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Irish Life & Lore - Voices from the Archive
Memories of Clondalkin Paper Mills
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 Cusack
Mary Curtin, Dr. Cusack's Private Secretary
Danny Curtin, Transport Manager
Deirdre Dowling, Paper Controller
Des Tannam and Derek Breen, Computer operators
Don Dardis, Production Planning Controller
Catherine Dardis, Chemist
Jim Nolan on paper making during the Emergency
Tommy Keogh, Clerk
Joe Stagg, Timber Purchaser
John Clarke, Loading Operative
Michael Davitt, Engineer
Liam Stone, Pulp Squad
Carl Walsh, Machiner
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Ronnie Delaney - Olympic Gold Medallist 1956
37:03|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.Muriel MCcCarthy (1931- 2021) Keeper of Ancient Books at Marsh's Library, Dublin
32:29|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.Irish Life and Lore - Migration from Kerry to the Midlands with Vincent Garvey
31:39|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.Desmond Guinness (1931-2020) Co-founder of the Irish Georgian Society
33:58|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.Landlords and Tenants in Ireland in Victorian Times - Borris, County Carlow
37:27|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.Mons. Hugh O'Flaherty - The Irish Priest in the Vatican who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during WWII
24:51|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.Dr. James Sheehan, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Co-founder of the Blackrock and Galway Clinics
35:39|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.John Bellingham of Glencara and the Hill of Howth
35:50|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.Madoline O'Connell Recalls Cork's Old Elite
32:28|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.