This interview took place in 2001:
An extremely popular choice for person of the moment,
John answers our questions;
| Name: | John Mhikie Gallagher |
| Age: | 58 |
| Tell us a little about your family: | Father: Mikie Mother: Mary Healy Four brothers: Michael, Eamon, Tommy, Patrick. Four sisters: Bridie, Ita, Annie, Kathy. * I was reared next-door to my father and mother by Aunt Maria who was married to Michael Madden – Gréasaí Antaine. * I am married to Mary Travers from Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal * We have three children – Mairéad, Sal, and Caitlíona |
| Tell us a little about your employment history and professional life: | * I was a Secondary School teacher and taught Irish, Geography, Art, Mechanical Drawing and French. * The schools I taught in were Dooniver, Coláiste Éine, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chíaráin í gCeathrú Rua, Scoil Dhamhnait, and Sacred Heart School Westport. * Worked in England at various jobs in the sixties: Meat factory, building sites, M1, M2, Dpt fourteen of Wimpeys, sold ice-cream in London as well. * Fished off rocks in Currane from Stoiricín to Dough Beg. Fished in Currach with different family members and neighbours. Had half-decked boat for 16 years – fished off Currane, Achill, and Clare Island. |
| What do you like about Currane? | Everything – ‘muid féin atá ann’ |
| What is your favourite view in the area? | From the top of Cnoc na hAilte Móire near Lough Árd. |
| What is your favourite time of year? | Springtime, but I enjoy Summer growth and Autumn colours and Winter games of cards – solo and 25. |
| Favourite story/folklore: | Adventures of Ernest Shackelton and The Famous Lynchechaun. |
| Favourite saying (seanfhocal): | ‘Níl ins an saol ach ceo Agus ní mhaireann an só ach seal is ní buan sioc soilseach na maidne Ach ar feadh tamall bíonn sé geal’ i.e. ‘Life is but a mist and good times don’t last long, and the sparkling morning frost is fleeting, but for a while it’s brightness is so strong’ |
| Is there a place that you enjoyed travelling to? | Russia 1979: Moscow and Leningrad, the Museums, Hermitage, churches, Moscow circus etc. were all magnificent. Contrary to understanding at the time, the people I found very warm and welcoming. |
| Favourite book (Fiction): | The Day of the Jackal |
| Favourite book (Non-Fiction): | Anam Cara |
| Do you have a favourite type of music? | Traditional Irish Music and most music |
| Favourite song: | Shanagolden sung by Thomas Joyce. |
| Favourite Gaelic song: | Amhrán Mhaoinse sung by John Beag Ó’Flatharta |
| Favourite film: | One flew over the cuckoo’s nest |
| Favourite drink: | Smithwicks and at times a little ‘Gaelic coffee’ made from mountain dew. |
| Favourite food: | Bacon with cabbage, freshly caught mackerel and herring. I’m also partial to Chinese food. |
| Favourite night out: | In Currane in company of Conor Patten, Thomas Joyce, Pat O’Malley, Thomas O’Malley, Michael Joe Gallagher, John and Tommy Madden and Father Willie and if John Hoban came by. |
| Favourite sports: | Gaelic Football, Hurling and Soccer. |
| Favourite teams: | * Mayo God help us!, Galway Hurling team, Chelsea, Sligo Rovers |
| Which person/s would you most like to meet? (living or dead)? | Caiptín Máille Pattico, Caitlíona Mhór and David Attenborough |
| Any plans for the year ahead and the future? | Take a day at a time. Admire the odd fishing vessel, go to sea from day to day, enjoy and partake in music sessions. Have an odd refreshing drink and chat with lively company, play a few card games. – pause and pray and remember from time to time my wonderful friends and neighbours in Currane and elsewhere whose company and warmth I’ve enjoyed through all the years. Faoí Chumhdach Dé iad ar fad. |
Many thanks to John for taking the time to talk to us.
We’re sure everybody will join us in wishing John a great year ahead.
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