Irish Life & Lore - Voices from the Archive

An Irish Olympic champion for the ages, Ronnie Delaney won Gold in the 1500m at the Summer Olympics in Melbourne in 1956. He was recorded for Irish Life and Lore in 2019 at the RDS in Dublin. This podcast features details of his young life, leading up to that memorable gold medal win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Muriel McCarthy was indeed an institution at Marsh's Library, having worked there for 44 years. She was responsible for the upkeep and survival of a national treasure. Muriel was recorded at the Library in 2012. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vincent tells a fascinating story about his father, his naval experiences during WWI, and being unable to settle after returning to his farm in Kerry. His subsequent migration to Meath, leaving his family behind, is discussed in detail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A descendant of the Guinness brewing family, Desmond Guinness was a conservationist who achieved much in helping to save some of our fine Irish Georgian buildings from falling into ruin. His legacy is extraordinary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast features sound clips of an oral history recoding we compiled with Andrew Kavanagh, a descendant of the ancient Irish McMorrough Kavanagh family who retained possession of their lands at Borris, Co. Carlow since the 16th century. The podcast also includes the voice of Pat Murphy, who farmed the land as did his people before him, near the Borris Estate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Using sound clips from the Irish Life and Lore Archive, in this podcast, Kerryman Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and his extraordinary and dangerous work is recalled by Sr. Noreen Dennehy who speaks for the first time about her experiences of working with him in helping to shelter Jews from the Nazis in Rome during WW11.Monsignor O'Flaherty's nephew, also named Hugh O'Flaherty, is also included in this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a gripping recording compiled at his Dublin home, Dr. James Sheehan recalls and describes exciting in medicine in the 1960s and 70s in Ireland. He grew up in Kerry and in adulthood he became fascinated with bioengineering artificial joint improvement.Working in the U.K.under Sir John Charnley, recognised as the founder of modern hip replacement, in the U.K., he brought back to Dublin his expertise which he put to excellent use in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Bellingham was a remarkable man. He lived at Glencara, Mullingar and in a 19th century cottage on the Hill of Howth, Co. Dublin. This podcast includes excerpts of recordings compiled in both locations. John was a wonderful conversationalist and his recent passing marked the end of an era among the Irish Landed Gentry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madoline O Connell has some brilliant stories to recall about the social history of old Cork's elite society. She relives those years when the City was alive with the preforming Arts and other activities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This recording was compiled at Maureen Mullins' home in 2012 for inclusion in the Horseracing Ireland Oral History Collection. She worked with her husband Paddy and their family in one of Ireland's most successful thoroughbred horse breeding and training businesses, based in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.Maureen passed away, aged 94, on 14th February 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Siege of Kinsale, Co. Cork, also known as the Battle of Kinsale of 1601 was the ultimate battle in England's conquest Gaelic Ireland.This historic and remarkable event is relived in 2004 on location at the site with local historian, John Thullier, who recounts the entire story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2009 Maurice O'Keeffe travelled to the Falkland Islands in the remote South Atlantic Ocean to compile recordings for Irish Life and Lore with members of the small population living there at that time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first section of this podcast, members of staff at the Long Room at Trinity College discuss their experience of working in one of Ireland's oldest libraries.Also, The story of emigrants from Ireland to Britain in the 1960s is related in this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast is packed with stories and memories which reveal the strength and toughness of competitors in grass track races, and what it took to win the biggest race of the year - The Rás Tailteann in the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast features the voice of Sean O Duinn and Fr. Brian Murphy recorded in The Bible Garden at Glenatal Abbey in Co. Limerick. You will learn how the plants, trees and herbs are interwoven with the old Celtic beliefs, and the pre Celtic calendar is described. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steeped in several genres of music, playing saxophone and clarinet throughout his life, Tralee's Billy Curtin was born into a musical family, and from the young age of 12 he was performing with a band. In this podcast he describes working with many showbands and dancebands, playing jazz, rock, blues and country and western. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gaisford St. Lawrence family lived at Howth Castle for 800 years. This long connection was brought to an end with the death of Christopher Gaisford St. Lawrence on 29th October 2023.We compiled recordings with Christopher in 2020; with his wife Meryl in 2014 and with his son Julian in 2020. This is their story... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast features the voices of many well known families who discuss their German origins, their ancestors' arrival in Ireland in 1709, and reveal the common threads which run through their recordings for the irishlifeandlore.com Rhineland Palatine Irish Heritage Oral History Collection. Themes include: Strangers in a Strange Land; Irish Palatine Identity; immigrants who stayed together in colonies in West Limerick and North Kerry; Farming and Business Skills; religion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drishane House in Castletownshend in West Cork is the home of the Somerville family for nine generations. The present owners are Tom and Jane Somerville who have a deep and abiding affection for their old home. The oral history recording was compiled with tom's father Dan Somerville in 2010 at his home in England, and he spoke at length about his life experiences, his father Desmond Somerville, the Great War and his grand aunt, author and artist Edith Somerville. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We were saddened to hear of the recent death of Liam Connellan with whom we were privileged to compile an oral history recording some years ago. This is riveting testimony by a man who played a pivotal role in the development of the Confederation of Irish Industry, having come from the IMI in 1972 in the aftermath of the tragic Staines air disaster which claimed the lives of twelve of the country's business leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heritage Week 2022 brought us to Kilcormac, Co. Offaly for the launch of an oral history project entitled "Capturing Their Story". Recordings were compiled with a selected number of the local residents who provided wonderful and descriptive testimonies of life down through the years.The project came about due to a collaboration between Creative Ireland Community Grant allocation and Kilcormac Development Association. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Landed Gentry in Ireland Oral History Project was undertaken to provide an in-depth study of the current position of the Irish landed gentry. With introductions by Maurice O'Keeffe, representative segments from the collection are included in this week's podcast. Included: Lord BellewThe Duke of Leinster Earl of BessboroughEarl of DonoughmoreCharles and Mary CooperSandy PercevalLesley Fennell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enniscoe House, on the shores of Lough Conn in North Mayo was built in the 1740s. One of Ireland's historic Georgian Houses, the estate now includes the Heritage Centre recently visited by US President Joe Biden.This podcast reveals the story of the history, management and upkeep of this historic house and estate. The voices you will hear include those of owner Susan Kellett and her brother, Nicholas Nicolson, and John Dyra who worked on the estate for many years. Our latest oral history collection - The Landed Gentry in Ireland - was launched at Enniscoe House on 28th June 2023. Information on the Collection may be seen at this link to our website: https://www.irishlifeandlore.com/product-category/recordings/thematic/great-houses/the-landed-gentry-in-ireland/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast tells the story of the old Gaelic families who survived centuries of conflict and wars waged by invaders. You will hear the voices of the descendants of some of those enduring families, people such as the late Conor O'Brien who died this month; Durcan O'Hara; Nicholas MacGillycuddy; Madam Felicity McDermott and Patience and Ann O'Conor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1709, several hundred families from the German Palatinate were settled in Ireland. These Palatines established roots in Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford."In came the brass-coloured Palatine from the ancient bank of the Swabian Rhine" P.W. Joyce.Their story is fascinating, and can be related to the immigrants from Ukraine to Ireland today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast records the recent occasion when Harry McCalmont agreed to hand over some family papers to Local Studies at Kilkenny Library HQ. Declan Macauley and Alicia Dunphy of Kilkenny Library met myself and Harry McCalmont at his home at Norelands Stud, originally part of the Mount Juliet estate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast features some Donegal voices. I selected a number of soundclips taken from recordings in compiled in the county in 2009. I visited every corner of the county to record peoples' stories reflecting many walks of life. This podcast illustrates the true value of oral history in capturing not alone the unique stories, but also the nuances and complexities of language and accent, making for fascinating listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful recording compiled in 2005, Fr. Good discusses the aftermath of the Papal Encyclical Humanae Vitae; his challenging exchanges with Church and State; his years working with unmarried mothers and their babies in Cork in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2002, with the permission of school authorities, I visited primary schools in South West Ireland and handed my microphone to the children so that they could ask questions of a very knowledgeable person in their community. The questions asked ranged far and wide, and some wonderful recordings were compiled as a result.The schools visited were:Knockerra National School in West Clare with Anne ShannonDromnacurra National School in North Kerry with John LyonsKnocknasna National School in West Limerick with Dan KeaneSt. Oliver's National School, Killarney with Claire O'SullivanSt. John's National School, Balloonagh, Tralee with John Blennerhassett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast tells the story of those involved in bringing about the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.You will hear the voices of Dr. Martin Mansergh, special advisor on the North, who was involved in discussions between the Nationalist parties and the Irish Government, and Bertie Ahern who worked tirelessly to bring an end to violence in the North of Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast relates to a recording compiled with Paddy Hayes who recalled initially his climb to the top of the Ford factory in Cork before having to close the factory on 13th July 1980. He was then headhunted by Waterford Crystal, became Chairman of the company and again finding himself in a situation where, in April 1989, he had to leave because of reported accounting errors. The factory closed in January 2009. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam Lynch was Chief of Staff of the IRA during much of the Civil War in Ireland. He was killed in South Tipperary on 10 April 1923 while attempting to escape capture by the Free State Army.Two voices from our Irish Life and Lore archive may be heard in this podcast - those of his nephew, Diarmuid Mullins and his niece, Peggy Lyne. Comments by the General's namesake, Liam Lynch from Knocknagoshel are also included. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 30th November 2022 the centenary was marked at a ceremony in Listowel at which I spoke, and also at a number of other venues in Kerry during the month of December. I used audio material from our Irish Life and Lore archive to illustrate my talk and to demonstrate the importance of recorded oral history. In this podcast you will hear the sound clips I used, in the order in which they occurred during the century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast takes a look at a most anticipated new book which will be published next week. The Big House in Kerry: A Social History will be in bookshops after 25th November. It will also be available via our website at www.irishlifeandlore.com Twelve of Kerry's fine historians contributed chapters for the book, each examining an individual Big House and its family. The voices of some of the contributors are featured in this podcast.A large body of work at 340 pages, the book is edited by Jane O'Hea O'Keeffe of Irish Life and Lore. It is lavishly illustrated with historical images and previously unseen photographs from the family archives of those featured in the chapters. The price of the book is €39. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Slattery, who sadly passed away recently, was one of the most innovative tour operators of his generation. In the early 1960s he saw huge change beginning in the travel industry. He joined the family travel business in Tralee, which had begun trading as a shipping agency in the 1930s. He introduced new ideas which greatly benefited The Kingdom. David, and his wife Betty, were recorded at their home in Fenit in 2006. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathal O'Neill, who sadly passed away recently, left an extraordinary legacy in Ireland. In this recording he discusses his background, and growing up in Capel Street in central Dublin. His father set up a business in 1918 for manufacturing Gaelic footballs. He references the "incredible luck that paved the path" through his life. He recalls meeting his future wife Deirdre Monks; studying under Mies Van der Rohe in Chicago; teaching architecture during turbulent times at UCC in 1961 and his appointment as Head of School in 1972. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ted Crosbie sadly passed away on 9th October 2022. In recordings compiled between 2009 and 2011, he recalls his early life at Woodlands House, Montenotte, Cork; his schooldays and his studies at UCC; his rugby career; his love of sailing and his many adventures in the sport, and his long involvement with Cork Opera House. He also recalls his early days with the Cork Examiner and the conditions which prevailed at the time when his long career with the paper began. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mairin Hughes, one of Ireland's oldest citizens, resident in Mayfield Nursing Home in Dublin, takes a ride around The Phoenix Park in a car of the same age. We stopped off at a teashop on the way back to Mayfield Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, Maurice O'Keeffe took a cycling trip along the coast roads of Clare and Galway. The first stop was to meet up with sisters-in-law Kitty and Margaret McNamara, married to McNamara brothers. who at one time lived on Scattery Island, and Michael Nolan who was involved in purchasing back the island in the 1980s.The, onwards to Doolin to meet Micheal Shannon who is farming on the Burren and who knew the Aran Islanders who came ashore. Also included is a recording from the Irish Life and Lore archive compiled with Thomas Kennelly from Innis Oirr.Finally, to Kinvara where Richard Burke brought Maurice across to Island Eddy. He knew the islanders and spoke passionately of his memories of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first in a series of podcasts on life as it was on the islands off the west coast of Ireland.Featured in this podcast are:Beginish Island in Valentia Harbour in Co. Kerry with the legendary Gaelic Footballer Mick O'Connell.Illauntannig, one of the Seven Hogs which lie between Brandon Point and Kerry Head with boat-builder Bog Goodwin.Skellig Michael or The Great Skellig, west of the Iveragh Peninsula, with archaeologist Michael Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast Michael Waldron, Curator of Collections and Special Collections at the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork speaks about assembling the collection of the paintings by Sean Keating, including An IRA Column which is kindly on loan from Aras an Uachtarain. You will hear him examine the study of composition, the story of the individuals depicted and the circumstances surrounding the creation of Keating's iconic masterpiece - Men of the South. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heritage Week 2022 brought us to Kilcormac, Co. Offaly for the launch of an oral history project entitled "Capturing Their Story". Recordings were compiled with a selected number of the local residents who provided wonderful and descriptive testimonies of life down through the years.The project came about due to a collaboration between Creative Ireland Community Grant allocation and Kilcormac Development Association. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heritage Week 2022 was a busy week for Irish Life and Lore, spent up and down the country.Scurlogstown Olympiad Haymaking Festival in Kilmessan, Co. Meath was one of our destinations. An ancient 7 arch packhorse bridge is located nearby in the townland of Knightsbrook which is the focus of this week's podcast. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

News of the death of artist and illustrator Pauline Bewick at her Kerry home on 28 July was met with widespread regret and sadness. We were privileged to compile a recording with her at her home near Glenbeigh in May 2019. in a wide-ranging and fascinating recording, many aspects of her life are explored; her early years growing up in a cottage outside Kenmare; discovering her great skill as an artist at a very early age; attending the National College of Art and Design in Dublin; developing her artistic skills and meeting her future husband Pat Melia in 1963. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This 4th episode in the Irish Life and Lore Civil War inn Kerry Series of podcasts relates to the massacre at Ballyseedy near Tralee on 7th March 192 You will hear a series of powerful testimonies by those who were close to events on that dreadful day when nine IRA members were taken from the Irish Army Barracks at Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee to Ballyseedy where they were tied to a land mine which was then detonated. One of the nine - Stephen Fuller - survived, though badly injured. The voices you will hear include those of Dr. Dermot Lynch, son of Brigadier Fionán Lynch; Dr. Risteard Mulcahy, son of Chief of Staff Dick Mulcahy; Fred O'Connor, son of Sgt. Joe O'Connor; Archdeacon Rowland Blennerhassett, eyewitness; Sr. Philomena O'Daly, daughter of Paddy O'Daly, GOC Kerry Command; Tony Roche, relative of GOC Paddy O'Daly; Lily Ryle, eyewitness. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two gripping stories are to be heard in this podcast. The first voice you will hear is that of Eleanor Burke of Kenmare. She was the daughter of Rosalie Rice who, along with her mother Kathleen and brother John Joe, were steeped in republicanism. During the Civil War Kenmare was bitterly divided. Free Staters the O'Connor Scarteen brothers were shot unarmed in their home. Members of the IRA were excommunicated.The second voices are those of Mary Cashman, niece of Cuman na mBan member Annie Sinnott from Kerry, and Chris Halpin, grandnephew of Cuman na mBan member Bridie Halpin from Dublin. Both women went on hunger strike at Kilmainham Jail in February 1923. In 2006, Mary and Chris came to their cell in Kilmainham Jail to see their relatives' names scratched into the wall, and a message: All I ask is to remember me. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The stories of the experiences of three families during the Civil War: the Blennerhassetts from Ballymacelligott and Killarney, the Talbots from Killarney are told in this podcast. Their lives were threatened, their houses and hay sheds burnt and their cattle were taken. The voices you will hear are Frank Blennerhassett, originally from Ballymacelligott, Thomas Blennerhassett and Herbert Gow of Culleenybeg near Killarney, and Charles Boyle Talbot of Aghadoe, Killarney. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is the first in a Civil War series of Podcasts. You will hear stories from South Kerry relating to the period 28th June 1922 to 24th March 1923, when the county suffered greatly.From Ballinskelligs in South Kerry comes a soundclip from Maurice Curran who was originally from the village of Dungaeagen and was recorded in 2003. Also included is a soundclip from a recording compiled with Catherine Murphy (née O'Shea) from Ballinskelligs in the 1980s See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Irish Potato Federation was proud to host the World Potato Congress in North Dublin recently. To mark this occasion, Irish Life and Lore have selected soundclips from recordings in our archive to illustrate the importance of the potato crop to generations of Irish people down through the years. Featured are the voices of the following people:Tom Maher, Co. OffalyEddie Walsh, Co. ClareMary Clifford, Co. KerryAnnie McConnell, Co. DonegalThomas O'Connor, Co. DonegalMary Coyle, Co. KildarePaud Flynn, Co. DublinMary Leonard, Co. DublinPatrick Lambert, Co. DublinSeamus McHugh, Co. DonegalTom O'Connor, Co. KerryBrigid Burke, Co. MayoBrigid Malone, Co. Tipperary. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2004, recordings were compiled in Balyvourney, Inchigeela, Coolea in Southwest Cork and Kilgarvan in Kerry. Recorded were Donal McSweeney, a wonderful local historian; Cáit ni Bhuachalla who is well known for her singing, though on this occasion she told some extraordinarily humorous stories; Mary Sweeney who spoke about Pattern Day at St. Gobnait's Shrine and Holy Well; Joe Creedon lists the local place names and migration in the area; Donal O'Sullivan and Maura O'Sullivan speak about the supernatural events which occurred, and a day out in the ancient City on the Paps; Joe Lucey recalls the old people who lived remotely, from Grousement on the foothills of the mountain near Kilgarvan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's podcast features one of Ireland's oldest citizens who is aged 108 - Máirín Hughes. Máirín's extraordinary recall and articulation makes this recording very special indeed. She discusses her parents' membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932; visiting the Blasket Islands in 1929; working in the medical laboratory in UCC from 1932 until 1948. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.