The Blacksmith of Balinlee

Gerry McMahon
Interviewed for MAOHP - 21/12/2016
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_004_I
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 State side in Civil War and was later an Fine Gael politician in addition to a soldier). For years after, his bother Raphe would tease his father about 'the day you shook hands with the Blacksmith'. This was due to his father's strong affiliation with Fianna Fáil.

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