The Gathering: Collected Oral Histories of the Irish in Montana is a long-term interdisciplinary oral history project fostered in 2009 by the University of Montana’s Irish Studies department. The Gathering seeks to record and to archive the Montana Irish and Irish-American folk histories, memories, practices, and traditions. Interviews conducted from 2010 to 2012 are held as Oral History collection OH 435 at Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection includes 88 interviews.
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Anne Shaw Interview, October 2, 2010
Anne M. Shaw
Anne Shaw of Missoula, Montana, discusses her family's immigration to America, in 1725, from Scotland. She details the family's history in the United States, her childhood, growing up on a ranch, and cherished family possessions.
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Ann Loughlin Interview, March 5, 2011
Ann U. Loughlin
Ann Loughlin of Missoula discusses her career as a golf professional and the family tradition of golf, as well as the game's status in Ireland. She speaks to how her family arrived in Montana, and their experiences coming from Ireland.
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Barbara Parker Interview, March 9, 2011
Barbara J. Parker
Barbara Parker of Butte, Montana, describes the various ethnic neighborhoods of Butte and the surrounding area, and her experiences growing up in Centerville. She speaks as well to her family business, and the role the Anaconda Company in the community.
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Bernadette Flanagan Interview, March 30, 2011
Bernadette Flanagan
Bernadette Flanagan of Helena, Montana, recalls her family history and stories passed down. She speaks of her experiences at the National School in Kilmaley, Ireland, and her experiences of being an emigrant in the United States, as well as her first trip back to Ireland ... Read More
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Bill Gallagher and Ellen Gallagher Interview, October 25, 2010
William Gallagher and Ellen Frances Mary Gallagher
Bill and Ellen Gallagher of Phillipsburg, Montana, describe growing up in Anaconda, Montana, their Catholic education, and the Anaconda smelter. They talk about Irish cultural traditions that were part of their childhood, including a belief in banshees, participating in wakes, and learning Irish history in ... Read More
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Bonnie Ann Kinyon Interview, October 27, 2010
Bonnie Ann Kinyon
Bonnie Kinyon of Missoula, Montana, discusses her personal history and work experience, eventually leading her to become the Post Master in Bonner, from which she retired. She discusses the community of Anaconda, her familial relationships with the community, and interactions experienced between the two.
The ... Read More
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Brian Murphy Interview, March 14, 2011
Brian Michael William Murphy
Brian Murphy of Missoula, Montana, discusses how his ancestors emigrated to Anaconda, with some returning to Ireland to farm. He speaks to his growing up in Billings, his involvement in music, playing two songs, and his memories of playing Carnegie Hall with the Chieftains when ... Read More
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Bridget Wanderer Interview, July 22, 2011
Bridget R. Wanderer
Bridget Wanderer of Missoula, Montana, discusses her family heritage and how they came to be in Montana from County Wexford. She speaks to family lore regarding the family ranch and lore relating to the Irish community in Montana.
The interviewee's full birth date has been ... Read More
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Cathy Doyle and Keith Mooney Interview, March 6, 2011
Cathy Doyle and Keith Mooney
Keith Mooney and Cathy Doyle of Butte, Montana, discuss the culture of Butte, to which they moved from Detroit, and how the two cities are similar. They speak of the cultural role of the Irish and Catholicism in Butte, and how it influenced policies and ... Read More
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Celine Maloney Interview, March 4, 2011
Celine Patricia Maloney
Celine Maloney of Butte, Montana, discusses her experiences growing up on Valentia Island, County Kerry, Ireland, and the work her father did there. She also discusses the process of becoming an American citizen, and her experiences being a first generation emigrant to the United States.
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Danette Harrington Interview, November 6, 2010
Danette Harrington
Danette Harrington of Butte, Montana, discusses the migration of her family from Ireland to the United States, and the history of the family in Ireland. She remembers her family's practices and her experiences growing up in Butte.
The interviewee's full birth date has been restricted ... Read More
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David Power Interview, July 27, 2011
David Power
David Power of Castletownbere speaks to his father's immigration to Butte, Montana,and his return to Ireland. He speaks extensively to his father's experiences in Butte, and his family, as well as his experiences in Ireland.
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Dennis Ferriter Interview, August 22, 2011
Dennis Joseph Patrick Ferriter
Dennis Ferriter of Missoula, Montana, discusses his experiences growing up in Butte and his family history. He speaks to his father's account of seeing Nagasaki during WWII, and the character of Butte itself.
The interviewee's full birth date has been restricted in this interview.
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Dianna Poerwe and Joan Porter Interview, November 5, 2010
Dianna Porter and Joan Porter
Dianna Porter and Joan Porter of Butte, Montana, speak of their life experiences and the different paths that they followed. They recall their family history, meeting family members on a recent trip to Ireland, as well as their experiences growing up in Butte.
The interviewee's ... Read More
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Don McCarthy Interview, September 8, 2010
Don McCarthy
Don McCarthy of Ramsay, Montana, discusses his discovery of pride in his Irish heritage while traveling through Europe. He speaks of the culture and customs of Depression-era Butte, Montana, and his father's influence in his life.
The interviewee's full birth date has been restricted in ... Read More
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Donna Burgess Interview, October 3, 2011
Donna Kelly Burgess
Donna Burgess of Placid Lake, Montana, discusses her family's history, her experiences growing up, and how her father was the first lapidary in Montana. She talks about growing up as the daughter of the vice president of the Anaconda Company, Western and Butte operations.
The ... Read More
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Edward "Eddie" McCarthy Interview, October 18, 2010
Edward McCarthy
Eddie McCarthy of Anaconda, Montana, discusses the annual St. Patrick's Day party which he started, and how his father never went back to Ireland. He recalls working for the post office and what the job entailed, as well as his memories of his own trips to Ireland.
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Eileen Burgess-Watson Interview, March 8, 2011
Eileen Burgess-Watson
Eileen Burgess-Watson of Missoula, Montana, describes her family history and their familial ties to Thomas Francis Meagher. She speaks of visiting Ireland and staying in the haunted Thomas Francis Meagher House, with the experience of Ireland giving her a sense of feeling at home.
The ... Read More
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Elizabeth "Bette" Larsen Interview, May 16, 2011
Elizabeth Ann Larsen
Bette Larsen of Butte, Montana, talks about living in Butte for all but a small portion of her life. She discusses her family history, with her parents as first-generation Americans, and the traditions, stories, customs and culture that she experienced as a result of growing ... Read More
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Elizabeth McNamer Interview, April 5, 2011
Elizabeth McNamer
Elizabeth McNamer of Billings, Montana, remembers her early childhood in Ireland and being sent to boarding school in England, as well as her father's role in the British Army, with his being stationed in India. She speaks of historical events to which she bore witness, ... Read More
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Father Denis Keane Interview, April 7, 2011
Denis J. Keane
Father Denis Keane of Red Lodge, Montana, discusses why he came to the United States and the connection between the Irish seminary and Montana. He discusses his experiences growing up in Ireland and his experiences being a priest throughout the state.
The interviewee's full birth ... Read More
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Father Gregory Burke Interview, January 6, 2011
Gregory Burke
Father Gregory Burke of Butte, Montana, discusses his time growing up in County Cork, and his experience being an immigrant to Montana. He discusses points of historical importance in Irish history and the impact these events had on his own family and community.
The audio ... Read More
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Father Thomas M. O'Donnell Interview, February 23, 2011
Thomas M. O'Donnell
Father Thomas O'Donnell of East Helena, Montana, remembers his family's involvement in Montana historical events and the prejudices experienced as an Irish Catholic in Helena. He speaks of his work as a priest and the path he took to arrive at being a member of ... Read More
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Frances Keith Interview, April 14, 2011
Frances Veronica Keith
Frances Keith of Great Falls, Montana, discusses her history of teaching and working for the Farmer's Union. She speaks of her father coming to the United States as a refugee, as he was named as a favor for the British, and his reluctance to speak ... Read More
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Gabriel Lynn Interview, March 8, 2011
Gabriel Evans Lynn
Gabriel Lynn of Missoula, Montana, relates his genealogical research, following his family back to the Baron of Carbury and the Norman invasion of Ireland. He relates his experiences growing up Irish in Missoula, his experiences with religion, and the Spirit of Peace alternative Catholic community.
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Galen Calvert Interview, November 17, 2010
Galen Calvert
Galen Calvert of Missoula, Montana, discusses his family genealogy, the process by which they established themselves in the States, and their work in the oil industry. He details his own work experiences with alternative energies and his work with technologies bent on improving existing technology.
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Geoff Fitzgerald and Kristi FitzGerald Interview, March 26, 2011
Geoff W. FitzGerald and Kristi Fitzgerald
Geoff and Kristi Fitzgerald of Hamilton, Montana, discuss their respective places of growing up and their careers. They speak of the importance of their Irish heritage and their positions within their combined families.
The interviewee's full birth date has been restricted in this interview.
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Gertrude "Gert" Flynn Interview, April 1, 2011
Gertrude Flynn
Gert Flynn of Anaconda discusses her family history and how they came to be in the Butte-Anaconda area of Montana. She speaks of the role of the Acient Order of Hibernians [AOH] during the Depression, her family involvement in the organization, and her continuing on ... Read More
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Helen Jo Shipman Interview, October 30, 2012
Helen Jo Shipman
Jo Shipman of Lewistown, Montana, discusses the genealogy of her family and the difficulties in tracing her mother's side of the family through time. She speaks of her own family's experiences and customs, as well as her early work as a teacher, before moving on ... Read More
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Henry "Hank" Burgess Interview, November 10, 2010
Henry E. Burgess
Hank Burgess of Helena discusses his familial and personal history, from his childhood to his adult life. He also speaks of the Ancient Order of Hibernians [AOH], and his relationships and activities within that organization.
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Irene Mavis Interview, January 12, 2011
Irene Mavis
Irene Mavis of Butte, Montana, recalls how her father emigrated from Ireland, eventually coming to Butte in the early 1900s to work in the mines. She speaks about growing up around Butte, and the family and cultural connections she has in the area.
The interviewee's ... Read More
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Jack Gilluly Interview, March 19, 2011
Jack Gilluly
Jack Gilluly of Anaconda, Montana, discusses his family history of working in the newspaper industry, as well as being a part of the Planning Committee for the Fort Peck Dam. He discusses his own experiences working in print, his memories of the Anaconda community, and ... Read More
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James "Jim" Foley Interview, October 26, 2011
James P. Foley
Jim Foley of Missoula speaks to his experiences in politics, working for Pat Williams, and the importance of making an impact with his work. He speaks about his youth, growing up, and family traditions, as well as about the connection between Butte and Anaconda, Montana.
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James "Jim" Gillespie Interview, September 19, 2010
James Edward Gillespie
Jim Gillespie of Great Falls, Montana, states the difficulties of tracking down family members through history, as evidenced by his own search for his father's history, before arriving in Montana. He describes his father's work on the railroad in Milwaukee, his mother's Irish heritage, and ... Read More
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James Killoy Interview, May 4, 2011
James Killoy
James Killoy, of Anaconda, Montana, remembers his growing up in Butte, Montana, and his time spent in the U.S. Navy, deployed to a nuclear submarine. He discusses his involvement with the Acienct Order of Hibernians [AOH], and the family's involvement with other community organizations
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James Nugent, III Interview, April 4, 2011
James Patrick Nugent III
James Nugent of Seattle, Washington, describes his ancestry and the importance it holds in his life, as well as its importance in American culture, with the country being so young. He remembers his youth in Missoula, Montana, and events he witnessed. He speaks of the ... Read More
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John "Bobo" Kelly Interview, July 14, 2011
John E. Kelly
Bobo Kelly of Anaconda, Montana, discusses his experiences in the military, leading him to visit Ireland in 1976. He speaks of the community of Anaconda, his experiences of the town growing up, and traditions and customs of the town.
The interviewee's full birth date has ... Read More
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John Conlan Interview, March 26, 2011
John Clyde Conlan
John Conlan of Stevensville, Montana, describes how he came to Montana as a function of his teaching career and the misconceptions of the role of the teacher. He speaks of family memories and the importance of the Irish interconnectedness with significant world events.
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John "Jack" Kelly Interview, March 9, 2011
John M. Kelly
Jack Kelly of Anaconda, Montana, recalls his family history and their traditional lines of work, being in law enforcement and working at the Anaconda smelter. He speaks to his military service and the family tradition of being a soldier, as well as his extensive involvement ... Read More
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John Whalen Interview, April 4, 2011
John Paul Whalen
John Whalen of Bridger, Montana, recalls his family history and their trials during the Civil War, as well as how the family moved west, and the perils they faced. He speaks to how he arrived in Montana and his experiences with the Army, as well ... Read More
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Julie A. Crowley Interview, March 26, 2011
Julie A. Crowley
Julie Crowley of Butte, Montana, speaks of the history of Butte, focusing on the impact of the mines and the family history in Ireland. She speaks of her being a product of a desire of freedom and the phenomenon of Butte pride, as it is ... Read More
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Katherine "Kay" Eccleston Interview, March 4, 2011
Katherine Eccleston
Kay Eccleston of Anaconda, Montana, discusses her family's arrival in Anaconda from Ireland and the customs, practices and traditions she experienced. She discusses the various communities of Anaconda and the character of the Irish people.
The interviewee's full birth date has been restricted in this ... Read More
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Kathleen "Cait" Francisco Interview, March 9, 2011
Kathleen Francisco
Cait Francisco of Opportunity, Montana, discusses her family history and naming traditions, with great importance placed on the children's names. She recalls her experiences growing up in Anaconda and her experiences being a member of the Lady's Ancient Order of Hibernians.
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Kathleen "Kay" Schweitzer Interview, January 23, 2011
Kathleen Schweitzer
Kay Schweitzer of Helena, Montana, discusses her family ranching history. She details the experiences of the family ranch, importing the Simmental breed from Ireland, and being the first people in the United States to establish a herd.
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Kevin Lowney Interview, December 22, 2010
Kevin L. Lowney
Kevin Lowney of Butte, Montana, discusses his well-documented family history and the story of their experiences. He also speaks to his own life and experiences growing up in Butte, as well as activities in which he participates and enjoys.
The interviewee's full birth date has ... Read More
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Kevin Shannon Interview, October 29, 2010
Kevin Shannon
Kevin Shannon describes his family’s Irish heritage and talks about his involvement in programs for people with mental disabilities including his efforts. He recalls traveling to Ireland when he was stationed in Europe during World War Two. Shannon recounts the injuries he sustained during his ... Read More
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Lawrence "Lorry" Thomas Interview, December 2, 2010
Lawrence F. Thomas
Lorry Thomas of Anaconda, Montana, discusses his lifelong involvement with the community of Anaconda and community traditions, attitudes and customs. He discusses the Irish legends of the family and his experiences growing up in Anaconda.
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Margaret Colleen Holzheimer Interview, October 26, 2011
Margaret Colleen Holzheimer
Colleen Holzheimer of Great Falls, Montana, discusses her family history and their experiences after they emigrated from Ireland to Butte, Montana. She speaks to her father's service in the Marines during WWII, as well as how twins run in the family, with her having 142 ... Read More
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Margaret "Peggy" Harris Interview, August 30, 2010
Margaret Louise Harris
Peggy Harris of Missoula, Montana, remembers her family, detailing the process of immigration from County Wexford, and how she discovered this information. She traces her family back to the colonial Huguenots. She speaks about her experiences growing up and attending different schools as her father ... Read More
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Margaret Rice Interview, December 6, 2010
Margaret R. Rice
Margaret Rice of Missoula, Montana, discusses her family traditions, customs and history, with attention paid to heirlooms of the family and to her writing a family history. She speaks of those left behind when the rest of the family emigrated from Ireland and of visits ... Read More