He describes Michael’s career in the British Army and his service in India. Seán’s grandmother was Mary ‘Mamie’ Mallin, Michael’s eldest sister. Michael Mallin was Seán Tapley granduncle. He joined Fianna Éireann but Rita does not have much information about his early life as he died when she was a young girl. At this stage Rita’s father, James Jnr., was 12 years of age. He mentions his eldest son Luke, a fellow prisoner, and asks about Gilbert Lynch. Rita reads some letters written in 1920 by James O’Hanlon to his wife Rose from Arbour Hill Detention Barracks during the War of Independence. Seán reflects on what these people felt about their positions and says that they were unconcerned about having a prison record. A story is told by Rita about her aunt Eileen moving ammunition in a baby’s pram. She also discusses her aunts’ medals and memorabilia. Rita mentions Margaret ‘Loo’ Kennedy, a member of Cumann na mBan and a family friend who later became a Senator. The O’Hanlon family did not support the Treaty and were followers of Éamon de Valera. She also details the members of the family and Seán comments on their strong-willed nature. Rita tells an anecdote about her aunt Eileen which relates to a visit she made to her father James O’Hanlon in Arbour Hill prison. Another sister, Kathleen, became a nun in South Africa and Rita recalls a letter she wrote home in which she referred to her jailbird sisters. Both Sheila and Molly served from 1916 through to the Civil War, and Seán describes their involvement and Sheila’s later life in Galway. Rita remembers her aunt Sheila O’Hanlon quite well, and describes her memories of her. Seán Tapley talks about Sheila O’Hanlon’s husband, Gilbert Lynch, from Manchester who was involved in the ITGWU and fought with Ned Daly at the Four Courts in 1916. Their father, James O’Hanlon, worked at Dolphins’s Barn Brickworks. Their home was used to store munitions, stretchers and medical supplies.

They lived in Dolphins Barn and were part of the garrison at Marrowbone Lane. Rita Tapley’s aunts, Sheila and Molly O’Hanlon, were members of Cumann na mBan.

Michael taply