Just how bad were the historical diseases of smallpox, cholera, and typhus? How much devastation did they cause? And what was it like to get them? A new documentary series due to begin on TG4 next week will explore the untold stories of the other great epidemics of Ireland’s past.
Eipidéim is a new presenter-led history and science documentary series focusing on historic epidemics of smallpox, cholera and typhus, tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. These vital, unexplored stories are told in an epic, new and exciting way using emotional personal storytelling and gripping high-end dramatic reconstructions.
Eipidéim presenters, social historian Síobhra Aiken and medical doctor Maitiú Ó Tuathail, go in search of the answers to these questions. Through historical records, they uncover the dramatic stories of those who suffered from these diseases, that once raged through Ireland leaving devastation in their wake.
They examine a time when science, as we know it, was in its infancy and people had no way of fighting back. They discover how global innovations in science had a huge impact here in Ireland, and how these scientific discoveries, along with medical and social changes, helped to wipe out these particular epidemics in Ireland.
While smallpox, cholera and typhus, all major killers in the past, were brought under control, two other killer diseases - polio and tuberculosis - reached their peak in Ireland during the 1950s. The fearful Irish epidemics of these two diseases remain to this day in the memory of many. Living survivors of these diseases share their personal accounts of contracting these diseases, and their struggle to recover.
Eipidéim will trace these major epidemics in Irish history, as well as the more recent childhood diseases of measles, mumps, and rubella, right up to Covid-19.
The Covid-19 pandemic, the most life changing global event of our generation, is not unique in Irish history. These other great diseases of the past affected thousands of lives, changed the very social fabric of Ireland, and taught us much about epidemics - including how to fight back against the coronavirus.
Eipidéim looks at how each epidemic sparks further innovation and scientific discovery, which turn makes us better at fighting back, and ultimately how, through science and medicine, social measures, and the sheer resilience of the human spirit, we will always find new ways to combat disease.
In this documentary series, history and science talk to each other in a fresh, new way. Presenters Síobhra Aiken and Maitiú Ó Tuathail conclude how the best history still has relevance for now, how Eipidéim links our past and our present, as well as our future. They end on the positive note that the fightback will never stop until each new disease is overcome - history has proven time and time again that that is our essential nature as a species. Every epidemic in Irish history has eventually been brought under control and ended. Covid-19 will hopefully also prove no different in the long run.
Contributors in the documentary include Ida Milne, Niall Murray, Tomás MacConmara, Jean Farrell, Colm Henry, Cormac Ó Dubhghaill, Jamie Sugrue, Ríona Ní Churtáin, Luke O’ Neill, and Ciarán Ó Fearraigh.
Eipidéim was directed by Ciara Hyland of Wonder Pics for TG4 and funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence fee. Episode 1 will air on TG4 on Wednesday May 4 at 9.45pm, with episode 2 being broadcast at the same time on Wednesday May 11.
