LAURENCE HUDSON, AGE 91, HOWTH

Laurence Hudson grew up in Church Street, Howth. His knowledge of fishing and the industry knows no bounds, as is obvious when he speaks of his life on the fishing boats, fishing for herring, mackerel and lobster. He recalls the sale of the fish to outlets of D’Olier Street and Moore Street, Watson’s in Westmoreland Street and the South City Market. He speaks fluently about the terminology associated with the fishing industry and the women who worked on the pier gutting the fish – ‘the gutter girls’. He recalls the Scottish fishermen who followed the mackerel up the eastern sea shore until their arrival at Howth and he speaks about the real dangers of working at sea.