Mick Kenny (b. 1943)

In 2002 two recordings were made with Mick and Nancy Kenny at their home in Chicago, Illinois. The first recording contains details of Mick’s life in America after his emigration from Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry, on Christmas Day 1950 when he was 17 years old. (This interview is available in the Irish Life and Lore Kerry 2nd Collection.) Track 1. Mick Kenny recalls his early days growing up in the village of Ballyheigue, his schooldays, the boys he grew up with and the boxing matches on a carpet of turf dust at the castle. He explains that his Leen grandparents looked after him for a period during his upbringing. The drawing of seaweed from the beach and some local placenames are mentioned. Track 1. Mick Kenny recalls his early days growing up in the village of Bally heigue, his schooldays, the boys he grew up with and the boxing matches on a carpet of turf dust at the castle. He explains that his Leen grandparents looked after him for a period during his upbringing. The drawing of seaweed from the beach and some local placenames are mentioned. Track 2. Mick’s wife Nancy who is a native of Mayo, gives details of her impressions on her first visit to Ballyheigue, Mick mentions that his father worked for local publicans and he recalls the coursing on Griffins’ land. The importance of keeping in touch with the news from home when living abroad is mentioned, and he points out that many North Kerry emigrants live in Chicago. The great work of the GAA in Chicago and his own involvement since the early days with the Gaelic Grounds there is mentioned. With great humour, he remembers the matches between local parishes and transport in North Kerry. The training for games was done in the bull’s field in the village, he says. His father was a great friend of writer, Christy Brown, who lived in the house beside his parents in Ballyheigue village, and Mick tells a humourous story about the writer. He also recalls his time picking carrageen moss off the rocks and the great characters who lived in the village. Track 3. The Coast Guard Station and the man who lived there, and the women carrying buckets of water on their heads from the well are recalled, as are the fair days in Causeway and Listowel, and walking the cattle to the fairs. The mayor of Ballyheigue, Tommy Sweeney, is humourously remembered. Track 4. In 1953, Nancy met Mick travelling from the All-Ireland final to Ballyheigue. Mick recalls the local team who won the County Championship in hurling in 1946, and he names the team. The currach boat racing on the beach is recalled. He displays the Hall of Fame award he received in 1999 from the mayor of Chicago for his time with Shannon Rangers. Brendan O’Reilly, the RTÉ broadcaster who stayed with the Kennys as a guest in Chicago is fondly remembered.