Preserving the Untold Stories of Strokestown Park

Strokestown Park is delighted to be part of a new oral history initiative, capturing and preserving the stories, memories and lived experiences that have shaped the historic estate.

This oral history initiative is part of Heritage Voices Plus, a project led by the Irish Heritage Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to caring for and sharing the history of the heritage properties in their care. Irish Heritage Trust properties, Johnstown Castle in Wexford and Fota House in Cork are also participating in the project.

The project recently got underway with the help of Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting who are national specialists in the collection of oral history. It is already capturing memories of life in Strokestown Park House and on the estate.

It started with a visit from Tara Brady of MacConmara Consulting who is providing ongoing training to Irish Heritage Trust volunteers in oral history collection. Tara conducted two oral history training interviews. The first was with Mary Sweeney, one of Strokestown Park’s first volunteers. The second interview was with John O’Driscoll, General Manager of Strokestown Park. Both recordings were attended by Irish Heritage Trust volunteers as part of their oral history collection training.

After the training, Irish Heritage Trust volunteer Cáit Browne carried out the first interview and recording with Mr. Anthony Owens. Anthony shared vivid memories of his time at Strokestown Park including stories of Olive Packenham-Mahon and Major Stuart Hale, who were known to him as “Major and Madam”.

This recording is the first of what is hoped will be a growing collection of memories, preserving the voices and stories of those who lived and worked at Strokestown Park. Dr Tara Carroll, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Strokestown Park is working with Irish Heritage Trust volunteers to organise further interviews and to ensure that stories collected become part of Strokestown Park’s story for future generations.

Do you have a memory of Strokestown Park House?

Perhaps you were a former member of staff, a volunteer, a visitor, or a member of the local community. We would love to hear your stories and memories of Strokestown Park House and learn more about its place in the lives of those connected to it.

If you have a story, memory, photographs, or would simply like to find out more, please get in touch with the Irish Heritage Trust at learning@irishheritagetrust.ie.

‘This project has been funded by the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant scheme’.