BRIAN McDONALD, BORN 1950, GREENCASTLE

Brian McDonald’s family has worked at boatbuilding in the area around Greencastle for six generations. This recording was compiled at the McDonald Boatyard, where wooden boats were built up until twenty years ago. Brian’s enthusiasm and expertise in the craft of boatbuilding is very evident. Part of the recording was made in the local Inishowen Maritime Museum, a section of which displays an old boat, working tools and sails presented by the McDonald family. Brian discusses his family in earlier generations and he recalls his own apprenticeship which began when he was fourteen years old. Also discussed are the early suppliers of timber, and the old McDonald boats coming back to the boatyard for repair. He gives a brief account of life in Greencastle at the end of the recording.