Michael Fleming (b. 1913), Part I

Track 1. Michael Fleming was brought up in Coolies, Muckross by his grandparents, the Healys. He recalls his schooldays and his parents’ home at Inch House, Kilcummin. He describes the journey from Killarney to Longford and says that his grandfather Michael walked cattle to the fair there. Michael himself also walked cattle (Kerry cows) on the same route with his uncle. Track 2. He recalls the Economic War, and the resultant poverty. His knowledge of the mountain is described, of which 1,650 acres belonged to the Healy family who used it for sheep farming. He describes in detail the human remains he found on the mountain. Track 3. The Troubles, local men on the run, the fact that the house in Coolies was a safe house, witnessing the movement of IRA men coming and going are all subjects discussed. Also recalled is the occasion on which he brought guns and bullets to be decommissioned at the Garda barracks in Killarney in 1931. His aunts were members of Cumann na mBan and Michael recalls their husbands also. Track 3. His memory of men returning from the trenches after WWI is described, as is his memory of the Black and Tans. The raid on his parents’ house and the smell of sulphur around the house are clearly remembered, as are Civil War times. Republican John Joe Rice with his men, calling to the farmyard looking for horses are recalled. Also mentioned are the dances in the 1930s in ‘Small Jack’s’ hall, where trouble between Fianna Fáilers and Fine Gaelers would break out. Track 4. Michael knew Dick Fitzgerald and he recalls his unfortunate death. He also talks about his days rowing on the Lakes and as he reads from notes he describes the competitions. A story is told about the game keeper and about shooting deer.