Host, Joe McCabe, (pictured here in 2014 participating in the commemoration parachute drops for the 70th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy) ) is based very close to the Irish border in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. He has had a passion for World War Two history from an early age. He has accumulated a considerable collection of Second World War militaria and artefacts as well as stories gleaned from veterans of that conflict on all sides. He has also visited a large number of World War Two battlefields and military cemeteries throughout the world.
Joe worked as a journalist for national and local newspapers on both sides of the Irish border for over thirty years. He has researched the history of World War II extensively and is the author of 'Rebels to Reels' – A biography of Combat Cameraman Daniel A. McGovern USAF.' which has been featured extensively in TV and Radio programmes, newspaper articles and internet history channels and podcasts around the globe. The book continues to attract rave reviews worldwide. See HERE. McGovern, the son of a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary, filmed the historical footage of the aftermath of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that we have today. 6'5" tall 'Big Mack' McGovern was born in County Monaghan in 1909.
A former Irish Army reservist, Joe McCabe holds a Dutch Army military parachuting qualification and is an active member of both the UK based ‘Pathfinder UK' and the U.S. based ‘Round Canopy Parachute Team’ which organises commemorative remembrance parachute drops onto historical battle drop zones mainly in France and Holland. This is always in World War II uniforms and equipment and usually in conjunction with serving paratroopers of the airborne forces of many countries from around the world.
Joe is also a collector of WWII military vehicles and has participated in the making of several episodes of ITV’s 'Foyle’s War' supplying vehicles and assisting with historical military advice to those productions.
World War 2 and Ireland History Talks and Interactive Exhibitions also focuses on many of the soldiers and ordinary individuals from Ireland north and south who either fought in that confict or who were involved in it in other ways. These fascinating talks and displays recount first-hand stories and experiences from WWII that will amaze teachers/lecturers, students and enthusiasts alike utilizing a unique collection of original Second World War equipment, artefacts and militaria.
Due to your host's experience as a military commemorative parachutist over many years, his presentations also give a fascinating personal insight into the preparation and planning involved for actual military parachute jumps staged today as part of the annual commemorative liberation festivities in Normandy, The Netherlands and other countries. This is to honour and remember the sacrifices and heroism of those who jumped onto those battlefields during the Second World War many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. So many of those, like so many others who fought in WWII, were born on the island of Ireland.
