Commandant
Commandant Art Magennis was born in Ardglass, County Down in September 1919. In June 1940, he and his friend Desmond travelled from Down to Dublin to join the Irish army, after hearing Eamon de Valera on the radio. Commandant Magennis went on to serve in the Defence Forces for 39 years until he retired in September 1979.
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Ardglass Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 3.38
In this clip, Commandant Magennis remembers that journey in June 1940 to Dublin and being taken to Cathal Brugha Barracks by his uncle Eamon, who was also in the Irish Army.
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 2.29
In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis recounts his first meal with the Irish Army after he enlisted in June 1940.
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 3.48
In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis remembers with pride, his first time dressing in the full Irish Army uniform to go into Dublin City.
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville
Length: 2.44
In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis remembers his arrival in the Congo for the first time in 1961 and his witnessing of a plane crash close to their base. In July 1960, Irish troops were sent to the Congo as part of the...
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Congo
Length: 3.23
In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis speaks about his connection to the story of Trooper Pat Mullins. Mullins, an 18-year-old soldier from Kilbehenny on the Cork-Limerick border was killed on 14 September 1961, when his armoured car was ambushed in the city of...
Art Magennis
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks
Length: 1.13
In this clip, extracted from an interview undertaken in June 2016, Commandant Magennis briefly reflects back over his career and words of advice he received as a young cadet in June 1940.
