Episode 9 - 13

The Making of "The Dawn"

The Dawn was the first full-length, Irish-made, feature film and it was filmed in and around Killarney during 1934 and 1935. It was the brain-child of the remarkable Tom Cooper, a local man who both starred in and also directed the film. The plot centres on the Irish War of Independence and the conflict between members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Black and Tans. The actors, all local people, were amateurs. An old building located on the Railway Road in Killarney, owned by the Kerry Electric Supply Company Ltd., was used as a studio. The Dublin premier of the film took place on 27 May 1936. It was released in America under the title Dawn Over Ireland.
Tadhg O’Sullivan knew Tom Cooper and was one of those who participated in the making of The Dawn. In these recordings he recalls many interesting details and events relating to the project.

Posted - 13-01-24

Episode 14

Tadhg recalls here the prominent part played by the Great Southern Hotel in the history of Killarney town during the period of the War of Independence. He remembers the British army horses and mules being stabled across from the hotel. Tadhg also describes how twenty or thirty pairs of horses were often ridden down through the town to the Deenagh River by British soldiers. Here, near the Cathedral, is where the animals were watered.
Tadhg recalls the trials and tribulations that were involved in the making of a suit. At that time it was simply not possible to buy a man’s suit ‘off the peg.’ Instead, clothing was handmade by hard-working tailors. However, this could lead to lengthy delays, as Tadhg’s father discovered when he placed an order for a new suit.

Posted - 13-01-24

Listening time: 8.56 mins.

Episode 8

In those days, according to Tadhg, most people living down Killarney’s lanes kept a pig. It was then, on Fair Days, an amusing sight to see a pig being walked through the town to the Fair Field, in College Street. Tolls were paid, by those living outside the town, on any animals sold at the Fair. Tadhg also recalls how one local shopkeeper, Dan Clifford, adopted an unusual approach to advertising his goods. He further explains why a new-ordained clergyman was described by one local woman as, ‘a priest made out of turf!’

Posted - 02-02-23

Listening time: 9.41 mins.

Episode 7

In this episode of ‘Down the Cobbled Lanes’ Tadhg O’Sullivan and Paddy MacMonagle discuss some more of the characters who inhabited the Killarney of their youth.

Tadhg first of all tells us of the inconvenience caused on occasion by a lack of plumbing in the town. We then listen in sympathy as he describes the dental treatment that was meted out to those unfortunate enough to require it. Finally Tadhg recalls one local priest who enjoyed the last laugh when a parishioner encouraged him to shorten the length of his sermons.

Posted - 17-10-22

Listening time: 8.29 mins.

Episode 6

Tadhg and Paddy discuss some of the events that took place in Henn Street, now Plunkett Street, Killarney during the Irish War of Independence. A stationery and millinery shop, run by the patriotic Gleeson sisters, attracted the unwelcome attention of the British forces, including the infamous Black and Tans. The latter threatened to burn the shop down unless the sisters removed their name in Irish from above the shop front. This order was resisted. However, at the last minute a neighbour, afraid for the safety of her own premises, used green paint to obscure the Irish name. The Black and Tans subsequently daubed ‘B and T’, for Black and Tans, on the shutters.

The Gleeson’s shop was frequented by Republicans including Thomas Ashe, Austin Stack and Éamon de Valera.

Posted - 19-9-22

Listening time: 9.28 mins.

Episode 5

Here Tadhg recalls some of the events that took place in Killarney town on 11 July 1921. On that day the Truce came into effect bringing an end to the Irish War of Independence. In the final moments of that conflict, two British soldiers were shot in Main Street. While in College Square a young domestic servant, Hannah Carey, was shot dead outside the Imperial Hotel where she worked.

We also learn of the indomitable Mrs Flynn who was fearless in confronting one of Lord Kenmare’s bailiffs.

Posted - 29-8-22

Listening time: 8.29 mins.

Episode 4

Tadhg and Paddy recall some of the well-known personalities of the town, including the solicitor Maurice McCarthy. They remember the club house of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which was situated in Brewery Lane. Billiards and cards were played there and the club was the scene of a well-known poker school. Tadhg and Paddy also recall that, before radio, people often met arrivals off the Dublin train seeking news of the latest Kerry football results.

Posted - 19-7-22

Listening time: 8.09 mins.

Episode 3

Tadhg and Paddy recall that religious celebrations, including the annual Corpus Christi procession, often resulted in rivalry between the different lanes of Killarney town. The inhabitants of each lane put much effort into decorating their own individual neighbourhoods and competition was intense. Tadhg and Paddy also recall with great glee the misfortune that befell the unfortunate drummer in Killarney’s Fife and Drum Band!

Posted - 14-6-22

Listening time: 8.00 mins.