Best Damian Shiels Podcasts (2025)

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Ben Franklin's Forgotten Trip to Ireland 45:56

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34m ago45:56

45:56

In 1771 Benjamin Franklin spent more than six weeks traveling through Ireland at a moment when tensions between Britain and her colonies were rising. In this episode Damian and Fin trace his route from Dublin through the Irish countryside and explore the people he met and the conditions he witnessed. Despite being laid low with food poisoning on hi…

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Irish Mountain Men: Pioneers of the American West? 51:43

5d ago51:43

51:43

One of the most enduring stereotypes of early US history is the Mountain Man. This figure often appears as the tough and resourceful frontiersman familiar from films like The Revenant. The stereotype is rooted in fact and in recent months Damian has been researching the Irish men who found themselves in the American West during the early nineteenth…

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Civil War Talk Radio - November 19, 2025 (Alexandre Caillot: Late to the Fight) 1:00:27

1h ago1:00:27

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Alexandre Caillot, Late to the Fight: Union Soldier Combat Performance from the Wilderness to the Fall of PetersburgBy Gerry Prokopowicz

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2210-Alexandre Caillot-Late to the Fight: Union Soldier Combat Performance from the Wilderness to the Fall of Petersburg 1:00:00

14d ago1:00:00

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Alexandre Caillot, author of "Late to the Fight: Union Soldier Combat Performance from the Wilderness to the Fall of Petersburg"By Impediments of War

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Clare to Connecticut: One Family’s Escape from the Great Hunger 51:54

12d ago51:54

51:54

What can a micro-history of emigration, the story of a single townland, or even a single family, reveal about the wider Irish emigrant experience? In this episode, we trace the remarkable journey of the Clune family of Tyredagh Upper, Co. Clare, whose multigenerational migration to Norwalk, Connecticut offers insight into how local origins shaped s…

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Civil War Talk Radio - November 12, 2025 (Robert P. Watson: Rebels at the Gates) 58:43

16d ago58:43

58:43

Robert P. Watson, Rebels at the Gates: The Confederacy's Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington.By Gerry Prokopowicz

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2209-Robert P. Watson-Rebels at the Gates: The Confederacys Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington 1:00:00

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Robert P. Watson, author of "Rebels at the Gates: The Confederacys Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington"By Impediments of War

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Phelan & Collender: The Irishmen Who Built an American Billiards Empire 24:13

22d ago24:13

24:13

Michael Phelan, born in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, rose to prominence as one of America's most gifted billiards player and showmen. In New York he encountered Hugh Collender, from Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, an exiled Irish nationalist who decided to turn his talents to business after the failed rising of 1848. Phelan’s flair and Collender’s enterpri…

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Civil War Talk Radio - October 29, 2025 (Damian Shiels: The Green and the Blue) 58:54

16d ago58:54

58:54

Damian Shiels, Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865By Gerry Prokopowicz

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2208-Damian Shiels-Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865 1:00:00

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Damian Shiels, author of "Green and Blue: Irish Americans in the Union Military, 1861-1865."By Impediments of War

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The Irish in Wisconsin 48:50

1M ago48:50

48:50

Wisconsin isn't the first state that springs to mind when it comes to the Irish American Diaspora. But though often more associated with Germans (and German beer!), Wisconsin had a notable Irish presence. Today, Milwaukee is even home to Irish Fest, the largest Irish festival in the United States. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Tim McMa…

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Civil War Talk Radio - October 22, 2025 (Nigel Lambert: The Battle of Hatcher's Run) 58:47

1M ago58:47

58:47

Nigel Lambert, www.HatchersRunBattle.com.By Gerry Prokopowicz

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2207-Nigel Lambert-“Hatchers Run” 1:00:00

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Nigel Lambert, “Hatchers Run”By Impediments of War

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Irish Placenames in the USA 40:13

1M ago40:13

40:13

In this episode, Fin and Damian trace the Irish legacy scattered across the American map through the placenames they left behind. The journey takes them from Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill, named for a Wexford battlefield in hopes of attracting Irish immigrants, to Menlo Park, California, the major tech hub with roots in a Galway inspired ranch. They unco…

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The Red Branch: Dynamite, Death & Diaspora in 1880s San Francisco 54:24

2M ago54:24

54:24

In the early 1880s, crates of California dynamite found their way to London — not for trade, but for terror. Irish revolutionaries in the United States were plotting bombings in the heart of the British Empire, and San Francisco, with its deep Irish roots, became a key outpost in the transatlantic campaign. In this episode, we speak with renowned a…

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Civil War Talk Radio - October 8, 2025 (James Marten: Biography of the 6th Wisconsin) 1:00:53

1M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

James Marten, The Sixth Wisconsin and the Long Civil War: The Biography of a RegimentBy Gerry Prokopowicz

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2206-James Marten-The Sixth Wisconsin and the Long Civil War: The Biography of a Regiment 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

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James Marten, author of "The Sixth Wisconsin and the Long Civil War: The Biography of a Regiment."By Impediments of War

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America's Most Notorious Grave Robbery: Patrick Jones & the AT Stewart Case 55:00

2M ago55:00

55:00

In 1878, one of the most infamous crimes in Gilded Age America stunned and captivated the nation: the corpse of Alexander Turney Stewart — an Irish immigrant turned millionaire merchant — was stolen from its grave in Manhattan and held for ransom. What followed was a drawn out saga that dragged another Irishman into the spotlight: Patrick Henry Jon…

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Civil War Talk Radio - October 1, 2025 (Scott Ellsworth: Midnight on the Potomac) 1:00:26

2M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Scott Ellsworth, Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of AmericaBy Gerry Prokopowicz

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2205-Scott Ellsworth-Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

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Scott Ellsworth, author of "Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America"By Impediments of War

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Heiresses of the Wild Atlantic Way: American Fortunes, Irish Families 47:14

2M ago47:14

47:14

When most people think of American heiresses marrying into the British or Irish aristocracy, they might picture Cora Crawley from Downton Abbey—the wealthy American who brought her fortune (and a bit of drama) to an English estate. But Cora’s story wasn’t entirely fiction. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scores of American women crossed …

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Transatlantic 3.0: Cracking the Consistency Code 13:29

2M ago13:29

13:29

We had an unplanned break in the show, but we’re back with a streamlined Transatlantic, having finally unlocked the secrets of recording across several time zones. Tune in to find out what we have planned! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Civil War Talk Radio - September 17, 2025 (Jerilyn James Lee: Stories of the USCT) 1:00:01

2M ago1:00:01

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Jerilyn James Lee, The Kinship of War: Stories of the United States Colored Troops. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182460225500764By Gerry Prokopowicz

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2204-Jerilyn Lee-The Kinship of War: Stories of the United States Colored Troops 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

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Jerilyn Lee, author of "The Kinship of War: Stories of the United States Colored Troops"By Impediments of War

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Civil War Talk Radio - September 10, 2025 (Jonathan White & Lucas Morel: F. Douglass on A. Lincoln) 1:00:26

2M ago1:00:26

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Jonathan White and Lucas Morel, Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham LincolnBy Gerry Prokopowicz

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2203-Jonathan White and Lucas Morel-Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

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Jonathan White and Lucas Morel, authors of "Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln"By Impediments of War

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Civil War Talk Radio - September 3, 2025 (Ryan Quint: Battle of Dranesville) 59:30

2M ago59:30

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Ryan Quint, Dranesville: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861By Gerry Prokopowicz

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2202-Ryan Quint-Dranesville: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

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Ryan Quint, author of "Dranesville: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861"By Impediments of War

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Civil War Talk Radio - August 27, 2025 (A. Wilson Greene: Petersburg Trilogy, vol. 2) 59:29

3M ago59:29

59:29

A. Wilson Greene, A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg, Vol. 2: From the Crater's Aftermath to the Battle of Burgess MillBy Gerry Prokopowicz

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2201-A. Wilson Greene-A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg, Vol. 2: From the Craters Aftermath to the Battle of Burgess Mill 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

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A. Wilson Greene, author of "A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg, Vol. 2: From the Craters Aftermath to the Battle of Burgess Mill"By Impediments of War

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The Fenians AKA When Irish Americans invaded Canada 56:53

5M ago56:53

56:53

One of the most famous Irish American organisations is the Fenians. In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Brennan MacDonald to explore the history of this enigmatic group. Brennan reveals how the Fenians harnessed the military experience gained in the US Civil War to challenge British rule in Ireland, and how their transatlantic networks sh…

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From Five Points to St. Peter’s: The Irish in New York 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

Over the course of the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Irish people moved to New York, leaving a lasting impact on the city. In this episode, Damian and Fin are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Stack and Danny Leavy to explore the legacy of these immigrants in the streets of NYC today. Danny and Elizabeth are historians and Irish immigrants living in…

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The Irish at Gettysburg 1:05:59

5M ago1:05:59

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Gettysburg stands as one of the most iconic battles in American history, with thousands of Irish men fighting on both sides of the conflict. In this episode, Fin and Damian are joined by historian Harry Smeltzer to delve into the dramatic three days of the battle. Together, they uncover the pivotal roles played by Irish soldiers, share gripping sto…

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Civil War Talk Radio - November 18, 2005 (Live from Gettysburg, with David Long) 40:06

5M ago40:06

40:06

Listen to an audio snapshot of Gettysburg as the town prepares to commemorate the anniversary of Lincoln's Address, with host Gerry Prokopowicz and guest David Long, author of The Jewel of Liberty: Abraham Lincoln's Re-election and the End of Slavery.By Gerry Prokopowicz

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Civil War Talk Radio - September 23, 2005 (Thomas Desjardin: One, Two, Many Gettysburgs) 56:10

5M ago56:10

56:10

In These Honored Dead: How the Story of Gettysburg Shaped American Memory, historian Thomaas Desjardin describes how the postwar efforts of John Bachelder, Dan Sickles, and others helped to create the modern view of what happened at the battle.By Gerry Prokopowicz

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Civil War Talk Radio - September 9, 2005 (Chris Fonvielle, Jr.: The Last Port) 36:57

5M ago36:57

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Professor Christopher Fonvielle of UNC- Wilmington, author of The Wilmington Campaign: Last Rays of Departing Hope, analyzes the important and fascinating events that marked the war in North Carolina in 1864-65.

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Civil War Talk Radio - March 4, 2005 (Catherine Clinton: Civil War the Next Generation) 51:23

5M ago51:23

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Prof. Catherine Clinton, biographer of Mary Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and others, discusses her work.By Gerry Prokopowicz

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US Military Pensions: A Window into 19th century Irish Life. 50:41

5M ago50:41

50:41

In 1881, Isabella Nugent wrote, “If having sexual intercourse made us man and wife, we were married.” Intimate, candid insights like this into the private lives of Irish people—both at home and abroad—are rare gems from the 19th century. Yet the private sex lives of our ancestors are just one of the many fascinating topics revealed in US Military P…

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Irish Immigrant Voices: What Can 1000s of their Letters Tell Us? 56:30

6M ago56:30

56:30

Ordinary people's letters provide the most immediate and intimate window into the lives of past Irish emigrants. In them are preserved their hopes, their fears and their stories. Now a new database brings thousands of these letters, written across four centuries, to our fingertips for the first time. In this episode, Damian chats with Breándán Mac …

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Civil War Talk Radio - June 11, 2025 (Michael Hardy: Feeding Lee's Army) 1:01:25

6M ago1:01:25

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Michael C. Hardy, Feeding Lee's Army of Northern Virginia

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2132-Michael Hardy-Feeding Lees Army of Northern Virginia 1:00:00

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Michael Hardy, author of "Feeding Lees Army of Northern Virginia"By Impediments of War

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How did the American Revolution change Ireland? 50:16

6M ago50:16

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The American Revolution had a profound and lasting impact on Ireland. While thousands of Irish people fought in the conflict and Cork Harbour served as a vital British logistics hub, the repercussions were felt far beyond the battlefield. The ideals and upheavals of the war helped radicalise Irish society, pushing it towards its own age of revoluti…

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Civil War Talk Radio - June 4, 2025 (KT Shively and Peter C. Luebke: The Second Manassas Campaign) 1:00:31

6M ago1:00:31

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Editor KT Shively and essay contributor Peter C. Luebke discuss The Second Manassas Campaign, edited by Kathryn J. Shively and Caroline E. Janney.

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2131-Kathryn J. Shively and Peter C. Luebke-The Second Manassas Campaign 1:00:00

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Editor Kathryn J. Shively and essay contributor Peter C. Luebke discuss "The Second Manassas Campaign," edited by Kathryn J. Shively and Caroline E. Janney.By Impediments of War

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Back on Track: Where did we go? 10:49

6M ago10:49

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This is a short story of an Irish man in America, a broken mic and lots of great Irish American History to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Civil War Talk Radio - May 28, 2025 (Matthew Locke: Charleston's Castle Pinckney) 1:03:26

6M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Matthew Locke (co-author with Cliff Roberts), Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War

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2130-Matthew Locke-Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War 1:00:00

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Matthew Locke (co-author with Cliff Roberts), of "Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War"By Impediments of War

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Civil War Talk Radio - May 21, 2025 (James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle: Memoir from the 54th) 1:02:27

6M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle, eds., Waging War for Freedom with the 54th Massachusetts: The Civil War Memoir of John W. M. Appleton

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2129-James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle-Waging War for Freedom with the 54th Massachusetts: The Civil War Memoir of John W. M. Appleton 1:00:00

7M ago1:00:00

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James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle, editors of "Waging War for Freedom with the 54th Massachusetts: The Civil War Memoir of John W. M. Appleton"By Impediments of War

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Civil War Talk Radio - April 30, 2025 (Michael deGruccio: George Cole's Strange and Tragic Wounds) 1:01:22

7M ago1:01:22

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Michael deGruccio, The Strange and Tragic Wounds of George Cole's America: A Tale of Manhood, Sex, and Ambition in the Civil War Era