Turtle goes back with his historian’s eye, but also his humanitarian heart, and gathers together a host of tiny epics.
Sebastian Barry
A skilled storyteller who carries his readers with him … he disinters the odd, the arcane and the profoundly surprising.
BBC History Magazine
Turtle is renowned for his forensic knowledge of Irish history.
The Sunday Times
I’ve always loved Turtle’s writing, the wit and heartbeat in his history.
Lenny Abrahamson
Waterways Ireland
Winner of the Bronze medal for Best Podcast at the 2023 Digital Media Awards, ‘Waterways Through Time’ explores the history of Ireland’s natural rivers and lakes, as well as the man-made canals that criss-cross the island. Hosted by Turtle, this ongoing series is a collaboration with Waterways Ireland.
‘Outstanding.’
John McDonagh – CEO, Waterways Ireland
Behind the Guinness Gates
Launched in April 2023, Behind the Guinness Gates is the first podcast series from the Guinness Storehouse. Hosted by Turtle, the 8-part series features interviews with rapper Mango and chef Niall Sabongi as well as Guinness Flavour Essence Manager, Kate Curran, Iveagh Trust’s Rory Guinness and local historians Liz Gillis and Cathy Scuffil.
The series includes three episodes by Turtle about the formative years of St James’s Gate and the brewery’s strong sense of employment welfare and social philanthropy.
Adare Manor
Turtle has written and produced two books for Adare Manor, one of the world’s leading five-star hotel and golf resorts: Renaissance of an Irish Country House and An Epicurean Journey. Voted the No. 1 resort in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2022, Adare Manor will host the Ryder Cup in 2027.
‘It is always a pleasure to work with Turtle and his great team. His enthusiasm & commitment to accuracy and completeness has really made our books such enjoyable reading. These beautiful books are extremely popular with our guests.’
Colm Hannon – Chief Executive
On the High Seas of Ireland
Turtle was guest lecturer on board Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky for three Circumnavigations of Ireland in 2022 and 2023.
‘Turtle’s presentations are superb and his insight and knowledge greatly enhanced our guests’ enjoyment … his unrivalled knowledge and powers of presentation make him a huge asset to our product.’
Mike Deegan – Head of Fleet Operations
Irish Rail / Ianród Éireann
Turtle has created a series of 50 history panels 50 railway stations around Ireland, designed to brighten the day of the general commuter. Each panel of the ‘Past Tracks’ project was written and researched by Turtle, translated into Irish by Jack O’Driscoll, and beautifully illustrated by Derry Dillon. Part 2 of the project commences in 2024.
The Maxol Story
For the centenary of the Maxol Group, Turtle researched and wrote the history of the company as a book. He also narrated an 8-part podcast series, starred in a TV documentary about the firm and produced historical panels for five Maxol stations.
‘Turtle Bunbury is renowned for his forensic knowledge of Irish history. This book is a treasure trove of archive material, illustrations and personal recollections.’
The Sunday Times
Walsh Whiskey – Global Irish Podcast
Turtle Bunbury’s Global Irish, a 2022 podcast about extraordinary characters from Ireland who made their mark around the world, was sponsored by Walsh Whiskey, makers of The Irishman and Writer’s Tears whiskey.
SuperValu – Vanishing Ireland Podcast
The 2021 season of the Vanishing Ireland podcast was generously sponsored by SuperValu. In each episode, Turtle discussed life and its learnings with some of Ireland’s fine elders, recording their voices of courage, humour and wisdom for future generations.
The series received widespread support across the Irish media, as well as the iconic RTÉ news anchor Anne Doyle.
The CHQ Building
Turtle supervised an architectural and historical survey of Dublin’s pioneering CHQ Building for Neville Isdell, former global CEO of Coca Cola and head of EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum.
‘Turtle delved into every available archive and produced an extraordinary amount of hitherto unknown facts about our building. We’ve been delighted to work with him ever since – as a public speaker, as an author and as the formidable researcher that he is.’
Mervyn Greene – Managing Director
Flahavan’s Oats
Turtle collaborated with Flahavan’s for the Past Tracks project. He was previously commissioned to research a history of the family-owned Irish milling company and oatmeal porridge producer.
Minch Norton
Turtle was commissioned to research the origins of Ireland’s oldest and largest malt producer for the brewing and distilling industry.
Brown-Forman (Slane Whiskey)
Turtle was commissioned to research the history of Slane Castle, along with a history of distilling and malting in the surrounding region.
Jameson Whiskey
Pernod-Ricard commissioned Turtle to research the history of the Jameson family who created one of the world’s favourite Irish whiskeys.
HISTORY QUARTER
This extensive archive offers over 850 historical articles by Turtle, covering everything from the Bronze Age to the Big House, from Viking warriors and Georgian beauties to the origins of Dublin’s pubs and street names.
Includes content from Vanishing Ireland, Irish Waterways, Easter Dawn, 1847, Dublin Docklands, The Irish Pub, Maxol and much more.
Also here is the full content from the Past Tracks panels now on show at Irish Rail stations across Ireland.