A Lifetime of Stories – Oral Histories of Irish Seniors in Sydney

L to R: Tomás De Bhaldraithe, Marion Reilly, Marie McMillan, Damien McCloskey, Pat Foley

A Lifetime of Stories – Oral histories of Irish seniors in Sydney – Is a documentary and web project that tells the amazing life stories of Sydney’s Irish seniors. Pat Foley, Tomás de Bhaldraithe, Marion Reilly, Marie McMillan and Damien McCloskey tell their own stories with humour, style and wisdom. 

A Lifetime of Stories was devised with the interviewees by director Dr Enda Murray using a workshop-based process which incorporated elements of creative writing, drama and music.

A Lifetime of Stories premiered at the Irish Film Festival in Sydney and Melbourne in 2019.

A Lifetime of Stories documentary can be viewed below. Just click on the video to view.

Interview Transcripts

The documentary contains only a section of the great stories told by the Seniors. 

The full transcripts of the interviews have been written up and posted below for viewing by families and friends in Ireland and around the world. 

The project website is hosted by the Irish National Association.

Pat Foley

Pat Foley left Moyvane in County Kerry in the early 50’s and worked on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electrical scheme. Read more by clicking on the transcript below.

Damien McCloskey

Damien McCloskey grew up in Derry and witnessed some of the tumultuous events in that city before he left for Australia. Read more by clicking on the transcript below.

Marie McMillan

Marie McMillan is from Dublin and is a skilled poet and performer. Read more by clicking on the transcript below.

Tomás de Bhaldraithe

Tomás de Bhaldraithe is a learned Gaelic scholar and a skilled sailor of Galway hookers. Read more by clicking on the transcript below.

Marion Reilly

Marion Reilly is from Connemara and had the adventure of a lifetime when she travelled to Australia overland on a hippy bus in the 70’s. Read more by clicking the view button below.

A Lifetime of Stories Premiere Photos

L to R: Consul General of Ireland in Sydney, Owen Feeney, Mario Reilly, Marie McMillan, Damien McCloskey, Pat Foley, Director Enda Murray, Tomás De Bhaldraithe
Marie McMillan and Patrick Foley

Tell us what you think! Write to us at info@irishassociation.org.au

We’d love to hear your feedback.

The  Lifetime of Stories project was made possible by a grant from the Emigrant Support Program from the Irish Government.

The Lifetime of Stories  project is a collaboration between the Irish Film Festival, the Irish Support Agency and the Irish National Association. 

Sponsored By:


Web Credits:

Transcripts: Rebecca Elder, Kelsey Menzies, Shannon Rooney

Photography: Cleo Mees

Web Creation: Rebecca Elder

Director: Dr Enda Murray