In this episode, Jason tells us about his journey from his working-class background to becoming a celebrated Belfast historian, and surprising stories like the Belfast city cemetery's underground wall and Charlie Chaplin’s Belfast connection. We also talked about the challenges and rewards of being a public historian and content creator, and his upcoming books on Belfast’s streets and the Irish revolutionary period from a Belfast perspective.
You can watch this episode on Youtube.com/@britishhistory
Chapters:
00:00 - The curious enthusiasm for Protestants and Catholics protesting together in Belfast's history
00:19 - Charlie Chaplin’s brief Belfast stay and the city’s commemorative statues
01:04 - Introduction to Jason Burke and his work in sharing Belfast’s vibrant history
02:13 - Jason’s background: from inner East Belfast streets to historical research and storytelling
04:51 - The influence of WWI street names and Belfast’s community housing for ex-servicemen
06:44 - How university sparked Jason’s research passion and his focus on Belfast’s WWI contribution
08:01 - The role of community engagement in local history projects and memorial landscapes
09:28 - The impact of social media and digital storytelling in today’s public history
12:02 - Navigating the challenges of finding or creating opportunities as a historian
14:24 - Audience interest in specific periods, like WWI and stories of cooperation across Belfast communities
15:46 - The significance of stories that buck societal trends, like the Battle of Messines and 1930s protests
18:33 - Personal anecdotes about individuals caught in history, from soldiers to activists
22:08 - The story of Belfast’s sectarian cemeteries and the underground walls that separate the communities even in death
28:05 - Lesser-known Belfast landmarks: Charlie Chaplin’s statue and historic architecture stories
30:52 - The challenges of historic building preservation amidst Belfast’s tumultuous past
42:38 - How Jason chooses his podcast topics and the importance of balanced, fact-based storytelling
45:58 - Handling controversial topics with sensitivity and respect for multiple perspectives
48:20 - The importance of integrity and storytelling in ensuring history endures beyond digital life
50:27 - Future projects: exploring Belfast’s revolutionary period and the partition’s impact on the city
63:20 - Jason’s upcoming books: street-by-street history of Belfast and Belfast’s role in Irish independence
67:20 - Building a career as a self-made public historian and the value of persistence
68:35 - Connect with Jason Burke: website, social media handles, and how to follow his work
Jason's website: https://www.jasonburkehistory.com/
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