On July 3rd 1970, months of rising tensions in Belfast erupted as the British Army laid siege to thousands of homes in the Lower Falls, a large working-class community. This event, known as the Battle of the Falls, became a key moment in the Troubles. While this is a well-known episode in the conflict, this podcast focuses on the forgotten story of Zbigniew Uglik.

In last week's episode, I explored who Zbigniew Uglik was and how he ended up in Belfast in July 1970. This podcast follows Zbigniew into the heart of the Lower Falls as the Battle of the Falls erupted. We will follow his story as he navigated through the unfolding chaos and urban warfare in Belfast.

The show reveals an untold story of a young Londoner who found himself at the crossroads of modern Irish history.

Credits:

Written and Researched by Fin Dwyer

Based on Original Research by the Belfast writer and journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at padraigomeiscill@yahoo.ie

A Special Word of Thanks to Marta Riehle Stern for sharing her family's history.

Interviewees: Marta Riehle Stern & Pádraig Ó Meiscil

Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Sound by Kate Dunlea

Additional Thanks: Sebastian Zimnoch and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh

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In the summer of 1970, Belfast stood on the precipice of war. By June, months of rising tensions burst into violence, setting the stage for one of the most controversial British military operations of the Troubles – the Falls Curfew. This three-day siege of a large nationalist working-class community marked a point of no return for many.

During the Curfew, four people were murdered.

Among the victims was Zbigniew Uglik, a young Londoner. His death has been shrouded in rumour for decades. In this first episode of "Three Days in July," I set out to uncover the truth about Zbigniew, a forgotten victim of the Troubles, and reveal how the British Army twisted his death to defend the indefensible.

Zbigniew’s story is a fascinating one that started in Eastern Poland in the early days of World War II. An innocent man, his tragic death at the hands of the British Army highlights the human cost of the Troubles.

Through careful research and respectful storytelling, the series will shed light on his life and the circumstances surrounding his death. We’ll also delve into the dark world of Black Propaganda, a sinister tool used during the conflict to mislead and deceive. This episode sets the stage for understanding how lies and misinformation played a role in the tragic events of those days.

Credits:

Written and Researched by Fin Dwyer

Based on Original Research by the Belfast writer and Journalist Pádraig Ó Meiscil. His substack is available here. You can reach him by email at padraigomeiscill@yahoo.ie

A special word of thanks to Marta Riehle-Stern for sharing her family's history.

Interviewees: Marta Riehle-Stern, Pádraig Ó Meiscill & Dr Brian Hanley

Additional Narrations by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

Sound by Kate Dunlea

Additional Thanks: Sebastian Zimnoch and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Throughout history, bread has consistently been one of the most popular foods across the world. For two centuries, Ireland was an exception.

Indeed, by the early 19th century, some communities in the west of Ireland had lost all knowledge of how to bake bread.

This was down to the remarkable history of the potato in Ireland.

Our ancestors had an insatiable appetite for spuds. In this podcast, I explore the history of the potato in Ireland beyond the Famine. Beginning back in the 16th century, I chronicle our enduring love of the humble potato!

Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory.

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William Joyce aka Lord Haw Haw was Ireland's most notorious Nazi. Raised in the west of Ireland he was an unlikely spokesman for Hitler's Third Reich. Nevertheless millions tuned in to his sinister broadcasts on behalf of the Nazi regime during the Second World War. This podcast follows his journey from Galway to Hitler’s Third Reich. In his teenage years, he acted as a scout for the Black and Tans and was implicated in one of the most notorious murders of the Irish War of Independence. This set the stage for his rise through violent far-right extremism, which eventually led him to Nazi Germany.

Support the show and get access to my exclusive series on the Outbreak of the Troubles https://patreon.com/irishpodcast

Check out my episode on Ireland Redaktion which explores the history of Nazi propaganda towards Ireland https://shows.acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/irland-redaktion-world-war-ii-nazi-propaganda-in-ireland-125

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In this episode I delve into the lasting impact of the Great Hunger on Ireland. Its often said that the Famine was a taboo subject and a 'Great Silence' surrounded the 1840s. In this podcast I challenge this myth and explore how grief, guilt, and trauma were expressed and processed by the survivors. Join me as I uncover the untold stories and voices that defy the myth of an unspoken past. I also argue that it was revisionist historians and official Ireland who shut down debate on this crucial topic.

As always the history is structured around a story so the show begins with an unlikely person - the descendant of an Irish rebel living in India.

If you want to hear my thoughts on whether the Great Famine was an act of genocide, check out this episode: Was the Great Famine Genocide? - Irish History Podcast

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Within the space of a few years following the Great Hunger, hundreds of thousands of Irish emigrants settled in New York quickly becoming one of the largest communities in the city.

These Irish emigrants are synonymous with slums, starvation, and misery; however, groundbreaking new research challenges this one dimensional stereotype.

While poverty was central to the lives of many Irish immigrants in the 19th century, it did not define their experience of New York.

In this episode, Prof. Tyler Anbinder from George Washington University shares stories from his research that reveals a very different history than we often imagine.

Based on his latest book, Plentiful Country, this interview will change your understanding of what New York was like for Irish emigrants in the later 19th century.

Check out Tyler's new book Plentiful Country

Plentiful Country to buy here

There is an excellent audio version available as well

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In 1879 Vere Goold was a celebrity in Ireland. After winning Ireland’s first tennis championship, he reached the prestigious Wimbledon final later in the year.

Exactly 30 years later he would die in the most notorious prison in the world – Devil’s Island.

Known as the 'dry guillotine' the conditions in the French penal colony were horrendous.

However few had sympathy for the Irish aristocrat.

His crime had been unspeakable and shocked the world.

This is the Life & Crimes of Vere Goold.

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Arthur Henri Poole was one of the most celebrated photographers in early 20th-century Ireland. An Englishman by birth, he was also most well-known figures in the city of Waterford where he lived for over four decades.

In 1928 Poole disappeared almost without trace.

Even though he was well known in Waterford, it would be almost three years before many people in the city realised he was missing.

Adding to the intrigue, his disappearance eerily mirrored that of another person connected to the Poole family two decades prior.

This podcast explores the mystery surrounding Arthur Poole.

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