Memories of Cadet Training

Michael Beary
Interviewed for MAOHP - 28/04/2017
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_0050_B
Location(s): Curragh Camp
Length: 3.21

In this clip Michael shares some recollections of his Cadet training. He reflects on the size of his cadet class and on the emphasis on internal security training in the Defence Forces in the 1970s. He also recalls the particular smell at that time of turf fires in the morning frost. He mentions the training officers at the college at the time, citing Pascal McCann, Gerry Hegarty, Dan Shanahan and Marty Allen as particular influences. He reflects on his belief that their training prepared them for the rigours of military life.

Plane crash during the film Zepplin

Tony Roe
Interviewed for MAOHP - 08/09/2017
Location(s): Wicklow Bay

Length: 4.10

In this clip taken from an interview on 8th September 2016, Commandant Anthony (Tony Roe) discusses in detail a crash over Wicklow Bay in which Air Corps pilot Jim Liddy was killed along with four others, during filming for the film Zepplin in August 1970. Tony was present when the...

Irish Language in the Irish Army (1958)

Peter Feely
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/06/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks Curragh Camp

Length: 2.14

In this piece of audio taken from an interview on 24th June 2016, you will hear retired Colonel Peter Feely, a veteran of the Congo and one of three Platoon Commanders at the Battle of the Tunnel (December 1961). Colonel Feely was one of 14 men from 'A' Company of...

Ronnie Delaney

Sean Norton
Interviewed for MAOHP - 30/01/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 1.05

Colonel Seán Norton enlisted in the Irish Army in January 1955 at the age of nineteen. Sixty-two years later, he sat down at Cathal Brugha Barracks to offer his memories to the MAOHP. In this clip, Colonel Norton remembers running against Ronnie Delaney (Olympic Gold Medallist in 1956 Melbourne Olympics)...

Reflection on Career – Art Magennis

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.

Philosophy on life

Jerry Carroll
Interviewed for MAOHP - 20/09/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 0.56

Here, Father Jerry Carroll, the Chaplain to the Air Corps reflects on his life and offers a brief summary of his philosophy on life.

Reflection on Career – Geraldine Browne

Geraldine Browne
Interviewed for MAOHP - 28/09/2016
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 3.08

In this clip, Regimental Sergeant Major Geraldine Browne reflects on her status as the most senior Non Commissioned Officer in Defence Forces. She states that it is more difficult for a woman in the Infantry environment to elevate and also reflects on the changes for women in the Defence Forces...

Cadet School (Air Corps)

Ralph James
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/02/2017
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 1.49

In this clip, Major General James speaks about his early memories of Cadet School in the Air Corps with the 8th Regular Air Corps Cadet Class (1973). He remembers a humorous incident when Lieutenant Kevin Humphries was inspecting the class which contained his brother Gerry Humphries.

First Solo Flight

Ralph James
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/02/2017
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 2.30

In this clip, Major General James recalls his first solo flight on a Chipmunk 166 (de Havilland Canada Chipmunk) plane in September 1974 and explains the feelings associated with such a landmark in his training.

Jack Lynch and his wife’s tea

Ralph James
Interviewed for MAOHP - 24/02/2017
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 1.05

In this clip, Major General James recalls flying the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Jack Lynch and his wife and remembers Lynch’s wife insisting on making the tea for her husband.

Reflections on Dermot Early

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Cathal Brugha Barracks

Length: 3.00

Commandant Walsh outlines his recollections of Dermot Early (Chief of Staff from 2007 to 2010). He remembers working closely with Early and underlines his leadership style. He also reflects on his role in the Defence Forces.

Role of Aide de Camp

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Áras an Úachtarán

Length: 1.08

Commandant Walsh outlines the rules associated with the role of Aide de Camp (ADC) to the President of Ireland. He also speaks about the challenges of dealing with phone calls to Áras an Úachtarán by people who were in personal difficulty.

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.

Dressing up as American Airmen

Tony Roe
Interviewed for MAOHP - 08/09/2017
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 2.51

In this clip taken from an interview on 8th September 2016, Commandant Anthony (Tony Roe) tells a short story about an American crew who were staying temporarily at Baldonell (to convey Irish troops to the Congo in the early 1960s). He explains how the Americans faked a carburettor problem with...

Lucky escape in 1965

Tony Roe
Interviewed for MAOHP - 08/09/2017
Location(s): Casement Aerodrome

Length: 4.44

In this piece of audio taken from an interview on 8th September 2016, Commandant Anthony (Tony) Roe tells a story about Brigadier General Pat Cranfield and recalls flying in a plane with (then Captain) Cranfield which later turned out to have been very unsafe. Cranfield had been using the plane...

Sport in 1st Battalion

Thomas Aherne
Interviewed for MAOHP - 09/10/2018
Location(s): Renmore Barracks

Length: 2.57

In this clip Tom speaks about his early service with 1 Battalion in Galway, arriving in December 1976. Tom speaks about the emphasis on sport in the 1 Battalion at this time and tells a story about almost being posted to 28 Battalion, Finner Camp to illustrate this. The Adjutant...

Reflection on his Career – Thomas Aherne

Thomas Aherne
Interviewed for MAOHP - 09/10/2018
Location(s): Ireland

Length: 0.37

Tom reflects on his service, summing it up by stating 'I suited the Army, the Army suited me.'

Reflection on his Career – Kevin McDonald

Kevin McDonald
Interviewed for MAOHP - 09/11/2016
Location(s): Ireland

Length: 2.31

In this clip Kevin reflects on his career, stating that his retirement is coming up. He refers to the fact that after his retirement he is going on to work with a United Nations mission (MONUSCO United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in a...