Oral Histories Project (20th Century)

The Military Archives Oral History Project (MAOHP) began officially in 2015 with the aim of digitally recording memory, oral history and tradition associated with the Defence Forces since its inception in 1922. Since then, the MAOHP has collected more than 500 interviews from predominantly former members of the Defence Forces, including the integration of previously collected interviews and legacy material. The MAOHP will continue to reach out to personnel from across all ranks in the Defence Forces and will also capture memory and tradition from individuals who have connections or knowledge relating to the Defence Forces and associated information.

Disclaimer:The opinions expressed in these interviews are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Defence Forces.

Featured Stories from Ireland

Interviews document the Defence Forces experience at home from the 1940s, including the Emergency (World War II), training, evolution and development of the Defence Forces in the 1950s, the border, the Air Corps, Naval Operations, ceremonial responsibilities, as well as multiple human and social stories associated with those experiences.

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Journey to Dublin in June 1940 to join the Irish Army

Art Magennis

Ardglass, Cathal Brugha Barracks

Fr Jerry Jeremiah Carroll

Roger Casement

Jerry Carroll

Casement Aerodrome

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Featured Stories from Overseas

The collection includes direct testimony from interviewees who served in the Congo, Lebanon, Cyprus, Chad and in other overseas missions as part of United Nations and European Union missions.

Séamus Mc Dermott Corporal retired

Ambush in the Congo

Seamus McDermott

Elizabethville, Jadotville

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Featured People

The MAOHP has interviewed a broad range of people, primarily veterans and serving members of the Defence Forces, but also family members and individuals who have worked together with Irish military personnel at home and overseas.

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