Clare Catalogue First Series

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.
Page XVI - 1
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 2
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 3
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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 stepdancing, 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.
Page XVI - 4
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 5
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 6
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 7
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 8
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 9
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 10
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 11
© Maurice O’Keeffe
Irish Life and Lore
First Series
Clare Collection
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.
Page XVI - 12
© Maurice O’Keeffe