DAN KEATING (b. 1902) Part 1

Dan Keating’s ancestors lived in Listry near Killarney. During the early part of the 19th century they were evicted from their home and they made their way to Ballygamboon on the foot of Sliabh Mish mountains. They cultivated the land there. To this day Dan Keating resides in this scenic area and recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He described in detail the old tradition of celebrating Pattern Day, the first Sunday in May in Ballyseedy and the merchants in Tralee at the turn of the century.  Dan also discussed how he and his friends Charlie Daly and George Nelligan joined the IRB and fought together during the War of Independence. Both Charlie and George were casualties of the Civil War. He also described the excommunication by the Catholic Church of members of the IRA and Cumann na mBan during the Civil War. Also featured in this fascinating interview are details of the families who resided in the Great Houses of North Kerry in the early 20th century. Dan provided the names of those members who were killed in the Great War. He concluded his interview with the story of his brother’s service with the U.S. Navy.