Joe discusses his early years, from growing up on Westport Rd, Castlebar; his teachers in St Patrick’s National School and St Gerald’s College and their influence on him; his time in university and early working life to meeting and marrying his wife Màire.
With stories including his Waffen SS French teacher and “Pierrot the Quiet” the French onion seller with a Mayo accent, Joe reflects on his formative years with honesty and humour.
Joe was 92 at the time of the recording (June 2023) and passed away after a short illness at the age of 94 on February 6th 2025.
The interview was conducted by his grandson Naoise McGarry and filmed by his son Brendan Gilmartin.
Music by Georges Brassens.
