Fermanagh born Paul McNutt - who enjoys returning regularly to his home county - runs his own translation business near Dusseldorf in Germany. But then, it comes as no surprise as German was his strong point at Portora Royal School, where he recalls his former German teacher, Margaret McCready, whom he says retired just a few years ago, “taught me far too well. German was my best subject.” Paul was born in Enniskillen in 1961, the only son of the late Dean of Clogher, Dean John McNutt, who died in 1992, and the late Mrs. Muriel McNutt, who passed away in 1997. His mother, formerly Chambers, was one of six sisters, and her parents ran a grocer’s shop at East Bridge Street.

At the time of his birth, Paul’s father was rector of Trory and they lived in Trory Rectory and then in 1973, they moved to Ballinamallard and Dean McNutt served as Rector of Magheracross.

Paul was educated at Shanmullagh Primary School, where he recollects his first teacher was Mrs. Webb, followed by Mr. McQuigg. In 1972 he went to Gloucester House and then Portora Royal. In addition to German, his A level subjects included Latin and French, but he says it was his German which “was always very good.” He remembers joining Margaret McCready’s German class and he loved the subject. In fact, he went on to attain a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in German at Bangor University in North Wales in 1983. He recollects ‘everyone’ he studied with was ‘going on to translate or teach’, but he took up a Graduate Traineeship with British Steel at the time; he remained with it for three years in its purchasing division, working in purchasing management.

He then joined ICL (International Computers Ltd) based in Stoke on Trent, and he also worked in London and Manchester.

Paul remained with ICL for a considerable period and in 1996 he went to help run a subsidiary in Germany, where he served as commercial director of ICL for 15 months.

After that he decided he wanted to stay in Germany and felt it was a great place for his children to grow up in. They were three and six years old at the time. His son Peter is 23 now and is studying Mechanical Engineering in Aachen, and his daughter Emma. 20, is doing Media Studies in Stuttgart.

He left ICL and he went on to set up his own translation business, doing business translations. “I am still doing that - 16 years later.” says Paul, who is based just on the edge of Dusseldorf.

He returns to Northern Ireland and Fermanagh around four times a year and enjoys keeping in touch with family and friends. “I have fond memories of my time at school in Fermanagh,” reflects Paul, whose memories including rowing in the second eight at Portora, where his coaches were David Robertson and Robert Northridge.

He remains a member of the Old Portora Union and he says he keeps in touch with Robert Northridge and Margaret McCready.

Other early interests had been his membership of Ballinamallard Silver Band, which he really enjoyed, and he also sang in Portora Choir, with William McBride.

Having become well settled in Germany, he mentions that he is very happy there and has ‘no plans to retire at all.’ He pursues a number of interests. “I really, really enjoy sailing,” he said, adding that he “got into boating on Lough Erne as a young lad.” At the moment he has a sailing boat which he sails on the Baltic. “I keep it up in Northern Germany at the moment,” mentioned Paul, who sailed to Stockholm two years ago, and is hoping to go to Finland this year.

Being a translator and with an internet connection, he points out he can work anywhere. In addition, he writes journals in relation to his sailing.

Another interest is his involvement in his local Church, an English speaking Baptist Church in Dusseldorf, where he has held a number of offices. He plays the bass guitar and has played in a few Blues bands, while he also plays music in the church.

Despite Dusseldorf having become his adopted home, Paul (whose website address is ‘www.mcnutt.de’) never forgets his roots and his links with his native county are important. Only recently, his mother’s last remaining sister, his aunt Florrie Chambers (who was born ‘between the bridges’ in Enniskillen) died in her 103rd year and her obituary was featured in last week’s Impartial Reporter.