Leitrim's forgotten voices brought back to life at Dromod history night
Paul Kangley will bring decades of recorded interviews, historical photographs and forgotten stories of Leitrim to a free history night at Cox's Bar this Thursday
A fascinating journey into Leitrim's past will take place in Dromod tonight, Thursday, October 29, as local historian Paul Kangley brings together decades of memories, photographs and recorded interviews for a special history night. The free event will take place at Cox's Bar and Steak House from 9pm to 11pm, with members of the public invited to share their own stories and discover some of the county's lesser-known history.
Originally from Annaduff and now living in Liverpool, Paul has spent more than 40 years interviewing elderly people, determined to preserve their memories before they are lost forever. Over the decades, he has recorded interviews with approximately 50 older people, many from Leitrim, capturing first-hand accounts of life in Ireland stretching back generations. His passion for preserving history began with a personal regret.
"My grandfather died when I was 15, and I would really love him to be alive. He was my hero in life," Paul told the Leitrim Observer. His grandfather had been involved in the Fenians and the IRA and was wounded during an ambush, but Paul never had the opportunity to hear those stories directly from him. He believes too many families realise the importance of these memories only when it is too late.
"All that knowledge of it dies with them. And it's gone forever," he said. Among his remarkable collection is an interview with a Sligo man who joined the first intake of Civic Guards following Irish independence in 1922. The man lived to the age of 106, and Paul interviewed him when he was approximately 104.
Thursday's event will feature a recording made around 30 years ago with a local man who had reached 100 years of age. Paul will also display approximately 50 historical photographs and posters, including school photographs from Annaduff dating back to 1924 and images spanning several decades.
He hopes visitors will recognise relatives, neighbours and familiar faces from generations past. The evening will also feature an open-microphone discussion, giving anyone interested in history a few minutes to share their own stories, memories or historical discoveries. Paul's interests extend far beyond Annaduff, encompassing the coal-mining heritage of Arigna, the historical connections between Leitrim and America, and the fascinating story of the Molly Maguires, the Irish coal miners associated with labour unrest in 19th-century Pennsylvania.
He is particularly interested in the connections between Cloone and Irish emigrants who travelled to the United States, as well as the history of the Arigna coal industry and the transport networks that carried coal through Leitrim. His lifelong interest in local heritage was fostered during visits home from Dublin, when he played football with Annaduff and hurling with Leitrim.
He recalled regularly visiting McNally's pub in Dromod to speak with older locals and learn about their lives. What began as conversations eventually developed into an extensive collection of recorded oral histories. Paul hopes the evening will encourage younger generations to speak to their parents and grandparents and record their memories while they still can. The history night takes place at Cox's Bar and Steak House, Dromod, on Thursday, October 29, from 9pm to 11pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.