The Troubles Podcast
A non-partisan historical podcast explaining the key events and figures of the Northern Ireland conflict through narrative episodes and direct interviews.
This is a hybrid history podcast, part solo-narrated deep dive and part primary-source interview. The show tackles the complex and violent history of The Troubles by focusing on specific incidents—a bombing, a robbery, a massacre—or the biography of a key individual. By alternating between narrative storytelling and direct interviews with people who were there, it provides both historical context and first-person testimony on a highly polarized subject.
“The show's key differentiator is its combination of deeply researched narrative episodes with rare, long-form interviews with the actual historical figures involved, from paramilitary leaders to sole survivors. Its explicitly non-partisan stance on a contentious topic allows it to explore events from multiple perspectives without taking a side.”
Who hosts this show
The Troubles Podcast is a historical true-crime show created and hosted by Oisin Feeney. The podcast aims to explain the violence and bloodshed of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland in an accessible, non-partisan way. Feeney alternates between deeply researched narrative episodes focusing on specific events and long-form interviews with central figures, including paramilitary members and survivors.
What kind of podcast
When new episodes drop
- 01Johnny Adair Interview: Still Alive || #thetroublespodcastMay 13, 2026 · 2 min
- 02Interview with Johnny AdairMay 13, 2026 · 1h 19m
- 03Johnny Adair: Mad Dog of the ShankillApr 28, 2026 · 1h 16m
- 04Brendan 'The Dark' HughesMar 24, 2026 · 1h 16m
- 05NORAID: Irish America's Secret WarFeb 10, 2026 · 31 min
- 06The Northern Bank RobberyJan 27, 2026 · 57 min
- 07Interview with Alan Black - The Sole Survivor of the Kingsmill MassacreJan 5, 2026 · 1h 07m
- 08The Disappeared: Buried but Not ForgottenDec 22, 2025 · 1h 03m
Notable episodes
- 01Interview with Johnny Adair
A rare, long-form interview with one of the most notorious loyalist paramilitary leaders of The Troubles.
- 02Brendan 'The Dark' Hughes
Uses the controversial Boston College Tapes to tell the story of the IRA and key events entirely from a high-ranking member's perspective.
- 03Interview with Alan Black - The Sole Survivor of the Kingsmill Massacre
A powerful and harrowing first-hand account from the only man who survived one of the most infamous sectarian massacres.
What you'll be asked on this show
The host, Oisin Feeney, employs a chronological and direct interviewing style. He typically opens by establishing the guest's origins and early life before moving into their involvement in the conflict. Feeney uses his own research to formulate clarifying questions that challenge or refine the guest's narrative. He follows the guest's story closely, asking probing follow-ups about logistics ("How did you get weapons?"), motivations ("Where did you want to take the fight?"), and the personal toll of the violence ("What was it like living with that threat?"). The tone is inquisitive and neutral rather than adversarial, allowing the guest to tell their story in their own words.
The show alternates between two distinct formats. Narrative episodes are solo-hosted by Oisin Feeney, who chronologically details an event or a person's life, often citing specific source materials like books. Interview episodes are one-on-one conversations where Feeney guides a guest through their personal history with direct, research-informed questions.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“Where were you born and what was your family's background?”
This is often his opening move to establish the guest's origin story and their initial relationship to the conflict.
personal
2- Q.01
“What was it like being a teenager during that time?”
He asks this to understand the guest's formative experiences and the social atmosphere that shaped them.
- Q.02
“What was it like living with the constant threat of being killed?”
Explores the personal danger and psychological pressure the guest faced during the conflict.
backstory
1- Q.01
“Did you have any awareness of groups like the UDA or IRA at that age?”
This question gauges the guest's early knowledge of paramilitary organizations, often before they became involved.
industry
1- Q.01
“What were the origins of the sectarianism you experienced?”
He uses this to probe the root causes of the violence from the guest's personal perspective.
process
2- Q.01
“How did you first get involved with a paramilitary group?”
This question seeks the specific turning point that led the guest from civilian life to active participation.
- Q.02
“How did you get weapons for your operations?”
A direct question focused on the practical logistics and procurement for paramilitary units.
mindset
1- Q.01
“What was your strategic goal at the time?”
Asks this to understand the guest's military or political objectives as a paramilitary member.
controversy
1- Q.01
“How were you influenced by political leaders like Ian Paisley?”
Connects the guest's personal actions to the broader political landscape and influential figures.
Signature segments
- · Opening line: "This is the Troubles podcast, a podcast about the violence and bloodshed that occurred in Northern Ireland..."
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically historical figures with direct, first-hand experience of The Troubles, including former paramilitary members from both loyalist and republican sides, as well as survivors and witnesses of major attacks.
- Johnny Adairon Interview with Johnny Adair
- Alan Blackon Interview with Alan Black - The Sole Survivor of the Kingsmill Massacre
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast does not appear to feature regular sponsors, though the host often cites specific books used for research, which could present an opportunity for publishing-related partnerships.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
t•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who is the host of The Troubles Podcast?
- The podcast is created and hosted by Oisin Feeney.
- Is The Troubles Podcast still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes regularly, as indicated by recent episodes from 2026.
- What is the format of the show?
- It's a hybrid format, alternating between solo-hosted narrative episodes that detail specific events and long-form interviews with people directly involved in The Troubles.
- Is the podcast biased towards one side?
- The podcast explicitly states its goal is to be non-partisan, focusing on facts and the accounts of individuals from all sides of the conflict.
- Where can I listen to The Troubles Podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spreaker.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]The Troubles Podcast | Podchaserpodchaser.com
- [02]The Troubles Podcast on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [03]The Troubles Podcast - Spreakerspreaker.com
- [04]The Troubles Podcast Channel - YouTubeyoutube.com
- [05]Crime World Book Club - The Troubles podcast host Oisin Feeney on 'Killing Thatcher'youtube.com
- [06]A chat about Irish history with Oisin Feeney, the host of The Troubles Podcastyoutube.com
Podcasts like The Troubles Podcast
Thomas Brush
Thomas Brush
A podcast for aspiring indie game developers, hosted by a solo dev who interviews peers about the practical and emotional journey of making games.
Rusty Quill Podcasts
Rusty Quill Podcasts
A network feed from a London-based production house specializing in full-cast speculative fiction and horror audio dramas.
Satish K Videos
Satish K Videos
An interview show that deconstructs the business models of successful Indian entrepreneurs, with a sharp focus on revenue, strategy, and digital tools.
The American Business Podcast (ABP)
A live, daily business podcast that doubles as the media arm for a national, digital-first chamber of commerce.
Jay Clouse
Jay Clouse
A podcast and video series breaking down the business of being a creator, with a strong focus on building membership communities.
The Senior Health Podcast
A health show for seniors offering simple, actionable exercises and habit changes based on the philosophy of "Japan's Oldest Doctor."
Madam Speaker
Madam Speaker
A South African talk show where a social activist helps guests and callers navigate trauma, relationship crises, and the path to self-love.
Technical Suneja
Technical Suneja
A career-focused podcast for India's next generation of software developers, deconstructing the journeys of successful engineers.