Geraldine talks about the life of her sister, Teresa (Tish) Holland who at 17 years old was the second woman to be interned.
She reflects on the legacy Teresa left behind after her early death, how she made a difference in building capacity and empowering the community.
Audio Transcript
00:00:00.0 00:05:19.7 Family background. Early childhood in family of eight in Divis area Falls Road.
00:05:19.7 00:08:28.0 Recalling Divis Street riots 1964. Redevelopment of Divis area, moving to Andersonstown. 1969 burnt out families arriving in area for shelter.
00:08:28.0 00:12:01.8 Seeing the beginning of the conflict unfold. Reaction to internment on August 09th 1971 created a cohesive community in the area.
00:12:01.8 00:15:12.7 Emergence of IRA after internment and Bloody Sunday. Remembering Teresa as a typical teenager becoming a committed republican activist.
00:15:12.7 00:18:26.5 Brother interned. Teresa going ‘on the run’. Community organised within ‘no go’ area. Awareness of the politics of the day.
00:18:26.5 00:22:30.8 British army occupying the area. February 1973 Teresa interned, 17 years old. Their mother distraught, there was nothing they could do.
00:22:30.8 00:27:24.2 Teresa and comrades attempt escape from Armagh Gaol. Badly treated after being caught.
00:27:24.2 00:29:15.5 Internees had political status. Organised their own activities. Family visits.
00:29:15.5 00:34:20.0 Recalling death of their father and the financial burden on her mother. The later impact of the ‘Rent and Rates’ strike on the family finances.
00:34:20.0 00:36:20.6 Their mother grieving for Teresa being interned. Meeting the other internees and forming friendships on visits.
00:36:20.6 00:40:19.7 Recalling stories and events from the internees and their families.
00:40:19.7 00:43:47.7 More women interned throughout the year. Geraldine arrested when 16 years old, released after a number of days but three others interned.
00:43:47.7 00:51:15.0 Their mother became more and more resilient. Their youngest brother seriously injured by rubber bullet. Injuries and deaths in the area.
00:51:15.0 00:52:38.7 Many people on medication for stress. Years later before the impact of what was happening was recognised.
00:52:38.7 00:54:19.6 Liz McKee, first woman interned, when released helped sort out the family financial situation.
00:54:19.6 00:58:57.2 Recalling the day Teresa came home. Among the last group of interned women to get released.
00:58:57.2 01:01:10.7 Release of internees over the years, surprise homecomings.
01:01:10.7 01:05:16.1 Reminiscing on Teresa’s life.
01:05:16.1 01:09:21.9 Role as Sinn Féin councillor in the 1980s. Facing dangers and harassment at council meetings.
01:09:21.9 01:16:56.0 Establishing community centre. Building capacity. Leaving a fantastic legacy after her death.
01:16:56.0 01:18:26.0 Choices facing young people during the conflict.
01:18:26.0 01:23:15.2 Teresa a committed socialist. Worked to empower people and communities.
01:23:15.2 01:28:55.2 Recalling British army raids on home. different political views within the family. Father in RAF in World War 2. Uncle interned.
01:28:55.2 01:32:26.4 Life long friendships since internment. Legacy of strong women.
01:32:26.4 01:35:47.3 Attempts to assassinate Teresa. moved to the Netherlands for a time, happy memories. Still missed every day.
