John Cunningham
John Cunningham – MY FATHER IN THE IRA
Interviewed 2021 In this selection, John Cunningham outlines his father’s involvement with the West Clare IRA Brigade and his decision to join the Civil Guard (Later An Garda Síochána) at its inception in 1922. The ‘Commandant Brennan’ he refers to was Micheál...
John Cunningham – BONA FIDE TRAVELLER’S LAW
Interviewed 2021 Here, John Cunningham recalls the stories told to him by his father Michael Cunningham about dealing with issues associated with drinking while working as a member of An Garda Síochána. He refers to the Bona Fide Laws which were a hangover from the...
John Cunningham – FIRST ASSIGNMENT – SLIGO AND TORY ISLAND
Interviewed 2021 Here, John Cunningham relates the experience of his father, Michael Cunningham in the earliest days of An Garda Síóchána. He tells a story about Michael Cunningham, being posted to Sligo and outlines some of the incidents he became associated with...
John Cunningham – THE FLOOD OF 1947
Interviewed 2021 In this selection, John Cunningham discusses the experience of his father, retired Garda Michael Cunningham, during a major weather incident in 1947 in Blarney. 1947 was the year of the ‘Big Snow’ (and subsequent big flood). The first snow arrived in...
John Cunningham – NAZI INVASION
Interviewed 2021 In this selection, John Cunningham discusses the experience of his father Michael Cunningham, during the years of ‘The Emergency’ (World War II), when he was stationed in Blarney, County Cork. He also refers to the reputed plans by Germany to invade...