Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events.

Oral History Association

I have been involved with oral history here in Ireland since 2007.

Projects I have worked on include:

  • Drummin Bog Oral History Project in Co Carlow
  • Longford Popular Music Heritage Project
  • 'Remembering Working Life in the Industries of Westmeath' - recording the industrial heritage of Co Westmeath. 
  • ' An Oral History of the Fishing Industry in the South East' - listening to members of the fishing communities in Wexford and Waterford.
  • 'Working Life on the Cork Docks' - Memories of working life in the Cork docklands from the 50's to the 80's.  
  • 'Life and Work in the Cork Breweries' - Stories from workers in both Beamish & Crawford and  Murphy's breweries. 
  • West Cork Oral Heritage
I provide oral history training workshops to local history and heritage organisations, community groups, and county councils. 

I am a founding member and director of the Oral History Network of Ireland (OHNI) since its inception in 2010 and previously held the roles of both chairperson and treasurer. I am also an accredited trainer with OHNI. 

The Oral History Network of Ireland brings together oral history practitioners for the support and promotion of the discipline of oral history in Ireland. 

I helped to set up West Cork Oral Heritage, a volunteer group who set out to record the memories and recollections of a wide variety of local people throughout the west Cork region.

Over the years, I have been privileged to listen to and record stories from some remarkable people. Here are a few of their stories: 


Drummin Bog

Brigid Fox remembers one of their cows stuck in the bog, and the efforts to save it. 

Pat Murphy and Jimmy Walsh talk about Poulmounty Mill, and recharging their radio batteries there before the weekend GAA games.

 

Westmeath Industrial Heritage

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Working Life on the Cork Docks

Jimmy Ross worked on the Cork Docks for many years. He recalls bringing down his father's dinner to the docks when he was a young boy.