The citizen
Spike was incredibly proud of his Irish heritage and attributed
his success to it:
"I started writing the Goon Show and... most certainly
my Irish father’s fantasies had their effect on me."
Spike Milligan
His connection with his ancestral land would grow even
stronger later in his life, while his affection for Ireland
can be traced back to his grandfather William.
The name Milligan comes from O’Mealagain –
a working class Irish family name. Spike never pretended
otherwise.
Of his ancestry, Spike said: "I’m an Irishman,
and by decree we’re a depressive people – we’re
never happy unless we’re gloomy.
"My father had a profound influence on me. He was
a lunatic."
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