The History and Heritage Podcast

Native Breeds Series: The Cattle That Made Ireland

They fed a nation, shaped a people, and bore witness to centuries of Irish life. In this extended episode of The History and Heritage Podcast, Liam Blake takes you on a journey through the four native Irish cattle breeds — the Kerry, Droimeann, Dexter, and Irish Moiled. Each one tells its own story: from famine fields to rebel farms, from DNA revival to cultural rediscovery. It’s not just agricultural history — it’s Ireland in four hooves.

Native Breed Series: The Fiery Heart: The Story of the Irish Terrier

"There is no truer, more loyal, or more intrepid dog than the Irish Terrier."So wrote Vero Shaw in 1879—and few who know the breed would disagree.
In this stirring episode of the History and Heritage Podcast, we explore the roots of Ireland’s most flame-hearted dog. Born of necessity during Ireland’s darkest decades, the Irish Terrier served as ratter, guardian, and loyal companion on the margins of survival.
But its story didn't stop in rural Ireland. From Victorian show rings to the horrors of Gallipoli, the Irish Terrier became a symbol of resilience and loyalty. With tales of wartime heroism—like Paddy, the Anzac dog who survived trench warfare—we uncover how this unpretentious breed became a global legend.
This is not just a dog story. It’s a story of identity, hardship, loyalty, and the quiet courage that defines Ireland itself.

Native Breeds Series: The Wheaten Terrier: Ireland’s Golden Companion

Born in stone-walled farms and raised in the fields of rural Ireland, the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier was never a showpiece. It was a worker. A ratter. A guardian. A poacher’s shadow. A child’s companion. This week, on the History and Heritage Podcast, we trace the story of Ireland’s golden-coated farm dog—from nameless “yellow fellas” in 18th-century cabins to family favourites around the globe.
📍 Why was it nearly forgotten for centuries?📍 What links it to the Kerry Blue and Irish Terrier?📍 How did it become a living symbol of Irish resilience?
Whether you’re a dog lover or a heritage enthusiast, this story of golden coats, soft beards, and steadfast loyalty will stay with you.

Native Breeds Series: Blue and Bold: The Kerry Blue Story

🇮🇪 Meet the Kerry Blue Terrier: a bold, intelligent Irish breed with roots in rebellion, rural life, and national pride. From the bogs of Munster to the streets of Dublin during the War of Independence, the Kerry Blue has always stood out—not just for its striking coat, but for what it represents. Discover the dog that helped shape Ireland’s modern identity.

Native Breeds Series: The Glen of Imaal Terrier – Ireland’s Unsung Underdog

In this episode of the History and Heritage Podcast, we travel deep into the Wicklow Mountains to uncover the long-overlooked story of the Glen of Imaal Terrier—one of Ireland’s rarest native breeds. Forged in the isolated glens by 16th-century mercenaries, refined on farms, and nearly lost during World War II, this tough yet gentle terrier is a living link to Ireland’s agricultural and social history. From their working-class origins to their modern resurgence, we trace the remarkable journey of the Glen, blending historical context, cultural insight, and a quiet call to conserve what is uniquely ours.

Native Breeds Series: The Connemara Pony: Ireland’s Native Treasure

In this episode of The History and Heritage Podcast, Liam Blake is joined by Patrick Blake of Ballyerk Connemara Ponies to explore one of Ireland’s most beloved native breeds: the Connemara Pony.
Together, they trace the history of this hardy, intelligent pony from its rugged roots in the west of Ireland to its global reputation today. Learn about the origins of the breed, its characteristics, temperament, famous bloodlines, and how it has adapted across centuries — without losing its soul.
Whether you're a breeder, rider, or history enthusiast, this is a rich and detailed look at a true symbol of Irish rural life and resilience.

Native Breeds Series: The Irish Wolfhound – Strength, Survival, and Symbolism

Long before it became a mascot or a symbol, the Irish Wolfhound was bred for purpose — to hunt, to guard, and to serve. In this episode, we trace the history of one of Ireland’s most iconic native breeds. From the days of the Gaelic aristocracy to near extinction, and through its careful reconstruction in the 19th century, the Irish Wolfhound has endured as more than just a dog — it is a living link to Ireland’s past.
Whether you're interested in animal heritage, cultural history, or simply want to understand how this gentle giant survived where others didn’t, this episode presents a clear, factual look at why the Irish Wolfhound still matters today.

Native Irish Breeds Series: The Story of the Irish Water Spaniel

With its tightly curled coat, otter-like tail, and whip-smart gaze, the Irish Water Spaniel is one of the most distinctive — and underappreciated — breeds ever to come out of Ireland. From its early mention in 1607 as the “Shannon Spaniel” to its refinement by the mysterious Justin McCarthy in the 1830s, this episode traces the story of a dog built for wetlands, made for work, and full of mischief. We follow its rise as a Victorian favourite, its influence on American breeds, and its quiet fight for survival today. A tale as deep and winding as the Shannon itself.

Native Breeds Series: The Irish Red and White Setter: Ireland’s Forgotten Gundog

Before the sleek, flame-haired Red Setter rose to international fame, there was another — older, humbler, and nearly lost to history. In this episode of The History and Heritage Podcast, we trace the story of the Irish Red and White Setter, Ireland’s original hunting companion.
From the wild windswept bogs of 17th-century Galway to the brink of extinction in the 20th century, this episode explores how changing fashions, rural tradition, and determined breeders shaped the fate of one of Ireland’s most remarkable native dogs.
Learn how a forgotten field dog became a living link to Ireland’s sporting past — and how it was saved, against the odds, by a few passionate hands.
If you love Irish heritage, rural life, or the hidden histories of working animals, this one’s for you.

Native Breeds Series: The Irish (Red) Setter

Chestnut red against the green of Ireland — the Irish Red Setter is more than a dog. It’s a memory, a myth, and for many, a marker of home. In this episode, we trace the story of the Irish Red Setter from windswept fields and aristocratic kennels to postal stamps and Bus Éireann buses. Elegant, tireless, and deeply Irish, this breed has long been a symbol of both national pride and quiet perseverance.
We’ll explore how a hunting dog born of necessity became an emblem of identity — shaped by landlords and labourers, loved in literature, and nearly lost to fashion. And along the way, we’ll ask what it means to carry a country’s memory in your bones — even if you walk on four legs.