Dr. Gearóid Lynch (b. 1932)

Track 1: The Kerry background to the Lynch family is described by Dr. Gearóid Lynch, along with the family’s move to Dublin prior to 1916. Gearóid describes the involvement of Fionán Lynch with the Irish Volunteers, the week of the Rising, and stories told to him by his father relating to his death sentence, his reprieve and imprisonment in the Isle of Wight. Gearóid also recounts the visit of the BBC to the Lynch home in 1966 to record Fionán Lynch. (This recording is included in this Irish Life and Lore 1916 Rising Oral History Collection.) Track 2: Details of the shared accommodation of Fionán Lynch and Michael Collins in Harcourt Street, Dublin, during the War of Independence are provided. Fionán Lynch’s close friendship with Tomás Ashe and the effect of Tomás death on Fionán are described. Both Fionán Lynch and Bridget Slattery, parents of Gearóid Lynch, travelled with the Irish Delegation to London for the Treaty negotiations, and Gearóid’s views on the signing of the Treaty are provided. Track 3: Fionán Lynch’s time in the First Dáil and on the First Executive Council, where he was the only person to keep in touch with Éamon de Valera, is described, as is his time in the Irish Army in Kerry during the Civil War, and the emotional consequences resulting from that time. Track 4: Fionán Lynch retired from politics in 1944 and was appointed by Éamon de Valera as Circuit Court Judge to Donegal and Sligo, having graduated as a barrister during his tenure in Government. His son points out that he was advised by his father not to become involved in politics but, for a short time, Gearóid did become a member of the Fine Gael Cumann in Swords. Track 5: Explores the reasons why Fionán Lynch did not write his memoir but did give his testimony to the Bureau of Military History. The family pride in their immediate Lynch history is described.