Dotted
around his hometown were castles, fortresses and ruins - all remnants
of Ireland's Viking past. Known as the Fort of the Foreigners, Donegal
most famously produced Hugh O'Donnell and soon historian and academic
Potter could turn his back on the Treaty city and focus on where it all
began.
His late father, John, who originally hails from Clarina in Limerick, inspired his passion in history.
"He
was very interested in history and used to read about 19th century
Ireland and World War Two. I remember growing up I was always very
interested in discussing these matters with him. And there was always
old books around the house, from my father's and grandfather's time, so
that's how it all began really."
But is was another Viking town, some 200km further down the West coast, that was to become the main source of his academia.
Just
last week, Dr Potter launched First Citizens of the Treaty City - The
Mayors and Mayoralty of Limerick 1197-2007, the product of three years
of exhaustive research by the author.
It follows on from last
year's publication
, The Government and the People of Limerick: The
History of Limerick Corporation/City Council 1197-2006, which was the
first complete account of the government of an Irish urban area ever
written.
Now its successor, First Citizens of the Treaty City,
represents the first account of the mayors of Limerick and consists of
two parts - a history of the mayoralty from the Middle Ages until the
present day, and an account of each incumbent since 1842.
First
Citizens, he recognises, is more of an easy read than its predecessor.
Tragic events such as the murder of Mayors O'Callaghan and Clancy in
1921 are discussed, but more lighthearted material, such as the
connection of the three O'Mara mayors of Limerick to the Von Trapp
family, of Sound of Music fame, makes the heavy material easier to
digest.
And as the city council, or formerly corporation,
celebrates its 810th anniversary in a fortnight, Dr Potter ponders many
'what if' scenarios.
Ambrose Hall, Mayor of Limerick in 1875, instigated the construction and erection of a
statue in memory of Patrick Sarsfield, which now lies near St John's
Cathedral.
"His original plan was to build something like the
Arc de Triomphe in Paris, only something smaller, across Thomond Bridge
at King John's Castle. and on the arch he wanted a statue of Sarsfield,
so it would have been incredibly impressive if it was built," he
marvels.
When questioned on the most important mayor in Limerick's 800 year history, he is momentarily dumb-founded.
"They
all made their contributions in different ways; some of them were
extraordinary figures," he says pausing to reflect on his accounts in
the extensive 300 page compilation.
"Maurice Lenihan was
probably one of the most extraordinary mayors. He was a very
interesting character, because he came from Waterford and wrote his
most fantastic book on the history of Limerick.