Professor Smith is used to teaching ancient history but for this episode it is his own modern history, growing up in Dublin then travelling to the United States as a young man, which captures the imagination.

His leather jacket is a time portal taking him back to a time of youthful idealism. A dinky car toy is brought out of his memorabilia box as he shares how he saw Ireland through a child's eyes. What does a miniature set of Russian doll type tools have to do with his mother? Why is a newspaper article framed on his wall? Why has taken to rowing, like a duck to water, in his more mature years?

Find out about a man who says he looks forwards , not backwards, and yet who discovered a more reflective side through his box of chosen items.

View the photos of Brendan's objects on our website www.perstellas.co.uk and find out a little bit more behind his stories.