Welcome to the website of  World War 2 and Ireland History Talks and Interactive Exhibitions which provides a unique and valuable resource for students and teachers of primary, secondary and third level history in your school or college and also for the corporate sector looking for a presentation and exhibition with a difference.  Our educational presentations are carefully prepared to suit particular student age levels and are also ideal for enthusiasts of World War 2 history everywhere. Uniquely, a great many of our authentic wartime display items and artifacts are circulated among those in attendance during the course of our talks – a truly 'touching history' experience.

Host Joe McCabe has a unique insight into his subject as he is one of the few Irish people who participates annually in historic commemorative parachute jumps in period uniform from iconic C47 Dakota aircraft onto historic battlefield drop zones in Normandy, France, in Holland and elsewhere in Europe. He has also visited many of the battlefields of that conflict and interviewed at length, over many decades, many veterans on all sides who took part in the battles of World War Two.

Joe’s hugely interesting, interactive and hands-on presentations centre initially on ‘The Emergency’ as it was called at home in neutral Ireland and also includes fascinating and virtually unknown stories of Irish involvement on the fringes of the Second World War despite Irish neutrality. 

Our World War 2 History presentations also incorporate accounts of Irish individuals who were personally involved in World War Two  as soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians as well as focusing on everyday items we use today that were invented  for military purposes during World War Two – many of which may surprise you.  Presentations also take a detailed look at uniforms, equipment, publications and battlefield artifacts from that era. These educational presentations are a ‘must see’ educational experience for students, teachers and enthusiasts alike and greatly enrich the overall learning experience.

Primary Schools
Primary school talks and presentations are aimed
at pupils from 3rd Class upwards and are
intended to enhance the history syllabus
already taught in primary schools
Secondary Schools
Secondary school talks and presentations are aimed
at pupils studying History as a subject for both
the Junior and Leaving Certificate or indeed at any student
or teacher who has an interest in the Second World War.
Third Level
Our Third level educational talks and presentations
are aimed at all history or military cadet students
studying World War Two history.
Corporate
Gather your corporate team together at a venue
of your choosing and give you and your colleagues the chance
to relax by incorporating a totally new and unique non-work related
history presentation
I would highly recommend this talk and exhibition to any school. The amount of genuine sourced WW2 artifacts on show were just incredible. The children refer to it as “The Best History Lesson Ever” and “Amazing”. Joe’s depth of knowledge is fantastic and he relates it all back to what was happening in Ireland in the years leading up to and during World War 2. His energy and enthusiasm would entice the most reluctant child to learn about WW2 History.
-Catríona Donohue, Principal, St Michael’s N.S, Stradone, Co Cavan.
The WW2 and Ireland history talk and exhibition are amazing. The primary historical sources are ideally suited to Junior and Senior History where Irish and European History interface. Highly recommended!
—Gerry Hand. Former Principal, Castleblayney College, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
A fantastic educational experience for the class. Very well presented and engaging for pupils with extensive use of both visual and interactive resources throughout. An inspiring look into our past and the people involved – the boys in my class are still talking about it!
—Mark Hanratty, Teacher, Scoil Mhuire Boys' N.S. Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
A big thank you to Joe for his excellent presentation to the senior classes in our school on World War 2 history. His wide range of personal knowledge of World War Two and how it affected Ireland during ‘The Emergency’ really held the children's attention. They also really enjoyed the 'hands-on' aspect with the circulation of the many fantastic original artifacts throughout the talk. A great way to bring history to life for children and to give them the opportunity to learn in a different way. Highly recommended!
—Beryl Trenier, Principal, Fairgreen NS, Belturbet, Co. Cavan.