Declan talks about his mother’s family history being steeped in Irish republicanism.
His uncle Joe McElhaw spent time working in England and the USA, where he joined the Marines before returning home in the 1960s to run the family pub on Camlough.
Joe was interned in 1973 others had already been interned and resistance to that policy and other incidents involving the British army influenced the development of politics of the area.
Joe was one of the older internees and throughout the years after his release he gained great respect for his ability to organise and have a positive influence on the politics of the day.
Audio Transcript
00:00:00.0 00:02:29.5 Declan talks about his uncle, Joe McElahaw, his mother’s brother. Family steeped in republicanism. Joe worked in England and the USA where he joined the Marines.
00:02:29.5 00:03:37.4 History of Camlough, attacked by Black and Tans in 1920. 1960s Joe returned home to run the family pub.
00:03:37.4 00:06:50.5 Politics of 1960s to the fore. Return of British army, memories of the 1920s. Resistance organised in the area.
00:06:50.5 00:08:59.8 1973 Joe was interned. Others in the area already had been interned. Anti internment campaign. Violent response by British army.
00:08:59.8 00:14:06.4 Showing support for internees. Various incidents influencing politics of the people. Impact on children.
00:14:06.4 00:16:27.8 At over 40 years old he was one of the older internees. After release very much depended on as an organiser within the area.
00:16:27.8 00:19:01.8 Very much a father figure throughout the years. Died aged 86 and his influence was a big loss.
00:19:01.8 00:21:34.6 Very generous to those in need. Gained massive respect, a respect that reflected back onto republicanism in the area.
Pictured above is the family home burnt by the Black and Tans in 1921, and Declan’s mother, Maeve and Uncle Joe with their father, Jack.