In 1973, just two people attended the lonely funeral of May O’Callaghan, an Irish emigrant in North London. Few could have imagined that this quiet woman from Wexford had once stood at the very heart of Soviet power. In the 1920s, May O’Callaghan worked in the Kremlin as the Soviet Union emerged, working alongside figures like Stalin, Trotsky, and the future Marshal Tito.

For decades, her remarkable story was forgotten until historian Maurice Casey uncovered her story in his acclaimed book, Hotel Lux. In this episode, I interview Maurice about May's life and the extraordinary journey that took May from Ireland to the corridors of Soviet power.

Get your copy of Hotel Lux: https://linktr.ee/hotelluxpreorders

Check out Maurice's personal website: mauricejcasey.com

Support The Irish History Podcast patreon.com/irishpodcast

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This special episode of the Irish History Podcast, in partnership with An Post, marks the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth.

In this podcast, I explore the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most influential figures. Known as 'The Liberator' O’Connell’s campaign for Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and his role in shaping modern Ireland are legendary, but his story is complex.

From his early days in Kerry and his experiences during the French Revolution to the personal demons that haunted him, O’Connell is an intriguing figure. Although a pacifist, he killed a rival in a fatal duel. A founding father of Irish nationalism, O’Connell was also a monarchist. This episode teases out these contradictions.

To mark the anniversary of his birth, An Post has released two commemorative stamps capturing pivotal moments in O’Connell’s story: his iconic ‘monster meetings’ and his release from prison in 1844. Check out the stamps at anpost.com/history.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Brian Casey, historian and archives manager at the Dublin Cemeteries Trust, for a fascinating conversation recorded in Glasnevin Cemetery, just steps from O’Connell’s final resting place. Together, Brian and I explore the history behind this legendary figure.

You can get the commemorative stamps now at anpost.com/history and in selected post offices across Ireland.

Audio edit by Kate Dunlea.

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How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of our island through biography. The DIB, a free to access to website has thousands of biographies on figures from Irish History.

From Henry McCullough, the only Irish musician at Woodstock, to Ann Lovett, whose tragic death forced a nation to confront uncomfortable truths, and Brendan Hughes, whose life mirrored the turbulence of the Troubles, this conversation delves into the complexities of who gets remembered—and why.

People mentioned in the episode.

Ann Lovett https://www.dib.ie/biography/lovett-ann-a10324

Eamon De Valera https://www.dib.ie/biography/de-valera-eamon-dev-a2472

Bang Bang https://www.dib.ie/biography/dudley-thomas-bang-bang-a2803

The Dice man https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcginty-thom-diceman-a5672

John Mitchel https://www.dib.ie/biography/mitchel-john-a5834

John Redmond https://www.dib.ie/biography/redmond-john-edward-a7602

Brendan Hughes https://www.dib.ie/biography/hughes-brendan-a9636

Dolours Price https://www.dib.ie/biography/price-dolours-a10048

Martin McGuinmess https://www.dib.ie/biography/mcguinness-james-martin-pacelli-a10375

Michael Collins https://www.dib.ie/biography/collins-michael-a1860

Daniel O’Connell https://www.dib.ie/biography/oconnell-daniel-a6555

Charles Stewart Parnell https://www.dib.ie/index.php/biography/parnell-charles-stewart-a7199

Francis Sheehy Skeffington https://www.dib.ie/biography/skeffington-francis-sheehy-a8105

Lady Mary Heath https://www.dib.ie/biography/heath-sophie-mary-lady-heath-nee-peirce-evans-other-married-name-eliott-lynn-a2963

Henry McCullough https://www.dib.ie/biography/mccullough-henry-campbell-liken-a10389

Eva Gore Booth https://www.dib.ie/biography/booth-eva-selina-gore-a0784

Do you have suggestion for entries. Contact the DIB at Dib@rai.ie

Sound by Kate Dunlea

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