Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
This 40 minute chat was recorded with 92 year old Des Lavelle from Valentia Island, Co. Kerry on the 20th of August 2026.
It was recorded at the Cable Station Houses in Knightstown, Valentia where Des was born 92+ years ago. It starts off at The Back Lane where Des recalls how, as a child, robbed his neighbours peas and then recalls the wonderful memories he had of his childhood growing up here. Story after story recalled and all sparking new memories. Great accounts of swimming and building boats, of diving and spear fishing in the harbour and getting his first wetsuit in the late 1950s. There's even an account of making a wetsuit.
The chat moves around in a lovely natural way - no set questions - but just a chat that is full of information and character. Des is very funny and quick and this comes across lovely here. The chat ends at the front of the Cable Station Houses where he names the people who lived there in his youth. A simple but powerful chat and brought to life by Des.
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List of Contents
Chapters
00:00 — Growing Up at the Cable Station
The back lane, the houses, gardens and childhood memories.
01:21 — The Staff Houses & the Cable Station Bosses
Who lived here, staff accommodation and life in No. 15.
02:44 — Starting Work at the Cable Station in 1950
His first days working at the station and his years there.
03:12 — The Gardens & Stealing Peas
The old gardens, gardeners, apple trees and childhood adventures.
06:24 — The People of the Cable Station
The different families, Protestant and Catholic workers, and the English technicians who came to Valentia.
08:27 — Family History & Childhood Freedom
His grandfather, the Renwick family and growing up with almost complete freedom.
10:24 — Boats, Sailing & a Life on the Water
Learning to sail, building boats and eventually spending decades on the sea.
12:06 — Building a Speedboat & Waterskiing
His homemade speedboat, early waterskiing and the arrival of the wetsuit.
13:03 — The First Wetsuit & Early Diving
Tom Shakespeare, Billy Crowley and discovering the world beneath the sea.
14:17 — The Birth of Diving Tourism on Valentia
How visiting divers led to a successful tourism business.
15:23 — Taking Divers Along the Cliffs
Managing diving groups and keeping visitors safe underwater.
17:45 — From Diving to Waterskiing
How new opportunities developed as his business evolved.
19:23 — Why Older Generations Didn't Swim
Growing up beside the sea but being taught to fear the water.
20:36 — The Angelus Bell & a Changing Valentia
The six o'clock bell and the many different communities that came to the island.
21:31 — Electricity at the Cable Station
The station's own power supply, diesel generators and battery system.
24:43 — The Power House & Early Electricity
Where the generators were housed and how the electrical system worked.
26:35 — Why the Cable Station Closed
Ageing cables, fishing damage and the enormous cost of repairs.
28:16 — The New Atlantic Telephone Cables
How newer technology brought the old cable system to an end.
29:02 — What Happened to the Cable Workers?
Colleagues leaving Valentia and finding new work elsewhere.
29:40 — Walking the Old Cable Station Terrace
Identifying the houses and remembering the people who lived in them.
33:02 — A House-by-House History
Tim Ring, Ned Condon, Eti Graves and the other residents.
34:14 — The House Where I Was Born
No. 18, his grandfather's home and the larger boss's house.
36:28 — Tennis, Empty Houses & Childhood Mischief
Playing tennis, sheltering in empty houses and making the most of childhood.
37:25 — “It Was Great. Bloody Marvelous.”
Looking back on life at the Cable Station.
38:15 — Wartime Memories & the Military Barracks
Children roaming the barracks, soldiers, bread and jam, and a very different childhood.
........................................................................
This recording was created as part of a wider Oral History and Research Project conducted by Michael for a project entitled 'Stories around the Cable'. The project was undertaken by Michael with the support of Creative Ireland, the National Monuments Service and Kerry County Council.
The series of video interviews aims to highlight various local stories and preserve the voices and histories of the people who are connected to the island and its past. Thanks to everyone involved in helping share these histories and stories.
This 40 minute chat was recorded with 92 year old Des Lavelle from Valentia Island, Co. Kerry on the 20th of August 2026.
It was recorded at the Cable Station Houses in Knightstown, Valentia where Des was born 92+ years ago. It starts off at The Back Lane where Des recalls how, as a child, robbed his neighbours peas and then recalls the wonderful memories he had of his childhood growing up here. Story after story recalled and all sparking new memories. Great accounts of swimming and building boats, of diving and spear fishing in the harbour and getting his first wetsuit in the late 1950s. There's even an account of making a wetsuit.
The chat moves around in a lovely natural way - no set questions - but just a chat that is full of information and character. Des is very funny and quick and this comes across lovely here. The chat ends at the front of the Cable Station Houses where he names the people who lived there in his youth. A simple but powerful chat and brought to life by Des.
.................................................................................
List of Contents
Chapters
00:00 — Growing Up at the Cable Station
The back lane, the houses, gardens and childhood memories.
01:21 — The Staff Houses & the Cable Station Bosses
Who lived here, staff accommodation and life in No. 15.
02:44 — Starting Work at the Cable Station in 1950
His first days working at the station and his years there.
03:12 — The Gardens & Stealing Peas
The old gardens, gardeners, apple trees and childhood adventures.
06:24 — The People of the Cable Station
The different families, Protestant and Catholic workers, and the English technicians who came to Valentia.
08:27 — Family History & Childhood Freedom
His grandfather, the Renwick family and growing up with almost complete freedom.
10:24 — Boats, Sailing & a Life on the Water
Learning to sail, building boats and eventually spending decades on the sea.
12:06 — Building a Speedboat & Waterskiing
His homemade speedboat, early waterskiing and the arrival of the wetsuit.
13:03 — The First Wetsuit & Early Diving
Tom Shakespeare, Billy Crowley and discovering the world beneath the sea.
14:17 — The Birth of Diving Tourism on Valentia
How visiting divers led to a successful tourism business.
15:23 — Taking Divers Along the Cliffs
Managing diving groups and keeping visitors safe underwater.
17:45 — From Diving to Waterskiing
How new opportunities developed as his business evolved.
19:23 — Why Older Generations Didn't Swim
Growing up beside the sea but being taught to fear the water.
20:36 — The Angelus Bell & a Changing Valentia
The six o'clock bell and the many different communities that came to the island.
21:31 — Electricity at the Cable Station
The station's own power supply, diesel generators and battery system.
24:43 — The Power House & Early Electricity
Where the generators were housed and how the electrical system worked.
26:35 — Why the Cable Station Closed
Ageing cables, fishing damage and the enormous cost of repairs.
28:16 — The New Atlantic Telephone Cables
How newer technology brought the old cable system to an end.
29:02 — What Happened to the Cable Workers?
Colleagues leaving Valentia and finding new work elsewhere.
29:40 — Walking the Old Cable Station Terrace
Identifying the houses and remembering the people who lived in them.
33:02 — A House-by-House History
Tim Ring, Ned Condon, Eti Graves and the other residents.
34:14 — The House Where I Was Born
No. 18, his grandfather's home and the larger boss's house.
36:28 — Tennis, Empty Houses & Childhood Mischief
Playing tennis, sheltering in empty houses and making the most of childhood.
37:25 — “It Was Great. Bloody Marvelous.”
Looking back on life at the Cable Station.
38:15 — Wartime Memories & the Military Barracks
Children roaming the barracks, soldiers, bread and jam, and a very different childhood.
........................................................................
This recording was created as part of a wider Oral History and Research Project conducted by Michael for a project entitled 'Stories around the Cable'. The project was undertaken by Michael with the support of Creative Ireland, the National Monuments Service and Kerry County Council.
The series of video interviews aims to highlight various local stories and preserve the voices and histories of the people who are connected to the island and its past. Thanks to everyone involved in helping share these histories and stories.
