IRISH LIFE AND LORE SERIES
KILKENNY COLLECTION
FAZA A DOUA
Susținută de
Kilkenny County Library Services
Heritage Officer of Kilkenny County Council
Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe, Ballyroe, Tralee, County Kerry
e-mail: okeeffeantiques2@eircom.net
Website: www.irishlifeandlore.com
Telephone: + 353 (66) 7121991/ + 353 87 2998167
Recordings compiled by : Maurice O'Keeffe
Catalogue Editor : Jane O'Keeffe and Alasdair McKenzie
Secretarial work by : n.b.services, Tralee
Recordings mastered by : Media Duplication
Privately published by : Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe, Tralee
Toate drepturile rezervate © 2008
IRISH LIFE AND LORE SERIES - SECOND KILKENNY COLLECTION
NAME: JANE O'NEILL CHATSWORTH, CLOGH, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 1
Subject: Reminiscences of a miner's daughter
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Jane O'Neill grew up in a council cottage, one of 14 children. Due to the size of the family, she was brought up by her grandmother. Her father worked in the coal mines, and he was the first man to reach the coal face when the Deerpark coal mine was opened in the 1920s. He died at a young age of silicosis, as did many of the other miners. Jane's other recollections relate to her time working for the farmers in Inistioge.
NAME: VIOLET MADDEN, AGE 77, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 2
Subject: Memories of Castlecomer in times past
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording begins with the tracing of the ancestry of Violet Madden's family, the Ryans. Her father's days as a mechanic in the town of Castlecomer were recalled. Violet's husband, Peader Madden, came from Cork to teach in the local school. Violet speaks about her enjoyable activities as a member of the Irish Countrywomen's Association. The conversation also related to local old cures and mining stories.
NAME: MARTHA KELLY, AGE 64, NEWTOWN, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 3
Subject: Stories of the mines
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Martha Kelly grew up steeped in the traditions of coal-mining. Her father was John Langton; who lived at Jarrow Yard, Cloneen. Martha has an in-depth memory of the mining way of life. The names of families working in the mines are mentioned, the Phillips, the Powers, the Maguires, the Weldons and the O'Neills. She grew up in one of the mining houses in Chatsworth, and spoke about the miners' wives, and the great struggles to make ends meet. She also discussed the general beliefs and customs. This was a really informative recording which outlined the way of life of a mining community.
NAME JOHN LANGTON, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 4
Subject: A miner remembers
Recorded by: A family friend
Data: 1988
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Description: This remarkable and historic recording was made with John Langton, who was born in 1907. It recalls the mining songs of past times and the long mining careers of his ancestors. The cricket team in his father's time and the burning of lime in lime-kilns are remembered in this great recording.
NAME: VIOLET MADDEN, AGE 77, CASTLECOMER MARTHA KELLY, AGE 64, NEWTOWN, CASTLECOMER JOHN LANGTON, CLONEEN, MONEENROE, CASTLECOMER WILL MEALLY, AGE 58, MONEENROE, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 5
Subject: The tradition of mining
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Willie Joe Meally recalls his family's commitment to the mining way of life. In 1924 his father began work in the Deerpark mine, and before that, as a younger man, had worked in Glenmullen mine. His mother's siblings, the Wallaces, were all miners in the area. A fine poem, recited by Willie Joe, about the mining in the area provides a glimpse of the hidden depths in the life of a miner.
NAME: MAIRE DOWNEY, AGE 71, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 6
Subject: A history of Castlecomer
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording begins with a history of the collieries, which were opened in 1652, and which were being run commercially in 1750. They brought huge employment to the area, including foresters, farmers, domestic staff for the Big Houses, administrators for the mines and workers for the saw mill. The landlords, the local place-names and the religious denominations are all discussed in this recording.
NAME: MARGARET McGRATH, AGE 70, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 7
Subject: Experiences of a rural school Principal
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: There is a long tradition of school-teaching in Margaret McGrath's family, the Brennans. Her grandfather built Smithstown School in 1885. Margaret was born into a family of 12 children. At a young age she was appointed Principal and after 19 years she continued her career in the local parish school. All the changes in teaching practice and curricula since 1957 are discussed in this fascinating recording.
NAME: EILEEN CRENNAN, AGE 90, CRUTT, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 8
Subject: Reminiscences of a shopkeeper
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording begins with Eileen Crennan's memories of Crutt and she speaks about the local people and their occupations. Her earliest memory is of the fire at the Scrahan Pit in the 1920s. Her adolescent years are described as she recalls cycling over the hill to Carlow town, to work in a local bookshop for many years. She recalled a very interesting story relating to her grandmother, who used to travel to the local Big House to work as a seamstress. Eileen also recalls her own days working in the local bar and grocery shop in the village of Crutt.
NAME: MARGARET CROTTY, THE WEIR, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 9
Subject: Recollections of an air hostess
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Margaret Crotty grew up a few miles outside Kilkenny. Her own name was Mulrooney. As a young girl she was sent to boarding school in Dublin and lived close by the school with her aunt. Her recollections relating to her work with Aer Lingus at a very early stage of aviation in this country were fascinating to record as she speaks of flying in the Dakota and Fokker. She goes on to describe her husband's fine work in the bakery in Kilkenny.
NAME: MARGERY BRADY, AGE 73, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 10
Subject: A woman's enthusiasm for her adopted county
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Marjorie Brady grew up in the city of Cork and her maiden name was O'Leary. In 1970 she moved to Kilkenny with her husband, who worked for Kilkenny Products in Castlecomer. She joined the Archaeological Society, and held the position of Chairperson for An Taisce. She joined the Tidy Towns Committee, and was involved in many local archaeological and historical publications. She is a woman of great enthusiasm and energy, who is still very involved in committees in Kilkenny.
NAME: PATRICK LYDON, AGE 58, CAMPHILL COMMUNITIES, CALLAN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 14
Subject: A devoted charity worker
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Patrick Lydon is a native of Boston who arrived in Ireland as a student. Having travelled around the countryside he founded a community for people with learning disabilities in Wexford. After many years of providing non-profit labour, he came to Callan, where he worked with 80 people who had various disabilities. Ballytobin is a farm-based complex and in recent times the great work has continued with the purchase of the former workhouse building in Callan.
NAME: NEIL (AGE 75) AND BREDA (AGE 62) SOMERS, CALLAN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 15
Subject: A history of the workhouse in Callan
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Breda Somers grew up in a house situated opposite the workhouse in Callan. She remembers as a child playing in the empty building. She told me that the Sisters of Mercy had a hospital there at one time and that a local woman, Bridget Ronan, operated a knitwear factory called St Bridget's in the building, which gave employment to many local women. This continued up to the 1950s, when the premises was sold. Her husband Neil speaks about his time running a public house in the town. The recording includes a story about the pauper's grave and Breda displayed a famine pot which has survived from the old workhouse building.
NAME: MARTIN WHITE, AGE 99, DUBLIN (Part 1)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 16
Subject: A hurling legend
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Martin White grew up just outside Kilkenny city at Bonnettstown. He was one of 14 children. His father died when Martin was young, leaving his mother to provide for her large family. Martin speaks about his passion for hurling back in the 1920s and also the game of handball. He recalls his first senior county game in 1928. In 1929 he left Kilkenny to go to Waterford to work in Clover Meats before moving to Cork in 1939 to work in an abattoir. He continued to play hurling for the county of Kilkenny and recalled some of the great matches. Amazingly he remembers the crúmogs, the early hurleys, which he used in 1925, playing for St Kieran's College.
NAME: MARTIN WHITE, AGE 99, DUBLIN (Part 2)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 17
Subject: A hurling legend
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: In this second recording with Martin White he recalled the great games, including the 1931 match against Cork at Croke Park where three games had to be played over three consecutive days, to decide the outcome. He also spoke about the manner in which news of the games played outside of the county travelled home - courier pigeons were used to convey the results of the matches. On a darker note Martin also recalled the dreadful Black and Tan campaign in Ireland which he remembered so well.
NAME: WILLIE LYNCH WALSH, AGE 100, SLIEVERUE
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 18
Subject: A hurling legend
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording was made the week following Willie Lynch Walsh's celebration of his 100th birthday. He had an extraordinary recall of the football matches his father played for Kilmacow which fielded a famous team in its day. Willie grew up on a farm and spoke about the tillage, ploughing and harrowing of the land. His own middle name, 'Lynch', stuck to him as a nickname and he explains how that happened. His own hurling career was recalled at great length. He named some of the local players, and spoke about the games that will never be forgotten, namely those played in the 1931 All-Ireland Final.
NAME: JIM WOODCOCK, AGE 92, BISHOP'S HILL, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 19
Subject: Memories of the early twentieth century
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording encapsulates the way of life of a young boy growing up on a farm in earlier days. Jim Woodcock's earliest memory is of hearing the shots of the Coolbawn ambush during the War of Independence. His schooldays are discussed, as is his time spent in Dublin. He talks eloquently about his love of the game of hurling, and of travelling to Croke Park to watch the 1931 All-Ireland Final. The train journey cost 3 shillings and the cost of entrance to Croke Park was sixpence. One of Jim's dearest and most evocative memories involves experiencing the deep red sky the evening of the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.
NAME: LIAM O'DWYER, AGE 79, ASHFIELD, KILKENNY (Part 1)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 20
Subject: Early days on the radio
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Liam O'Dwyer has enjoyed a very interesting and colourful life, performing in the Gaiety Theatre for some years before joining Radio Eireann, which was then based on the top floor of the GPO in Dublin. He recalls the early Radio Eireann presenters and his own slot on the radio in the late 1950s. The other career in his life was managing the Pike Bar on the Carlow-Kilkenny road. Also in this recording, Liam fondly remembers his father, whose photograph appears here, and his involvement with the Irish Republican Army during the Troubles.
NAME: LIAM O'DWYER, AGE 79, ASHFIELD, KILKENNY (Part 2)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 21
Subject: Stories and songs from bygone days
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: In this second recording with Liam O'Dwyer he recalls some great old songs and stories from earlier days.
NAME: MAY DORMER, AGE 62, CHATSWORTH, CLOGH, CASTLECOMER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 22
Subject: Recollections of a coal-miner's wife
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: May Dormer grew up in Chatsworth Miners' Homes where the houses had large gardens, ideal for growing vegetables. May talks about her people, all of whom were involved in working for the coal mines. This recording depicts the supportive role played by the wives of the miners, who worked long hours in a very difficult environment. She had clear memories of the tired men, covered in black dust, riding their bikes home in the evening. Their humour, ballad-singing, sport and religious practices are all recalled in this recording.
NAME: FRANK McEVOY, AGE 83, HEBRON ROAD, KILKENNY CITY (Part 1)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 23
Subject: A local historian's memories
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This interview took place in the home of Frank McEvoy. Frank's people were cattle-dealers, who originally came from Clare and who bought a public house in John Street, Kilkenny City. This recording encompasses the local customs, wakes, marriages, religion, surnames, shopkeepers and Frank's own antiquarian bookshop.
NAME: FRANK McEVOY, AGE 83, HEBRON ROAD, KILKENNY CITY (Part 2)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 24
Subject: A local historian's memories
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: On a return visit to the house of Frank McEvoy the discussion continued. This recording contains stories relating to Kilkenny city, the characters, the streets, the politics, the development of the town. Frank speaks eloquently of his passion for old books.
NAME: MAY HAYDEN , KILKENNY CASTLE, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 25
Subject: An employee of the Butler estate
Recorded by: Angela Byrne
Data: 2003
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Description: In this recording made with her daughter-in-law Angela, May Byrne talks about her young days growing up on a small farm. Her maiden name was Kelly. At the age of 15 she began work in the Castle for the Butlers. She describes her work, the rooms, the other employees and the secret passages which exist within the four walls of the castle.
NAME: FRANK KAVANAGH, AGE 60, KILKENNY CASTLE, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 26
Subject: The curator of Kilkenny Castle
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording was made in the room which was always known to Frank Kavanagh as the 'Haunted Room' in the castle. Frank spoke about his early days working as a messenger boy, and of finding work in Kilkenny Castle in 1964. Since then he has witnessed the restoration, conservation and protection of this fine castle and its grounds in Kilkenny City. Frank also records the fact that the Butler family were very happy with the restoration of the castle.
NAME: DES BYRNE, AGE 67, KILKENNY DESIGN CENTRE, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 27
Subject: Recollections of a silversmith
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Des Byrne came to the Kilkenny Design Centre in 1968, to set up his silversmithing business. This recording was made in his workshop where he spoke about his apprenticeship in Dublin. Des spoke at great length about his craft, and of some of the fine pieces of work he was involved in creating, such as the replica of the Sam Maguire Cup.
NAME: PADDY DONNELLY, KILKENNY CITY (Part 1)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 28
Subject: A busy career in local government
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: In this first recording Paddy Donnelly outlines his background, his early days in Drogheda, and recalls entering the Civil Service as a clerical officer, as did his father before him. Paddy began work in Customs administration, and this interview details the many positions which Paddy held before his arrival in Kilkenny.
NAME: PADDY DONNELLY, KILKENNY CITY (Part 2)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 29
Subject: The Kilkenny City and County Manager 1976-2002
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: In the 28 years during which Paddy Donnelly was City and County Manager in Kilkenny , he always maintained a positive outlook about the destiny of the city as a tourist destination. In his time he was involved in the restoration of many fine buildings in Kilkenny and he was involved in setting up many hardworking committees, including The Kilkenny Civic Trust.
NAME: MELOSINA LENOX CONYNGHAM, LAVISTOWN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 30
Subject: Stories from diaries of other days
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: At the home of Melosina Lenox Conyngham this recording was made and she spoke about her busy and productive life. One of Melosina's great passions in life is the collection of stories from old diaries. She is now secretary of the Butler Society, and has published an anthology of Irish diaries.
NAME: TERESA MULLEN, AGE 67,
KILFERA, BENNETTSBRIDGE ROAD, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 31
Subject: A woman's rich history
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording provides a fine narrative on a woman's determination to succeed, both in her career and in her family life. Teresa Mullins had a difficult start in life and later her husband Paddy passed away at a very early stage of their marriage. Teresa entered political life as an Independent and became Chairperson of the Kilkenny County Council in 1999.
NAME: MARY O'HANRAHAN, AGE 72, OAK ROAD, KILKENNY AND EILEEN CONWAY, AGE 71, MOUNT BRILLIANT ROAD, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 32
Subject: The Feminist Movement examined
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: For 20 years Mary O'Hanrahan and Eileen Conway have been involved in running the Rape Crisis Centre in Kilkenny. They both talk about their early days growing up and their involvement in the feminist movement in Dublin. The recording details many issues which served to marginalise women in the last century.
NAME: MAUREEN HEGARTY, AGE 87, ST JAMES'S PARK, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 33
Subject: A passion for local history
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Maureen Hegarty is a retired schoolteacher who speaks about her early life growing up close to Kilkenny city. Her father owned the first car in the area, bought in 1923, which proved a huge advantage to Maureen as a child. She taught in a South Wales convent during the Second World War, and later became a member of the Kilkenny Archaeological and Historical Society. Her involvement in the Society over the years has been of enormous benefit to Kilkenny.
NAME: BREDA RAGGETT, AGE 60, GROVINE EAST, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 34
Subject: The Irish Countrywomen's Association
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Breda Raggett speaks initially about her own people, the Goreys. She feels that her talents were recognised as soon as she joined the I.C.A., and she speaks at great length about its benefits for women in rural areas of Ireland down through the years of the last century.
NAME: SINEAD O'MAHONY, AGE 61, HIGH STREET, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 35
Subject: A pharmacist remembers
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Sinead O'Mahony's father, Michael O'Mahony, began work in the O'Mahony chemist shop in High Street in 1916. It was fascinating to record the names of many old products such as sulphur powder mixtures which were sold. Veterinary products were also available in the shop. The ambience of the premises has a timeless quality to this day. This recording with Sinead O'Mahony encapsulates pharmacy's new and older face in today's world.
NAME: NELLIE KELLY, AGE 91, FLOODHALL, KNOCKTOPHER
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 36
Subject: Recollections of rural life
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Nellie Kelly's earliest memory is of the day on which Michael Collins was shot in August 1922. She also has a marvellous recall of local place names, field names and family names. She talks about her young days walking through the Castlemorres Estate on her way to school in Newmarket, a daily journey of 4 miles.
NAME: MATT, AGE 51, AND PHILIP, AGE 58, O'KEEFFE, CHURCH, CLARA
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 37
Subject: The folklore of Church
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording was made in the local graveyard, which has a history which dates back to the time of the Druids. Both Matt and Philip O'Keeffe spoke about the local place names, and the local folklore. Landlordism, the changes in farming traditions and the dwellings passed down, like the oral tradition, from father to son, were all eloquently recalled.
NAME: GEOFF DOYLE, AGE 80, BALLYFOYLE
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 38
Subject: Old farming traditions
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Geoff Doyle lives in an old cottage which was thatched in earlier times. The recording began with his account of his marriage into a farming family, he himself originally came from Muckalee, where his father's farm had been established for 140 years. Geoff had many stories to tell about going to the fair in Kilkenny and threshing for other farmers with a threshing machine which still stands proudly in the haggard of his farm today.
NAME: BILLY NEARY, AGE 71, CUFFESGRANGE
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 39
Subject: The changes in farming
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Billy Neary recalls his days growing up in Ballylarkin, near Callan. When land came up for sale in Cuffes Grange, he purchased it, taking advantage of the Land Reclamation Scheme. He amalgamated 16 fields into one, a fact which he says he now regrets. He talks about his retirement and of driving a bus for the local school over the last few years.
NAME: TRAVELLER WOMEN'S GROUP, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 40
Subject: The stories of female travellers
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: This recording of traveller women's stories took place in the Community Hall in Kilkenny. I spoke to Kathleen and Margaret Carthy, Josie Cash and Kathleen and Judy Harty. The first interview was with Josie Cash (38) who is married with ten children and the recording provides some fascinating stories of the travelling community. Kathleen Harty (43) was reared in a barrel-shaped caravan and she speaks about the customs and traditions of the travellers. Finally, Kathleen and Margaret Carthy speak about the crafts and culture of the travelling people.
NAME: BILLY ANTHONY, AGE 78, PILTOWN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 41
Subject: The Coachman's Inn
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Billy Anthony's grandfather owned an inn and a post office in Piltown. The inn was frequently visited by Bianconi in former days. Many stories about the inn and the town itself are related in this recording. Billy worked in the saw-mill and his great knowledge of timber cutting and the treatment of timber may also be gleaned from this recording.
NAME: NED O'KEEFFE, AGE 71, ST ANNE'S TERRACE, MOONCOIN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 42
Subject: A working man's recollections
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Ned O'Keeffe lives in a labourer's cottage and his early memories of his father who worked for the farmers in the district were recalled at great length. Ned himself worked at the paper mills in Grannagh and he recalls how diligent the workforce was. He speaks passionately about his allegiance to Kilkenny, even though he and his neighbours live so far south in the county that they feel neglected by the authorities. This recording provided an enlightening view of life as it was lived in South Kilkenny.
NAME: JOHN RYAN, AGE 85, KILDALTON, PILTOWN
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 43
Subject: recollections of a retired schoolteacher
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Originally from Wexford, John Ryan was appointed to a teaching post just outside Carrick-on-Suir in 1959. He settled in Piltown as he has a great fondness for the place. His desire to unravel the many legends of the area became a driving force with him, and this recording relates the many prehistoric settlements which exist here between the Slaney and the parish of Glynn. John speaks authoritatively on the subjects of landlordism and of Piltown itself during the twentieth century.
NAME: DAN McEVOY, AGE 79, MICHAEL STREET, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 44
Subject: Recollections of Kilkenny City and its people
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Dan McEvoy is a brother of Frank McEvoy, who was also recorded for this collection. Dan's excellent recorded contribution relates to the people of Kilkenny town, and touches on subjects such as hurling, fairs, cattle-dealers, characters, tailors and his own time working in the Monster House in Kilkenny. Some old photographs were produced as an aid to Dan's long memories.
NAME: BONNY DWYER, AGE 86, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 45
Subject: A tailor's story
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Bonny Dwyer's story begins with his schooldays when he was taught by the nuns at a reformatory school (St John of God's Convent). He trained as a tailor and began his working life in Delaney's at the age of 13½. He speaks about his work, and recalls the people who worked in the Castle, one of whom was Jim Higgins, a chimney sweep and fine fiddle player.
NAME: JOHNNY DELANEY, COLLIER'S LANE, KILKENNY CITY (Part 1)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 46
Subject: A traveller's life
Recorded by: Dan McEvoy
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Description: Johnny Delaney's recording, made with Dan McEvoy, features many stories about his roaming days. His quick wit and humour are evident in this recording. He speaks about his marriage in Limerick and declares that one of his most important annual engagements was to travel after Puck Fair to reach Dublin in time for the All-Ireland Final, which he did for many years.
NAME: JOHNNY DELANEY, COLLIER'S LANE, KILKENNY CITY (Part 2)
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 47
Subject: A Travellers story continued
Recorded by: Dan McEvoy
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Description: Johnny Delaney was born on December 13th 1911. He speaks to Dan McEvoy about his memories of the Economic War and the value of money. His betting habits are mentioned and he recalls his feelings at settling into the community after many years roaming around the countryside.
NAME: JOHNNY BARRY, AGE 66, STEPHEN'S STREET, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 48
Subject: A local radio presenter
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Johnny Barry's voice would have been well known to Kilkenny people, as he played Irish country music for many years on local radio. He speaks frankly about his hard upbringing, selling newspapers on the streets at a very young age, later showing the films in two cinemas in the city, and working as a part-time fire-fighter. He has always lived in his family home, where he was brought up.
NAME: KITTY RUSSELL, AGE 82, CORCORAN TERRACE, THE VILLAGE, KILKENNY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 49
Subject: Tracing families
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Kitty Russell's schooldays and her ambivalence toward the nuns, are described in a very direct fashion in this recording. She explains how her whole life in the village was greatly enhanced by the wonderful people who lived around her. With the help of a neighbour, Olive Barry, she traced the backgrounds and families of the people of the village.
NAME: JOSEPH KEULGKANI MGUNI, AGE 40, KILKENNY CITY
Title: Irish Life and Lore Kilkenny Collection, CD 50
Subject: Experiences of a South African immigrant
Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe
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Description: Joseph Keulekani Mguni grew up in the south of Zimbabwe. He gives a fascinating account of his tribal past - his ancestors came from Zululand and their king was head of the regiment of Shacka. He talks about his schooling there, and the opportunities that came his way. In 2000 he emigrated, first to London, and then to Dublin. He talks frankly about the harrowing experiences he endured when he arrived at the airport, the ordeal which led him to the city of Kilkenny and the ease with which he has settled in the community there.
