JIM KENNY, AGE 79, TULLAMORE, (Part 1)

Our meeting took place at the Archaeological and Historical Society building in Tullamore. Jim started by telling me about the early part of his life, going to school in Bothar Fada, and after winning a County Council scholarship he attended the Christian Brothers’ school in Tullamore. Before his final exams he contracted tuberculosis which resulted in a total change in career opportunities. After a period of convalescence at the small farm which was his home, he spent some time in various jobs, finally settling down with the Adams firm of solicitors while at the same time working with the Council as a rates collector. He was also an assistant officer with the Social Health Board (now called the Community Welfare Officer). After he retired, he went about recording the people whom he had befriended during the course of his work. That resulted in the collection of a vast treasure of oral history. All these recordings complement greatly the Irish Life and Lore series of recordings made within the county.