This interview begins with an account of the Lynch ancestors, and their arrival in Callan in the 1700s. Nellie’s maiden name is O’Gorman, from Castlecomer. She is one of a family of twelve, and talks about the farming way of life in her own place. The recording includes Philip’s stories on folklore and folk memories from the time of St Bridget in the 6th century, through the wars of the chieftains to the Famine. He also spoke about the introduction of crafts and other work skills in the area brought in by the monks.
In part two of this recording, Philip Lynch tells how the farmers were always the backbone of the community. His own farm is today a testimony to this. Philip, Nellie and their family continue to work their farm, and are passionately connected with the land. The interview continues with a discussion of the turbulent events of the 19th century locally, and the events of 1916-1922 period was also discussed.
Keywords: family history, Castelcomer, folklore, folk memories, chieftain, the Great Famine, crafts, monks, farming, the Irish Revolution
