This interview took place with Mike Lucey (89) and Mary Lucey (75) in the ancestral home of the Luceys, where we first traced the Lucey family back to Mike’s grandfather, a man who married three times. Mary’s own homeplace was “over the water”, i.e. over the bridge in Cahirsiveen, from the townland of Toomore. Fascinating stories about her father’s fishing life were related to me. The conversation concentrated on all the abandoned farm cottages in what had once been a place of great vibrancy and activity, with people cross-road dancing and visiting each other’s houses, in one of which Mike was to meet his future wife Mary. The game of football was the local pastime in the area. This recording gives a clear insight into the many changes in which have taken place in country life and in the landscape.
Keywords: Terromoyle, Kells, dancing at the crossroads, family history, fishing, coast, south Kerry, rural village, 1950s
