Absurd Real History

"Marchesa Luisa Casati" with Colin Kibler

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Join Saoirse Siné as she discusses this fascinating fashionista with Colin Kibler

Sources

https://artuk.org/discover/stories/the-marvellous-marchesa-casati-a-living-work-of-art

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/09/22/the-divine-marquise

https://www.operaballet.nl/en/articles/23-facts-about-luisa-casati

https://www.marchesacasati.com/about-casati

https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/8594/an-ode-to-the-singular-marchesa-luisa-casati

Christmas Facts from Irelands All

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This month on Absurd Real History we take a break for a chill special christmas episde, relax and unwind from the holidays with a few facts from the classic 'Irelands All" magazine. We'll be back to our normal show January 29th.

"Edgar Allan Poe" with Burell Kingery

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:30:00 +0000

Surprise! - Saoirse Siné is back with a weird story from the past. This time, director of Edgar Allan Poeprov, Burell Kingery, comes to share about the weird death of Edgar Allan poe.

A Gracious Goodbye (For Now....?)

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

A fond farewell from Saoirse Siné. If you enjoyed the podcast let her and others know. Absurd Real History will possibly return but only with your help. You can donate to show your love at the link at the bottom of this description.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland (be sure to follow them on social media too!)

"Singapore Penis Panic" with Alison Spittle

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné talks of ancient Chinese philosophy and how it relates to hundreds thinking penis's were shrinking for a brief stint during 1960's Singapore. With the incredible comedian/podcaster Alison Spittle!

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland (be sure to follow them on social media too!)

Episode Source Material

The Great Singapore Penis Panic and the Future of American Mass Hysteria by Scott Mendelson

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/72227/6-penis-panics-around-world

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7815608/

https://www.verywellmind.com/koro-phobia-of-genital-retraction-2671824

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/in-the-late-1960s-singapore-was-gripped-with-a-genital-panic

"The Great Molasses Flood" with Camelia LR

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

We talk about the catastrophic event you probably never heard of. This week Saoirse Siné tells you, and special guest Camerlia LR all about how Boston became a flooded sticky mess.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland (be sure to follow them on social media too!)

Episode Source Material

https://www.history.com/news/great-molasses-flood-science

https://www.southernliving.com/sweeteners/molasses/what-is-molasses

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Molasses-Flood

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/sticky-tragedy-boston-molasses-disaster

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/without-warning-molasses-january-surged-over-boston-180971251/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/13/the-great-boston-molasses-flood-why-it-matters-modern-regulation

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/great-boston-molasses-flood-1919-killed-21-after-2-million-n958326

https://www.grunge.com/213663/the-great-molasses-flood-was-worse-than-you-thought/

"London Gin Craze" with Niall Johnson

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Special guest Niall Johnson is a big gin fan, but before this episode he didn't know who his precious alcohol almost ruined London when it was first introduced.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland (be sure to follow them on social media too!)

Episode Source Material

https://www.history.co.uk/history-of-london/18th-century-gin-craze

https://www.historyhit.com/what-was-the-gin-craze-and-why-did-it-happen/

https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/gin-craze-panic-18th-century-london-when-came-england-alcohol-drinking-history/

http://publin.ie/2015/how-many-pubs-are-there-in-dublin/

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/most-googled-how-many-pubs-are-there-in-london-071018

https://www.vice.com/en/article/53jj7z/how-a-gin-craze-nearly-destroyed-18th-century-london

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5vCXrfRLrShpj4fLb4B3hMt/when-the-gin-craze-swept-london

https://www.gintime.com/features/gin-madness-weve-been-here-before/

https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/alcohol-history/the-gin-craze-britain-1700s/#life-in-the-gin-craze

https://evanevanstours.com/blog/london-gin-craze-history/

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/dec/21/gin-craze-april-de-angelis-future-plays-royal-and-derngate

http://www.executedtoday.com/2016/03/08/1734-judith-defour-in-the-gin-craze/

https://hackaday.com/2018/08/23/the-first-vending-machine-hacked-liquor-laws-the-puss-and-mew/

https://curiousrambler.com/when-cats-sold-gin-in-the-streets-of-london/

"Marcel Duchamp and Fountain" with Nell Mercier

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné speaks modern art with the wonderful Nell Mercier, and then gushes over the modern day artist that most resembles a pioneer of the modern art world.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcel-Duchamp

https://www.vulture.com/2010/10/marcel-duchamp-and-comedy-in-art.html

https://press.philamuseum.org/marcel-duchamp-and-the-fountain-scandal/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSKxJc_J0No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZlrHyzIwcI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S75rlarGi64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuf_GHmjxLM

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/apr/03/duchamps-fountain-and-the-feminist-avant-garde-in-new-york

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/was-marcel-duchamp-s-fountain-actually-created-long-forgotten-pioneering-feminist-10491953.html

https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/lists/lol_a_brief_history_of_comedy_in_art_since_duchamps_fountain-55132

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/10/18/duchamps-last-riddle/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv78ebotgrY

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/apr/03/duchamps-fountain-and-the-feminist-avant-garde-in-new-york

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/was-marcel-duchamp-s-fountain-actually-created-long-forgotten-pioneering-feminist-10491953.html

"Edmund Kean" with Will Murphy

Tue, 25 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné talks of the scandalous shakespearean actor Edmund Kean, with fellow actor Will Murphy.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

“Dead famous” by Greg Jenner

“Great Theatrical Disasters” by Gyles Brandreth

http://britainunlimited.com/edmund-kean/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edmund-Kean

https://biography.yourdictionary.com/edmund-kean

https://archive.org/stream/edmundkeantrage01molluoft/edmundkeantrage01molluoft_djvu.txt

https://artuk.org/discover/stories/dead-famous-part-two-a-cultural-history-of-celebrity

"Mass Hysteria and Strict Schools" with Denny Redmond

Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné talks mass hysteria, mental disciple and fainting school children with actor Denny Redmond.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

"Mass Hysteria in Schools: A Worldwide History Since 1566"

by Robert E. Bartholomew, Bob Rickard

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322607

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1978/08/21/sandy

https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/2020/11/20/the-true-tale-of-the-meowing-nuns-with-biting-issues/

https://archive.org/details/epidemicsofmiddl1844heck/page/n5/mode/2up

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3575566/

https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/10-strangest-mass-hysterias.htm

https://www.britannica.com/science/mental-discipline-theory

https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/1466/thesis_fulltext.pdf;jsessionid=DF22F6981869287D99A3BD460FE23D1F?sequence=1

https://esoterx.com/2015/08/05/bad-habits-the-15th-century-nun-biting-mania/

https://practicalpie.com/edward-thorndike/

"The Emu War" with Wren Dennehy (Avoca Reaction)

Tue, 11 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

In the 1930's Australia went to war against their national, the emu. Learn all about it in this weeks episode as Saoirse Siné tells all to you, and special guest drag performer Wren Dennehy, a.k.a Avoca Reaction.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

https://www.britannica.com/animal/emu

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/common-emu

https://www.treehugger.com/emu-facts-5075359#:~:text=Emus%20are%20endemic%20to%20Australia,120%20pounds%20(54%20kilograms)

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2016/10/on-this-day-the-emu-wars-begin/

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2315839

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18516559

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/in-1932-australia-declared-war-on-emus-and-lost

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-do-so-many-weird-animals-live-in-australia

https://listverse.com/2017/03/12/10-crazy-facts-about-the-great-australian-emu-war/

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4509731

https://www.scienceabc.com/social-science/what-was-the-emu-war-of-australia-and-what-was-the-outcome.html

https://factslegend.org/25-interesting-emu-war-facts/

"Wonder Woman 2: More Bondage" with Séamus Hanly

Tue, 04 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Join Saoirse Siné and Séamus Hanly yet again as our part 2 of the history, and the creator William Marston, of the worlds oldest superhero and its inspiration from the unconventional.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

“The Secret History of Wonder Woman” – Lepore, Jill. Scribe Publications, 2014.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/kinky-roots-the-strange-true-story-of-the-real-women-behind-wonder-woman-1.3283002

https://www.dccomics.com/characters/wonder-woman

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/37B343RtftBPmPxN7NqVMYp/five-surprising-secrets-behind-the-creation-of-wonder-woman

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a9931323/wonder-woman-facts/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wonder-woman-feminism-and_b_8199126

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2017/05/31/the-complicated-history-of-wonder-woman/

https://www.cbr.com/marston-gender-identity-and-casting-the-modern-wonder-woman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qfmvuC6NyU

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wonder-Woman#ref1069002

https://dca.tufts.edu/about/news/Curious%20Traditions%20of%20Times%20Past%3A%20Baby%20Parties

https://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2012/05/william-marston-on-sorority-baby-parties/

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/not-so-feminist-history-wonder-woman/

"Wonder Woman 1: Charles Marston" with Séamus Hanly

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week let Saoirse Siné explain to you, and Séamus Hanly about the history, and the creator behind one of the worlds oldest superhero and its inspiration from the unconventional. This is a two parter so view this as an introductory episode for the madness to come next week.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

“The Secret History of Wonder Woman” – Lepore, Jill. Scribe Publications, 2014.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/kinky-roots-the-strange-true-story-of-the-real-women-behind-wonder-woman-1.3283002

https://www.dccomics.com/characters/wonder-woman

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/37B343RtftBPmPxN7NqVMYp/five-surprising-secrets-behind-the-creation-of-wonder-woman

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a9931323/wonder-woman-facts/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wonder-woman-feminism-and_b_8199126

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2017/05/31/the-complicated-history-of-wonder-woman/

https://www.cbr.com/marston-gender-identity-and-casting-the-modern-wonder-woman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qfmvuC6NyU

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wonder-Woman#ref1069002

https://dca.tufts.edu/about/news/Curious%20Traditions%20of%20Times%20Past%3A%20Baby%20Parties

https://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2012/05/william-marston-on-sorority-baby-parties/

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/not-so-feminist-history-wonder-woman/

"Ancient Contraceptions" with Katie Norris

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné will explain to you, and writer comedian Katie Norris, all about how they stopped having babies in biblical times.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/pill-timeline/

https://www.gotquestions.org/birth-control.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/onanism.html

https://thebrickbible.com/judaherandonan/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onanism

https://biblia.com/books/gnb/

https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_birthcontrol.htm

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-the-catholic-church-came-to-oppose-birth-control_b_5b4cd603e4b02538dbcaf463

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/ancient-methods-contraception-even-tutankhamun-wore-protection-009205

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10691-018-9392-1

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52188

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/83685/9-forms-birth-control-used-ancient-world

https://science.jrank.org/pages/1761/Contraception-An-ancient-interest.html

https://www.damninteresting.com/the-birth-control-of-yesteryear/

https://historyofyesterday.com/history-of-condoms-c3fcc62860f

https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-technology/silphium-ancient-contraceptive-herb-driven-extinction-002268

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-origin-of-the-heart-symbol

http://www.sisterzeus.com/Silphio.htm

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/historys-worst-contraception-methods-explained/

http://what-when-how.com/birth-control/ancient-civilizations-and-birth-control/

https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/sex/birth-control/ancient-birth-control-methods

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/ancient-methods-contraception-even-tutankhamun-wore-protection-009205

https://peoplepill.com/people/soranus-of-ephesus

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170907-the-mystery-of-the-lost-roman-herb

https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2020/01/04/no-the-ancient-romans-didnt-overharvest-silphium-to-extinction-because-it-was-a-highly-effective-contraceptive/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3649591/

"Pineapples" with Derek Miller

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Join Saoirse Siné with special guest Derek Miller on a history of the humble pineapple from start to finish... It's weirder than you think.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

The pineapple: king of fruits by Fran Boueman.

Pineapple: A global History

https://www.britannica.com/plant/pineapple

https://www.kitchenproject.com/history/Pineapple/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tupi-Guarani

https://time.com/4814056/hawaiian-pizza-pineapple-sam-panopoulos-death/

http://www.logan-evans.ca/obituaries/116891

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/09/07/492974870/lets-talk-tiki-bars-harmless-fun-or-exploitation

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-53432877

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/interiors/house-rules-on-the-peculiar-popularity-of-pineapples-1.2875731#:~:text=They're%20commonplace%20now%2C%20but,rented%20rather%20than%20bought%20them&text=To%20all%20those%20who%20have,this%20column%20is%20for%20you.

"Constructed Languages" with Jaleelah Galbraith

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Saoirse Siné talks of the convoluted world of constructed languages. It seems that as long as there has been language, there have been people trying to create a better one. She is joined by English Comedian Jaleelah Galbraith.

Follow Saoirse on Twitter and Instagram if you so please.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland.

Episode Source Material

“In the Land of Invented Languages: Adventures in Linguistic Creativity, Madness, and Genius Paperback”,Okrent, Arika. 2010

"Toki Pona" - Sonja Lang

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-constructed-language-conlang-1689793

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gSAkUOElsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWVOkdWQAs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwAFan_NZTw

https://rankly.com/list/best-conlang-off-all-time

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Esperanto

https://time.com/4417809/esperanto-history-invention/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5mZ0R3h8m0

https://tokipona.org/

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/07/toki-pona-smallest-language/398363/’

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-worlds-smallest-language-has-only-100-words-and-you-can-say-almost-anything-2015-7?r=US&IR=T

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/10/31/a-language-to-unite-humankind

https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Wonderful-Horrible-History-of-Esperanto-the-Universal-Language

https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=1553

http://scihi.org/john-wilkins/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/john-wilkins-moon-mission

https://conlang.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7u-bB_gUeM

"Clara the Rhino" with Alex Byrne

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné is joined by comedian Alex Byrne to discuss Clara and the "Rhino-mania" that swept across Europe because of this a-list celebrity.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

"Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity from Bronze Age to Silver Screen" Jenner, Greg. 2020

https://www.rhinosinfo.com/famous-rhinos-clara.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/524139/clara-18th-century-rhinoceros-who-became-sensation

https://lesyeuxdargus.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/clara-et-la-rhinomania-en-europe-au-xviiie-siecle/

https://timeline.com/clara-rhinoceros-europe-history-dc8a944c2a21

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/356497

https://reason.com/2021/02/24/conservationists-rhino-horn-harvesting-poaching-skyrocketed-south-africa/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/aug/21/featuresreviews.guardianreview6

https://georgianaduchessofdevonshire.blogspot.com/2011/04/clara-celebrity-rhino.html

"FAKESpeare" with Aoibhín Murphy

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné will explain to you, and actor/content creator Aoibhín Murphy, about a dweeby young man, William Henry Ireland, and his Shakespeare forgeries.... That weren't very good.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

"Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity from Bronze Age to Silver Screen" Jenner, Greg. 2020

https://www.christies.com/features/5-minutes-with-the-Ireland-Shakespeare-forgeries-10219-1.aspx

https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/text/ireland-vortigern

https://archive.org/details/confessionsofwil01irel/page/n11/mode/2up

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127931669&t=1614979913004

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/to-beor-not-the-greatest-shakespeare-forgery-136201/

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Vortigern_and_Rowena

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/11/12/the-greatest-shakespeare-forgery-william-henry-ireland-was-the-man-behind-one-of-the-most-brazen-literary-forgeries-of-all-time/

https://blogs.bl.uk/english-and-drama/2016/03/is-this-a-forgery-i-see-before-me.html

https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/blogs/shakespearian-forgeries-william-henry-ireland/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Henry-Ireland

https://www.enotes.com/topics/shakespeare-sonnets/critical-essays/shakespeares-queer-sonnets-and-forgeries-william

https://trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/vortigern-a-shakespearean-april-fool-rediscovered-after-220-years/

SPECIAL: An Interview With My Mother

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000

On a very special Absurd Real History episode Saoirse Siné spends Mothers Day chatting with her own Mother Suzanna (righted fitted with a glass of whiskey). Learn some fascinating titbits about college in the US in the 70's as well as Ireland in the 80's.

The episode remains largely unedited to give this fantastic woman a platform to speak her truths. Normal Absurd Real History episodes resume next week.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

"Sea Monkeys Dark History" with Luke Benson

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné is joined by improvisor Luke Benson to discuss Sea Monkeys, it's crazy inventor Harold Von Braunhut and whether you may have accidentally contributed to the KKK.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://daysofdialup.com/2020/01/20/amazing-live-sea-monkeys-harold-von-braunhut-nazis-yolanda-signorelli/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/56755/16-amazing-facts-about-sea-monkeys

https://www.theawl.com/2011/06/the-shocking-true-tale-of-the-mad-genius-who-invented-sea-monkeys/

https://nationalvanguard.org/2019/01/the-bizarre-story-of-anti-jewish-jew-harold-von-braunhut/

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/jul/22/a-petri-dish-for-racism-supremacists-message/

http://www.planetxmagazine.com/seamonkeys.htm

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-01-tm-29473-story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1988/04/25/contrasts-of-a-private-persona/de3976fc-c0b0-4448-8e22-3c6d2edf593e/

https://patents.justia.com/inventor/harold-von-braunhut

https://nationalvanguard.org/2019/01/the-bizarre-story-of-anti-jewish-jew-harold-von-braunhut/

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2004/hitler-and-sea-monkeys

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/21/us/harold-von-braunhut-seller-of-sea-monkeys-dies-at-77.html

https://www.sea-monkeys.com/about-the-sea-monkeys/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdVrTqaJrS4

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-battle-over-the-sea-monkey-fortune.html

"No TV and no Beer Make Iceland Something Something" with Clara White

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0000

How much do you really know about Iceland? In this episode Saoirse Siné talks three bizarre banns of the city of ice and fire with actor/writer Clara White.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://grapevine.is/mag/articles/2009/07/03/article-on-why-there-are-so-many-cats-in-downtown-reykjavik/

https://grapevine.is/mag/articles/2018/02/07/reykjavik-catwalk-a-brief-history-of-cats-in-iceland/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/intelligent-travel/2011/05/23/ten-more-reasons-iceland-is-astonishing/

https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/nanna/iceland-s-christmas-cat-and-cats-of-reykjavik

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/echinococcosis

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/x-unusual-bans-from-iceland-that-you-didnt-know-about/

https://www.iamreykjavik.com/beer-banned-in-iceland-why

https://beernbiceps.com/iceland-banned-beer/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/illegal-in-iceland-180957521/

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31622038

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-should-know-about-iceland

https://www.mbl.is/greinasafn/grein/1099965/

https://2seasagency.com/publishing-iceland-reading-national-sport/

https://icelandmag.is/article/april-3-marks-33rd-anniversary-reykjavik-lifting-its-ban-dogs-city

https://grapevine.is/news/2013/05/03/icelanders-read-more/

https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/aldasigmunds/the-icelanders-and-their-big-love-of-books

"The Bone Wars" with Laura O'Leary

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week we talk about two petty palaeontologists who's rivalry created "The Bone Wars" during the great American dinosaur rush of the late 19th century, joined by the wonderful actress Laura O'Leary

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://ansp.org/explore/online-exhibits/stories/bone-wars-the-cope-marsh-rivalry/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2015/04/15/battle-for-the-bone-wars-beasts/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Kg2gw7PgE

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/dinosaurs/apatosaurus.htm

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/laelaps/why-the-long-neck/

https://peabody.yale.edu/collections/archives/biography/othniel-charles-marsh

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60125/edward-drinker-cope-and-story-paleontologists-wandering-skull

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/marsh.html

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/cope.html

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-bone-wars-1092038

https://interestingengineering.com/bone-wars-the-marsh-cope-feud-and-its-dinosaur-discoveries

https://books.google.ie/books?id=Z8Tj2HvfHRwC&pg=PA153&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/08/the-bone-wars-the-heated-rivalry-between-two-paleontologists-that-led-to-great-fossil-discoveries-and-their-own-social-demise/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32205289

https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/07/14/4271550.htm

"Weird Reality TV Shows" with Hayley Solas

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Allow Saoirse Siné to give you a small snippet of some really weird reality TV shows that probably shouldn't happened.... Joined by special guest, performer and musician Hayley Solas

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.wisegeek.com/how-did-reality-tv-begin.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xtwu0xOrls (Shattered)

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/sep/04/shattered-legacy-of-a-reality-tv-experiment-in-extreme-sleep-deprivation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2IR9I0jIk (I Wanna Marry Harry)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BkcJXBlMU

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/i-wanna-marry-harry_n_5325452?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMkWbVGVMrJ7xq6zWNQHDUSSmYKyLOQumZ9myBSThoHB0hnJQAB4MjJQL2Qcl4t5F_tFwkZEA5Pc8LM-4A0rhel0wafOa_RmgNJY9W4bgH12ViK3XwF3bPfg9HeHCOxBp2ONjrMz7L_uB3-2HDWB4iSoFpaIl0JNKddMAffD10kN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueAAZ7ASkaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpwWgzeQn7E

https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/5/1/21243936/joe-millionaire-reality-tv-sensation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnXcYKmHUCM&list=PL7LrKko3XY_jeW8ArM29eBWFjHCxAgkK-

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/20/why-is-love-island-so-popular

https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a27631912/craziest-reality-shows-ever/

https://www.bustle.com/articles/57331-8-reasons-cbs-kid-nation-was-more-traumatizing-for-children-than-the-hunger-games

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1h6srx/i_was_on_the_childs_reality_tv_show_kid_nation/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p9jlbi91sk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Og2p65Trlsk

"Cunt" with Lucy Haas

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné is joined by real life Australian Lucy Haas to talk about the history of cunt and why it shouldn't be a swear word.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://medium.com/@minagreen/a-brief-history-of-the-cunt-f9d54e5b6a53

A Curious History of Sex, Kate Lister

https://www.thejournal.ie/c-u-next-tuesday-club-night-dublin-cunt-997597-Jul2013/

https://www.polysyllabic.com/?q=node/77

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lady-Chatterleys-Lover

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/art-and-censorship-portrait-outrageous-lady-6106427.html

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/aug/01/lady-chatterleys-legal-case-how-the-book-changed-the-meaning-of-obscene

https://newrepublic.com/article/148713/whats-bad-c-word

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/09/new-zealand-mp-uses-c-word-at-rally-in-call-to-reclaim-it-from-abusers

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/24/kick-ass-2-taboo-breaking

https://www.ravishly.com/2016/12/28/why-i-think-its-important-reclaim-word-cnt

https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/laurie-penny/2011/02/sexual-power-word-cunt-hint

https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5402/pg5402.html

"Le Pétomane: Joseph Pujol" with John Spillane

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné talks of the famous french farter of Moulin Rouge fame with special guest comedian John Spillane.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.vintag.es/2017/12/the-amazing-story-of-joseph-pujol.html

https://www.johnbarber.com/joseph-pujol-le-petomane/

https://www.blowbacktrilogy.com/who-was-le-petomane/

https://professionalmoron.com/2020/12/10/le-petomane-life-story/

https://www.weirdhistorian.com/le-petomane/

http://www.moulinrouge.fr/

https://www.cometoparis.com/secrets-and-stories-of-paris/history-of-the-moulin-rouge-s1053

https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2001/09/20/364725.htm?site=science/greatmomentsinscience

https://www.mrmethane.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rIXipAV6Fs

https://deskarati.com/2011/08/05/le-petomane/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tixKopGjn5s

https://www.straightdope.com/21341537/did-a-french-vaudeville-star-once-specialize-in-trained-flatulence

http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/07/bragetoir-an-unusual-medieval-jester/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258137098_The_spectacular_anus_of_Joseph_Pujol_Recovering_the_Petomane's_unique_historic_context

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gym81fY460

"Lizzie Magie and The Real Monopoly" with Grace Mulvey

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week learn all about the real inventor of Monopoly that history tried to make you forget. This week Saoirse Siné explains all about your new feminist icon - Lizzie Magie, with special guest comedian/writer Grace Mulvey.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

The Monopolists, Pilon, Mary. Bloomsbury, 2015.

https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/gdc/dcmsiabooks/my/be/tr/ot/he/do/th/er/00/ma/gi/mybetrothedother00magi/mybetrothedother00magi.pdf

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081675658&view=1up&seq=19 (pg 548)

https://lvtfan.typepad.com/lvtfans_blog/2011/01/lizzie-magie-1902-commentary-the-landlords-game.html

http://www.theheroinecollective.com/elizabeth-magie/

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-misplaced-feminism-of-ms-monopoly?utm_brand=tny&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=twitter

https://landlordsgame.info/games/lg-1906/lg-1906_egc-rules.html

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ms-monopoly-lizzie-magie-creator-landlords-game

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17986457/1909-10-15-honesdale-citizen-hell/

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-misplaced-feminism-of-ms-monopoly

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/business/behind-monopoly-an-inventor-who-didnt-pass-go.html

https://landlordsgame.info/

http://www.henrygeorge.org/dodson_on_monopoly.htm

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/09/ms-monopoly-worlds-dumbest-board-game/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtug5an4L8E

https://landlordsgame.info/articles/berks2boardwalk.html

https://www.visitforgottonia.com/lizzie-magie-inventor-of-monopoly/

"Mary Toft" with Mary Kirwan

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0000

WARNING! This one is not for the faint of heart and may be triggering to anyone who has suffered a miscarriage.

This week Saoirse Siné gets Mary Kirwan to tell her all about one of the greatest medical hoaxs in the world... The woman who in 1720's convinced the world she was giving birth to rabbits.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

The Impostress Rabbit Breeder - Karen Harvey, Oxford University Press, 2020

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/library/files/special/exhibns/month/aug2009.html

https://www.historyhustle.com/mary-toft-gave-birth-to-rabbits/

https://www.urbo.com/content/heres-how-mary-toft-convinced-doctors-shed-given-birth-to-rabbits-and-why-she-did-it/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mary-toft-gave-birth-to-rabbits

https://allthatsinteresting.com/mary-toft

https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/mary-toft-rabbit-birth-hoax-when-why-real/

"The 335 Year War" with Steve Bennett

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week Saoirse Siné is joined by comedian Steve Bennett to discuss one of the longest wars... in which not one shot was fired... and that everyone forgot about.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.visitislesofscilly.com/experience/things-to-do/history-and-heritage

https://www.britannica.com/place/Isles-of-Scilly-islands-England-United-Kingdom

https://www.scilly.gov.uk/

http://the-scilly-isles.com/

https://www.visitislesofscilly.com/

https://www.thedailystar.net/star-weekend/three-hundred-and-thirty-five-years-war-1288033

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RGR1LB52EM (Inside The World's Smallest Football League - The Isles of Scilly)

https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019/05/01/longest-wars-in-history/5/

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/magna-britannia/vol3/pp330-337

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/the-three-hundred-thirty-five-years-war-the-longest-war-in-history.html

https://factslegend.org/20-three-hundred-and-thirty-five-years-war-facts/

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/three-hundred-thirty-five-years-war-absurdity-inaction

https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/18/world/dutch-proclaim-end-of-war-against-britain-s-scilly-isles.html

https://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2014/09/tragic-news-roy-duncan-scilly-boatman.html

http://www.scillytoday.com/

http://www.scillytoday.com/2014/09/03/hundreds-of-islanders-bid-final-farewell-to-roy-duncan/

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/news/isles-of-scillys-two-football-teams-allowed-4000-fans-but-attracted-just-12-last-week_428540.html

https://www.simplyscilly.co.uk/

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/isles-scilly-were-one-big-4693987

https://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/roy-duncan-1948-2014

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maarten-Harpertszoon-Tromp

"Diogenes the Cynic" with Shane Robinson

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week let Saoirse Siné take you, and performer Shane Robinson, back to ancient Greece to talk about the poop loving poster child of cynicism - Diogenes.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://iep.utm.edu/diogsino/

https://iep.utm.edu/antisthe/

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0258%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D2

https://www.rebresearch.com/blog/diogenes-the-cynic/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/hide-and-seek/201203/my-hero-diogenes-the-cynic

https://millionsofmouths.com/diogenes.html

https://medium.com/socrates-cafe/diogenes-of-sinope-the-philosopher-troll-a01e1fc4eb08

I think therefore I am: All the philosophy you need to know (Lesley Levene)

"1904 Olympics" with Mark Cantan

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The early days of the modern Olympic Games were ROUGH, here all about a particularly ridiculous year with Saoirse Siné and special guest Mark Cantan.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Louis-1904-Olympic-Games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWU0c9yNf4k

https://www.history.com/topics/sports/olympic-games

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-1904-olympic-marathon-may-have-been-the-strangest-ever-14910747/

https://library.wustl.edu/bizarre-but-true-happenings-1904-olympics/

https://everything-everywhere.com/the-1904-olympic-marathon/

https://www.history.com/news/8-unusual-facts-about-the-1904-st-louis-olympics

http://www.olympedia.org/editions/3/sports/SWI

https://mashable.com/2016/07/28/olympics-1904-st-louis/?europe=true

https://slate.com/culture/2008/08/remembering-the-anthropology-days-at-the-1904-olympics.html

https://thebiography.us/en/hicks-thomas

https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/olympic-games-1904

https://mg.co.za/article/2016-07-07-00-story-of-south-africas-first-black-olympians-keeps-us-guessing/

"Animals in Politics" with Kori Schagunn

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Title says it all, this week Saoirse Siné talks animals in politics with special guest Kori Schagunn

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/623777/animals-who-ran-office

https://petcentral.chewy.com/pets-in-office-meet-americas-elected-animals-from-dog-mayors-to-cat-candidates/

https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/cultura/noticia/2017-05/humor-recognized-intangible-heritage-brazil-state-ceara

https://alphahistory.com/pastpeculiar/1938-republicans-elect-mule/

https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/animals-that-held-office

http://hoaxes.org/archive/permalink/the_milton_mule

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/local/the-bosco-ramos-story-to-be-immortalized/1847815/

http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=289

https://www.nationalparkreservations.com/article/lajitas-mayor-clay-henry/

https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/animals-that-held-office

https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/us/no-one-shot-the-sheriff-but-someone-cut-the-mayor-a-goat-got-it.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lajitas-ghost-town

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agL5Lrr8xQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5eqVVvXm0

https://abcnews.go.com/US/CrimeBlotter/story?id=91387&page=1

https://www.houstoniamag.com/travel-and-outdoors/2013/11/west-texas-tour-november-2013

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/alcoholic-goat-mayor-is-castrated-by-cowboy-174572.html

https://allthatsinteresting.com/mayor-stubbs-the-cat

https://time.com/4870781/stubbs-the-cat-mayor-dead/

https://www.newsweek.com/cat-mayor-alaskan-town-dies-20-640828

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/stubbs-cat-mayor-ak/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/105396516/top-dog-the-rise-fall-and-alleged-assassination-attempt-of-a-poodle-president

https://weekly-wonder-blog.tumblr.com/post/119693698182/saucisse-the-dachshund

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35110859

"Timothy Dexter: Stupid Millionaire of the Past" with Niall Johnson

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

This week let Saoirse Siné tell you, and special guest Niall Johnson, all about Timothy Dexter. He may be the luckiest man on earth, and one of America's first eccentric millionaire.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/12/25/timothy-dexter/

https://priceonomics.com/the-strange-life-of-lord-timothy-dexter/

https://fampeople.com/cat-timothy-dexter

https://medium.com/@campanensis/timothy-dexter-americas-richest-idiot-d9ae7b0d6eac

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/43453/43453-h/43453-h.htm

https://historicipswich.org/2015/01/08/lord-timothy-dexter/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/301282.A_Pickle_for_the_Knowing_Ones_or_Plain_Truths_in_a_Homespun_Dress

https://archive.org/stream/lifeoflordtimoth00knap#page/n19/mode/2up

"Frenemies Houdini and Doyle" with Sarah McKenna Dunne

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Known as the original odd couple, this week listen to Saoirse Siné tell you, and special guest Sarah McKenna Dunne, all about Arthur Conan Doyle and his bizarre relationship with Harry Houdini.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://web.randi.org/uploads/3/7/3/7/37377621/jref13edmod_fairies_teacher_print.pdf

https://archive.org/details/comingoffairies00doylrich/page/4/mode/2up

https://web.archive.org/web/20030910224426/http://www.cottingley.net/cfconten.shtml

http://hoaxes.org/photo_database/image/the_cottingley_fairies/

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-Fairies-of-Cottingley/

https://www.conandoyleinfo.com/life-conan-doyle/conan-doyle-and-spiritualism/

https://www.splicetoday.com/writing/harry-houdini-s-spiritual-feud-with-arthur-conan-doyle

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/doyle/spiritualism.html

https://www.grunge.com/181674/the-truth-about-harry-houdini-and-arthur-conan-doyles-relationship/

https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php?title=Houdini_the_Enigma

https://www.cicap.org/n/articolo.php?id=101009

https://web.archive.org/web/20170412193049/http://www.csicop.org/si/show/houdinirsquos_impossible_demonstration

"Micronations 2: I'm a princess, gnomes and other nonsense" with Síomha McQuinn

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Continuing on from our talk of Sealand, in perhaps the silliest "Absurd Real History" episode, Saoirse Siné is once again joined by Síomha McQuinn as they talk some absolute micronation nonsense.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

My Mother

https://www.kingdomofgnome.com/

https://www.microcon2021.org/

https://lunarembassy.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpvNg-wrTkk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHSnFPGqjg&t=9s

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyXCanKRF6yav4KwENbbZqg

https://www.businessinsider.com/most-interesting-micronations-in-the-world-map-2015-6?r=US&IR=T

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/articles/11-micronations-in-europe-you-never-knew-existed/

https://travisdmchenry.wixsite.com/microfreedom/distinguished-micronations

"Micronations 1: Sealand" with Síomha McQuinn

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 07:00:00 +0000

This week let Saoirse Siné explain to you, and special guest Síomha McQuinn, all about how some metal platform in the middle of the North Sea... is a country.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/sealand-outlaw-ocean-tiniest-nation/596074/

http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/odds76.htm

https://sealandgov.org/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/oct/12/major-roy-bates

https://worldpopulationreview.com/regions/sealand-population

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zF5Es7OV0o

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-41135081

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/08/sealand-outlaw-ocean-tiniest-nation/596074/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/money-laundering-global-fraudsters-use-sea-fortress-as-passport-to-riches-1240742.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/apr/12/3

https://narratively.com/the-plot-against-the-principality-of-sealand/

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200706-sealand-a-peculiar-nation-off-englands-coast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pHwkbDx_34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-QlLFftHyc

‘Holding The Fort”, written by Prince Michael

Sealand: The True Story of the World’s Most Stubborn Micronation – Dylan taylor-Lehman

"Disney's Black Sunday" with Stephen Bradley

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:00:00 +0000

This week let Saoirse Siné tell you, and her comedian/improvisor guest Stephen Bradley, all about Disneyland and it's disastrous opening day.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

http://www.hollywoodstories.com/pages/disney/d7.html

http://www.factfiend.com/opening-day-disneyland-total-disaster/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63874/how-counterfeiters-nearly-ruined-opening-day-disneyland

https://www.mouseplanet.com/11243/When_Did_Disneyland_Open_July_17_or_July_18

https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/history-disneyland-when-open-how-built-walt-disney/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzrZET-3Ew

"The Hoover Fiasco" with Luke Benson

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Learn about one of the worst business ideas in history that almost ruined the good Hoover name. This week Saoirse is Joined with improvisor Luke Benson.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for any inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Episode Source Material

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3704669.stm

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/great-financial-disasters-of-our-time-the-hoover-fiasco-1171711.html

https://thehustle.co/the-worst-sales-promotion-in-history/ (most info)

https://www.marketingweek.com/hoover-fails-to-shake-off-free-flights-horror/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hoover-gets-sucked-into-a-blockage-over-free-air-tickets-dispute-1488932.html

"Dublin's Pig-Faced Lady" with Erin McGathy

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Learn the real story behind Grizelda Steevens, aka Dublin's pig faced lady. This week Saoirse Siné is joined by writer/comedian Erin McGathy.

absurdrealhistory@gmail.com for inquiries

Brought to you by Scream for Ireland

Sources

“Freaks: The Pig-faced Lady of Manchester Square & Other Medical Marvels” -Jan Bondeson

https://www.mythpodcast.com/444/12-pig-faced-women-citation-needed/

https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Legend-of-Pig-Faced-Women

https://randomdescent.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/pig-faced-women-and-learned-pigs/

https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/the-pig-faced-women-of-northern-europe-9b2b56a570e2

Kirkpatrick, Thomas Percy Claude (2008). The History of Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin 1720-1920. Dublin: University College Dublin. ISBN 978-1-906359-16-4. (Originally published: Dublin : University Press, 1924.)

https://dr-steevens-hospital-a-history.edwardworthlibrary.ie/

Wilson, Henry, and James Caulfield. The Book of Wonderful Characters: Memoirs and Anecdotes of Remarkable and Eccentric Persons in All Ages and Countries. Cambridge University Press, 2012.