Maureen Haughey (b. 1925), Part 3

Track 1: Maureen Haughey explains how her father, Seán Lemass, was not a man to hold grudges following the Civil War and the killing of his brother, Noel. His total focus was on the future of the country, and in attempting to create prosperity for that future, she says. She also explains that during Lemass’s time in government, many state-owned companies were headed by old republican colleagues. As a child, Maureen recalls many social occasions at the Lemass home, attended by other serving politicians, and the attendance of Éamon de Valera at the celebration of her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary at the Haughey home at Grangemore, Raheny, in Dublin. Track 2: The assistance afforded to Maureen by her father during her student days at UCD is recalled, as is a visit she and her husband, Charles Haughey, paid to Malahide Castle to meet the Talbot family when the decision was made to hand the castle over to the State. Track 3: Many prominent personalities, from home and abroad, are recalled, including people such as François Mitterand and Senator Ted Kennedy. Track 4: The political career of Maureen Haughey’s husband is discussed in detail. Track 5: Maureen Haughey’s qualification in commerce from UCD is recalled, as is her working career prior to her marriage to Charles Haughey. A fond anecdote is told relating to cycling trips to race meetings with her father and her sister to Phoenix Park and Leopardstown in earlier days, and her great friendship with Joe McGrath is recalled. The illnesses suffered by Maureen and her sister in young adulthood are mentioned. Tracks 6-7: Contains a discussion on the Arms Trial of the 1970s. Seán Lemass’s love of pipe-smoking is also recalled.