Stories of Bord na Mona

In this podcast, we hear from Eugene Hewson, a retired worker from Bord na Mona who spent 41 years working for the company.  Eugene shares his experiences of starting with Bord na Móna in 1977, working in Derrinlough Engineering Works for two years, before transferring to Derrygreenagh where he spent the rest of his career.Eugene talks about the many locations he worked throughout his career, including Croghan, Ballycon, Edenderry, and Mount Lucas. He shares his memories of the different characters and personalities he worked with over the years and speaks fondly of the sneering and banter among colleagues.Through his stories, we get a glimpse into the working culture and traditions of Bord na Mona, a company that played a significant role in the Irish economy for many years. We hear about the challenges and rewards of working in the peat industry and the camaraderie and friendship that developed among workers.This podcast offers an insight into the world of Bord na Móna through the eyes of one of its long-serving employees. Eugene's stories provide a valuable record of the company's history and the people who worked there, many of whom have since passed.This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Seamus Barron, who began his career with Bord na Móna in Boora on June 23rd, 1969 in Boora.  Seamus shares his insights into the machinery and craftsmanship used in his line of work, as well as the shared knowledge and expertise among the fitters employed by Bord na Mona. Seamus takes us through his journey of working with the company, living in the Bord na Mona housing in Kilcormac, Co. Offaly and the social life.  He shares stories about the characters he worked with, the craic and fun they had, and their take on Eurovision, which they called 'BooraVision'.  Seamus shares stories about the various characters he worked with, their unique personalities, and their contributions to the community and how they progressed in their career, as a result of the training they received in Bord na Móna. He speaks fondly of the formation of the lakes and sculpture park, around what is now known as Lough Boora Discovery Park. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of Bord na Móna and the towns and communities built up around the organisation. Take a trip down memory lane with Seamus Barron former employee. This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

In this podcast, we hear from Martin O'Rourke, who shares his experiences of working in the Bord na Mona Briquette Factory, where he started his career in 1972/73. Martin accounts the strong sense of camaraderie that existed among his colleagues during his time at the factory. He reminisces about the friendships he formed and the fun and antics they used to get up to. Martin speaks fondly of his time with Bord na Mona, and is appreciative of the good wages and the importance of being able to retire in good health.Listeners to this podcast will gain an appreciation of the culture that existed in Bord na Móna Briquette throughout the years. This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

Welcome to our podcast where we hear from Pat McEvoy, a retired employee from Bord na Móna. Pat originally hails from Cavan, where there is little bog, but he started his career with  Bord na Móna in 1969 and retired in 2017. In this podcast, Pat talks about his time with the company and the value it brought to him and the community.Pat speaks highly of his time with  Bord na Móna, and considers it to have been a valuable employment opportunity. He mentions the dedication and commitment of the workforce, who would work hard in all weather conditions. This is where Pat gained an interest in employee conditions and the terms and conditions of employment. Pat was elected to the Board of the company as a Worker Director by employees, and he says that he was educated in the University of Life with  Bord na Móna. Pat describes Bord na Mona was an iconic company that educated families, kept families together and stopped mass emigration. Employees could remain in Ireland and raise their families, as  Bord na Móna built up communities. Pat has a lot of insight to share about the culture and ethos of  Bord na Móna, and the positive impact it had on the lives of employees and the wider community. Join us as we listen to Pat's experience and as he reminisces about the in-house magazine Scéal na Móna.  This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

In this podcast episode, we will be joined by Sean Craven, who will share his experiences about his long career at Bord na Mona.Sean began his journey with the company on 13th March 1975 and stayed with them until May 2018. Throughout his time with the company, he experienced the various opportunities that were available to him and the camaraderie and social aspects of working at Bord na Mona.During this episode, Sean discusses the various roles he held within the company, the opportunities for growth and advancement, and the importance of developing strong relationships with colleagues. Sean talks about the social side of working at Bord na Mona, including the sense of community and the craic (fun) that he and his colleagues enjoyed. Join us for this fascinating discussion with Sean Craven on his long and fruitful career at Bord na Mona.This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

Welcome to this episode of our podcast. In today's episode, we will be exploring the story of Sean Ganly, who started working at Bord na Mona Mountdillon, Lanesborough during the summer of 1978.Sean had originally planned on going to college, but after spending his summer working in Bord na Mona, he subsequently accepted a post as a trainee land surveyor in Shannonbridge and later moved on to Boora. He quickly developed a love for the job and the unique environment of the bogs.Sean speaks fondly of Gerry, whom he met on his first day of work. Gerry was an expert in the bog, its flora and fauna, and Sean learned a lot from him during his time there. Throughout the episode, Sean shares his experiences and memories of working on the bogs. He also reflects on the changes that have occurred in the industry over the years and the challenges that lie ahead.He sums it up as he describes it as a "fantastic place to be and fantastic people to meet".Join us as we delve into the world of Bord na Móna and the people who worked on the Irish bogs.This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

In this podcast, we sit down with Pat Brady, a retired employee of Bord na Mona, as he shares his memories of growing up in a Bord na Mona house, 'the buildings'  in Rochfortbridge.  Pat's family had a long history with the company, with his father working there and eventually Pat joining the company as apprentice at the age of 16 along with his three brothers. Pat reminisces about the close-knit community that formed around the Bord na Mona houses, with families helping each other out and creating a strong sense of camaraderie. Throughout the podcast, Pat's love for the company shines through, as he speaks with pride about the work that he and his colleagues did, the sharing of knowledge and the teamwork. Since leaving Bord na Móna, Pat shares how he was able to take advantage of opportunities provided by the LOETB, (Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board) to further his education and develop new skills.  If you're interested in hearing about life in a Bord na Mona house and the important role that Bord na Mona played in shaping Ireland's history, then this podcast is for you.  Join us as we sit down with Pat Brady and explore the rich history of this iconic Irish company. This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service

In this episode we hear from Pat Dooley, as  shares his experiences and insights about working the bogs over the years.  He shares some fascinating stories, such as the discovery of bog butter preserved in the bog, the introduction of new machinery and one of the hazards of working on the bog – the risk of machinery sinking. We hear how machinery can sink up to 15 feet overnight,  making it difficult for workers to retrieve them. Pat says working on the bog at night time can be a daunting task, when you're working in the dark. He laughs as he tells of the ghost stories told during tea break about the strange occurrences that happen in the bog at night.  The glowing lights seen hovering above the bog that have been the subject of many superstitions and ghost stories over the years. The phenomenon is the appearance of will-o'-the-wisps and jack-o-lanterns, that many believed  were the work of mischievous spirits, leading unsuspecting workers off the safety of the paths and into the treacherous bog waters. However Pat explains, these lights were simply caused by the combustion of gases escaping from the bog, reacting with oxygen in the air.Join Pat for an informative and entertaining journey into the world of working on the Bord na Móna bogs. This podcast is brought to you by LOETB Community Education Service