Michael O’Leary (b. about 1932) and John Sheehan (part 1)

The home of Michael O’Leary at Nohovaldaly is the venue for this recording. John Sheehan begins the discussion, once he sits down comfortably and sets aside his accordion which he had brought along. He recounts the tragic story of a murder which was perpetrated in the locality in the 19th century and which was witnessed by his mother. Michael O’Leary’s father was a well-known thatcher who was very skilled at his craft and who travelled far and wide on foot. Michael worked with his father as a boy, and he provides a most descriptive account of the thatcher’s tools, the type of material used in thatching and his father’s style which was quite unique and recognisable.