PADRAIG O CEALLAIGH, BORN 1934, FALCARRAGH

Padraig O Ceallaigh is steeped in the tradition of Fianna Fail and he has wonderful recall of his family history. His grandfather and his granduncle came to Falcarragh from Termon during the Famine times. Padraig’s father, Joe, farmed at Falcarragh helped by his son in his younger days. Padraig O Ceallaigh trained as a teacher and taught at Owey Island for three years from 1955 to 1957. He recalls the island people and the school curriculum. He then began his teaching career at Carrigart where he remained for twenty years. He speaks about his involvement with Udaras na Gaeltachta where he spent twenty years on the board. He also discusses his reasons for joining Independent Fianna Fail (Blaney’s party) in the early 1970s after the death of his brother.