Podcast

Welcome to

our Edgeworth Echoes Podcast

Delve into the rich tapestry of Edgeworthstown’s history and uncover hidden gems of Irish heritage. Through concise and engaging episodes of our Edgeworth Echoes Podcast, we bring the past to life, sharing fascinating stories that shaped this remarkable town.

Join us on a journey through time, as we explore Edgeworthstown’s unique legacy and the vibrant tales that make it unforgettable.

Latest Episode of the Edgeworth Echoes Podcast:

Francis Ysidro Edgeworth
A Question of Economics

Explore the life of Francis Ysidro Edgeworth, a pioneering 20th-century economist from Edgeworthstown, Ireland. Known for his brilliance and eccentricity, Edgeworth developed key theories like utility theory and the Edgeworth box model, laying the groundwork for modern economic analysis. Despite initial resistance to his complex writing, he later gained recognition, becoming the founding editor of The Economic Journal and a fellow of the British Academy.

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Former Episodes of the Edgeworth Echoes Podcast:

A scene from an Irish rebellion
Colourful Lives

Uncover the history of Maria Edgeworth’s ancestors in 16th and 17th-century Ireland. Follow the journey of Edward and Francis Edgeworth, who arrived in 1585. Discover the colourful life of Shean More Edgeworth during the 1641 Rebellion, his son John’s financial struggles, and the resilience of Anne Bridgeman during the 1688 rebellion.

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Maria Edgeworth's Practical Education book
A Writer and Education

Explore Maria Edgeworth’s passion for children’s education and her influential works, including The Parent’s Assistant (1796) and Practical Education (1798). Discover how her stories combined moral lessons with authentic characters and how her educational theories shaped modern thinking. The episode also highlights a global conference in Edgeworthstown celebrating the 225th anniversary of Practical Education.

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Rachel Mordecai Lazarus and Maria Edgeworth
Historic Penpals

Discover the story of Maria Edgeworth and Rachel Mordecai Lazarus, whose correspondence began when Rachel challenged Maria’s portrayal of Jews in her books. Their dialogue led to changes in Maria’s work and a lasting friendship, spanning topics like literature, education, and family. Even after Rachel’s passing, their families continued the connection, now revived between Edgeworthstown and North Carolina.

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Replication of Edgeworth's Telegraph
Communication Dreams

Discover the recreation of Richard Lovell Edgeworth's 1804 semaphore telegraph signal from Dublin to Galway. Organized by Ray Jordan and the Edgeworth Society, the event celebrated early communications and the Edgeworths' role in advancing telegraph technology. With a global audience tuning in via Zoom, the event underscored the importance of preserving Irish history and innovation.

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Jane Austen and Lord Byron
Literary Connections

Explore the connections between Maria Edgeworth, Jane Austen, and Lord Byron. Discover how Maria received a copy of Austen's Emma in 1816 and their mutual admiration for each other’s work. Learn about Maria’s interactions with Lord Byron and her thoughts on his poetry. We also delve into the relationship between Jane Austen and Thomas Lefroy, the speculation surrounding it, and their shared literary influence.

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A gateway in a wall in the Walled Garden at Edgeworth House
The Walled Garden

Explore the history and significance of the Wall Garden at the Manor in Edgeworthstown. Host John delves into Maria Edgeworth’s passion for gardening, her connections with botanists, and the challenges she faced in maintaining her garden. Now used for horticultural training by the National Learning Network, the Wall Garden remains a peaceful legacy of Maria’s love for plants. Join us on a journey through history and discover more about Edgeworthstown’s remarkable botanical heritage.

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The members of the Edgeworth Society with the newly acquired medallion
A Tale of Two Williams

In this episode, we explore the friendship between William Wordsworth and William Rowan Hamilton, delving into their connections to Maria Edgeworth and Edgeworthstown. We examine how their relationship influenced their respective works and the literary landscape of their time. Additionally, we discuss the significance of Edgeworthstown as a hub for intellectual and cultural exchange during the 19th century.

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the crowd at the National Famine Commemoration 2024 in Edgeworthstown
National Famine Commemoration Recalled

An Edgeworth Echoes special on the National Famine Commemoration in Edgeworthstown, County Longford. Held on 19th May 2024. It discusses the famine’s devastating impact, the Edgeworth family’s efforts to aid the suffering, and reflections from speakers like Katherine Martin TD and Taoiseach Simon Harris. Highlighting the resilience and compassion of communities while honouring the memory of those lost, with a call to action for a more just and humane world.

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Edgeworth Festival 2024 - photo of three people in period costume
Maria Edgeworth Festival 2024 Review

A review of the 29th Maria Edgeworth Festival of Literature & Arts in 2024! From poetry and short story competitions to workshops, live music, and art exhibitions, the festival celebrated creativity and community. Highlights include a symposium on wellness and resilience through education, Culture Night readings, and performances from talented authors and musicians. You can find full videos on the different on the YouTube Channel

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An Gorta Mór

With the National Famine Commemoration event coming to Edgeworthstown on 19th May 2024, we look back at the impact of the Great Famine on the local parish and its people. Discover how the famine shaped the community and explore the significant role Maria Edgeworth played during this pivotal moment in history.

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Stock photo of a Victorian Man
Map Making and Road Making

Join us as we explore the short but fascinating life of William Edgeworth, an engineer and cartographer. Discover his contributions to engineering and mapping, and the impact he had during his brief but notable career.

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early photo of a church
Early Photography

Explore the early history of photography and the life of Michael Pakenham Edgeworth, a pioneering botanist and photographer from Edgeworthstown. Discover Maria Edgeworth’s place in photographic history, the innovation of daguerreotypes, and Michael’s experiments with botanical photography. Learn about his contributions to science, his travels, and the legacy he left through his writings, specimens, and plants named in his honour.

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The members of the Edgeworth Society with the newly acquired medallion
The Edgeworth Society

Dive into the Edgeworth Society's efforts to preserve the legacy of Maria Edgeworth. Learn about their achievements, including a library, museum, and the Mariah Edgeworth Literary Festival, which has grown into a vibrant celebration of arts and culture. Hear from society members about their journey and future plans, like an observatory to honour the Edgeworth family's scientific pursuits.

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The Scottish Connection

Explore the friendship between 19th-century authors Maria Edgeworth and Sir Walter Scott. We’ll dive into their correspondence, mutual admiration, and the impact they had on each other’s work, including Scott’s trip to Ireland and Edgeworth’s support for her family.

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Road sign
A Town With Two Names

Explore Edgeworthstown, or Meathas Troim, a town with a rich dual identity in Ireland. This episode delves into its history, landmarks like St. John's Church, and the influence of historical figures such as St. Bethan and the Edgeworth family, who settled here in the 17th century. Discover how the town evolved, its community’s role in religious and economic activities, and the origins of its unique name.

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Acting, Science and Journalism

Discover the hidden history of Edgeworthstown, from Irish actor Gustavus Vaughan Brooke to zoologist George Edward Dobson. Learn about journalist Emily Crawford’s role in the Paris Commune of 1871 and her connection to this small Irish town. Explore more about Edgeworthstown’s history, tours, and literary festival at the Maria Edgeworth Centre website.

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St. John's Rectory

Join us as we explore St. John's Rectory, a historical treasure with architectural and literary significance. Discover the stories of Oliver Goldsmith, the renowned playwright and poet, and Henry Essex Edgeworth, the Catholic priest who played a pivotal role during the French Revolution. We also delve into the Edgeworth family's contributions to education, science, and literature, along with Oscar Wilde’s personal connection to Edgeworthstown.

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Edgeworth Echoes Podcast
Edgeworth Echoes - Trailer

Explore the history of Edgeworthstown, a hidden gem in Ireland through its rich history, literary connections, and remarkable figures like Oscar Wilde, Walter Scott, and William Rowan Hamilton. Uncover the legacy of the Edgeworth family and the founding of the Edgeworth Society in the 1960s to preserve the town's heritage. Future episodes will dive deeper into the town’s history, the Society, the Literary Trail, and the annual Literary Festival.

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