Bereich "Identifikation"
Signatur
Titel
Datum/Laufzeit
- [1988] (Anlage)
Erschließungsstufe
Umfang und Medium
1 item
Bereich "Kontext"
Name des Bestandsbildners
Biographische Angaben
John J. Hassett was born in Ballytarsna, Cashel, Co. Tipperary on 22 September 1937, the eldest of eight children of William Hassett and Mary née Gooney. He grew up immersed in local lore and stories of Ireland’s struggles for freedom. From an early age, he listened to tales of the Troubles and the War of Independence, developing a lifelong passion for history and its impact on ordinary people. Though he left school early to help his family, Hassett became a voracious reader, linking national events to local narratives and sharpening his historical insight.
A committed GAA man, John played hurling for Dualla and later founded Ballytarsna Athletic Club, eventually serving as President of the National Athletic and Cycling Association of Ireland (NACAI). Professionally, he worked in insurance, but his organisational skills also made him a key figure in rural advocacy as General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Association during the 1960s and campaign manager for T. J. Maher’s European Parliament bid in 1979.
Hassett’s deepest commitment was to preserving memory. In the early 1980s, he purchased one of Tipperary’s first tape recorders and began visiting homes to capture the voices of an older generation – men who played hurling in the early 1900s and veterans of the Irish Volunteers and War of Independence. Later, with Pat O’Donnell and others, he expanded this work to video interviews, ensuring these stories were told in the participants’ own words. His respectful, easy manner encouraged candour, creating an invaluable archive of firsthand testimony.
John Hassett championed commemorations, notably reviving the Soloheadbeg anniversary and honouring figures like Seán Treacy and the women of Cumann na mBan. He resisted historical revisionism, arguing for nuanced understanding of Ireland’s armed struggles and the complexities of Civil War divisions. His vision was of an inclusive Irish Republic rooted in equality and care for all citizens. Generous with his knowledge, Hassett shared documents, tapes and insights freely with researchers, believing history belonged to the people.
John Hassett died on 3 December 2019.
Bestandsgeschichte
Abgebende Stelle
Bereich "Inhalt und innere Ordnung"
Eingrenzung und Inhalt
Betamax tape containing an interview with Phil Moloughney, member of the Seán Treacy Pipe Band of Moycarkey since the 1920s. Moloughney shares memories of his schooldays, his time with the pipe band and the great musical tradition of the area. He also recalls the capture and burning of Litleton Barracks in county Tipperary and other events that took place in the area during the Civil War. He discusses his abiding interest in hurling and recalls the 1929 county final and Triple Crown achieved by the Tipperary hurling team in 1930. He sings a ballad, Tiobraid Árann Abú, based on a poem written by Tom Keating to commemorate the event. He recalls when bagpipes were introduced to the pipe band in the 1930s and discusses Seán Treacy after whom the Moycarkey pipe band was named. He plays a tune on the tin whistle. He recalls a time when as a young boy he watched the IRA training, lists the names of the men involved and tells some of the stories of the Poynstown Ambush of 1921. He mentions the Blueshirt era in the 1930s. He plays tribute to the family spirit central to both pipe bands and hurling teams. The interview concludes at 00:44:46 and is followed by an interview with Phil Moloughney’s nephew John Moloughney, who shares his memories of hurling at junior level and playing with the Seán Treacy Pipe Band. Duration of recording 00:55:02. The recording is in monochrome, and the sound quality is poor.
Bewertung, Vernichtung und Terminierung
Zuwächse
Ordnung und Klassifikation
Bedingungen des Zugriffs- und Benutzungsbereichs
Benutzungsbedingungen
No access to magnetic tape. For access to digitised content, please consult with the staff.
Reproduktionsbedingungen
In der Verzeichnungseinheit enthaltene Sprache
- Englisch