Irish Gothic: Frightening fictions or Terrifying Truths
Join Dr. Loic Wright to explore why dark stories, vampires, the supernatural and the occult have had such a hold on Irish culture and where fiction meets reality. Along the way, we’ll delve into W.B. Yeats’ fascination with the occult, séances, spiritualism and some of the strange real-life events that inspired Ireland’s darker stories.
A Touch of Death: Execution, Dissection and Corpse Medicine in History
A Touch of Death: Execution, Dissection and Corpse Medicine in History
From the gallows to the apothecary, for centuries human bodies were a normal part of everyday life. Public executions were a form of entertainment, and even after death the body provided medical education, and even medicine.
Join award-winning historian Dr. Robyn Atcheson for a deep dive into the history of (and uses for) cadavers.
How Pokemon Took Over The World
30 Years of Pokémon: From Collecting Bugs to Conquering the World
How did one kid’s obsession with collecting bugs become one of the biggest franchises on the planet?
Join us for a lecture in a pub in Central London, near Hackney, celebrating 30 years of Pokémon. Grab a drink and settle in for the story of how Pokémon went from a strange idea for the Game Boy to a worldwide phenomenon.
We’ll get into the creation of the original 151, the rise of Pokémania, the trading card craze, the anime, Pokémon GO, the controversies and some of the stranger stories from the last 30 years.
There’ll be games and Pokémon prizes to win, and the night will finish with a Q&A, so bring along the Pokémon questions you’ve always wanted answered.
Your host is Liam J Porter, historian, tour guide and lifelong Pokémon fan. Liam also hosts D&D nights and leads horror tours, so expect a fun night in the pub rather than a stuffy history lecture.
Pokémon, pints, prizes and 30 years of nostalgia.
Tickets are limited and we expect this one to sell out, so book early.
How Halloween Took Over The World
A few beers, a few ghosts and 2,000 years of Halloween. Plus prizes to be won.
Come down to the pub for a night of drinks, stories and some seriously strange history as we dig into where Halloween actually came from.
On the night, we’ll discover:
Why the original Jack-o’-lanterns weren’t pumpkins and the much darker story behind them.
Why people believed the dead could return at this time of year, and what they did to protect themselves.
What actually happened at Samhain, and how much of what we’re told about its connection to Halloween is really true.
The bizarre rituals people used to predict their future, from finding a husband or wife to discovering who might die next.
How Halloween crossed the Atlantic and became huge, turning old traditions of bonfires, disguises and spirits into costumes, trick-or-treating and the Halloween we know today.
The Witch Trials (The Story Of The Islandmagee Witch Trails)
Islandmagee Witch Trial
Join Haunted Tours N.I. this spooky season as they take you back to the year 1710 on the mystical land of Islandmagee, where the fascinating story of the Islandmagee witches began.
Dare you join us for this interactive talk on the trial that will leave you somewhat mystified, and definitely spellbound.
Who are you calling a Banshee? - Irelands Death Messenger
Join Dr Gillian Kenny for a fascinating look at the history, folklore and stories behind Ireland’s most notorious supernatural figure. From ancient traditions to the modern-day banshee, discover how this eerie figure came to be so deeply embedded in Irish culture and why she may have been misunderstood along the way.
Let them Eat Kebab
Something different to do in Ireland?
Come spend an evening in the pub listening to fascinating talks, meeting interesting people, and diving into ideas you probably won’t hear anywhere else.
This is a live lecture and talk series taking place in pubs across Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Galway. Every event features a different speaker and theme, covering everything from science, history, psychology, philosophy, politics, film, Irish culture, and bizarre internet rabbit holes to cinema breakdowns, existential questions, and strange moments from history.
After each talk there’s a live Q&A, drinks, conversation, and a chance to meet new people who are curious about the world and up for a good night out that’s a little different from the usual pub routine.
We’re also looking for new speakers from all kinds of backgrounds. Academics, writers, artists, researchers, comedians, creatives, or anyone deeply obsessed with a topic they love talking about. If you’ve got an idea that could make for an unforgettable night in the pub, we want to hear it.
Flesh and Bone: Trans Bodies in Horror Fiction
Flesh and Bone: Trans Bodies in Horror Fiction.
Join Constance Henry in a talk on Horror’s queer monsters, trans embodiment, and the monster in all of us.
Horror is a genre that always represents the cultural anxieties of a time, and culture is always anxious about sex. From Buffalo Bill to the Body Snatchers, queer and trans people have never struggled to find themselves in the monsters of Horror.
From Life to Death: Carnivores, Vultures and the Circle of Life
Researcher and ecologist, Dr. Jon Morant Etxebarria, takes us into the fascinating world of carnivores, scavengers and vultures exploring the often-overlooked role death plays in keeping ecosystems alive.
From predators to nature’s ultimate clean-up crew, discover how life, death and decay are all part of the same wild cycle.
Ireland, The home of Halloween and How it was celebrated
Come spend an evening in the pub listening to Brinsley McNamara from Weird Ireland explore all things Irish and Halloween, and remember the origin of the international celebrated holiday.
After each talk there’s a live Q&A, drinks, conversation, and a chance to meet new people who are curious about the world and up for a good night out that’s a little different from the usual pub routine.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather: Is This the new normal?
Join Dr. Carla Mateus for a fascinating journey through Earth's climate, exploring how scientists uncover the evidence for climate change, why historical weather records are so important, and what they reveal about Ireland's past, present, and future.
Along the way, you'll uncover remarkable historical weather diaries, learn how ice cores and tree rings reveal climates from thousands of years ago, and explore some of Ireland's most extraordinary weather events.
Ideas on Tap
Join Giada, a Master in Comparative Literature and Psychoanalytic Studies to explore how we build our sense of self and what happens when everyone around us sees a different version of who we are.
But you can’t control how other people see you. Their version of you is shaped by their own experiences, expectations and insecurities. So, if you can’t control how others see you, who gets to decide who you are?
Ideas on Tap
The Secret Life of Super Volcanos by Dr Franziska Keller.
What lies beneath the world's most powerful volcanoes?
Join volcanologist Dr Franzi Keller as she uncovers the hidden world of supervolcanoes, exploring how they form, what makes them so explosive, and whether one could erupt again in our lifetime.
Ideas on Tap
A Century of Irish Politics: 100 Years of Memes, Mishaps and Misery by Kevin Larney.
What do political scandals, larger-than-life characters, and bizarre true stories have in common? They're all part of Ireland's political history. Join comedian Kevin Larney for a funny, fascinating journey through a century of Irish politics.
Ideas on Tap #5
Brain devices have left the lab for the marketplace, now connected to A.I. to decode our mental and emotional activity. Greg O'Brien, Senior Learning Technologist explores the implications , and the opportunities. And it’s happening right now.
After each talk there’s a live Q&A, drinks, conversation, and a chance to meet new people who are curious about the world and up for a good night out that’s a little different from the usual pub routine.
Ideas on Tap #4
Witchcraft in Ireland
Witches, trials, curses and folklore, what was witchcraft in Ireland, and why did people fear it? Join author and historian Gillian Kenny as she explores the fascinating history of witchcraft in Ireland, separating fact from fiction and uncovering the beliefs, accusations and legends that shaped Irish society for centuries.
Ideas on Tap #3
Ireland's Lake Monsters, Sea Beasts & Other Strange Creatures
Mermaids, monsters, sea serpents and mysterious sightings Ireland's waters are full of strange tales. Join Weird Ireland's Brinsley McNamara as he explores the folklore, history and mysteries behind some of the country's most fascinating legends.
Ideas on Tap #2
How Ireland Became a Battlefield for Hollywood.
From Saving Private Ryan to Michael Collins, Ireland has played a surprising role in bringing some of cinema's most memorable war stories to life.
Drawing on decades of experience working behind the camera, cinematographer Noel Donnellon explores the remarkable history of war films shot in Ireland. Through rare behind-the-scenes stories, production insights and film history, he'll reveal why filmmakers have repeatedly turned to Irish locations to recreate conflicts from around the world.
Expect stories from the sets of major productions, insights into the legendary Flying Films era, and a fascinating look at Ireland's unexpected place in war movie history.
Ideas on Tap - Launch | Guest Speakers & More
The launch of Ideas On Tap.
Lectures and Talks in pubs across Ireland.
Mystery guest speakers on the night and quirky entertainment.