PETER GERARD, AGE 61, LESSERAGH HOUSE, COOLBAWN

The Gerards were an Anglo-Norman family, who arrived in Ireland in the 1100s and settled in Co Meath. Peter Gerard’s grandfather moved to Dublin city, where he set up a printing and stationery business. One of his customers was James Joyce, who had some of his pamphlets printed there. Peter’s father fought in the Second World War, and served in India, but returned home when wounded. Peter’s own career was teaching, and he lived in a restored medieval tower-house near Templemore where he taught. In 1976 he moved to O’Mara’s Acres, a Georgian house which was once the property of the Bruces. He explained that there was a tradition of fruit-growing in the area. He was to meet a local man, Michael Gill, and discovered that his own father and Michael Gills’ father had fought together in the War. Peter’s main interest was hunting on horseback and he always had a great interest in horses. The interview concluded with his expression of happiness that he and his wife Meda had found this beautiful home on the shores of Lough Derg.