In the second part of this Memory Meitheals feature, the conversation moves from mill life to school days and the everyday adventures of growing up in the Drumcree and Glebe area. Florrie Moynihan (née Rowley), Mel Rowley and Gerry Reilly recall the teachers, classrooms, neighbours and small excitements that shaped childhood in rural Leitrim.

Stories of friendship, local characters and family life sit alongside Florrie’s reflections on leaving home for Dublin, offering a gentle contrast between past and present — between the grounded, close-knit world of Drumcree and the bustling city she has lived in since the 1960s.

Together, these memories paint a vivid, affectionate portrait of community life, preserving voices and stories that might otherwise be lost.

Acheson’s, or Drumcree Mill, is remembered in this first episode of a rich two-part Memory Meitheals feature. Neighbours Florrie Moynihan (née Rowley), her brother Mel Rowley and Gerry Reilly guide us through the bustle, craft and community that once surrounded the mill, sharing memories of its workers and of Albert Acheson, the last miller to keep it turning.

This first episode captures the working world of the mill and the strong ties between neighbours — offering a rare and intimate insight into a vanished way of life.

The second instalment of this two-part conversation widens the lens as Vincie and J.J. Mulligan delve deeper into stories of family, neighbours, devilment and events in the local town of Mohill. We hear a lot more family history and of the long-standing traditions of the Eslin area, as they weave archaeology, memory and mischief together in their own unmistakable way.

Both men also reflect on the years they spent living and working in England, offering vivid contrasts between rural Leitrim and the busy cities they came to know. Their reflections balance humour with honesty, revealing how those experiences shaped them and deepened their appreciation of home.

Across both episodes, the Mulligan brothers bring listeners on a journey through heritage, hilarity and the heart of Eslin — preserving stories that deserve to be heard.

In this wonderfully entertaining first instalment, brothers Vincie and J.J. Mulligan from Bunnybeg, Eslin, share a treasure trove of stories drawn from their childhood in rural Leitrim. Full of devilment, quick wit and colourful detail, their memories introduce us to the local characters who shaped the area and the tall tales that travelled from house to house.

Folklore sits side by side with fact as the brothers recall banshee sightings, curious happenings and the deep sense of heritage that runs through Bunnybeg and the surrounding areas. The result is a lively portrait of community life, alive with humour, warmth and the unmistakable Mulligan spark.

In this warm and lively episode of Memory Meitheals, neighbours Tish Dunleavy and Eilish O’Callaghan bring us back to their childhood on Main Street, Mohill — a time when the town thrived with shops, characters, festivals and constant activity.

They share joyful memories of growing up in a street where everyone knew everyone, where local characters left lasting impressions, and where small businesses and community events shaped the rhythm of daily life. Their stories also touch on the rich musical thread running through the Dunleavy and Rowley families — the sessions, songs and informal performances that gave their homes and neighbourhood such energy and spirit.

Many of the shops, festivals and familiar faces have disappeared over the years, but through Tish and Eilish’s recollections they come vividly back to life, offering a heartfelt portrait of Mohill in its bustling heyday.

Michael possesses a wealth of knowledge that can effortlessly transport you back to the 1930s with vivid descriptions of events, streets, people, and conversations. In this double episode, their great friend and neighbour, Jim Rogers, adds to the dynamic trio. Jim, who once worked at the renowned “Quinn’s” of Mohill before establishing his own drapery shop on Main Street, brings a unique perspective to these tales of fairs, football, dancehalls and much more! Prepare to be transported! (Part 2 of 2)

Michael possesses a wealth of knowledge that can effortlessly transport you back to the 1930s with vivid descriptions of events, streets, people, and conversations. In this double episode, their great friend and neighbour, Jim Rogers, adds to the dynamic trio. Jim, who once worked at the renowned “Quinn’s” of Mohill before establishing his own drapery shop on Main Street, brings a unique perspective to these tales of fairs, football, dancehalls and much more! Prepare to be transported! (Part 1 of 2)

From the days of travelling picture shows and Lord Leitrim's escapades to stories of footballing legends, ghostly encounters, and childhood memories, the Reynolds family offers a captivating journey through time. The addition of a verse of song from George's granddaughter, Sadhbh, adds a personal touch to this family affair. Listen and enjoy! (Part 2 of 2)

From the days of travelling picture shows and Lord Leitrim's escapades to stories of footballing legends, ghostly encounters, and childhood memories, the Reynolds family offers a captivating journey through time. The addition of a verse of song from George's granddaughter, Sadhbh, adds a personal touch to this family affair. Listen and enjoy! (Part 1 of 2)

 Join Bridie McIntyre, Evie McNabola, and Patricia O’Reilly as they fondly recall those days and celebrate the strength and ingenuity of the women of that era and those who paved the way before them. 

Colleen Guckian, a longtime resident since the 1950s, shares her wealth of knowledge about the village. Fr. Francis Garvey, who grew up in Garvey's public house and now serves as the parish priest of Drumsna, offers a unique perspective on the village's history. Noel Duignan, whose family has been involved in the grocery and pub trade in Drumsna for generations, gives insights into the village's evolution. Lastly, Ella Gannon, a dedicated community member for many years, shares her experiences of Drumsna, its characters and its changing landscape. The fabulous four bring us through the streets of Drumsna, giving a detailed picture of life in and around the village from the 1950s to the present day. From tales of ceilí-ing to tales of arson – this is one not to be missed! (Part 2 of 2)

Colleen Guckian, a longtime resident since the 1950s, shares her wealth of knowledge about the village. Fr. Francis Garvey, who grew up in Garvey's public house and now serves as the parish priest of Drumsna, offers a unique perspective on the village's history. Noel Duignan, whose family has been involved in the grocery and pub trade in Drumsna for generations, gives insights into the village's evolution. Lastly, Ella Gannon, a dedicated community member for many years, shares her experiences of Drumsna, its characters and its changing landscape. The fabulous four bring us through the streets of Drumsna, giving a detailed picture of life in and around the village from the 1950s to the present day. From tales of ceilí-ing to tales of arson – this is one not to be missed! (Part 1 of 2)

John Reynolds has had an interest in the farming methods used by his ancestors since he learned them from his grandfather as a young boy. He takes us through the traditional way of sowing and harvesting perhaps the most historically important crop in Leitrim: the potato.

Tommy Earley has been farming his family’s plot on the shores of Lough Allen for many years. When he first learned about organic farming in 1996, he didn’t know much about it - but what he heard he liked. He’s since ‘gone organic,’ and has adopted a number of new working practices to the farm, such as introducing new habitats and conserving existing ones.

Fionnuala Maxwell is a singer and teacher who has made it her mission to promote and recover Leitrim’s musical heritage. She finds the lyrics or music of often forgotten Leitrim songs in historical manuscripts or publications, and performs her own interpretations of them. In this episode she takes us through a song called ‘The Little Hills o’ Leitrim’ which she found in an old Irish-American newspaper.

Conor Ward is a fiddler living in Cootehall. He learned his craft in local céilí bands, where he was first introduced to the music of Leitrim. He has recently completed a masters on a musical manuscript found in the 1960s, which traces the fiddling tradition of Leitrim and Longford to one nineteenth century source: the style and teaching of Thomas ‘Blind’ Kiernan.

John Bredin is the Chairman of the Carrick-on-Shannon Historical Society and runs St George’s Heritage Centre in the town. The latter is the former place of worship for the town’s Church of Ireland congregation; now, it celebrates the contribution of the town’s Catholic and Protestant communities, or ‘twin traditions,’ who have lived alongside each other since the town’s inception. John gives us a history of the town through its shared heritage.

Margaret Connolly is a member of the Manorhamilton and District Historical Society. She has studied the establishment and activities of the town’s workhouse, and offers a fascinating understanding of its governance. It gives her a unique insight into the human cost of the event most associated with Manorhamilton’s workhouse: the Great Hunger.

Noel McPartland set up Drumshanbo’s history museum ‘Glimpses of the Past’ to exhibit the photographs, documents and other material he’s collected over the years pertaining to the town. Noel gives us a personal account of events commemorated by the museum, including the narrow-gauge railway that gave great life to Drumshanbo, until its closure in 1959.

Donna Gilligan is a museum archaeologist and heritage consultant, who has recently published an authoritative book chapter survey on Leitrim’s prehistory. As part of her work at the National Museum in Dublin, she has also studied prehistoric artefacts from Leitrim found in the museum’s collection. She discusses the significance of several of these objects, and explains the varied groups that settled in Leitrim during the prehistoric period.

Sam Moore is a prehistorian and archaeologist, and a lecturer in IT Sligo. He teaches listeners about the hugely important prehistoric site at Fenagh. The area is best-known for its medieval abbey, but millennia before that a series of prehistoric communities chose this site as a sacred place, building portal tombs and standing stones. Sam reflects on the significance of these monuments, as well as explaining how, in later times, their legacy is mixed with myth and folklore.

Neil Foulkes has made a 30-year career out of hedge laying, and is an advocate for their maintenance. He knows all about the essential role hedgerows play in providing shelter and nourishment for wildlife in the county. He’s also in awe of their beauty, especially in Leitrim; and calls the Irish landscape a ‘wonder of the world.’

Kate Bismilla is an ecologist working with the Irish Breeding Curlew EIP, which has been set up to address the decline of breeding curlew in Ireland. The curlew is a bird that mates for life, and around its South Leitrim breeding grounds, Kate’s pioneering project works alongside farmers to help protect curlew pairs.

Annie Birtwistle and her family have farmed their plot of land at Battlebridge on the Leitrim-Roscommon border for 24 years. They’ve had great success in running a productive farm, while farming with conservational principles in mind. Annie’s family see themselves as ‘stewards of the land’; their farm is teeming with an abundance of habitats.