03-04-2010

It has been brought to our attention that our story "‘Bother na mna gorm" is spelled incorrectly and should actually be "‘Boreen na mBan gorm’", similar to "Cumann na mBan” (womens’ society) or "Nollaig na mBan" (Women's Christmas or Little Christmas – Jan 6th which is an old tradition in Cork).
Bowing to the superior intellect of the person who brought this to our attention, we shall make the necessary change!

06-February-2010
We hear Bagginbun is awash with humpback whales and Brendan Glody is run off his feet bringing people out whale watching!

Eco tourism is being promoted in Dunmore . A grant was received to upgrade the Portally walk, which is very busy (I presume we are talking about the cliff walk from Dunmore to Portally )

There is a Walking Festival on the 20th May, here's the link: www.dunmorewalks.com.

Thomas McGrath has opened a fish outlet in Londis supermarket, we wish him the best of luck with his venture

Also passed away recently was Roger Shipsey, well known in Dunmore for many years.

Some of Dunmore 's better known characters recently moved on. Omleigh Butler passed away, and one would hope he arrived at the gates of heaven on one of his much loved Bulldog Tractors. I can remember as a child watching Omleigh pull his threshing machine into various farms in Coxtown, and the surrounding village, and we would watch in awe as he slipped on the belt between the tractor and the thresher to begin the task. Omleigh was predeceased by his brother Jackie, a great neighbour and a kind and generous Man. Dunmore will mourn the loss of the Butler brothers who contributed so much to the village during their lives as simple hard working farmers. May they both find their just rewards.

It is with sad regret I record the recent death of a good friend of mine, none other than our long serving Postman, Paddy ( Duffin ) Fitzgerald. Paddy was one of Dunmore 's great characters and I remember working with him at Christmas times in years past, helping to deliver the post during the Christmas rush. A fine trio we made in Dunmore East's Post Office, Paddy, myself, and the one and only Michael ( Busty ) Griffin, the other senior postman of the locality. Paddy had a blue scooter, and I can remember one Christmas eve after much drink was consumed, deciding we would to take up station outside the Church, and distribute the letters to all who had gathered for midnight Mass. It was far better to stand and sway outside the Church gate, rather than risk falling off the scooter in the midst of Creaden strand. Needless to say the Post Mistress of the time was not impressed with our choice of location and method of delivery. Paddy will be missed, and we send condolences to his family.
Ringo.

Another Dunmore character laid to rest - Nicky Flynn

It's sad to sit here and write about the recent death of Nicky Flynn.
Dunmore’s long time Mr Fixit, from electrical to plumbing and anything else you might care to mention.
We were all very fond of Nicky, a man who went about his days in a simple manner, a man who loved a drink or two, and a man who laughed loud and could see and enjoy the funny side of life.
Nicky and I were friends for many years and on a number of occasions we sat together in the Ocean Hotel, promising each other never to drink again, while supping on Brendan Gallagher’s cure-all coffee, in itself a potent brew laced to the limit with whiskey or brandy.

Nicky belonged to the old Dunmore generation, as indeed I did, and many others like us.
Nicky's passing is like another piece of that generation gone forever. I feel sad tonight sitting at the other side of the world and remembering my times with Nicky. To his sons and daughter, we would like to say we are all sad at the news of his passing, and we will always remember him with kind words and happy memories.

Ringo

Nicky, on the right, with the Board of Works Harbour development in the 1960's