Join Historian Dr Gavin Hughes and Musician/Storyteller Anne Harper as they weave history and music together, exploring the stories of the people, the places and the landscapes of Ireland.
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Homespun History Podcast - Dr Gavin Hughes & Anne Harper
Halloween Special - Emain Macha/ Navan Fort Co Armagh and the King's Stables
It's Halloween, so of course we HAD to pay a visit to the seat of the Kings of Ulster, Navan Fort! After all, it says in the Book of Leinster that if you don't attend at AllHallows you're as good as dead... So why not come with us?
Hear the story of how Emain Macha got its name, learn about the great *6 DAY* Samhain fire festival that was held here, & contemplate the mysterious mound & the curse of the Ulstermen!
Then we travel to the nearby 'King's Stables' to talk Bronze Age ritual offerings, portals to the otherworld, the Red Branch Knights and much more.
And don't forget to share the podcast, we appreciate it!
Nb. Story & Music Copyright Anne Harper Music & Stories 2024
21 Apr 2024
Cooneen Ghost House (the one where the stones bother us back!)
In a special ***BONUS EPISODE*** Gavin & Anne make a detour on their way home from County Fermanagh to visit the scene of one of Ireland's most famous and well-documented hauntings...
Bridget Murphy and her children were reportedly terrorised by paranormal phenomenon at their small farmhouse in Cornarooslan townland.
The 'ghost' moved objects around, banged and scraped on the walls & floor, shook the children's bed violently, and appeared to respond to questions asked in English, Irish and Latin.
The phenomena went on for months and attracted widespread attention. It was reported in the press at the time. There were many witnesses to the haunting including local farmers, neighbours, and 'half a dozen' priests. The property was even visited by the local MP Mr Cahir Healy, who went on to write about his experiences in 'Ireland's Own' magazine.
There were numerous attempts at exorcising the 'ghost', but none were successful and the haunting continued.
Some said that the house was haunted before the family moved in and others blamed the fairies. Unfortunately for the Murphys, more and more local people seemed to turn against them as time went on. They claimed that the haunting was the result of witchcraft and blamed the family for their misfortune. The Murphys were ultimately forced to flee their home and leave the country.
Is the Cooneen (Coonian) Ghost House still haunted? Should it be saved?
Listen and make up your own mind.
14 Apr 2024
The Boa Island Statues
Gavin & Anne are BACK with a bumper episode from an iconic location!
Join us as we venture beyond Co. Down to visit Boa Island in Co. Fermanagh, for a very special Spring visit.
We cover:
acid jazz (!),
news from the world of Irish archaeology & history,
Turlough O'Carolan's Fermanagh connection,
& come up with new theories about the meaning behind the famous 'Janus' statue & the possible origins of the Sheela la Na Gig!
View photos from the day here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bxkEM4daFHLdbcUzJRFgehsNRV9h89ms?usp=sharing)
The Patrick Sarsfield Homecoming Project (https://heritageireland.ie/whats-on/the-sarsfield-homecoming-project-the-search-for-the-remains-of-the-earl-of-lucan/)
French Consul of Limerick (https://x.com/@france_midwest)
Follow us on Socials:
@HistoryHomespun (https://x.com/historyhomespun)
@DrGavinHughes (https://x.com/DrGavinHughes)
@_f_i_l_i (https://x.com/_f_i_l_i)
Music performed by Anne Harper
All Rights Reserved
4 Apr 2024
Bring it all Back Home - The Brontes & the Royal Demesne of Drumballyroney
In this episode, Gavin and Anne are joined by well-known local Irish language pedagogue and itinerant ukulele songster, Dr Ian Malcolm!
Join us on our visit to the remains of an old shebeen on Knock Iveagh & the nearby birthplace of Patrick Bronte (Prunty), the father of the famous Bronte sisters.
We'll take a closer look at the landscape in which Patrick grew up to discover a place rich in inspiration and myth - from the hill where Gaelic chieftains received their inaugurations to the nearby fort which was the likely location of their gatherings and horse races!
Remember, if you've got a favourite place you think we should visit LET US KNOW! You can reach us on and Twitter. @historyhomespun
4 Apr 2024
Halloween Special - Spooky Shenanigans at Drumballyroney Old Churchyards
Will you join us in the graveyard as the sun goes down...?
In this hour-long Samhain Special Gavin, Anne, and special guest Arlene Copeland exchange some ghostly yarns at one of the spookiest spots in County Down!
Phantom horses, encounters with the Banshee, mysterious dark hounds, stories of Rathfriland's notorious Hell-Fire Club and much more - Listen if you dare...
4 Apr 2024
Finn's Fingerstone & the Hag's Chair
In this episode come with us on a trip to the famous dolmens at Goward & Ballykeel. Dolmens are megalithic structures known as 'portal' or 'chamber' tombs and can be found in various places worldwide. We'll be looking at the history & mythology of with these two magnificent Ulster dolmens and their associated monuments.
Huge thanks to musician Niamh Ní Charra for permission to use her song "Cailleach An Airgid" in this episode! You can visit Niamh's website here: http://www.niamhnicharra.com or follow her on twitter here: @niamhnicharra
4 Apr 2024
Sounding the Past at Ardbrin
In this episode we travel to the townland of Ardbrin in County Down, where a magnificent and important Bronze Iron Age trumpet was unearthed in 1809!
Grateful thanks to Ancient Music Ireland for their generosity in allowing us to share some of their music this episode.
You can visit their website here: www.ancientmusicireland.com (www.ancientmusicireland.com)
Or follow their work on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/Ancient.Irish.Music (www.facebook.com/Ancient.Irish.Music)
4 Apr 2024
The Red Hand & the Harp
In this episode we visit the grave of Captain Arthur Magennis at Clonduff Old Church in Hilltown to learn more about the origins of Ulster's famous 'Red Hand' symbol, hear about a missing harp, and find out what both these things have to do with the Magennis of Iveagh.
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