HistoryHub
Connecting past and present
Michael Laffan studied at Gonzaga College, University College Dublin, Trinity Hall Cambridge and the Institute for European History in Mainz. Having lectured briefly at the University of East Anglia he took up a post in UCD, where he taught for over three decades and served in various positions, including as head of the School of History and Archives, before retiring in 2010. He has lectured widely in Ireland and across the globe. From 2010 to 2012 he was president of the Irish Historical Society; he is now an emeritus professor in UCD.
The Irish Revolution was a module taught by Professor Laffan in the School of History and Archives, University College Dublin from the late 1970’s until his retirement in 2010. In association with the UCD College of Arts and Celtic Studies and History Hub all 10 of the lectures were recorded by Real Smart Media and are available to stream / download via Apple, Spotify, RSS feed and Soundcloud (links are below).
Since it was first made available to podcast on History Hub in 2012, Professor Laffan’s highly engaging series has proven to be tremendously popular with academic and public audiences alike, and was even the No. 1 podcast series on iTunes in Ireland shortly after its launch. To date there have been over 1 million downloads/plays of Professor Laffan’s lecture series.
The Irish Revolution – module description
The lecture series covers a tumultuous period in Irish history and examines the interaction of different groups (in particular unionists, moderate and radical nationalists, and the British), the causes and impact of events (such as the Home Rule Crisis, the Easter Rising, and the Treaty), and patterns of continuity and discontinuity in the period spanning the First World War.
For people interested in learning about this tumultuous period in Irish history the good news is that the series is now more accessible than ever.
The Irish Revolution
For people interested in learning about this tumultuous period in Irish history the good news is that the series is now more accessible than ever. The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, Soundcloud and via RSS Feed.
You can listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Soundcloud and via RSS Feed. The full list of episodes from The Irish Revolution are embedded below.
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Listen on Apple ¦ Soundcloud ¦ Spotify
Since 2011, researchers from a range of disciplines including History, Irish, English, Archaeology and Art History, have presented papers at Tudor and Stuart Ireland conferences. History Hub, in association with Real Smart Media, has produced more than 320 podcasts from these conferences.
UCD offers a variety of study options and entry pathways, ranging from full-time degrees to short-term courses for pure interest. Lifelong Learning offers all adult learners the opportunity to explore a subject of their choice without the pressure of an examination. Open Learning is a flexible way of studying history part-time at UCD. Explore your UCD History options for the coming year.
LGBT Activism in Ireland, 1973-2023: Looking Back, Going Forward is a UCD project which comprised of two workshops which were organised by Dr Mary McAuliffe (Director, UCD Gender Studies), in partnership with the National LGBT Federation (NXF), and funded by a Research Ireland New Foundations award.
The workshops – History of LGBT Activism in Ireland and Where We’re Going – Backlash, Solidarity, and Mobilising took place in UCD Humanities Institute in April 2025. Podcasts from the workshops are now available on History Hub.
Holocaust Education Ireland’s Holocaust Memorial Lecture for 2025 was given by Prof. Anthony McElligott from University of Limerick. A podcast of his lecture – “Surviving Liberation: Jewish Camp Survivors 1945-1948” – is now available on History Hub.
