsk, how it inspired a vicious vigilante counter-attack that has gripped national headlines – and why you should pay very close attention to what happens next. This episode includes exclusive unreported revelations about security guards from Northern Ireland who carried out the eviction. Trust us, you’re going to want to listen to this one.
The last Irish unionist politicians were elected in the 1920s… until now. With Brexit changing everything, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar invited Armagh native Ian Marshall to run as an independent candidate for Seanad Éireann. Marshall topped the poll, becoming the first northern unionist to be elected to the Irish parliament. His candidacy was supported by the nationalist party Sinn Féin to boot. In this interview Marshall explains his staunch opposition to Brexit, what life was like for his Protestant farming family in South Armagh during the conflict in Northern Ireland, and how he feels about a potential future referendum on Irish unity.
Marshall was featured briefly on the Season 2 episode ‘Irish Politics and the Civil War’. You can listen to the full interview now on Patreon: exclusive extra content we produce to thank our patrons.
Listen here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/22855237
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