Podcasting the Past | A conversation with Fin Dwyer of the Irish History Podcast

In this episode of "Public History," Jake sits down with Irish History Podcast host Fin Dwyer to talk about the craft of storytelling, the rise of podcasting, and what it means to bring history to a global audience in the digital age. Listen to the Episode.

From Northern Ireland to Pennsylvania’s Coal Region | 1845

In December 1845, as famine loomed in Ireland, a Pottsville newspaper advertised ship passages from Londonderry to Philadelphia. It’s a small notice that reveals how Irish migration began to reshape the Coal Region - and how welcome later turned to backlash. This story traces that turning point. Read the full story.

Irish History in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region | St. Patrick’s Day

Molly Maguires meeting in Schuylkill County, PA in 1870s

Discover the fascinating stories of Irish immigrants in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region - tales of resilience, labor struggles, and cultural traditions that shaped a community. From St. Patrick’s Day parades to the Molly Maguire trials, explore the rich history behind the green. Don’t miss these captivating stories. Find all the stories.

Memorial to victims of the Irish potato famine of the 1840s | Dublin, Ireland

In February 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Dublin, Ireland and made a stop at a memorial to those lost in the Potato Famine of the 1840s. The events in Ireland during the 1840s had reverberations in Pennsylvania's Coal Region as thousands of Irish immigrants fled their homeland and sought a new life in the anthracite coal fields. Read the full story.