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This collection comprises 15 Betamax video tapes containing recordings made by local historian John Hassett between 1983 and 1992 in County Tipperary. The interviews feature men who played hurling in the early 20th century and individuals active in the Irish Volunteer movement and the Irish War of Independence. Hassett’s work aimed to preserve firsthand accounts of Ireland’s revolutionary period and its cultural traditions, capturing personal narratives, memories of local events and reflections on national struggles. The recordings provide unique insights into community life, political activism and sporting heritage, offering an invaluable resource for researchers of Irish history and oral tradition. They stand as a vital monument to Ireland’s revolutionary generation and to Hassett’s own tireless efforts to keep their voices alive.

Betamax tape containing two recordings. The first was made on 27 September 1987 to document a community festival day in the village of Dualla in county Tipperary. The recording features old farm equipment in action, including a steam operated threshing machine; competitions such as a sheaf tossing contest; and interviews with some of the participants and organisers of the event. Duration 01:20:31. The second recording was made in Thurles on 1 November 1987 to capture the atmosphere before, during and after the Tipperary County Senior Hurling Final between Cappawhite and Loughmore and to mark Tipperary’s 100th county final. The recording comprises a series of brief interviews with local GAA officers and former Tipperary inter-county hurlers, particularly members of the winning team of the 1937 All-Ireland Final. Interviewees include Michael Lowry, chairman of the GAA Tipperary County Board; hurler John Maher of Killinan; hurler John Walsh of Boherlahan; Thomas Joseph Maher MEP; GAA Tipperary County Secretary Tommy Barrett; hurlers Johnny Ryan of Moycarkey, Patsy Butler and Michal O’Dwyer; Pat Cullen, chairman of the Mid-Tipperary GAA Board; three members of the Drom & Inch GAA Club; members of the Seán Treacy Pipe Band; supporters of the Loughmore and Cappawhite teams; Jerry Ring, secretary of the West Tipperary GAA Board; Michael McCormack; Michael O’Mara, secretary of the South Tipperary GAA Board; Paddy Maher, secretary of the North Tipperary GAA Board; hurler Seamus King; local historian Tim Looney of Caher; Christy Doherty (son of the hurler Jack Doherty); hurlers William Wall, Bill Ryan (last survivor of the 1920 Bloody Sunday All-Ireland Gaelic football team); Paddy ‘Sweeper’ Ryan; Jim Lanigan; Denis O’Gorman; Jimmy ‘Butler’ Coffey; Mutt Ryan and John Kelly; Paul O’Neill, chairman of the Cappawhite GAA Club; Conor Ryan of the winning Cappawhite team; and Donal Mackey. There are also clips of people arriving at the Temple Stadium, the spectators, the match and the celebrations that follow. Duration 01:20:13.

Betamax tape containing an interview with 91-year-old Bill Ryan of Laha, county Tipperary, winner of three Munster senior football titles, holder of a Mid-Tipperary senior hurling championship and last survivor of the 1920 Bloody Sunday All-Ireland Gaelic football team. Ryan recalls his schooldays and events from his career in Gaelic games in the 1920s. He also mentions the alleged Marian apparitions which occurred in Templemore, County Tipperary in 1920; the shooting of District Inspector William Harding Wilson in Templemore in August 1920; and the reinternment of the Cormack Brothers in 1910. The recording is jumpy in parts. After a brief break there follows a recording of a speech delivered by John Hasset on behalf of the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee at the funeral of Tom Kelly, a former Irish Volunteer and member of the IRB. The tape concludes with episodes of a programme entitled Rally Report, providing coverage of days 1 and 2 of the Rothmans Circuit of Ireland International in 1986, and a sports programme featuring motor racing at Phoenix Park, Dublin. Total duration 02:39:09.

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.

Betamax tape containing a series of recordings, beginning with scenes of streetscapes in Clonmel, focusing on derelict or otherwise neglected buildings and old, damaged roofs. After a short break there follows a recording made on 21 May [1985] showing the lands of Messrs Mahony & Brothers [in Clonmel?] subject to a compulsory purchase order. A short break is followed by three interviews, with John Ryan of Reafadda, county Tipperary, a one-time schoolfriend of Seán Treacy’s, who recalls an incident in Hollyford, county Tipperary [in 1921] involving the Black and Tans, during which Denis Quinlan was shot and fatally wounded, and an attack on the Hollyford Barracks [in 1920]; Mrs Ryan [John’s wife?], who recalls [the murder of four men on Killaloe Bridge by the Black and Tans in November 1920?] (the start of this interview is missing); and Miss Quirke of Hollyford, who recalls the arrest of her father by the Black and Tans by District Inspector Henry Biggs and the killing of Denis Quinlan. A series of scenic view of the village of Hollyford taken from a distance are followed by a close-up the Hollyford Barracks, where Hassett relates the story of the attack that took place here 1920 and Philip Shanahan holds up a photograph of his grand-uncle Phil Shanahan TD, who was born in Hollyford. There follow views of the home of the Allice family in Lacknacreena, Hollyford, where Seán Treacy came to reside as a child with his mother and aunt after his father’s death; the birthplace of Phil Shanahan; and monuments erected to Phil Shanahan, Jim Quirke and Eamonn an Chnoic (Ned of the Hill). Next, Hassett interviews John Ryan of Loughisle, who recalls the Kilcommon Ambush of 1920, the killing of District Inspector Henry Briggs and the accidental killing of Winifred Barrington, only daughter of Sir Charles Burton Barrington of Glenstal Castle, and the start of the Volunteer movement in the parish. Hassett then visits the site of the Kilcommon Ambush by the North Tipperary of the Old IRA and a police barracks at Rearcross, county Tipperary, attacked by the IRA in July 1920. The tape continues with a recording of a family outing to Fota Wildlife Park [in June 1985?] and of children getting riding lessons on a pony in a concrete yard. The tape concludes with a recording of an episode of Sports Stadium on RTÉ 1. Total duration 02:13:47.

Betamax tape containing an interview with Seán Fitzpatrick, oldest surviving member of the Third Tipperary Brigade of the IRA, and Paul Merrigan, a veteran of the War of Independence. Fitzpatrick shares memories of his parents and his childhood and his awakening republicanism. He relates the story of the Irish Volunteer Michael O’Callaghan, who in 1916 shot dead two policemen attempting to arrest him. He recalls his own nationalist activities, which began in 1919, and shares his views on the IRB, IRA and Sinn Féin and his criticism of the Catholic clergy of the day. He refers to the Soloheadbeg Ambush as the outstanding event of the War of Independence in Tipperary and to Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Seán Hogan and Seamus Robinson as the most important men in the Irish national life of the time. He recalls a raid on the Clonmel RIC barracks mounted by the Third Tipperary Brigade. The interview then turns to Merrigan, who recalls his part in Dinny Lacey’s Flying Column and the Thomastown Ambush. The interview was recorded on 30 June 1984, the day after Fitzpatrick’s 90th birthday. After a short break the recording recommences at Ballinure Barracks, which was attacked by Volunteers in 1920, and its environs. Hassett interviews Jack Lamb of the Horse and Jockey aged 83, the only surviving member of the Moycarkey Company of the Old IRA. Lamb recalls events from his childhood and his time as a Volunteer. He recalls Pierce McCan’s funeral, the shooting of District Inspector Michael Hunt in Thurles [in 1919] and the capture of Littleton Barracks. The interview concludes with Lamb singing several songs. The interview is barely audible. Duration 02:12:27.

Betamax tape containing a recording, the digital copy of which has been divided into two parts. Part 1 commences with views of the parish of Moycarkey-Borris, including streetscapes and buildings of note. This is followed by clips of the county Tipperary senior hurling final between Lorrha and Moycarkey-Borris in 1984. The first clips are without sound; the latter part is with sound and includes running commentary on the progress of the match. Players mentioned include John McIntyre, Eamon Darmody, John Flanagan and Ken Hogan. After a brief break the recording resumes with an interview with Johnny Ryan (1914-1997), who shares his thoughts and memories of hurling in Moycarkey, and with hurlers and former hurlers John Flanagan (1947-1994), Eddie Ryan, Dermot Shanahan, Timmy Cullagh, Tom Doran, Timmy Ryan (1923-1996), Bill Ryan, Tom Burke, Phil Ryan, Larry Hayes, Dan [---] and Larry Ryan, who give their impressions of the match. The interviews, which were conducted in a pub in Littleton, county Tipperary conclude with Timmy Ryan singing a song. There is a long break, from 01:12:58 to 01:30:47, which is followed by an interview with Matt Hayes, who discusses the history of the Hollyford copper mines in Reafadda, county Tipperary and sings a ballad, Dear Old Hollyford, composed by the local postman, Martin Lysaght. The interview is out of focus. Matt Hayes then plays Slievenamon, Éamonn an Chnoic and a polka on his accordion. The recording ends at 01:49:04. Part 2 contains an interview with Ned Moloney, the oldest surviving member of the Moycarkey senior hurlers, who began his professional hurling career in 1917. He shares his early memories of Moycarkey, recalls his hurling days, discusses his passion for politics since the days of the Easter Rising and his involvement in the Blueshirts. He also relates his grandfather’s stories about the famous repeal meeting in Knockroe, county Tipperary [in September 1845] organised by Daniel O’Connell. Duration 00:49:45.

Betamax tape containing a recording which begins with early twentieth-century documents of historical interest to the Knocklong area in county Limerick being displayed to the camera. Also displayed to the camera is a walking stick that once belonged to Robert Barton and was used by his cousin Erskine [Hamilton] Childers and may have been used by the latter’s father [Robert] Erskine Childers. The recording then moves to the O’Brien household in Galbally to a room in which Seán Treacy, Seán Hogan and Dan Breen slept after the Soloheadbeg Ambush. There follows an interview with James Power, member of the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee, who discusses the Mount Bruis company of the Irish Volunteers and its involvement in the War of Independence and the courage of Mrs [Catherine] Barlow [of Lattin, county Tipperary] during that war. Also interviewed are Mrs Barlow’s grandsons, Michael and Jerry Barlow. The next clip takes place in the doorway of the house in which Seán Treacy was born. Here, Hassett relates events from Treacy’s life and interviews Pat Leahy, owner of the property. The camera then moves to the site of the Soloheadbeg Ambush, where Hassett describes the events of the day and the controversy that surrounds them. There follows a lengthy interview with Jack Leahy [?], one-time member of the Soloheadbeg company of the Old IRA, who shares his memories of Seán Treacy, Dan Breen and the events of the War of Independence. The camera then moves to St Nicholas’ Church in Solohead, where Seán Treacy was christened; the Soloheadbeg Monument adjacent to the church; and a memorial plaque marking the spot where Commandant Seán Duffy and Captain Paddy Moloney were killed in May 1921. Hassett interviews a man who as a young boy had witnessed the killing. There follows a view of the ruins of the home of the Coffey family, which during the War of Independence was used as a point of contact by many of the leaders. Here, a Mrs Franklin sings two songs connected with the War of Independence. The view then moves to the Liam Lynch monument in the Knockmealdown Mountains, county Tipperary. There follows an interview with Mrs Feehan [?] of Crohane, owner of the house where Liam Lynch spent his last night before being fatally wounded on the mountainside. The recording concludes with a social gathering in a community hall, where participants take turns to sing ballads and folk songs. Total duration 03:16:30. The sound quality is poor.

Betamax tape containing a recording of a series of interviews, as follows: Matthew Hogan, brother of Seán Hogan, discusses the Soloheadbeg Ambush and Knocklong Rescue (the start of this interview is missing); Paul Merrigan, a former Irish Volunteer and member of Dinny Lacey’s Flying Column, shares his memories of his involvement in the War of Independence in county Tipperary; Tom Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Knocklong Development Association, discusses his interest in the Knocklong Rescue and his determination to erect a memorial to it; James Power, member of the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee, discusses his interest in recording the memories of individuals involved in the Irish War of Independence; Ned Murphy talks about Seán Treacy and the need to record memories for generations to follow; Hugh Hogan, nephew of Seán Hogan, discusses his desire to generate an interest in history among young people; and Bridie Collins, relative of Michael Collins (this interview is barely audible). Hassett then visits places associated with Seán Hogan, including O’Byrne’s shop. After a short clip of the annual commemoration ceremony at Seán Treacy’s graveside in Kilfeacle cemetery, there follows another series of short interviews conducted in Ned O’Brien’s home in Galbally about the Knocklong Rescue and the War of Independence. The interviewees include Mrs Martin; Catherine Condon Walsh, first cousin to Ned [Edmond] Foley; woman called Mary who was godchild to Ned Foley; Jack Murphy; man called Michael, nephew of Seán Lynch; Tim Ryan, nephew of James Scanlon; and Bridie Fitzgerald, daughter of Ned O’Brien (this last-mentioned interview cuts off abruptly). Then the camera shows a view of the home of the Hennessy family, where in 1916 Michael O’Callaghan shot two members of the RIC. Here, Hassett interviews brothers Pat and John Hennessy, who relate their parents’ stories of Michael O’Callaghan. There follows a second interview with Bridie Fitzgerald, this time discussing the fundraising activities of her father and others in the USA in the early 1920s. The recording concludes with displays of photographs of some of the heroes of Soloheadbeg Ambush and Knocklong Rescue. The recordings on this tape are in monochrome. Duration 02:57:24.

Betamax tape containing a recording of an episode of the Late Late Show hosted by Gay Byrne, featuring Richard Douthwaite, Eavan Boland, John McGahern, Glenn Patterson and Professor Joseph Lee, five of the six finalists in the 1992 Guinness Peat Aviation Book Awards, and John Updike, who presents the prize to the winner, John McGahern. Duration 00:25:57.