Anglo-Normans, Castles, and Trade in Medieval Ireland

In the new episode of Past Perfect, professor Terence Barry from Trinity College, Dublin, speaks about the Norman conquest of Ireland, urban development, and the island's economy in the Middle Ages. He starts with the Normans' invasion, explaining how they appeared on the Irish coast and why it was so difficult to conquer the whole island. In the second part, Terence Barry reveals what castles can say about Anglo-Norman presence in Ireland and how they survived till our days. The last part of the interview is devoted to Irish trade in the Middle Ages. The professor claims that Ireland was an essential part of the European trade routes, having partners everywhere from Italy to Scandinavia. In the end, Terence Barry focuses on markets and fairs, especially on the Kells market in the County Meath near Dublin, where the medieval market cross can still be seen in the heart of the city.Past Perfect! is CEU Medieval Radio’s show on medieval and early modern history and culture, where Christopher Mielke casually discusses with his guests various issues from the crusades to archeo-zoology to medieval urine sampling. The discussions are made with the aim to popularize medieval and early modern studies with the help of experts such as early musicians, historians, philologists and archeologists.This episode was first recorded and broadcast in 2013.