ARTHUR SPEARS, BORN 1924, LIFFORD

Arthur Spears was recorded at his home in Lifford, where he explained that he is a native of Waterford, having grown up in Dungarvan. He spoke about his Spears family background, his education in U.C.C. from where he qualified as a Civil Engineer. He discusses the places he worked, including Dingle, Dun Laoghaire and Drogheda, before his arrival in Lifford to work with Donegal County Council in 1962. He describes the infrastructure, house building and water schemes in Donegal and the challenges he faced. He joined the Donegal Historical Society, and he discusses his involvement and his observations on the Donegal people. Arthur Spears has, for many years, been involved in researching and archiving information relating to local history. In the basement of his home may be seen part of the walls of the old castle, and here is housed an extensive library of rare books, which is discussed in the recording.