Dick Spring, b. 1950

Track 1: Background in a political family in Tralee, Co. Kerry, early education and experiences in boarding schooTrack 2: Entering Trinity College Dublin in 1968, on a Reid Scholarship, to study Economics and Politics, having secured permission from his Bishop. Impressions of his student colleagues and his swift election to the Student Representative Council. Changed his course of study to Law and joined the Trinity Law Society. His rugby interests and his role as Club Secretary and Captain of the Rugby Club. Track 3: Lecturers included Mary Robinson, among others. Recalls how, in later time, he was instrumental in the selection of Mary Robinson as Labour’s Presidential candidate, who was subsequently elected President of Ireland. Graduating from Trinity, with examinations still pending at King’s Inns; emigrating to the USA. Track 4: His return to Ireland, his marriage, his work as a barrister. Playing rugby at Lansdowne Road and being chosen to play on the Irish team. Success as the Labour candidate in the Tralee Urban and County Council elections. Subsequently elected as Labour TD for the North Kerry constituency. The circumstances which led to his leadership of the Labour party. Track 5: In 1997, his reasons for relinquishing leadership of the Labour Party. The subsequent loss of his seat in the North Kerry constituency. His retirement from active politics, his current work and interests.