Irish Life & Lore - Voices from the Archive

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.

In 1951 the first Wexford Opera Festival was staged in the Theatre Royal in Wexford town. It began as an informal gathering of friends listening to gramophone music developed into one of Europe's leading classical music events.In 2008, funded by Wexford Co. Council, we recorded those instrumental in the foundation of an Opera Study Circle in 1950 and the voices you will hear on the podcast include:Eithne Scallan; Marie Fane; Judy Sinnott; Peter McGuire; Charlotte Hendrick; Annie Murphy; Mairead Furlong; John and Nancy Sherwood; Hlen Skrine; Mairtin McCullough; Jimmy O'Connor; Dr. Nora Liddy; James Golden; Dr. Tom Walsh.For further information on the Wexford Opera Oral History Collection please follow this link on our website irishlifeandlore.com:     https://www.irishlifeandlore.com/product-category/recordings/by-county/wexford/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fr. Michael Screene was appointed to Russia in 1995.  These were pioneering days for the Sacred Heart Missionaries.His first assignment was to Moscow to learn the language and in 1996 he was sent to the Caucasus to work in the three republics there.In this podcast he describes in detail the aftermath of the Chechen War , the people and their memories of how they survived during the time of the Iron Curtain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I compiled this recording with Reggie Goodbody in 2007, on the shores of Lough Derg in Co. Clare.  The recording begins with a description of the background to the flour milling business by the Quakers in Ireland, and details on the Goodbody family line.   Reggie's own career as manager of Legge Bros of O'Connell Street, Dublin from 1957 in examined, as is his boat building business in Portumna, Co. Galway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, I took a trip to The Burren in Co. Clare to revisit people I had recorded 20 years ago for Irish Life and Lore.  That visit inspired this week's podcast, using clips from those earlier recordings.My first destination was Lisdoonvarna to meet Mary Angela Keane, one of the experts on the flora and fauna of the Burren.   On then to Corrofin to meet historian and archaeologist Michael McMahon, and on to New Quay to meet Burren farmer Sean O'Halloran.Bell Harbour was my next stop where I met Jack Hynes who also farmed at The Burren and then to Paddy Hynes who lived in the heart of The Burren and had collected many stories associated with the place. Finally, I travelled to Doolin to meet Michael Shannon, farmer, historian and folklorist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1960s, Vatican 11 resulted in the introduction of great change in the Catholic Church, which included the dismantling and disappearance of many fine eclesiastical artifacts.Major structural work was carried out on the interior of St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney in order to adapt the building for the renewal liturgy, and decorative brass work designed by the cathedral architect Agustus Pugin specifically for the building, was removed and sold.   Happily, the twelve brass electroliers have been repaired by the original manufacturers in Birmingham, and have been rehung in the cathedral.In this podcast you will hear the voices of the following people:Christa Link, daughter in law of German church architect, the late Clements Link who salvaged the brass work from St. Mary's Cathedral in 1972.Bishop Eamon Casey, Bishop of Kerry in 1972.Harry Wallace, Killarney architectJeanne Meldon, descendant of Agustus PuginNeil Phillips of Hardman & Co. Birmingham.Fr. Brian Doolan, author and Dean at St. Jad's Cathedral, BirminghamSean O'Grady,  member of Killarney CouncilAlex White, church architectDavid Cowan, stained glass artist and metal worker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast features many voices from our oral history archive, taken from recordings we compiled over the years with staff members of The Kerryman newspaper and contains some fascinating stories and memories of working with the newspaper.  It provides a great insight into how deeply embedded The Kerryman really is in the local community, and also with the Kerry diaspora around the world. The people whose voices are included are:Don Nolan, grandson of one of the founder members, Daniel Nolan.Con Houlihan who began his journalistic career with The Kerryman.Donal Hickey, who also began his career with The Kerryman.Michael O'Regan, who also started with The Kerryman.Seamus McConville, editor 1974-1988.Michael Lynch IMPA.  Joined the newspaper in 1948Joe Galvin, joined in 1945.  Company representative.Eamon Horan, sports writer, joined 1959.John Barry, sports writer from the 1970s.Tommy Quirke, compositor from the 1940s.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the years, we at Irish Life and Lore have recorded people involved in the discovery of prehistoric artifacts and structures which have remained hidden for thousands of years in Ireland.These include a cutaway bog in a valley on the Beara Peninsula, close to Castletownbere, Co. Cork; a crannog (prehistoric dwelling) found in a bog in the midlands, near Edenderry, Co. Offaly; a flint arrowhead discovered at the site of Queen Scotia's grave near Tralee, Co. Kerry and a penannular brooch discovered in the ashes from a turf fire in a house near Ballylongford, Co. Kerry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast captures a moment of discovery when a treasure trove of old family letters dating back to the late 18th century, military uniforms and swords from the same period, old books, paintings and photographs is discovered.The records were very recently found in a trunk in one of the attic rooms at Drummin House, Carbury, Co. Kildare.  The voices you will hear are those of Simon Wheeler, nephew of the late Grattan de Courcy Wheeler; Jim Pender and Eugene Finnegan, both of whom gave long service to the de Courcy Wheeler family of Drummin; Kevin Murphy, Karol Kiely and James Dorney of Local Studies at Kildare Co. Library. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast relates to the very successful Hills Cricket Club which celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2019 when this oral history documentary was compiled.The voices you will hear are the following:The late Joe Clinton and his brother SeamusMaureen Byrne, in her 100th year, and her son PaddyLocal historian Jim BennettInternational cricket player Matt DwyerRichard Wentges of the Milverton Hall Wentges family Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In January 2005, at his home at The Doon, the late Roy Mooney sat down to be recorded for Irish Life and Lore.    The Mooney family have lived there for ovar 1,000 years.A wonderful recording on family history, memories of the Black and Tans and the Civil War,  details about Esker Castle, the stronghold of the Mooneys,  the relics of St. Manchán and a hurley dating back to the early part of the 19th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bellingham family originally settled at Castle Bellingham in Co. Louth in 1660. John Bellingham, a descendant, now lives in an early 19th c. house on the Hill of Howth, and he also owns the Glencara Estate in Westmeath.This podcast is made up of soundclips taken from the several recordings compiled with John Bellingham for Irish Life and Lore oral history collections.  The complete recordings are available via www.irishlifeandlore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2012, we at Irish Life and Lore compiled and archived 81 recordings for a Heritage Oral History Collection.  The recordings were arranged into various categories and are available on our website www.irishlifeandlore.comOne of the categories is entitled The Irish Diaspora, and includes 10 recordings compiled in Toronto, Canada with business people who arrived from Ireland decades ago and set up in business in the city.   This podcast illustrates the successes and challenges they faced along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past thirty years we at Irish Life and Lore have recorded some of Ireland's best storytellers from around the country, and this week's episode features their voices.They include Joe Clinton from Margaretstown, Skerries in Dublin; Maisie Cooper from Limerick city;  Martin McMahon and Robin O'Connell from Meelick, Co. Clare; Eamon Kelly from Dublin and Gabriel Fitzmaurice from Kerry.  Gabriel Fitzmaurice is the only person who survives from this very talented group of storytellers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast celebrates the musicianship of one of Sliabh Luachra's great masters - Johnny O'Leary who passed away in February 2004.  He was the custodian of the tradition handed down to him by Padraig O'Keeffe and Denis Murphy.Sliabh Luachra extends  from East Kerry and North Cork to West Limerick.  In 2003 I visited Dan O'Connell's pub in Knocknagree and recorded Johnny O'Leary playing with his friends at an evening of exquisite music to celebrate his 80th birthday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bishop Eamon was recorded at his home in Shanaglish in Co. Galway in 2006.  This podcast includes soundclips from these recordings.  He discusses his time as Bishop of Kerry from 1969, his chairmanship of Trocaire 1973, his tenure of Bishop of Galway, his meeting with Pope John Paul 11 during his visit to Ireland in 1979,  being confronted by the media, his time in Equador, his interview with the late Veronica Guerin and his return to Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast reflects the first section of Eamon Casey's story, told in his own words.  Parts 2 and 3 will follow.Eamon recalls his childhood and early life in Adare, Co. Limerick, his decision to become a priest, his ministry in his parish in Limerick city, his involvement in the Irish Chaplaincy Scheme in England from 1959 to 1969. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two significant ambushes took place in Kerry during the War of Independence;  The Lispole Ambush of 21st March 1921 and the Ballymacandy Ambush of 1st June 1921.The details of the ambushes are set out by two members of the old IRA, both of whom took part.  Dan Keating and John Scannell give eyewitness testimonies of the events, and also speak about the days prior to the ambushes and the aftermath.   Both gentlemen have now passed away.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The paper mill was located beside the Camac River, and it was established in the early 19th century by Thomas Seery & Son.  The fresh, clean water of the Camac was ideal for use in paper making, and the business thrived during the Great War.  It went downhill thereafter and closed in 1922.The paper mill reopened in 1937 when a change in government came about.  Eamon deValera was instrumental in getting paper manufacturing up and running in the Republic after the formation of the Irish Free State.In this podcast you will hear the voices of the following people:Ann Cusack, daughter of M.D. Dr. Bert CusackMary Curtin, Dr. Cusack's Private SecretaryDanny Curtin, Transport ManagerDeirdre Dowling, Paper ControllerDes Tannam and Derek Breen, Computer operatorsDon Dardis, Production Planning ControllerCatherine Dardis, ChemistJim Nolan on paper making during the EmergencyTommy Keogh, ClerkJoe Stagg, Timber PurchaserJohn Clarke, Loading OperativeMichael Davitt, EngineerLiam Stone, Pulp SquadCarl Walsh, Machiner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1901 John Pearson and Joseph Smith began to manufacture gates and fencing.  Their showrooms and offices were situated at 47 Dawson Street, Dublin.The company exported high quality ironwork to the British colonies and to South America, and their business expanded to manufacture structural steelwork.This podcast explores the challenges and successes experienced by the company before it fell into receivership in the 1970s.  The voice of Irwin Pearson, son of John Pearson, may be heard as he recalls earlier times in the business.  He was recorded at the premises of the Irish Architectural Archive at Merrion Square, Dublin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.