A rich political, social and economic history of Ireland can be told by an analysis of its landscape, and specifically through the history of its trees.

In this episode, Naomi and Tim delve into the history of deforestation and its tangled associations with colonialism and agriculture, and whether the 'green' image of Ireland is all that it seems.

Coming soon in part 2, we will visit a place where the ancient forest of Ireland is making a rebound: in the Irish Atlantic Rainforest restored on the Beara Peninsula by Eoghan Daltun.

Patreon supporters can access a bonus debrief episode over at https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport in which Naomi and Tim discuss a genocidal Elizabethan poet who was banished to Cork, and why a blank and featureless lawn is considered an ideal to so many...

Thanks so much for listening!

Beannachtaí na féile Pádraig oraibh! To celebrate Ireland's national day, please enjoy this classic St. Patrick's Day episode from our archives, originally released in 2018.

After years of deadlock, EU and UK leaders have declared a historic reset in their relations as they reach an agreement on Northern Ireland called the 'Windsor Framework'. Naomi and Tim unpick the details of what is in the deal on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit arrangements, intended to resolve the dispute over the so-called Protocol that came into force in 2021. What's the story with red and green channels? Why is everyone talking about the "Stormont Brake"? Will this finally be enough to get the Democratic Unionist Party back into power sharing? And why on earth was the British king involved? You'll find the answers to all these questions and more in this fresh-off-the-press Brexit update.

Check our our bonus episodes available for Patreon supporters and with our full archive of extra content over at: www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

On the 27th of August 1979, the Provisional IRA assassinated one of the best known members of Britain's royal family as he holidayed in County Sligo. But this was just one of 25 killings that took place that day. The events of that afternoon soon came to represent a watershed in the history of Anglo-Irish relations, and a landmark moment of escalation in a Northern Ireland conflict that was now settling into what some referred to as the "Long War". Naomi and Tim unpick the wider context of this notorious episode of the Troubles, and explore how it encompassed so much more than the death of a celebrity royal.

This podcast is only mad possible by our patreon supporters. If you would like to sign up to support the podcast today, and gain access to over 80 pieces of bonus content along the way, you can sign up to our patreon page now at www.patreon.com/theirishpassport.

As all Hell breaks loose in the halls of Westminster, Naomi and Tim break down what on earth has just happened in the UK. Why did Prime Minister Liz Truss resign after only 44 days? Who might take over her post? And what are the consequences of all this chaos for the island of Ireland? We hear commentary from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and discuss the potential fallout of the Tories' chronic instability in the context of current global crises. Don't miss out on this one!

Bonus episodes over at: https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

You can follow us on Twitter at @PassportIrish

In the final episode of our War of Independence mini-series, Tim and Naomi lay out the historical events that split the emerging Irish nation and led to a civil war. As we pick up on the story, global condemnation has pressured the British government into offering a truce. Following years of gruelling guerilla warfare against the might of the British army, an exhausted team of representatives from the rebel Irish government travel to London to negotiate peace terms. Tim and Naomi dig into the role of reluctant negotiator Michael Collins and consumate operator Éamon de Valera who remained back in Dublin, quoting from articles and speeches from the time to bring to life the events that would shape Irish history for decades.

Ps - what does enduring bitterness over partition have to do with a cherished Irish potato-based snack? Find out in this bonus Halfpint debrief episode made specially for Patreon supporters, in Naomi and Tim reflect on the making of this episode and discuss what stood out to them: https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport

You can follow us on Twitter at @PassportIrish

Tensions threaten to flare again between Ireland, Britain and the EU with a new UK prime minister who has promised to take a hard line on the Northern Ireland Protocol. The death of Queen Elizabeth however put a pause on developments for the period of mourning, and produced some fascinating moments too as her successor King Charles met with Sinn Féin and acknowledged them as the biggest party in Northern Ireland. Naomi and Tim catch up on current events, discuss the Dublin drama turning heads in Brussels, and why the Irish government resembles a rotisserie chicken…

Patreon supporters can listen to a bonus debrief episode dissecting the complex Irish reaction to the death of Queen Elizabeth over on patreon.com/theirishpassport

You can follow us on Twitter at @PassportIrish