What's the History?
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsAn informal but informative trip through all things historical, What's the History is a good craic podcast brought to you by Claire Cotter and Fi Barry, two history teachers who want you to learn and laugh. So grab a cup of tea and settle in as we bring you along with us on a tour of the grim, the great and the ghastly.
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Episodes
Clairey Tales and Genghis Khan Origin Story
March 27, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBHi! We hope you enjoy our new and improved sound so you can enjoy our singing in crispy audio format. Claire traumatises us all with fairy tales or as Fi has dubbed them, 'Clairey Tales'. Fi is begging me to write 'Can Genghis Kick It? Yes he Khan' and I can't say no...so here we are.
Clairey Tales and Genghis Khan Origin Story
March 27, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBHi! We hope you enjoy our new and improved sound so you can enjoy our singing in crispy audio format. Claire traumatises us all with fairy tales or as Fi has dubbed them, 'Clairey Tales'. Fi is begging me to write 'Can Genghis Kick It? Yes he Khan' and I can't say no...so here we are.
OH THE HUMANITY and Lizzie Borden, "Alleged" Axe Murderer (side-eyes)
March 20, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBWe have ANOTHER episode for you because we missed you so much. Fi recounts the tragic tale of the Hindenburg Disaster and Claire talks about Lizzie Borden, the most dodgy person ever acquitted of murder with the possible exception of someone else we wont name because we don't want to be sued, oj? Sorry, that was a typo.
OH THE HUMANITY and Lizzie Borden, "Alleged" Axe Murderer (side-eyes)
March 20, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBWe have ANOTHER episode for you because we missed you so much. Fi recounts the tragic tale of the Hindenburg Disaster and Claire talks about Lizzie Borden, the most dodgy person ever acquitted of murder with the possible exception of someone else we wont name because we don't want to be sued, oj? Sorry, that was a typo.
Saint Patrick, Snakes and Another Mad Marathon
March 18, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBA few things: we hadn't seen each other in a while and we had just watched Shrek the Musical. Claire talks about Saint Patrick and plays Music Box Dancer and Fi tells us all about the shambolic 1904 Olympic marathon. It's a bonkers episode but you're still here, sooo...
Saint Patrick, Snakes and Another Mad Marathon
March 18, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBA few things: we hadn't seen each other in a while and we had just watched Shrek the Musical. Claire talks about Saint Patrick and plays Music Box Dancer and Fi tells us all about the shambolic 1904 Olympic marathon. It's a bonkers episode but you're still here, sooo...
Saint Patrick, Nipples and Another Mad Marathon
March 18, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBA few things: we hadn't seen each other in a while and we had just watched Shrek the Musical. Claire talks about Saint Patrick and plays Music Box Dancer and Fi tells us all about the shambolic 1904 Olympic marathon. It's a bonkers episode but you're still here, sooo...
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and Mao's Great Leap Forward
March 10, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 54.7 MB(Return of the Claire). In this week’s episode, our girl Claire returns to the podcast where she discusses the assassination of American President Abraham Lincoln, while simultaneously diving into some (seriously freaky) astonishing facts that occurred around the build up to his death. Let’s just say, there are a lot of people with a lot of ‘links’ involved. Fi discusses the Great Leap Forward that decimated China in the 1960s. More like the Great Leap Backwards, but we’ll have enough of t...
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and Mao's Great Leap Forward.
March 10, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MB(Return of the Claire). In this week’s episode, our girl Claire returns to the podcast where she discusses the assassination of American President Abraham Lincoln, while simultaneously diving into some (seriously freaky) astonishing facts that occurred around the build up to his death. Let’s just say, there are a lot of people with a lot of ‘links’ involved. Fi discusses the Great Leap Forward that decimated China in the 1960s. More like the Great Leap Backwards, but we’ll have enough of t...
What is Happening in Ukraine?
February 27, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBThis week's episode covers the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the history of NATO, the EU and the escalation of tensions. We also look at what it means for Ireland. Fi tells us about a terrible Ivan.
What is Happening in Ukraine?
February 27, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBThis week's episode covers the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the history of NATO, the EU and the escalation of tensions. We also look at what it means for Ireland. Fi tells us about a terrible Ivan.
The Greatest Maritime Disaster in US History and The Milgram Experiment
February 20, 2022 18:00 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBWe fit a lot in today. We spoke about our love for Red Dead Redemption 2, Wikipedia and... Santana. Fi spoke about a steamboat disaster from the 19th Century and Claire discussed the Milgram Experiment, held during the trial of captured Nazi, Adolf Eichmann.
The Greatest Maritime Disaster in US History and The Milgram Experiment
February 20, 2022 18:00 - 59 minutes - 40.6 MBWe fit a lot in today. We spoke about our love for Red Dead Redemption 2, Wikipedia and... Santana. Fi spoke about a steamboat disaster from the 19th Century and Claire discussed the Milgram Experiment, held during the trial of captured Nazi, Adolf Eichmann.
Black and Tans and Survival of the Fittest, Marathon Style
February 13, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBThis week, Claire chats about the Irish War of Independence, focusing on the actions of the infamous Black and Tan reinforcements. Fi tells us all about Mauro Prosperi, a marathon survivor with just... the best story. As always, we would appreciate a subscription on your platform of choice and a rating. You can follow is on whats_thehistory on Instagram to stay up to date with all our nonsense.
Black and Tans and Survival of the Fittest, Marathon Style
February 13, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBThis week, Claire chats about the Irish War of Independence, focusing on the actions of the infamous Black and Tan reinforcements. Fi tells us all about Mauro Prosperi, a marathon survivor with just... the best story. As always, we would appreciate a subscription on your platform of choice and a rating. You can follow is on whats_thehistory on Instagram to stay up to date with all our nonsense.
THE COMET IS COMING and Jack the Ripper
February 06, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBOk, the title is clickbait. There are comets coming but it's fine. Fi tells us all about the 1910 arrival of Halley's Comet and the ensuing panic. Claire talks about Jack the Ripper and it is pretty gruesome but she really tried to leave out the worst of it because she loves you and doesn't want to give you bad dreams. It's still pretty rough. It's also loooong so we hope you can put up with us lol.
THE COMET IS COMING and Jack the Ripper
February 06, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBOk, the title is clickbait. There are comets coming but it's fine. Fi tells us all about the 1910 arrival of Halley's Comet and the ensuing panic. Claire talks about Jack the Ripper and it is pretty gruesome but she really tried to leave out the worst of it because she loves you and doesn't want to give you bad dreams. It's still pretty rough. It's also loooong so we hope you can put up with us lol.
Remembering Bloody Sunday, The Life of Marie Curie and The Worst Job in History
January 30, 2022 15:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThis week we have a special guest on the pod- Dave O' Connell, chemistry teacher extraordinaire is here to chat with us about Marie Curie. Claire recounts the events of Bloody Sunday, 1972 and Fi talks crap. Literally.
Remembering Bloody Sunday, The Life of Marie Curie and The Worst Job in History
January 30, 2022 15:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThis week we have a special guest on the pod- Dave O' Connell, chemistry teacher extraordinaire is here to chat with us about Marie Curie. Claire recounts the events of Bloody Sunday, 1972 and Fi talks crap. Literally.
Ned Kelly and Some Kick-Ass Irish Women in History
January 23, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBHello everyonnnne!!!! Fi is back and is bringing some more Aussie drama, this time in the form of Ned Kelly, outlaw extraordinaire. Claire fangirls over Clodagh Finn, whose books she is currently reading which detail some truly amazing Irish women in history you've probably never heard of. It's giggly and chaotic and we only sing twice.
Ned Kelly and Some Kick-Ass Irish Women in History
January 23, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBHello everyonnnne!!!! Fi is back and is bringing some more Aussie drama, this time in the form of Ned Kelly, outlaw extraordinaire. Claire fangirls over Clodagh Finn, whose books she is currently reading which detail some truly amazing Irish women in history you've probably never heard of. It's giggly and chaotic and we only sing twice.
Short Story Time: Guests of the Nation by Frank O' Connor
January 15, 2022 14:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBThis week a solo Claire reads a short story by Irish literary giant, Frank O' Connor. The story is set during the Irish War of Independence where two English soldiers are held prisoner by the IRA. When the soldiers and their Irish minders start to bond, conflict arises over what to do with them. Fi is absent for this episode but will return very soon. I missed her :(
Short Story Time: Guests of the Nation by Frank O' Connor
January 15, 2022 14:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBThis week a solo Claire reads a short story by Irish literary giant, Frank O' Connor. The story is set during the Irish War of Independence where two English soldiers are held prisoner by the IRA. When the soldiers and their Irish minders start to bond, conflict arises over what to do with them. Fi is absent for this episode but will return very soon. I missed her :(
An English Pervert Who Stole A Family and A Russian Maritime Fuster Cluck
January 09, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBWe drank a lot of coffee. How much coffee is too much? This much. Seriously. Claire talks about the North Sentinelese and why they need to be left alone. And also, they'll kill you. Fi tells us about the Dogger Bank Incident. Again, there are accents and again, we are sorry.
An English Pervert Who Stole A Family and A Russian Maritime Fuster Cluck
January 09, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBWe drank a lot of coffee. How much coffee is too much? This much. Seriously. Claire talks about the North Sentinelese and why they need to be left alone. And also, they'll kill you. Fi tells us about the Dogger Bank Incident. Again, there are accents and again, we are sorry.
Animal-human hybrids and Why We Hate The Movie Pearl Harbor, among others
January 04, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBHappy New Year! In this episode, Fi tells us the story of Ilya Ivanov, a mad scientist altogether. What would you call a chimp human hybrid? I don't think anything can beat 'bonobro' to be honest. Claire talks about movies. Lots of movies. Some historically accurate, some not so much. Enjoy everyone and don't forget to rate us pretty please.
Animal-human hybrids and Why We Hate The Movie Pearl Harbor, among others
January 04, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBHappy New Year! In this episode, Fi tells us the story of Ilya Ivanov, a mad scientist altogether. What would you call a chimp human hybrid? I don't think anything can beat 'bonobro' to be honest. Claire talks about movies. Lots of movies. Some historically accurate, some not so much. Enjoy everyone and don't forget to rate us pretty please.
A Meth-Fueled Ski Trip and Kim Jong Il: Film Buff
December 29, 2021 18:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBIn this week's episode, Claire tells the story of a Finnish soldier who took so much meth amphetamine that... well, listen and you'll see. Fi tells us about a South Korean actress who was brought to Kim Jong Il's attention and that's never a good thing.
A Meth-Fueled Ski Trip and Kim Jong Il: Film Buff
December 29, 2021 18:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBIn this week's episode, Claire tells the story of a Finnish soldier who took so much meth amphetamine that... well, listen and you'll see. Fi tells us about a South Korean actress who was brought to Kim Jong Il's attention and that's never a good thing.
Sheila the Secret Elephant and Henry VIII, Marriage Addict
December 19, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBFi tells us all about Belfast's Sheila the elephant, who survived WWII. Claire talks us through the marriages of Henry VII. There are some pretty dramtic breakups. Merry Histmas! We love you. As a friend xxx
Sheila the Secret Elephant and Henry VIII, Marriage Addict
December 19, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBFi tells us all about Belfast's Sheila the elephant, who survived WWII. Claire talks us through the marriages of Henry VII. There are some pretty dramtic breakups. Merry Histmas! We love you. As a friend xxx
Samurai Disembowelment, Ninjas and Dodgy Victorian Amputations
December 12, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBIt's pretty self-explanatory. Claire watched 'The Last Samurai' lately so she talks all things Samurai. With added Ninjas. Fi tells us about Robert Liston, surgeon not so extraordinaire.
Samurai Disembowelment, Ninjas and Dodgy Victorian Amputations
December 12, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBIt's pretty self-explanatory. Claire watched 'The Last Samurai' lately so she talks all things Samurai. With added Ninjas. Fi tells us about Robert Liston, surgeon not so extraordinaire.
A Failed Oz Expedition and the Trial of the Chicago Eight
December 04, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBFi tells us about another failed expedition that included camels, Chinese gongs and bad accents. Claire recounts the tale of the Chicago Eight. We love you all.
A Failed Oz Expedition and the Trial of the Chicago Eight
December 04, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBFi tells us about another failed expedition that included camels, Chinese gongs and bad accents. Claire recounts the tale of the Chicago Eight. We love you all.
Monkey Fireballs, Mozart's Arse Song, Killer Rabbits and Fulltime Mad Monk
November 28, 2021 17:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBClaire goes a bit off the wall this week and tells us about the time a swimming rabbit attacked Jimmy Carter among other wild historical moments and Fi regales us with the story of Rasputin, possibly more of an OG mad lad than all of Claire's mad lads combined. We also have a filthy Mozart-composed round for you to enjoy. It's a crazy one!
Coming Out Of His Cage And He's Not Doing Fine and Hiberno-English
November 20, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBIn today's episode, Fi tells us the story of Sultan Ibrahim and Claire talks us through the nuances of Hiberno-English. We had so much funnnnn.
Coming Out Of His Cage And He's Not Doing Fine and Hiberno-English
November 20, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBIn today's episode, Fi tells us the story of Sultan Ibrahim and Claire talks us through the nuances of Hiberno-English. We had so much funnnnn.
Did Aliens Contact Us in 1977 and The Challenger Disaster
November 14, 2021 17:00 - 52 minutes - 35.7 MBIt's a space-themed episode! Claire talks us through The Drake Equation, The Rare Earth Hypothesis, The Fermi Paradox and The Wow Signal and Fi tells the tragic story of the Challenger Disaster.
A Feller Called Rocke and How Superman Ruined the Ku Klux Klan
November 10, 2021 22:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBIt's Fi's birthday and in honour of her, we have a truly great episode! Fi takes us through the wild story of Michael Rockefeller, possible cannibal victim. Claire discusses the time Superman beat the KKK. Also, we have a new feature #Ackshually and new theme music. Enjoy x
A Feller Called Rocke and How Superman Ruined the Ku Klux Klan
November 10, 2021 22:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBIt's Fi's birthday and in honour of her, we have a truly great episode! Fi takes us through the wild story of Michael Rockefeller, possible cannibal victim. Claire discusses the time Superman beat the KKK. Also, we have a new feature #Ackshually and new theme music. Enjoy x
Our Real Life Paranormal Experience
October 31, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBIn this bonus episode, Claire and Fi tell the true story of a spooky encounter that haunts them to this day.
The Maamtrasna Murders and Ouija Origins
October 31, 2021 16:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBHello listeners! In this episode, Claire details the heartbreaking story of the Maamtrasna Murders and the execution of Myles Joyce, in what is considered on of the country's greatest miscarriages of justice. Fi talks about ouija boards and why they went from ouija to ouiNO.
The Maamtrasna Murders and Ouija Origins
October 31, 2021 16:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBHello listeners! In this episode, Claire details the heartbreaking story of the Maamtrasna Murders and the execution of Myles Joyce, in what is considered on of the country's greatest miscarriages of justice. Fi talks about ouija boards and why they went from ouija to ouiNO.
Our Real Life Paranormal Experience
October 31, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBIn this bonus episode, Claire and Fi tell the true story of a spooky encounter that haunts them to this day.
Why We Need History
October 27, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 5.97 MBIn this brief bonus episode, Claire talks about why being historically conscious is now more important than ever and why, as educators, we have a real responsibility to do a good job. We’ll both be back this weekend!
Why We Need History
October 27, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 5.97 MBIn this brief bonus episode, Claire talks about why being historically conscious is now more important than ever and why, as educators, we have a real responsibility to do a good job. We’ll both be back this weekend!
Sexy Dracula and The Nun of Your Nightmares
October 24, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBIn this episode, Claire talks about vampires and the inspiration behind the most famous of all vampires, Dracula. Fi tells a frankly terrifying story that she called 'vanilla' and that made Claire ackshually get a little scared. So you know it's good.
Sexy Dracula and The Nun of Your Nightmares
October 24, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBIn this episode, Claire talks about vampires and the inspiration behind the most famous of all vampires, Dracula. Fi tells a frankly terrifying story that she called 'vanilla' and that made Claire ackshually get a little scared. So you know it's good.
Death by Rice Chest and Who Shot JFK?
October 17, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBFi tells us the story of Sado, the craziest Prince you've probably never heard of. Claire takes us through the controversial assassination of JFK. Did Oswald act alone? Or was he part of a greater conspiracy? Enjoy!