# The Fearsome Ruler of Catholic Ireland: John Charles McQuaid (Part 2)

An episode of [What Were We Like](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1845439909), 8 Jun 2026, 47 min.

Audio: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/c7d3b33c-f943-4afb-8665-b0b200e579f7/0887db98-33c9-4af7-ba73-b3720155d3d4/cd2033b3-6148-4296-b484-b46000c83fff/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=510a10ae-1082-48a7-961a-b3720155da9c

In the 1960s, John Charles McQuaid faced a number of serious challenges that saw his influence over Ireland wane. The advent of television and the women's movement were major problems for him - and Vatican 2 presented the biggest threat to his authority. But McQuaid still wielded considerable power, and went after people who crossed his path, including novelist John McGahern, various Protestants and more or less anyone interested in sex. McQuaid gradually came to be regarded as out of touch with the country. He resigned in 1972, and died the following year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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