Moherreagh is the birthplace of Michael O’Reilly and also the place where he was reared. In his early adulthood he began his employment with Richardsons’ Forestry in Newtowncor; he was later to set up his own company. Michael describes the many inconveniences which business people experienced due to the reality of the Border. He explains that people would construct a localised Border crossing for themselves, which was utilised until it was spotted by the military from the air. This would then be closed, and, after some time, another crossing would be opened up by the local people. During Michael’s schooldays in Swanlinbar, both the school and church were bombed on different occasions, and he recalls these traumatic events. He also recalls the long queue of cars with Cavan registrations which would form at the telephone booth just over the Border, as people waited to make long-distance calls.
This collection, carried out by Irish Life and Lore on behalf of Cavan County Library Service, is funded by the EU Special EU Programmes Body Peace IV fund under the objective to build positive relations with people from different backgrounds and communities to support peace and reconciliation.
Download the recording free of charge by adding it to the basket and checking out as normal or listen to it online at this link: CDVOT01-78-M-O’Reilly
