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In the 16th century, Ulster, now known was Northern Ireland, was at the precipice of change. Gaelic power networks connected western Scotland and its isles to Ulster through the exchange of mercenaries and regional power. Politically powerful women such as Lady Agnes Campbell and her daughter, Finola MacDonnell, embodied the prowess of their families by bringing mercenaries as dowries.

Agnes and Finola moved to Ulster in 1569, marrying Gaelic Irish chieftains and influenced their husbands to uphold their respective claims. Agnes corresponded with Queen Elizabeth I, elevated her sons' positions, and supported Gaelic resistance against the crown. Finola held Donegal Castle, helped install her son as the next O'Neill chieftain, and planned to overthrow the sheriff of Donegal.

Come along with us as we explore these Gaelic women's roles in an ever-changing world and their influence on Ulster during colonialism through history and astrology!

Sources

Articles:

• "Campbell, Lady Agnes" by Judy Barry (https://tinyurl.com/3sdymdjh)
• "Donegal Castle Celebrates International Women’s Day with Free Talk on ‘Iníon Dubs’ of Tír Chonnail" by Rachel McLaughlin, March 6, 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/2ucyp5yw)
• "MacDonnell, Fiona" by Emmett O’Byrne (https://tinyurl.com/2s43y45u)
• "Mongavlin Castle, Monreagh Heritage Centre" (https://tinyurl.com/4x3sm6pj)
• "O’Donnell, Finola", The New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women (https://tinyurl.com/4u75dbxm)
• "The Plantation in Ulster at the Beginning of James I's Reign" by Constantia Maxwell (https://tinyurl.com/2urrccwu)
• "Spouses, Spies, and Subterfuge: The Role and Experience of Women During the Nine Years War (1593-1603)" by James O’Neill

Digital Media:

• "Border Reivers, Ulster, and the End of the Lowland Clan World" on The Scottish Clans Podcast
• “The Nine Years’ War” on The History of England podcast
• “The Nine Years’ War - Dr. James O’Neill” (https://tinyurl.com/3twrkr62)
• "The Sea-Kingdom: Dál Riata & The Birth of Scotland" (https://tinyurl.com/y44bun7z)

Books:

• The Highland Clans by Alistair Moffat
• Imeacht Na nIarli (The Flight of the Earls) 1607-2007 by Roddy Hegarty
• Northern Ireland: A Very Short Introduction by Marc Mulholland
• The Plantation of Ulster: The Story of the Scots: 1610-1630
• Scots Mercenary Forces in Ireland (1565-1603) by G.A. Hayes-McCoy
• 'The scum of both nations': a Gaelic perspective of gender and communities during the conquest of Ulster by Olivia N. Garl
• Twisted sisters: women, crime, and deviance in Scotland since 1400 eds. Yvonne Galloway Brown & Rona Ferguson
• Tyrone’s Rebellion by Hiram Morgan
• Women in Early Modern Ireland eds. Margaret MacCurtain & Mary O'Dowd

Websites:

• Castle History | Enniskillen Castle (https://tinyurl.

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Sources

On April 24, 1916, Irish republicans revolted against British rule with Constance Markievicz at the heart of the action. Born to an aristocratic family, Constance put bold ideals into motion through journalism, activism, and politics. These beliefs drove her to be an active part of several Irish groups, including the first women's newspaper of Ireland.

Constance was arrested 5 times for her political actions. She wrote election messages from prison and became the first woman elected to the British Parliament. She went on the run as a member of the illegal Dáil Éireann and advocated for women's suffrage & rights in the new Free Irish State before her death in 1927.

Come along with us as we explore Constance's tenacious activism, her enormous impact, and her influence on modern Ireland through history and astrology!

Articles:

• “Constance Markievicz’s fight for a free Ireland” (https://tinyurl.com/ehpdevn2)
• “Markievicz, Constance Georgine” (https://tinyurl.com/2mh7x5yv)

Books:

• A History of Easter Rising in 50 Objects by John Gibney
• A Short History of Ireland, 1500-2000 by John Gibney
• Constance Markievicz: an independent life by Anne Haverty
• Irish women and nationalism: soldiers, new women, and wicked hags eds. Louise Ryan & Margaret Ward
• 1916: The Easter Rising by Tim Pat Coogan

Digital Media:

• "Constance Markievicz: the first woman elected to the House of Commons" (https://tinyurl.com/mubsuvyw)
• "The Grave of Countess Markievicz" (https://tinyurl.com/4rtp53fv)
• "Seven Women - The Untold Story of the Irish Easter Rising" (https://tinyurl.com/2j636zx8)

Websites:

• Casimir Markievicz: A Polish Artist in Bohemian Dublin (https://tinyurl.com/4anwzwhm)
• Constance Georgine Markievicz (https://tinyurl.com/23cbucc9)
• Constance Markievicz (https://tinyurl.com/mnuf8xvv)
• Constance Markievicz (https://tinyurl.com/bdz7vpd6)
• Constance Markievicz | fight for rights (https://tinyurl.com/yc7ada2j)
• Constance Markievicz (https://tinyurl.com/mryacnhk)
• Countess Constance Markievicz (https://tinyurl.com/3uuam7ax)
• Maeve de Markievicz, Daughter of Constance (https://tinyurl.com/2mae48z8)
• Markievicz: Portraits and Propaganda (https://tinyurl.com/356d9byf)&nb

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Ever wondered why Katherine of Aragon has a portrait with a monkey? Do you want to know how we select episodes? Curious about how astrology is done for each episode? Do you want to know where we'd time travel to given the chance? This episode is for you!!

In our first Q&A, we answer burning listener questions, cover our research process, detail how we select figures, and reflect on who made the most impact on us!

Come along with us as we revisit the women we've covered, the wishes we have about each of them, future plans for the podcast, and a few sneak peeks about who we'll cover in the coming months.

Still have an unanswered question? Feel free to send us fan mail on Buzzsprout or leave a comment on wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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