Tom Spalding: River Lee
Life History; Immigration; Childhood; River Lee; Cork Exhibition
Tom is the author of several books on design history relating to Cork City such as “Cork City: A Field Guide To Its Street Furniture and “Layers”.
Tom speaks about how he was born in England and came to live in Cork aged seven when his father got a job in the Chemistry Department of UCC. About growing up in Rochestown Road in the late 1970’s and 1980’s. About the lack of facilities there, description of a tin shack shop ran by an elderly lady which is no longer there. Description of the River Lee and the Douglas Estuary. The disused Blackrock Railway line and the metal pedestrian bridge which at the time was semi derelict. About mullet that swam in the estuary and his fathers attempts to fish for them from the pedestrian bridge in the belief that they were sea bass. About early years in Cork growing up in a number of half finished housing estates in Bishopstown and Rochestown and his father using discarded building materials to build sheds etc. He speaks about his fathers work in Leeds and Sussex universities before they moved to Cork and he describes a period of his young childhood when his father got a job in Ahmadu Bello University which is located in Zaria in Northern Nigeria and the family moving there. Tom’s description of the mainly western enclave they lived in, of picking up some phrases of the local language Hausa and of a prank where himself and some other boys set fire to the bush.
He speaks of the difficulties he had in learning Irish in primary school in Cork and how in later years he came to appreciate the language and adds his thoughts on how the language is thought and its future.
Tom speaks about the relationship Cork City has with the river Lee. About the mainly working class anglers you would see fishing near the Shaky Bridge aka Daly’s Bridge. About canoeing and boating on the river. The history of river ferries on the River Lee and one that was still running up to the 1980’s bringing GAA fans across the river from the Ferryboat Inn on Lower Glanmire Road across to the Marina. On the proposed Cork City flood defence walls and his thoughts on it and alternative options and the Save Cork City movement. Of the negative relationship Cork City has with the River Lee and comparisons with that of other cities. He speaks of the Cork Main Drainage project and how it has improved water quality in the City. About how sewage and effluent from farming would flow into the river. Of the killer whales that entered Cork Harbour and swam up the River Lee in 2001. He speaks about the group Meitheal Mara who sail currachs on the river Lee. He talks about the O Flynn brothers who were the last of the traditional salmon fishermen in the Lee and how their boats could be seen on the quayside by the Trinity Bridge.
He speaks of the Cork Exhibition of 1902/03 and water based attractions such as the giant waterslide which was located on the riverside by Fitzgerald’s Park. About the huge rowing regatta which attracted record crowds and the general growth in popularity of water based activity during the Edwardian era.
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
1 September 2017
Interviewer: Kieran Murphy
Interviewee: Tom Spalding
Cork Folklore Project
<strong>Other Interviews with Tom Spalding:<br /><br /></strong><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/66" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00538_spalding_2015</a>
<strong><br />Other Interviews in the collection:</strong> <br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/75" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00630_ohuigin_2017</a>;<br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/82" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00637_oduinnin_2017</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/83" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00641_tanner_2017</a>.
.wav
English
Sound
CFP_SR00636_spalding_2017
Cork; Ireland; Rochestown; England; Nigeria; 1970s - 2000s
Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ O’Sullivan: Ballyphehane
Life History: Ballyphehane, Childhood, Emigration
Lizzie hails from Wolfe Tone Street on the Northside of the city. After spending a few years in England as a young adult she returned to Cork and was an early resident of the Corporation development in Ballyphehane. Lizzie has lived in Ballyphehane ever since.
Elizabeth talks about her places of growing up, Wolfe Tone St, Gurranabraher. Her schooling and first job. Emigration to England and marriage. Returning to Cork and establishing herself in Ballyphehane where she raised her family. Her father’s experience of the First World War. Her grandparents. The Development of Ballyphehane. Ballyphehane Church and Credit Union. Consumer history. TB in Cork. Arrival of Electricity. Family outings around Ballyphehane. Bonfire night. Sense of Community in Ballyphehane. The Bandon Train. Pre-marriage social life and dances. Musgrave Park.
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
30 November 2017
Interviewee: Elizabeth O'Sullivan
Interviewer: James Furey
Cork Folklore Project
<div class="element-text"><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00586_lyons_2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00587_walker2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/76" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00592_chute_2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00617_mcallen_2017</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/79" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00643_osullivan_2017</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/80" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00665_falvey_2018</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/84" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00672_EdwardsCrowley_2018</a>:</div>
<div class="element-text"><br />Furey, Jamie (2012) ‘Boxcars, broken glass and backers: A Glimpse at the Ballyphehane Oral History Project’, The Archive 21: 24-25. <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive21-WebEdition-1.pdf">http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive21-WebEdition-1.pdf</a></div>
.wav
English
Sound
CFP_SR00643_osullivan_2017
Cork; Ireland; Ballyphehane; England; 1920s-2000s
Jack Johnson: Masonry, Fishing, Working Life
Stonemasons: Occupational Lore:
Jack begins by describing his family background in the mason trade and his own beginnings as a mason.
He then talks about social events and going to dances at The Arcadia club. Jack then mentions his growing up in Monkstown and schooldays. Working at threshing. Starting as a mason and injuring his finger. Jack talks about his time working for Pat Shea “The Gangster”. Also, a Co-worker John Falvey joining the British Army and being killed in Cyprus. Jack fired for standing up to foreman. Working in Dwyer’s factory. Masons “Bronco” Welsh and Joe Dynahan.” Bronco’s brother “The Whistler” and his part in 1916. On Bronco making and selling tools. Masons pawning tools. Having a set of chisels stolen.
Jack then talks about taking pride in his work and the low standards of today’s builders. On the importance of sewer work. Recalling sewer work jobs. Working on his own sewer. Jacks pride in his reputation as a mason. On working with different materials. Jack then speaks of his mother. And relations in West cork. The beginnings of Jacks interest in fishing. Jacks membership of fishing clubs and representing Ireland in Germany. Fishing on the pier. Night fishing and methods of attracting fish. The time Jack caught a record fish. On how he became so good at fishing and his methods. On the lack of overall fishing among Monkstown residents. Being caught in a storm off Ballycotton. Working the drift on a trawler. A near miss with another boat. Giving up boating when his eyesight became bad.
Jack mentions the changes he’s seen. His dislike of the new look Patrick Street.
Moving to England to find work. 1956. and on the infamous criminals Reginald Christie and The Kray Twins. On his wages in England. More on the work he did. The differences between working on sites in England and Ireland. His father working for Kennedy -Callaghan and clashing over the breaks. His father being removed as foreman. On working with his father. When he started working at the beginning. Talking about his brothers and sisters. Friends Jack made on the sites. Characters on the sites and their nicknames. Jack tells a story about his grandfather. On the masons language The Barlog. Working in Irish Steel. Jack speaking about seeing two men killed at Haulbowline and accidents there.
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
11 August 2016
Interviewee: Jack Johnson
Interviewer: Michael Moore
Cork Folklore Project
<strong><strong>From Stonemason Collection:<br /></strong></strong>
<div class="element-text five columns omega">
<p><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/178" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00565_osullivan_2015;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/179" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00566_fahy_2015;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/180" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00569_fahy_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/181" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00570_steele_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/182" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00574_jones_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/183" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00577_fahy_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/184" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00581_osullivan_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/186" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00589_lysaght_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/193" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00590_varian_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00595_Jones_2016;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/195" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00609_Cooney_2017;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00610_McCarthy_2017;</a> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/197" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00611_Buckley_2017:</a></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Published material related to the collection: </strong><br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive20-WebEdition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moore, Michael (2016) ‘A Tale of Two Masons’, The Archive Journal, Vol 20: 8-10. </a></p>
3 .wav files
English, Béarlagair na Saor (Masons Language)
Sound
CFP_SR00583_johnson_2016
Cork, Ireland 1940s -2010s
Ed Hinchy: Beamish & Crawford
Beamish and Crawford Brewery
Ed talks about his involvement with Beamish and Crawford
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
21 May 2012
Interviewee: Ed Hinchy
Interviewer: Mark Wilkins
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o28aWtm-3M"><strong>The Counting House: Beamish Brewery in the '60s & '70s.</strong> </a><br />A Short film produced by Mark Wilkins for the Cork Folklore Project using audio from this collection over images from the Roy Hammond Collection.
<br /><strong>Other CFP Related Material:</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/collections/show/4">Cork' Main Streets Collection</a>
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English
Sound
CFP_SR00448_hinchy_2012
Cork; Ireland; 1960s - 1970s;
Arthur Walker Snr: Evergreen Road, Ballyphehane
Life History: Evergreen Road, Ballyphehane, Childhood, Poverty, Emigration
Arthur tells of his early life on Evergreen road and the move to Ballyphehane in the 1950s
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
13 September 2016
Interviewee: Arthur Walker Snr
Interviewer: James Furey
Cork Folklore Project
<div class="element-text"><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00586_lyons_2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00587_walker2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/76" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00592_chute_2016</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00617_mcallen_2017</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/79" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00643_osullivan_2017</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/80" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00665_falvey_2018</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/84" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00672_EdwardsCrowley_2018</a>:</div>
<div class="element-text"><br />Furey, Jamie (2012) ‘Boxcars, broken glass and backers: A Glimpse at the Ballyphehane Oral History Project’, The Archive 21: 24-25. <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive21-WebEdition-1.pdf">http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Archive21-WebEdition-1.pdf</a></div>
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English
Sound
CFP_SR00587_walker_2016
Cork; Ireland; Ballyphehane; Evergreen Road; 1950s - 2000s
Sean Higgisson: Grattan Street, Healthcare, Working Life
<p><span>Sean grew up by the Lough in Cork city and spent holidays in Ardmore. Describes his family home and memories of his grandparents. Talks about playing football and the game Red Rover as a child.</span></p>
<p><span>His mother was not allowed to keep her job in the public service once she married, she took up oil painting and cared for her mother.</span></p>
<p><span>Describes his school days and recollects specific teachers. Outlines his engineering education and his emigration to England for work. Lived on Eton High Street and attended Tottenham Hotspur football matches. Influenced by stories of older relatives who regretted remaining in England he decided to return to Ireland.</span></p>
<p><span>Discusses how he began hillwalking as a hobby through photography. Explains what’s involved in leading a hill walk and how he wrote a number of hillwalking guidebooks. Mentions various walking routes in Ireland. Admires France’s rights for walkers, which are more favourable than the situation in Ireland.</span></p>
<p><span>Recalls starting work in Grattan Street medical centre and the various disciplines that operated there over the years. Discusses his duties as porter. Talks about the happy history of the medical centre building including its Quaker origins.</span></p>
<p><span>Remembers social events with fellow Grattan Street staff including Christmas parties. Mentions memorable events and incidents in Grattan Street including the floods of 2013.</span></p>
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
2 April 2019
Cork Folklore Project
<strong>Other Interviews in this Collection</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/240" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00696_O'Regan_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/242" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00704_Collins_2019</a>;<br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00712_O'Brien_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/245" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00713_Kearney_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00714_Cunning_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00717_Ward_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00727_OhUigin_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/249" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00728_Scanlan_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/250" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00729_Mulcahy_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/251" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00732_Cassidy_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/252" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00760_Morrissy_2019</a>; <br /><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/253" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> CFP_SR00762_OConnell_2019</a>;
1 .wav file
English
Sound
CFP_SR00706_Higgisson_2019;