Morgan (Morgie) O’Connell

Interview by Patricia Sheehan on May 11, 2011

Gender: Male

Birth date: 1925

Area: West Clare - Carrowreagh East

Report date: January 19, 2016

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Time Description
File 1 0:00:00 - 0:03:11 DR O'DEA - Morgie speaks about Dr O'Dea and to work at O'Dea's.
0:03:12 - 0:05:49 WORK IN THE BOG - Morgie recalls work in the bogs during the war years. He put out turf for nine shillings a day. Others got 35 shillings for a six day week. He says some people walked to work in the bog from 'The Workhouse', [name for the terrace of houses in Kildysart on the site of the old workhouse]. Dole was only six shillings a week. There was great poverty. He says that two women shared a coat on Sundays-one went to 1st mass the other to 2nd mass.
0:05:50 - 0:10:49 KILDYSART WORKHOUSE - Morgie speaks about the workhouse in Kildysart and how it was burned by the Republicans. He speaks of the Board of Guardians. Ref to a funeral in 1905. Talks about the cottages that were built by the District Councils in the area before 1900. The poor people were living in hovels prior to that. Mentions St Joesph's, (County Home).
0:10:50 - 0:12:44 ELECTION 1927 - Morgie speaks of the election of 1927 and the opposition to Dr O'Dea.
0:12:45 - 0:25:15 WORKHOUSE/LOCAL FAMILIES - Morgie says the stones from the workhouse [in Crovraghan, Kildysart], built the cottages that are there now. He speaks of the Kildysart people working in the bogs. Most of the turf would go into the County Home and other hospitals and schools. He knew some people who contracted TB. He speaks of Hugh Hehir from Ballynacally and mentions Hehir and Honan families. He recalls wakes. Ref to the Quinn family near the Six Crosses and the cottages built in the area. Speaks of the District Councils/Board of Guardians. He says the workhouse and Bianconi gave employment.
0:25:16 - 0:34:33 MARY BARRETT - Morgie speaks of Mary McMahon née Barrett and how she would travel the countryside to help women who had given birth. She was paid in potatoes or geese. He says she would stay with them for a week or two. He tells the story of her court case, for not paying her rent, during the War of Independence. Morgie's grandfather lived next door to the court. Mary was married to Tomásín McMahon. He recalls a story about Peggy McGrath visiting Tomásín. He speaks about some local families-Collins; Hehirs; Frawleys.

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