Gerry McMahon

Lieutenant General

Gerry (Gerald) McMahon DSM, Lieutenant General (retired), a native of Limerick, entered the Cadet School in the Curragh in 1953. He served in the Defence Forces for forty-five years, retiring in August 1998 as Chief of Staff. He served overseas with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo, 21st Infantry Group in Cyprus, 44th Infantry Battalion in the Lebanon. He spent two years as an Observer with UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) in the Middle East and also served in the UN Headquarters in New York. He oversaw a period of major reorganisation in the Defence Forces. Lt Gen McMahon was interviewed for the Military Archives Oral History Project in December 2016 and February 2017.

General Michael Brennan

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 3.58

In this piece of audio from February 2017, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls a story he heard from Col. Seán Clancy regarding General Michael Brennan (Chief of Staff from October 1931 to January 1940), which underlines the importance of 'civil control of the military'. The story related to the election of...

Mother’s family and political background

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Drumcliffe

Length: 2.09

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects on his family background and discusses the political make up of his mother’s side of the family.

Irish Civil War

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Limerick City

Length: 1.32

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects the divisions caused by the Irish Civil War (1922-23) and how it manifested between his father and uncle who took opposing sides in the Civil War.

The Irish Press during meals and delivering election tallies

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Limerick City

Length: 2.11

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about his father's interest in politics and recalls how he would bring the Irish Press home for his dinner during the day and would read extracts for the family. The Irish Press was a noted Fianna Fáil newspaper. He tells a short story...

Memories of my aunt (World War II Nurse)

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Burma

Length: 3.21

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about his aunt Una Moroney who trained as a nurse in the UK in the late 1930s and was living there when World War II started. The hospital which they were meant to work in was bombed and Una joined the 'Land Army'...

Joining the Irish Army

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Limerick City

Length: 2.06

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon outlines his reasons for joining the Irish Army in 1953. He explains that he had no military background apart from his uncle Vinny who had been in the Free State Army. He outlines that when he was doing his Leaving Cert he was informed...

Cadet School

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Curragh Camp

Length: 1.58

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about his entry into the Cadet School and his feelings on joining the Army. He recalls that the Cadets who had been in boarding schools were 'far more worldly about real life' than the Cadets who had been living at home.

Early experience at Cadet School

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Curragh Camp

Length: 1.41

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls his first day in Cadet School at the Curragh and recalls how the 'Munster men would stick together'. He states that; 'Oh I was absolutely excited about it. It was so new. I can remember the first few days going and collecting our...

Condition of army in 1956

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Custume Barracks

Length: 2.28

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about his feelings of disappointment at the situation in Athlone after he was sent there in January 1956. He outlines that the reality of how poorly organised and staffed the army was at the time. Speaks in detail about the nature and morale...

The Blacksmith of Balinlee

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 1.52

In this clip, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls his Commissioning in November 1955. He recalls a funny story after his commissioning when his brother Raphe played a trick on his father. Raphe managed to introduce his father to General Seán Mac Eoin, the 'Blacksmith of Ballinlee' (who had taken the Free...

The Irish Army and the Congo

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 3.16

In 1967, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls was Platoon Commander with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo. In this piece of audio from December 2016, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects on the impact the Congo campaign had back in the early 1960s.

Appointment as Chief of Staff

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 2.48

In this piece of audio from December 2016, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects his appointment as Chief of Staff on 08 February 1995. He speaks about his emotions and feelings upon becoming Chief of Staff and reflects on joining the army in 1953 with little military background and his sense of...

Good Friday Agreement

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 4.17

In this piece of audio from December 2016, Lieutenant General McMahon discusses the role played by the Defence Forces in the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement and 'the normalisation of the relationship between the UK and Ireland'. He speaks about the previously informal relationship between the Irish Defence...

Reflection on Career – Gerry McMahon

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 2.17

In December 2016 and February 2017, he was interviewed for the MAOHP at his home in Kildare. In this piece of audio from February 2017, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects back over his military career, which spanned forty-five years.

Congo with the 37th Infantry Battalion (1962)

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Location(s): Elizabethville

Length: 5.5

In 1967, Lieutenant General McMahon recalls was Platoon Commander with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo. In this piece of audio from December 2016, Lieutenant General McMahon speaks about the preparations for that mission. He discusses the levels of training and equipment associated with this and other Congo missions.

Reflections on Congo Campaign

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 10/02/2017
Location(s): Elizabethville

Length: 3.14

In 1967, Lieutenant General McMahon was Platoon Commander with the 37th Infantry Battalion in the Congo. In this piece of audio from February 2017, Lieutenant General McMahon reflects on the importance of the Congo campaign for the evolution of the Irish Defence Forces.

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