Three Castles Burning

Albert Pierrepoint was a household name in his own lifetime, even penning the best-selling memoir Executioner. A hangman who followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Dublin was an important part of his story, including both Kilmainham Gaol and Mountjoy prison. In the years of the War of Independence, more than one plan was devised by republicans to keep his uncle Tom from carrying out an execution. In this episode, we look not only at the Pierrepoint family, but the strange history of capital punishment in Ireland.

In Ulysses, the pub we know as J & M Cleary's appears as The Signal House. It seemed a good location to explore food in the time of James Joyce. Ann Marie Duffin's fantastic page Bia Duit has been exploring food history and folklore, and she joins me to talk all things food in 1904. Ken and Gwen from the brilliant Assassination Custard - a beloved institution on Kevin Street - brought along their own unique contribution to proceedings, with food inspired by the time. Support TCB at: www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning

SERIES 4, EPISODE 1. Welcome back to a new series. Emmett Grogan was one of the defining figures of American counterculture in the 1960s. Though his name is almost completely unknown in Ireland, the author of Ringolevio: A Life Played for Keeps is a man for whom Bob Dylan dedicated an album, and who was described by Abbie Hoffman (who he distrusted greatly) as "the hippie warrior par excellence." Yet before the Summer of Love took San Francisco, Grogan was in Dublin in the early 1960s. His accounts of the city are fascinating, from Neary's to Guinness, but how much of it is true? You can read his account here: https://stealthiswiki.com/library/emmett-grogan-ringolevio

James Earley comes from a family rooted in the story of Irish stained glass. As an artist, his work often pays homage to Earley Studios and those who came before him. As part of Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights, he has brought an extraordinary show to James Gandon's Custom House. This offered an opportunity to talk about his career to date, stained glass broadly, and art in the public sphere. With thanks to Dublin City Council for supporting this edition of the podcast. For more information.

On three occasions, Charles Dickens would speak in Dublin. Each time huge crowds came to hear him speak in the Rotunda, with the crowds spilling out into Sackville Street and well beyond. A Christmas Carol was the highlight of all three tours. Beyond his readings, Dickens also wrote interesting letters from the city, comparing it favourably to London and Edinburgh. There was once a time when Dublin even had street names taken from the world of Dickens.

The story of Guinness is one of great success, yes, but also turbulence. Together with historian Antonia Hart, Ned Guinness has produced a family history that doesn't shy away from the challenges faced, while shining a spotlight on some of the key figures in the ultimate success of the brand. Our story passes through events like 1798 and 1916, but there is also talk of the future. Please vote for The Dublin Pub: https://www.irishbookawards.ie/

At a packed Oak Room in the Mansion House, a celebration of the life of the journalist Con Houlihan last Saturday brought the audience on a journey into the work and passions of one of Ireland's most beloved scribes. Born in Castle Island (two words, he insisted) in 1925, Con became the heart of the Evening Press newspaper on Dublin's Burgh Quay. His love for his native Kerry, sport, literature, the theatre, St Patrick's Athletic, the public houses of Dublin and more besides are all explored here. One of Ireland's great actors of the stage, Brendan Conroy reads march reports and other pieces from Con, while the journalist, writer and friend of Con, Roy Curtis, held the attention of the room throughout with his beautiful memories of a man who influenced him greatly. Recorded at the Dublin Festival of History. Thanks to all Patreons of the podcast (www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning) The Dublin Pub is available (with free post and packaging) from independent bookshop TheBookshop.ie.

Brian Kerr's voice is instantly familiar as a broadcaster, and his contribution to Irish football is extraordinary. Born in 1953, his first coaching role came while barely a teenager. In the 1980s he would come to manage the team he had supported since his childhood, St Patrick's Athletic, before going on to historic victories with Ireland's youth teams in the 1990s. In this discussion, we touch on everything from the 1966 World Cup Final to the visit of the Al-Helal Football Academy in Gaza to Dublin. A little language in this one. With thanks to Naoise Nunn and all at Mindfield/Electric Picnic. For more on Kerr's story, see Joe O'Rourke's 'The People's Champions' exploring his 1989/1990 league winning side. Support Three Castles Burning, an independent ad-free podcast, at www.patreon.com/threecastlesburning Or at www.ko-fi.com/threecastlesburning