Chapter 2: Learning Dance with Jeremiah Molyneaux

Chapter Summary:
00:00 / Part 1 - Mossie’s Memories of Jeremiah Molyneaux Mossie remembers Jeremiah Molyneaux, or ‘Munnix’ as he was known locally, as having been a small, fit, hardy man. He walked everywhere and never rode a bike. Mossie was very impressed by Molyneaux’s dancing and he longed to learn some of his steps. 

01:42 / Part 2 - Early Dance Classes with Jeremiah Molyneaux At the age of seven or eight Mossie began dancing classes with Jeremiah Molyneaux. He attended dance classes after school on Friday evenings in a house situated close to Lisselton cross, near Listowel. Mossie was one of the very few boys who attended. The first step he learnt was a Single Jig. 

04:01 / Part 3 - Molyneaux’s Approach to Teaching Dance Mossie recalls that Jeremiah Molyneaux took a serious approach to teaching dance. His whistling and lilting were the only forms of music provided in his dance classes. 

05:29 / Part 4 - Mossie’s Ability to Learn Dancing Mossie was quick to learn the dance steps taught in class by Jeremiah Molyneaux. As a result he was given the responsibility of teaching them to some of his class mates. The same steps were taught to both girls and boys. However, Mossie does make the point that he was the only boy in the class. 

06:42 / Part 5 - Dance Classes and Benefit Nights Jeremiah Molyneaux’s dance classes were held once a week over a six weeks’ period and Mossie attended two of these dance cycles. At the end of each six weeks’ period a concert, or ‘benefit night,’ took place. These were popular events attended by musicians at which Molyneaux himself often danced. However, he always insisted on hearing the music first because, as Mossie explains, even one wrong note can lead a dancer astray. 

08:34 / Part 6 - Dancing Classes Then and Now Jeremiah Molyneaux’s pupils were expected to learn a good many steps over a six weeks’ period. Mossie compares that to nowadays when, in his opinion, classes are drawn out too much. His older sisters also attended Molyneaux’s dance classes. Therefore, Mossie had an advantage in that he could practice with them and learn from them.

Chapter 3:  Mossie's School Days and Social Life

Chapter Summary:
00:00 / Part 1 - Mossie’s School Days and Later Career Mossie undertook the Primary School Certificate when he was 13 or 14 years of age. He then spent a couple of years as a pupil at Listowel Technical School before starting work on the family farm. Mossie is very grateful for the wonderful family life that he was fortunate enough to enjoy. 

01:56 / Part 2 - The Wren Boys and St Stephen’s Day Mossie often went out with the Wren Boys on St Stephen’s Day. As a small group of four or five individuals they visited every house within their local area. Mossie step danced in every house, while others played the accordion or 'bodhrán.' In return for this entertainment they received a small donation of money. 

04:03 / Part 3 - Mossie’s Ballroom Dancing Days As a young adult Mossie attended ballroom dances in various local dance halls, such as those at Lisselton, Asdee, Ballylongford , Ballybunion and Listowel. Sometimes he was lucky enough to get a drive to and from a dance. However, on other occasions he had to make his own way home, which he often did by running.