Recording Galway

The Million-Hats-A-Year Factory

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819632/fan_mail/new] This documentary was broadcast on Galway Bay FM on March 29, 2024 The title  is taken from a headline in the Irish Press announcing the opening of a hat factory in Galway in 1938. Established by Jewish refugees Les Modes Modernes employed approximately 250 throughout the 40s and 50s. It continued to operate on a smaller scale until 1972. Employees from the 40s describe the working conditions and speak of the economic impact of the factory in a town where employment opportunities were scare. The circumstances whereby refugees came to the west of Ireland are outlined along with some insight into their personal lives during the war years and an account of reactions to their presence.  The final section concerns one man's solo effort to keep the Galway hat trade going. His daughter tells that story.  Produced and narrated by Mary Cunningham. Contributors Workers from the 1940’s:  Veronica Joyce O’Toole,  Margaret Long Casserly (recently deceased)   Daughters of workers:  Heather Gardiner, Paula Scully. Historians:  Dr Trisha Oakley Kessler, Dr John Cunningham  Content voiced by: Brenda Foy, Eimear O’Meara, Margaret Molloy, Liam Cunningham, Brian Hanney, Miriam Hanney, Trish Mannion.   Music:    Yeti Music "Ghost Piano"       https://uppbeat.io/browse/artist/yeti-music [https://pixabay.com/music/vintage-50s-swing-music-13480/]                     Musictown "Irish Jig".              https://pixabay.com/music/search/irish%20jig/ [ https://pixabay.com/music/search/irish%20jig/]                    JuliusH  "50s Swing Music"  https://pixabay.com/music/vintage-50s-swing-                                                                                             music-13480/ [https://pixabay.com/music/vintage-50s-swing-music-13480/] Sources:   Dr Trisha Oakley Kessler. ‘Rethinking Irish Protectionism: Jewish Refugee                               Factories and the Pursuit of an Irish Ireland for Industry.’ In Irish                                                    Questions and Jewish Questions: Crossovers in Culture (2018)                                             Rachel Phillipson-Levy. Memoir: An Odyssey Revisited.                                                                          http://migs.concordia.ca/memoirs/levy/levy_1.html [http://migs.concordia.ca/memoirs/levy/levy_1.html]                       Eileen O’Faoláin.  ‘Galway Hats’ in The Bell  (1941)                      George Clare. Last Waltz in Vienna, Pan Books (2007)

Brendan McGowan on the Pádraic Ó Conaire statue for 'Those We Remember' historical walkabout (Culture Night 2025)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819632/fan_mail/new] This short talk by Brendan McGowan is one of eight talks delivered on a walk through Galway on Culture Night, 19 September 2025. The focus was on the individuals remembered in statues and public spaces around the city centre.  Brendan speaks about the life and work of Ó Conaire, the sculptor, the commissioning and unveiling of the statue, and its impact in Galway. Brendan McGowan is t the Galway City Museum Education and Outreach Officer. The walkabout was coordinated by John Cunningham for the Galway City Museum in association with the Galway Archaeological and Historical  Society.

Brendan O'Mahony on Wolfe Tone Bridge for 'Those We Remember' historical walkabout (Culture Night 2025)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819632/fan_mail/new] This short talk by Brendan O'Mahony is one of eight delivered on a walk through Galway on Culture Night, 19 September 2025. The focus was on the individuals remembered in statues and public spaces around the city centre.  Brendan talks about the founder of Irish republicanism Theobald Wolfe Tone, his connection with Galway, and the circumstances surrounding the naming of the Wolfe Tone Bridge.  Brendan O'Mahony is a former post primary teacher and a french language tour guide.  The walkabout was coordinated by John Cunningham for the Galway City Museum in association with the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.

Gary McMahon on John F. Kennedy Park and bust for 'Those We Remember' historical walkabout (Culture Night 2025)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819632/fan_mail/new] This short talk by Gary McMahon is one of eight delivered on a walk through Galway on Culture Night, 19 September 2025. The focus was on the individuals remembered in statues and public spaces around the city centre.  Gary McMahon talks about the memorialisation of JFK in Eyre Square, in particular the bust by local sculptor Albert O'Toole marking the US president's visit to Galway in 1963.  Gary McMahon is an arts broadcaster on Galway Bay FM, formely employed by Galway City Council.   The walkabout was coordinated by John Cunningham for the Galway City Museum in association with the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.

Mary Cunningham on the Fr.Tom Burke statue for 'Those We Remember' historical walkabout (Culture Night 2025)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1819632/fan_mail/new] This short talk by Mary Cunningham is one of eight talks delivered on a walk through Galway on Culture Night, 19 September 2025. The focus was on the individuals remembered in statues and public spaces around the city centre.  The subject here is the Domincan priest Fr. Tom Burke who was famed for his remarkable oratory skills. His ability earned him the title 'Prince of Preachers' from Pope Pius IX. There is information on the sculptor John Kavanagh, the commissioning and unveiling of the statue located on Fr. Griffin Road near Claddagh in 1948. Mary Cunningham is a teacher who records and publishes oral histories of Galway.  The walkabout was coordinated by John Cunningham for the Galway City Museum in association with the Galway Archaeological and Historical  Society.