Item 3 - Sound recording of an interview with William Geraghty

1 item

Sound recording of an interview conducted by Robert Stradling with William Geraghty, Dublin, who served as volunteer in Irish Brigade in Spain. Notes how he heard about General O’Duffy’s Brigade in a public information broadcast at the cinema, and his feelings towards Spain, stating ‘in my limited learnings of the history of the friendship that existed between Spain and Ireland and all that Spain tried to do in the sad times my forefathers experienced, the Spanish Armada, giving sanctuary to the O’Donnells and all the rest… I felt indebted to Spain for their kindness to… our ancestors’. Also refers to strength of his Christian faith as influencing factor on the journey to Spain. Notes his involvement in the Irish army prior to joining the Brigade, the issue of religious persecution, atrocities carried out and his interest in Spanish culture. Also refers to the Blueshirt movement, his view of General O’Duffy, the issue of minors serving in the Brigade and the non-intervention pact, stating ‘we had offers from America, even as far as Canada and America, they would’ve… provided their cavalry units… to go and fight communism’ and remembers some of his commanding officers, including Lieutenant George Timlin, and notes, ‘There is one person that I particularly remember… Tom Hyde, he was killed by mistake in an engagement between two armies that was… on the Franco side’. Provides account of journey to Spain on board a German vessel, stating ‘There was no provision made for meals or for sleeping… The conditions from Galway… was anything but calm’, and on to Salamanca, and then Cáceres where he notes the ‘royal welcome’ of the people and the standard of training there. Also recalls death of Gabriel Lee and carrying his stretcher, the issue of drink in the Irish Brigade, the events of 19 February 1937 and the attempted attack at Titulcia. Notes life in Ciempozuelos including sniper fire and executions of prisoners, and the capture of a Cuban prisoner. Refers also to friendship with an International Brigadier on his return to Ireland in approximately 1946, ‘What he saw when he arrived in Red Spain… he was shocked and horrified because he was also a Catholic and the reason that he went to Spain… the propaganda from the International Brigade’. Records also the contents of a private reference from General O’Duffy, his overall impression of O’Duffy, and issue of recognition of efforts of the Irish Brigade from the state, historians and the church, after their return to Ireland. In addition, notes his views on the articles of Sunday Independent Special Correspondent, Gertrude Gaffney, and details on uniforms, weaponry and pay are noted. Also recalls, on his return to Ireland, an attempt by Geraghty and about seven other men to take a Spanish ship from Derry to Bilbao, and the arrest of the vessel prior to departure.

This item comprises magnetic tape and is too fragile to be safely handled.

• Béarla

Available digitally on the University of Limerick Digital Library at https://doi.org/10.34966/uldl.dtzx-5y91.