Tom Derham (b. 1926)

Track 1: This interview commences with a brief synopsis of the background to Joseph Derham’s involvement in the 1916 Rising in Dublin. Track 2: Featured are memories of Tom Derham’s parents and their families, his uncle Matt Derham’s involvement in the 1916-1923 period, and the involvement of his aunt, Kathleen (Toddy) Derham, whose cottage in Skerries was used to store some of the arms from the Howth gun-running of July 1914. Track 3: Contains Joseph Derham’s description of the week of the Rising as he told it to his son, Tom. Joseph Derham was the `timekeeper’ in the GPO and attempted to quench the fires there. He was under the command of Joseph Plunkett and was sent to the GPO by Seán T. O’Kelly. An anecdote involving Michael Collins and Joseph Derham while imprisoned in Frongoch Camp in North Wales is told. (Michael Collins was aide de camp to Joseph Plunkett in the GPO during the Rising.) Track 4: Mention is made of drawings by Tom Murphy, given to Joseph Derham while in Frongoch Camp, which are now in Kilmainham Jail. Track 5: Joseph Derham’s life after the Rising is described as is his meeting with Michael Collins shortly before the latter’s death in 1922. Track 6: Tom Derham describes the initial meeting of his mother, Annie Fitzmaurice and his father, Joseph Derham, when she brought supplies to Frongoch Camp for the prisoners there. Track 7: Featured is the recitation of a poem penned by Tom Derham about his father. Tom’s own views on the men who took part in the Rising are described. Track 8: Tom Derham’s schooldays and education are featured. Track 9: A casualty of the first day of the Civil War is recalled and the reasons why Joseph Derham did not take the Free State side during the Civil War are explained.