Terry O’Brien (b. 1969)

Track 1: Terry O’Brien is the youngest of ten children in the O’Brien family. His mother is Mary Lynch from Cullen in North Cork and his father originated in Rae Street in Tralee. He recalls his education, his intended apprenticeship with FÁS and his visit to America in 1989 with a summer camp, where he broke his neck in a tragic accident. Track 2: He discusses his long road to recovery and his involvement in developing a Disability Awareness Programme in Tralee. He became a Community Development Officer, and he discusses his role and his responsibilities, following with an explanation of his decision to join the Labour Party. He recalls winning a seat on Tralee Urban Council in 1999. Track 3: Bringing new blood to the Council at this time, debates at Council meetings and the decision on blocking the location of Marks and Spencers in Tralee are subjects explored. Track 4: In 2004, Terry O’Brien became Mayor of Tralee, taking over the position from Maeve Spring, and he explains that in that year he stood for election for the Urban District Council and for Kerry County Council, topping the pole in both elections. He recalls that during his tenure as Mayor of Kerry he travelled to Boston to greet the Jeanie Johnston which had sailed from Tralee. He discusses the overlap which occurs between the work of Tralee Town Council and Kerry County Council. Track 5: Jimmy Murphy, his co-ordinator and Director of Elections is mentioned, and he recalls the media coverage he received in the run up to the 2007 General Election. He explains his roles on various committees in Tralee and in Co. Kerry and he outlines his views on the loss of Tralee Town Council and on the new Municipal Council.