Bereich "Identifikation"
Signatur
Titel
Datum/Laufzeit
- [1985] (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 a recording which begins in the home of the Moroney family in Drangan, county Tipperary in a room where Seán Treacy, Tom Donovan and Nicholas Moroney met to plan the attack on Drangan Barracks, which took place on 3 June 1920. Hassett interviews members of the Moroney family and then moves to the former RIC barracks in Drangan, where he relates the story of the attack and interviews Michael Moroney (nephew of Nicholas Moroney), Paddy Power and John Cuddihy about it. He also interviews Michael Cuddihy, member of the Third Tipperary Old IRA Commemoration Committee, who shares his memories of the night of the attack and sings a song about Tom Donovan. Then Paddy Power sings the ballad of Dan Breen. The camera pans to Knockroe to the site where on 6 March 1921 the top officers of the Third Tipperary Brigade of the Old IRA of the area were surprised by the British Army and three of them were killed. Hassett interviews John McGrath, captain of the Old IRA and one of the men who took part in the Drangan attack. This last interview ends abruptly. Duration 00:59:21.
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