The Penal Laws: An Irish Apartheid?
Irish History Podcast
Fin Dwyer
4.7 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 17 September 2025
⏱️ 53 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This podcast opens a broader series on the 1798 Rebellion, but also works as a stand alone episode.
For over a century, Irish Catholics and Presbyterians were subjected to the Penal Laws. Although the vast majority of the population, they were banned from voting, sitting in parliament, bearing weapons, and entering many professions—the list goes on.
This episode explores the deeply unequal society these laws created. By following the life of Emily Fitzgerald, who moved to Ireland in 1747, we gain a unique insight into this world. I explain how the Penal Laws emerged after a century of warfare, how Catholics resisted their brutal treatment, and how these laws created a deeply unequal and unstable society.
To find our feet in this world, we begin in the harrowing winter of 1740, which led to the Year of Slaughter—the worst famine in Irish history.
This podcast launches my series on the 1798 Rebellion. The next instalment, Part 2, 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/
Sound: Kate Dunlea
Additional Research: Stewart Reddin
Voice Actors: Aidan Crowe & Therese Murray
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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| 1:48.6 | Hello and welcome to the Irish History podcast. My name is Finn Dewer. |
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