'Chonghaile' was translated for ancestors passports into Connolly, Conneely and Connelly.    View slides above of the 50 minute film of our Connemara Family which includes The Great Famine, the Diaspora, the oldest film made by British Pathe of the Aran Islands.  The first Olympic Gold medal winner in 1896. The Campaign Manager who helped two Presidents into the White House; and finishes with that GAA Hurling Final Speech!!! 

Immerse yourself in the amazing history and rugged beauty - To view click below VIMEO link

Films edited by John & daughter Jenny Conneely - Warner Discovery Producer/Director

 1.  'Chonghailes ar Letir Moir' -      CLICK >>     https://player.vimeo.com/video/1119032106  

'Aran Islands' -  film made by British Pathe in 1924 ....  is included in the above

Constructive Feedback  -  with replies by John Conneely  - October 2025

On these projects I encourage constructive feedback so that required changes can be made. Also, in the future I wish to encourage the next generation to update the content. After sending the film to family and friends, these are initial comments.

a)” You should show more about The Great Famine!”   -                                                                                      

Known as an Gor, the Great Famine, which caused huge suffering and the Diaspora of millions could be a huge section of the film.  We prefer to show dramatic images so that those interested can consult libraries and films of this sad period in Irish history known as an Drochshaol, which literally translates to "the bad life".

b) “On some slides there is too much detail to read” -                                                                                                                                         

I agree with this comment, however because it is a ‘Family Film’ if something is important to YOU, we kindly suggest that you ‘Rewind or Pause’ and study the details.  

c) Subtitles

“Why haven’t you used them for Joe Connolly’s speech at the 1980 All-Ireland Hurling Final?”  

Having watched this passionate speech numerous times with various nationalities, they have all found it uplifting!  The intro panel explains that it is Galway’s first win since 1924 ..so I feel it is ‘translated’ in the finale… “Galway We Love You!”       

d) “When did you decide to write the book, then make the film?”                                                                                                               

Book was conceived in 1987 when Paul Connolly my cousin from Boston visited me when I was living in the Middle East.  This was launched in Mhichael Mhoir Sports Centre in 2018

Making the film – in 2022 my daughter Jenny was working for Warner Discovery based in Amsterdam as a Producer/Director she said, “Go on Go on!…Dad you can do it”

e) "Victor Ludorum Brand - how was this created?"                                                                                                                                          

Phil Knight when creating his sports shoe company, used the ancient Greek goddess of victory that embodying the spirit of triumph that he wanted his Brand to represent.  The name Nike was chosen by his first employee Jeff Johnson.  

Few people have a Vision and if fortunate to have one; Few seek to realise the Vision. Phil Knight and Jeff Johnson realised their Vision.  John Conneely due to his tangible Family History and Sporting heritage, had a VISION which is explained on this website.   

f) Music Soundtrack                                                                                                                                                                                           

Often films are uploaded to YouTube, however with their AI scrutiny it is extremely difficult to secure Copyright approval for segments of music used. Which I agree with because it safeguards artists income.  We have use VIMEO to embed the film in this website and providing it is for non-profit viewers especially cousins can access it worldwide.

*Examples - Having contacted directly in New York the daughters of two famous Irish musicians.

1) I wanted to play over the Credits my mother’s favourite version of the Galway Shawl.                                                                      “Dear John,

My name is Roisin Ferry-O’Brien, daughter of Dermot OBrien. On behalf of my family, I wanted to state that we do allow permission for the use of our father’s recording of the Galway Shaw to be used in your family documentary. 

Sincerely,     Róisín Ferry- O’Brien”

2) The Chieftains brought traditional Irish sounds to a global audience.   Paddy Moloney was co-founder, I wrote to his daughter Aedin who is the founder of New York’s Fallen Angel Theatre Company.    Here’s her edited reply in March 2022…

“Dear John,

….I hope you are well and your video was fun to make.

Unfortunately, I am legally unable to grant you permission to use The Chieftains or Daddy's music. I wish I could. But I cannot. Even I am not allowed to use recordings that are published by Sony. All of that music is officially under copyright to my publisher

Wishing you all the very best with your project. 

With Kindest regards    Aedin”

Presently because we are not ‘Commercialising our Film’ I have retained The Chieftains, who open the film and used it over the 1924 Aran Islands film.  With a future edit we may use alternative music.

g) APPROVALS                                                                                                                                                                                                           

As shown above with music - also when I was working for multi-nationals in three continents where I had to register many Intellectual Properties it is crucial to seek Approvals in writing prior to circulating to a wider audience.

*  VICTOR LUDORUM…because we required a resilient framework to overcome challenges and maximise cooperation we requested International Olympic Committee approval prior to launching Victor Ludorum - see letters from the IOC

*  UNICEF and UN approvals to use their posters shown below in the in the Climate Action book

* ‘MI6 Communications film’.  The author gave approval for his 'WW2 TOP SECRET’ archive to be used - see below.

h) Best Feedback –

In these days of "armchair warriors" on Social Media it is fair to expect a little harassment or criticism.   It all pales when you believe in the cause and receive replies like this from cousin Bob O’Malley in Boston.  Bob as a young fella had, ‘a guided tour from Mhichael Mhoir of Connemara in 1981’.  “The film is great to show my grandchildren what their ancestors had to overcome, and the raw beauty of Connemara will encourage them to visit the Homeland”.

*Were known we gratefully acknowledge help provided in the Credits.  Should we have omitted anyone we are happy to include additional thanks with future revisions.

Temporary Home for these films       

2) 'Otis and the Tigers Den'  - to view YouTube or...   www.otisandthetigersden.com

3) Whaddon's Secret Wireless War

The role of Whaddon which was the headquarters of SIS/MI6 during WW2.   

FILM - 'Whaddon and the surrounding village's role in WW2'

Most of us are familiar with the outstanding work of the CODE BREAKERS of Bletchley Park during WW2.    During the war messages to Commanders in Field, Embassies abroad and Secret Agents were not sent from Bletchley Park.

To avoid detection a 5-mile cable was laid to Whaddon and transmitters erected.   Geoffrey Pidgeon was the youngest serving officer in Whaddon for MI6 Section VIII Communications, and he wrote the Bible;  ‘The Secret Wireless War’. 

After meeting Geoffrey at his request I accompanied him to two meeting in Bletchley Park because he wanted to achieve more recognition for the role of Whaddon.  In addition I wrote a two-page feature shown below for;  

A) MK Pulse 2016 ‘Whaddon Tribute to MI6 Communications’.   Geoffrey “This is the first time it has been in the public domain"

B) Geoffrey Pidgeon letter to Sir Beville Stanier - January 14, 2016

“I am grateful for the obvious support you are giving to John Conneely’s project - to promote the great importance of the work      carried out in Whaddon Village during World War II. This is long overdue.  My battle with the Bletchley Park Trust - asking them to acknowledge the part MI6 (Section VIII) played in the success of Bletchley Park - has been a lonely one until I met John”

C) 'Whaddon's Secret Wireless War'  -  8 minute film made at Geoffrey Pidgeon home in Richmond.

Two International Film Makers Jenny Conneely (Warner Discovery) and Pippa Lambert, Founder Hellcat Corp of California kindly give their time.      Alan Biggins who wrote ‘The Intelligence Zone’ states on his website, “I and anyone interested in this subject, whether they be historians or laymen owe a debt of thanks for the making of this historical film"

You can also view the film on...   www.theintelligencezone.com    (Whaddon Blog No.9)