During the sixties our mother, Elizabeth Hickey embraced the latest technology – a new, heavy, two nine inch reel, electric tape recorder. We have in our archive most of these, more than half a century old, recordings. We include extracts from many, such as;
Peter McKenna and his niece (cousins of Siobhan the actress ). Peter relates Monaghan folklore and Siobhan sings ballads.
Neighbours at Skryne, Mr. Casey Oaks and Mr. Jock Wilkinson remember the early part of the century and Groom Callaghan tells of the horse fairs at The Hill of Skryne and of his father remembering the famine.
Mrs. Maureen Smith who as a young girl worked as Lady Dunsany’s maid speaks about service at both Dunsany Castle and in their London residence.
Mrs. Kitty Kelly tells of her early teen’ years “downstairs” at Dowdstown House (now Dalgan Park, Navan) at the tum of the century.
Esther O Grady (nee Vigors) of Holloden, Bagnalstown, Co Carlow (our mother’s cousin), then an old lady, talked for an hour about her extended family, the Woodheads from Brighton, including her aunt, Grace Eyre Woodhead.
Elizabeth Hickey also made a long recording with Sir Shane Leslie at Glaslough, Co. Monaghan. She later gave it to either The County Library or Museum in Monaghan.
