Mary Gallagher (b. 1954)

Track 1: Mary Gallagher discusses a photograph taken in 1908 featuring her grandfather, Michael Kent, and his siblings including Éamonn Ceannt and his wife Áine. Memories of the various commemorations of 1916 which Mary Gallagher attended, and her enduring love of history, are discussed. Track 2: Diaries which were begun in 1911, handed down to Mary Gallagher from her grandfather, Michael Kent, giving a descriptive account of the Rising, are described. Track 3: Mary Gallagher reads from those diaries which provide an insider’s view of the young lives of her grandfather and her granduncle, Éamonn, including mention of their love of music and the Irish language. Track 4: The closeness of the Kent family at that time is explained and their nationalism is also discussed. Track 5: Éamonn Ceannt’s widow, Áine, is recalled and her harassment by the Black and Tans and later by Free State soldiers, is also mentioned. Track 6: Mary Gallagher reads from a letter written by Éamonn Ceannt on 22 April 1916, two days before the Rising began, which was pasted into her grandfather’s diary. Track 7: Mention is made of Bill Kent, brother of Éamonn, who had served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers since the Boer War and was killed in WWI. The recording of this tragedy in the diary is noted. Áine Ceannt, widow of Éamonn, and her active role in fundraising for needy families of the men killed and imprisoned after the Rising is discussed. A detailed and carefully worded entry from her grandfather’s diary, written on the eve of his brother’s execution, is read by Mary Gallagher. The entry for 7 May 1917 detailing the death of Bill Kent, brother of Éamonn Ceannt, who was killed in action with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during WWI, is read.