The French Invasion: Ireland’s Year of Terror?

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

History, Interviews, War Of Independence, Ireland, Norman Invasion, Vikings, Great Famine, Great Hunger, Irish History

4.7 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 21 October 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode covers one of the most famous events in our history. It’s part of the 1798 Rebellion series, but you can dive straight in if you don't want the gripping backstory!

In the closing months of 1796, Ireland was gripped by fear and uncertainty. This episode sees an invasion force of battle-hardened French veterans arrive off the Irish coast, inspiring hope and fear in equal measure.

Meanwhile, a brutal campaign of repression sweeps Ulster as the British authorities unleash state terror on the revolutionary movement during a campaign known as the Disarming of the North.

This episode also marks the first major violence between Crown forces and the wider populace.

This is Episode 5 in my series on the 1798 Rebellion. The next instalment, Part 6, will be available early and ad-free for show supporters next Monday.

Become a supporter today and get exclusive early and ad-free access at:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Irishpodcast

Supercast: https://irishhistory.supercast.com/

Written, narrated and produced by Fin Dwyer

Sound: Kate Dunlea

Additional Research: Stewart Reddin

Voice Actors: Aidan Crowe & Therese Murray

Contact me with your questions at info(at)Irishhistorypodcast(dot)ie.

A list of sources for the 1798 Rebellion is available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/138580354 (the post is not paywalled)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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2:23.3	Hello and welcome to the Irish History podcast. My name is Finn Deweir.
2:28.4	From late 1796, Ireland was gripped by fear and uncertainty.
2:36.1	In this episode, we continued the dramatic story of the 1790s, when a French invasion fleet appeared off the coast of Cork,
	...

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