Series 7 - O'Mally family memoirs

24pp

The text compiles questionnaires compiled by the Irish Folklore Commission for Dr. Arnold Schrier, later collaborator of Kerby A. Miller. The original questionnaires are now in the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin [MS 141].

Transcript of of questionnaires compiled by Michael Mac Enrí of the Irish Folklore Commission in 1954 for Dr. Arnold Schrier pertaining to the O'Mally family of Doolough, County Mayo. 12 family members and/or neighbours are profiled. Many of the O'Mallys emigrated to the North America in the mid-to-late 19th century. The informant, Kitty O'Toole (née O'Mally; born in 1855 and 99 years old at the time she provided the information), was one of the few members of the family who refused to emigrate and remained in Mayo.
Per Professor Kerby A. Miller: 'Mrs. O'Mally says that families who returned from America were not as well dressed as the people at home, and that those who did return had no praise for America. In fact, she said that families in America who desired to return to Ireland, had collections made for them by Irish exiles, to enable them to pay their way home, and it was only in that way they were enabled to return to Ireland. Very little money came from America, and when any did come, the recipients kept it a secret, fearing the landlord would hear of it and come and demand some of it, or raise the rent. When a letter from America was received, word was usually sent to the near relatives and the following Sunday after dinner they visited the home the letter was received in to hear it read, and to get the news from America. It was also an occasion for rejoicing for the relatives. If there was mention of any one in America in the letter, the relatives of that person were informed, and they came also to the house to hear directly the message from America.'