| Description | Interview with Dan Doherty from Donegal. He discusses the aim of the civil rights movement leaders to get representation at the United Nations due to the breakdown of law and order and the failure of the Unionist government to fulfil their promise of reforms. He expresses his opinion about the police response to the civil rights protests in Derry and elsewhere, and thinks that the police exceeded their duty. He explains that unrest in Derry is not unexpected because of the high levels of unemployment among the Catholic population and the segregation of housing, and talks about the attitudes of the Unionist government, economic factors affecting the lack of new industry in Derry and the contention felt about the decision not to site the new university in the city. He discusses the history of the Unionist opposition to Home Rule and its continuing influence, the ratio of Catholics to Protestants in the city, and being aware of political reports in newspapers during his childhood. He talks about his memories of singing rhymes against Carson at school, attending Craigtown school and his knowledge of Ireland from studying history.
He goes on to discuss his knowledge of the Irish language and the areas where Irish is spoken, and speaks in Irish to Charles Parker and Dilip Hiro. He explains that the heaviest emigration is from Irish speaking areas and expresses his concern about the high levels of youth emigration. He talks in detail about the revival of interest in Gaelic culture and identity, the similarities between Irish and Scots Gaelic, the historic contrasts between Irish and Anglo-Saxon culture and the development of the Celtic church in Ireland from the middle ages. He discusses the extent to which the old forms of entertainment have survived, the brewing of poitin and singing traditional songs and the clergy's disapproval of this, and their attempts to get young people to come to parochial halls for their entertainment. He considers the economic effects of reunification and talks about the standard of living in the Republic of Ireland. He explains how people in Donegal view the city of Derry and its historic importance as the port of Donegal (tracks 1-14).
Total: 32.35 mins
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF565D0072080 |