Episode twenty of the new season of Pieces of History brings us into the world of Roman Britain through the work of archaeologist and illustrator Dr. David Neal. Over his career, Dr. Neal has recorded and interpreted some of the most important mosaics ever uncovered in Britain.

We’ll trace his journey from early influences and training, to the moment he discovered the connection between art and archaeology. Along the way, Dr. Neal explains what mosaics are, why they matter, and what they reveal about Roman society and daily life. He shares how he developed new techniques to document them, the challenges of balancing creativity with accuracy, and the milestones that shaped his career.

From the evolution of archaeological recording in the digital age to the enduring role of traditional illustration, we’ll explore how his work has preserved the Roman past for future generations.

Join us for a conversation that uncovers not only the beauty of Roman mosaics, but also the craft of bringing them back to life on the page.

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Drawing the Roman Past

Episode nineteen of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to the heart of Ireland’s medieval capital - Kilkenny. I’m joined by John Comerford, a local historian and tour guide, to explore the city’s rich past and enduring legacy.

Together, we’ll walk through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, uncovering stories behind its well-preserved cobblestone streets, soaring cathedrals, and, of course, the imposing Kilkenny Castle. John shares how the city’s unique blend of Norman, ecclesiastical, and civic architecture reflects centuries of power, faith, and community life.

From medieval guilds to political intrigue, from the Black Abbey to St. Canice’s Cathedral, we’ll reveal how Kilkenny’s monuments are more than stone - they are living markers of Ireland’s turbulent and fascinating history.

How has Kilkenny managed to preserve its medieval charm so vividly into the 21st century? And what do its landmarks tell us about Ireland’s wider story of conquest, resilience, and cultural identity?

Join us as we journey into the streets and stories of Kilkenny, guided by one of the people who knows them best.

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Kilkenny: Where History Walks the Streets

Episode eighteen of the new season of Pieces of History delves into a tale of intrigue, ambition, and one of the most daring thefts in history. Journalist and podcast writer Emma-Jane Kirby joins me to discuss A Most Audacious Heist, her gripping show that uncovers the extraordinary true story of the theft of the Sisi Star - a priceless diamond hairpiece belonging to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi.

We’ll explore Emma-Jane’s journey from journalism to podcasting and how her investigative background shapes the way she brings historical narratives to life. Together, we’ll unravel the story of Daniel Blanchard, the enigmatic thief at the centre of this audacious crime, and the life and legacy of Empress Sisi, a figure both adored and misunderstood in 19th-century Europe.

Was the theft a crime of greed, a political statement, or something more? And how does this heist fit into the broader historical landscape of its time? Join us as we dive into a story of glamour, deception, and high-stakes intrigue.

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A Most Audacious Heist

Episode seventeen of the new series of Pieces of History journeys deep into the Alps - and deeper still into one of Europe’s quietest royal dynasties: the Princely House of Liechtenstein.

In this episode, we follow the unlikely rise of a family that didn’t conquer a kingdom - they bought one. From medieval Austria to the court of the Habsburg emperors, the Liechtensteins navigated war, revolution, and exile not with armies, but with alliances, land deals, and political calculation.

Why did they acquire two obscure Alpine territories? How did they go from absentee landlords to active monarchs? And how, in a century that shattered empires and toppled kings, did Liechtenstein survive - and thrive?

This isn’t just a story about a tiny country with discreet banks and snowy peaks. It’s about status, survival, and the art of monarchy in the shadows - a house that forged a nation not for power, but for legitimacy, and ended up outlasting the very empire that once defined it.

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The Princely House

Episode sixteen of Pieces of History journeys into the rugged landscapes and complex past of Eritrea - a nation whose story is shaped by ancient empires, fierce colonial rivalries, and decades of struggle for independence.

In this episode, we explore Eritrea’s unique position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East - from its role in the ancient Aksumite Empire to centuries under Ottoman and Egyptian influence, followed by Italian colonization and the brutal fight against Ethiopian annexation.

What fuelled the thirty-year war for independence? How did colonial ambitions and shifting alliances shape Eritrea’s identity? And what challenges has this young nation faced since finally achieving sovereignty - including a devastating border war, authoritarian rule, and prolonged isolation?

This is more than a history of conflict and survival. It’s a story of resilience, cultural richness, and a people’s enduring hope for peace and self-determination.

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Eritrea

Episode fifteen of Pieces of History takes us deep into the eerie world of 17th-century Ireland, where ghost stories, political intrigue, and family legacies intertwine.

In this episode, we uncover the mysterious Beresford Apparition - a chilling spectral visitation involving Lady Beresford and Lord Tyrone that has haunted local memory for centuries. What was the story behind this famous ghostly encounter? How did it reflect the turbulent politics and social tensions of the era? And what role did prophecy and superstition play in shaping public perception?

More than just a tale of hauntings, this episode explores the fragile boundaries between history and folklore, power and prophecy — and how stories from the past continue to captivate and mystify us today.

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The Beresford Apparition

Episode fourteen of the new series of Pieces of History steps into the heart of 1970s Stockholm, where a botched bank heist gave rise to one of psychology’s most confounding concepts: Stockholm Syndrome.

In this episode, we unravel the tense six-day standoff at Kreditbanken in Norrmalmstorg Square - a robbery that turned into a media circus, a national spectacle, and a defining moment in the study of trauma and empathy. As police surrounded the building, something strange was happening inside: hostages began identifying with their captors, defending them, even fearing the authorities more than the gunmen.

Who were the players in this gripping drama? What psychological mechanisms were at work behind the vault doors? And how did a single phrase - “Stockholm Syndrome” - come to define hostage dynamics for generations?

This is more than a story of crime and crisis. It's a window into the human psyche, a moment when fear, trust, and identity collided - and changed how we understand captivity, survival, and loyalty.

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The Norrmalmstorg Robbery

Episode thirteen of the new series of Pieces of History heads into the rugged wilderness of British Columbia to uncover the story of the Cariboo Gold Rush — a lesser-known but no less dramatic chapter of 19th-century North American history.

This episode traces the feverish pursuit of fortune that drew thousands into remote mountain passes and dense forests, carving new routes through the Canadian frontier. I explore the chaotic rise of boomtowns, the role of Indigenous peoples and Chinese miners, and the shifting social fabric of a colony transformed by gold.

Who were the dreamers and desperados chasing their fortunes north? What trails did they blaze — and what did they leave behind? I peel back the myths to uncover the realities of daily life in the Cariboo: the hardship, the ambition, the injustice, and the fleeting glimmers of prosperity.

This is more than a tale of gold and grit. It's a story of how a rush for riches reshaped a landscape, a people, and the path of a nation.

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The Cariboo Gold Rush

Episode twelve of the new series of Pieces of History delves into the shadowy world of the Peruvian Inquisition, a chapter in colonial Latin American history often forgotten outside academic circles. This episode traces the complex layers of Peru’s past - from its rich geography and the legacy of powerful pre-Columbian empires, to the imposition of Spanish colonial rule and the creation of the Viceroyalty of Peru.

We explore how faith and fear intertwined in the workings of the Tribunal of the Holy Office, a tool of control cloaked in righteousness. Who were the inquisitors? Who stood accused? And how did this machine of secrecy and surveillance actually function?

We uncover the inner workings of the Inquisition - its procedures, its secrecy, and the machinery of control behind its solemn rituals. We meet the individuals, both feared and forgotten, who shaped and were shaped by this powerful institution. And we reflect on the lasting legacies of persecution and authority, considering how their echoes still reverberate through Peruvian history and cultural memory.

This is not just a story of trials and punishments - it's a deeper look at how power, belief, and silence shaped an entire society.

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The Peruvian Inquisition

Episode eleven of the new series of Pieces of History shines a light on the often-overlooked role of Irish women in Jacobite networks, revealing their significant yet underappreciated contributions to the cause. Far from passive observers, these women were active participants in the struggle to restore the Stuart monarchy, operating in a world of secrecy, strategy, and high stakes.

Joining me is historian Dr. Frances Nolan, recipient of the SFI-IRC Pathway Fellowship at the UCD School of History in 2023, whose research brings fresh insight into the crucial - yet frequently underestimated - contributions of Irish women to the Jacobite movement. Together, we examine the strategies they employed, the dangers they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions.

From clandestine communication to financial manoeuvring, these women were instrumental in the political and military efforts of the Jacobites. In this episode, we uncover their hidden stories, challenge traditional narratives, and explore how their influence shaped the course of history.

Email: piecesofhistorypod@outlook.com

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Dr. Frances Nolan:

The Jacobite Duchess:: Frances Jennings, Duchess of Tyrconnell, c.1649-1731

https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781783276141/the-jacobite-duchess/



The Hidden Rebels: Irish Women in the Jacobite Cause

A podcast that delves into some renowned and lesser-known events throughout history.

Colum McGrath

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