Date of Birth: 1st February 1932

Place of Birth: Piercestown, Co. Wexford

Date Interviewed: 30th July 2008

Summary: In part one Ned talks about his first 28 years growing up in a small house near Piercestown in Co. Wexford. He describes the self-sufficiency required to survive in those frugal times, the exploits and games he and his friends got up to – and some of the unique characters he encountered. As a young man Ned got plenty of farming experience driving cattle to Wexford on fair days, helping out with the threshing, and growing peas which he sold to Kelly’s Resort Hotel in Rosslare Strand. Hurling was a favourite sport and Ned played with St. Martin’s club in Piercestown. Ned talks about his time working in the soil-testing laboratories at Johnstown Castle and of the obstacles he overcame to pursue a degree at Maynooth University. In part two Ned tells of his time at Maynooth, his return to Johnstown Castle, and of his decision to go for a Masters degree. He was offered a job in the publications section of the Department of Agriculture and this led to the purchase of a house in Dublin in 1977. Wexford links remained strong and he was involved in the production of the journal of the Wexford Historical Society. Ned also came up with the concept that would eventually become the National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig. Ned took early retirement in 1987 for health reasons. He published a book on early Christian Wexford in 1999 and is currently working on a landmark publication on parish boundaries.