Irish Life and Lore First Series Clare Collection

NAME: PECKER DUNNE Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 1 Subtitle: Musician and Traveller recounting stories of his upbringing and experiences Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 40.47 Description: Traveller and Musician, a legend in his own time, known far and wide for his banjo playing and ballad singing. At his home in Killimer surrounded by his wife and family, he recalled his upbringing, music and experiences.

NAME: CIARAN O'MURCHADHA Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 2 Subtitle: Ciarán O'Murchadha takes us on an entertaining tour of Ennis, Co Clare and its environs. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 67.17 Description: The Medieval town of Ennis, Co Clare, with its Franciscan Friary, narrow streets, old buildings, historical lanes and unique byways was explored with great passion and enthusiasm by Ciarán O'Murchadha and myself.

NAME: GRANIA O'BRIEN Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 3 Subtitle: Grania O'Brien speaks with good authority on the history of the O'Brien clan. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 47.03 Description: Grania O'Brien is a direct descendant of the O'Brien Clan of Thomond. She has many interesting and fascinating stories to tell in this interview in Whitegate, Co Clare.

NAME: MANUEL DE LUCHIA Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 4 Subtitle: Manuel de Luchia describes his experiences as a deep sea diver off the west coast of Clare. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 48.08 Description: Manuel de Luchia is a man who spent many years deep sea diving off the West Coast of Clare. He has described this as the richest underwater place in the world. He recalls some of the disasters at sea and some of his related discoveries. It was a great pleasure for me to meet and interview Kilkee born Manuel de Luchia.

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NAME: FATHER ROBERT E LEE Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 5 Subtitle: Fr Robert E Lee shares his interest in historic Liscannor, Co Clare, St Brigid's Well and other places close to his heart. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 68.09 Description: I conducted a most informative and enjoyable interview with Fr Robert Lee who shared with me his great enthusiasm for his own place of Liscannor, Co Clare, its history, traditions and lore and we also visited St Brigid's Holy Well.

NAME: EDDIE LENIHAN, CANON SEAMUS MALONE, FRANCIE KENELLY AND JOHN QUEALLY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 6 Subtitle: The Banshee, Pishogues and Fairies Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 48.43 Description: Edie Lenihan, Canon Seamus Malone, Francie Kennelly and Jack Queally recounted their favourite stories and memories.

NAME: JOHN COONEY AND MICHAEL O'GORMAN Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 7 Subtitle: The fascinating secrets of historic Caherhurley, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 59.34 Description: John Cooney has farmed the land in historic Caherhurley, Co Clare, where one of the largest Cahers (i.e. ancient city) in Ireland stands. John, together with historian, Michael O'Gorman, helped to unlock for me some of the secrets and folklore of the island.

NAME: MICHAEL SHANNON AND JACK GARRIHY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 8 Subtitle: Talk of folk memories and rich archaeological sites around Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 47.48 Description: Michael Shannon and Jack Garrihy are both from Doolin, Co Clare. I was amazed at the early archaeology which Michael showed me in Doolin. On the way home I called to Jack Garrihy's house, just outside Doolin and Jack spoke about the local lore and the old cures of the area.

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NAME: SEAN O'HALLORAN Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 9 Subtitle: The folklore and the ancient church grounds at New Quay in Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 50.18 Description: Sean O'Halloran is a retired farmer, archaeologist and folklore collector from North Clare. The ancient church grounds and recently restored church were visited by Sean and myself. Sean's knowledge of the place was outstanding.

NAME: RISTEÁRD UA CRÓINÍN Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 10 Subtitle: Risteárd Ua Cróinín speaks with great enthusiasm about Dysert O'Dea in Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 48.44 Description: Risteárd Ua Cróinín is a Conservation Officer with Clare Co Council. We explored the amazing Romanesque church at Dysert O'Dea, also a holy well, early Christian church remains, a ring fort and ancient roadways. This was a fascinating and illuminating interview.

NAME: SEAN SPELLISSY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 11 Subtitle: Sean Spellissy speaks of Scattery Island, an ancient place of pilgrimage at the mouth of the Shannon. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 50.07 Description: Sean Spellissy and I went to Scattery Island, situated on the mouth of the Shannon. The island is a wonderful, magical place, visited by pilgrims over the centuries. We say many monastic buildings which distil a great sense of history. In order to find out some of the secrets connected to Scattery, we toured the island.

NAME: MARY ANGELA KEANE Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 12 Subtitle: The world famous Burren in Co Clare, its geology, archaeology and folklore Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 43.50 Description: The world famous Burren in Co Clare is where Mary Angela Keane lives. It is not just the extraordinary geology which fascinates her, as she has also a wonderful fund of knowledge on the archaeology, the history and folklore of the area.

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NAME: GUSSIE MC MAHON Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 13 Subtitle: Gussie McMahon from Doolin in Co Clare, well known for his sean-nós singing and "Battering the floor" Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 33.03 Description: Well know and loved for his step- dancing, known as "battering the floor", which he performed during the course of the interview in his home, Gussie McMahon recounted with great energy and enthusiasm his love of sean-nós singing, local folklore traditions and ancient farming customs including thatching in Co Clare.

NAME: JACK KILLOURY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 14 Subtitle: Jack Killoury from Ballyfaudeen in Co Clare, to the accompaniment of his tin whistle, records many fairy stories Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 51.22 Description: Jack Killoury lives in Ballyfaudeen in the parish of Liscannor, Co Clare in a most original authentic cottage, just as it was in his grandfather's time. The place is steeped in fairy lore. To the accompaniment of his tin whistle, his old cottage provided the perfect atmosphere to record his many stories.

NAME: GUSSIE MC MAHON Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 15 Subtitle: Gussie McMahon, Jackie Daly, Chris Droney: Recalling stories from their native place, traditions of harvesting and farming in Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 57.02 Description: On a visit to Bell Harbour in Co Clare I called to see Jackie Daly in his thatched home. There I was privileged to record Jackie's stories and Sean Nós singing. As Chris Droney gave a fine example of concertina playing Gussie McMahon took to the floor to demonstrate the ancient skill of floor battering. A wonderful occasion, evocative of the times gone for ever, when the open house was so much a part of local life.

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NAME: OLLIE CONWAY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 16 Subtitle: Ollie Conway from Cloharatinna, Mullagh in Co Clare, we hear of folklore and days gone by Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 62.40 Description: Very well know and respected for his knowledge of traditional Irish dancing, Ollie has been acclaimed as All Ireland Champion traditional dancer six times in a row. His floor battering skills are also fondly remembered. He spent many years behind a bar in Quilty Cross, Co Clare when his sean nós singing and storytelling were justly appreciated by a wide variety of visitors and Clare people alike. I feel that Ollie searches deep into the heart of his native heritage in this fascinating recording.

NAME: HUGH WEIR Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 17 Subtitle: Well known author, Hugh Weir, recalls his ancestral background recorded in Whitegate, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 54.47 Description: Well known publisher and author, his books include "The Great Houses of Clare" Hugh Weir's memories of his ancestral background are recalled in this interview.

NAME: CHRIS DRONEY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 18 Subtitle: A well known concertina player from North Co Clare, his love of traditional music shines through in this interview. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 64.05 Description: Chris Droney is a well known concertina player from Bell Harbour in Co Clare, where he farms the land. We spoke about threshing traditions and harvesting in Clare long ago. Chris Droney's love of local traditional music shone through in this recording as he played his favourite pieces, including one of his own compositions.

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NAME: BRENDAN GARVEY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 19 Subtitle: Lighthouse keeper from Loop Head, Co Clare recalls sea-faring stories Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 45.28 Description: The lighthouses around the Irish coast were unmanned in the 1950s. Brendan Garvey was the last lighthouse keeper to be retired. He left Loop Head Lighthouse in Co Clare and lives close by. I interviewed Brendan about his experiences at Loop Head.

NAME: MICHAEL O'CONNELL Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 20 Subtitle: Michael O'Connell speaks of his native place Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 49.27 Description: I met Michael O'Connell in Carrigaholt, situated on the north of the Shannon, a place steeped in history. We both toured the area, taking in McMahon's Castle, an early Christian church and the village of Carrigaholt, Co Clare.

NAME: KNOCK VILLAGE GROUP Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 21 Subtitle: The birth place of the Colleen Bán and Kate Flynn, the "Darling Girl from Clare" situated on the Shannon Estuary. The local people spoke of its hey day as a busy port Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 45.19 Description: Knock Village is situated on the Shannon Estuary. A busy port in its hey day, many interesting people lived in the village, including Kate Flynn - "The Darling Girl from Clare". The local villagers spoke about their memories of this beautiful village.

NAME: MICHAEL MC MAHON Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 22 Subtitle: Michael McMahon speaks with great authority and love, recalling the folklore, archaeology and history of Corofin, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 54.56 Description: Michael McMahon's knowledge and love of his own place is very obvious in this recording, as he speaks so clearly about the archaeology, the history and folklore of Corofin, his own part of Co Clare.

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NAME: MATTIE AND MICHAEL SHANNON Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 23 Subtitle: The archaeological and folklore stories of the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 57.07 Description: The Cliffs of Moher are steeped in history and folklore, not only of West Clare but of much of the surrounding hinterland. Mattie and Michael Shannon toured the area with me, recording its many archaeological sites as well as the varied folk memories of the local population.

NAME: MICHAEL SLATTERY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 24 Subtitle: Memories recorded in Co Clare of farming skills and a scholarly herdsman Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 51.03 Description: A retired farmer from Ballygownan, Kilfinora, Co Clare. On Michael's land there is an interesting herdsman's hut and in this building Michael spoke to me about one very scholarly herdsman who taught Michael many of his farming skills.

NAME: ODRAN AND ANTOIN O LOONEY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 25 Subtitle: Moy House, Lahinch, Co Clare, lovingly restored by this father and son team who discuss their discoveries during renovations. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 49.07 Description: A father and son who lovingly and painstakingly restored Moy House, Lahinch, Co Clare bringing it back to its former glory. I spoke to the O'Looneys about their discoveries during renovation work also about the local history attached to Lahinch. A most interesting visit.

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NAME: MICHAEL O' GORMAN Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 26 Subtitle: From Scarriff in Co Clare folk memories of the Famine, local beliefs and customs Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 50.03 Description: Michael O'Gorman comes from Scarriff, Co Clare and is a folklorist and poet. We spoke about the local characters, the early days of the circus coming into town, the beliefs and customs of local people, and of the very sad memories of the Famine in Scarriff.

NAME: HOLY ISLAND Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 27 Subtitle: This special place on Lough Derg in Co Clare which pilgrims have visited for centuries Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 60.36 Description: On a visit to holy Island on Lough Derg in Clare, I met with historians Sean Spellissy and Michael O'Connell, with poet Michael O'Gorman and boatsman Jerry Madden. They each spoke with passion and great interest about this mystical place, which pilgrims have visited for many centuries.

NAME: PAT AND LAURENCE SLATTERY AND MICHAEL SLATTERY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 28 Subtitle: Memories of farm traditions from Ballygownan, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 52.01 Description: Both retired in their late eighties, from Ballygownan, Kilfinora, Co Clare, I recorded Pat and Lawrence Slattery in their thatched cottage about farm traditions, with the help of their cousin, Michael Slattery.

NAME: KIERAN LILLIS Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 29 Subtitle: Wonderful memories of a retired school teacher recalling harvesting and cutting of the turn in Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 50.21 Description: A 93 year old retired school teacher, Kieran Lillis lives in the parish of Kilmihil, Co Clare. I recorded his memories of cutting turf and collecting the harvest in the early part of the 20th century.

NAME: PECKER DUNNE Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 30 Subtitle: A second visit to his home in Killimer, Co Clare to hear stories of life as a Traveller. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 65.06 Description: A return visit to pecker Dunne's home in Killimer, Co Clare, proved to be a memorable one. Pecker spoke to me about his experiences as a Traveller in Ballybunion. He plays the fiddle with his family and for the first time since his recent illness he also san "Ballybunion By The Sea" a song he wrote himself.

NAME: FAIR DAY IN MILLTOWN MALBY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 31 Subtitle: Recollections of a social event, common to every town in Ireland. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 68.32 Description: Christy Curtin, Pat Sexton, Michael Meade, Lizzie Curtin, Francie Kennelly, Michael Mahony, Eddie Lenihan, all had their memories of the fair day. A social occasion which occurred in every rural town in Ireland.

NAME: JACK HYNES Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 32 Subtitle: Stories of Bell Harbour in Co Clare, the Cistercian Abbey and local folklore Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 57.27 Description: Jack Hynes is a farmer who takes a great interest in local history. We started in the Cistercian Abbey of Corcomroe and returned to his ancestral farm where we discussed many stories about Bell Harbour, Co Clare and the surrounding areas.

NAME: PADDY MULANEY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 33 Subtitle: Wonderful recollections from Moveen in Co Clare of the Civil War, matchmaking and farming traditions. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 51.34 Description: Paddy Mulaney lived in the most westerly part of Co Clare in the townland of Moveen - a beautiful place. Earlier this year I travelled to Moveen to record Paddy at his home. Surrounded by his friends, we spoke about the Irish Civil War, matchmaking in the area and finally, I discovered what was used instead of a horse to cultivate the lands of West Clare. Paddy passed away recently.

NAME: MARTIN LONG Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 34 Subtitle: The traditions of turf cutting, hedge schools during the Penal Days and a great fairy story are all recalled with verve by Martin Long. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 59.07 Description: Now in his eighties, Martin Long recalls many of the stories and saying of old. The tradition of turf cutting is explained. The hedge schools and teachers of the time are recalled together with a great fairy story which Martin heard from the older people.

NAME: JOHNNIE BARRY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 35 Subtitle: Johnnie Barry, caretaker of the local Holy Well speaks with his friends about the folklore and fables attached to this historic place of Maurice Mills, Co Clare Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 60.41 Description: 85 years old Johnnie Barry from Maurice Mills, Co Clare is the caretaker of the local Holy Well, attributed to St Flannan, a 6th century saint. This wondrous place was visited by me, Martin Long from Ina and Johnnie Barry, who explained the folklore and fables attached to the area.

NAME: PADDY HYNES Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 36 Subtitle: A broad interview encompassing the Burren area, Co Clare, Michael Cusack, the founder of the GAA and much more Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 60.19 Description: A farmer of 77 years from Carron, Co Clare, Paddy Hynes farms a local valley in the heart of the Burren limestone territory, where Michael Cusack the founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association (G.A.A.) was born. I recorded Paddy at the school in which Michael Cusack taught. In this interview I recorded Paddy's memories of folklore and farming traditions through the centuries.

NAME: MARTIN AND BRIDIE KEANE Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 37 Subtitle: Tullig, Co Clare is the location of this recording in which we hear stories of the sea, folklore and a "woman's place" Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 66.16 Description: I travelled to Tullig in West Clare to meet with Martin and Bridie who have a long history of farming in this area. I recorded some very interesting folklore associated with the west coast of Clare, including some wonderful stories of the sea. Bridie spoke about "the woman's place in the home" in the early part of the 20th century. Sadly, Martin died recently.

NAME: FRANCIE KENNELLY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 38 Subtitle: A well known storyteller from Milltownmalbay, Co Clare, who has been collecting stories all his life. Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 60.39 Description: Francie Kennelly is a farmer from Miltownmalbay, 75 years old and well known as a local storyteller. He's been collecting stories from the older people all his life. I recorded him in his ancestral home.

NAME: THOMAS CONNEELY Title: Clare Collection, First Series, CD 39 Subtitle: A fascinating interview about the Aran Island of Innisheer, Co Galway and a way of life gone forever Recorded by: Maurice O'Keeffe Time: 60.32 Description: An 87 year old farmer from Innisheer, one of the Aran Island, Co Galway. Thomás Conneely's love for the island can be seen through his work of stonewall making and land creation. We toured the island and spoke about the geology of the island, fishing traditions, the Holy Well, women's involvement through craft work, knitting, spinning and cooking.