Fintan embarking on a new chapter
IT was the end of an era last Friday night as Gorey Guardian reporter Fintan Lambe prematurely retired from local journalism to embark on a new chapter in his life.
Fintan who hails from Monaghan moved to Gorey in May 2003 to take up a position with the Gorey Guardian and immediately became part of the fabric of the town.
Prior to working in local journalism Fintan worked with aid agency Goal.
He was dealt a cruel blow a number of years ago when diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a diagnosis he faces with great courage and positivity. Late last year he decided that the time was right for him to take a step back from working full time and he took early retirement at the end of January.
Last Friday night his family and colleagues gathered in the Ashdown Park Hotel to honour his contribution to local journalism.
Managing director of INM Regionals East Michael Ryan said Fintan had made an invaluable contribution to the Gorey Guardian during his tenure with the company.
‘Fintan, you have been a most valuable member of our editorial team for almost 15 years. During those 15 years you have produced great coverage of happenings in north Wexford. You reported on the triumphs and tragedies and at all times you remained fair and impartial.
‘Along with Ger Leacy you worked as a great team and the strength and success of the Gorey Guardian today is something you can both be very proud of.
‘You are not one to seek the limelight, so I hope you won’t be too embarrassed when I say that you are probably one of the of the best local reporters we have ever had the good fortune of working for us.
‘You possess all the qualities required for the job – great writing skill, an enquiring mind, a fair and compassionate approach and a methodical and organised discipline. Add this to your warm, friendly and kind personality and you are a great local reporter.’
Mr Ryan said Fintan’s illness was ‘a cruel blow, but you have always remained positive and determined. At all times over the last few years you have remained resolute and you always did the best job that you could.
‘Now you have reached a time when you have to focus more on yourself. I know that leaving is not easy, but you have prepared well for the transition.’
INM’s commercial director Gerry Lennon also paid tribute to Fintan and spoke about his depth of local knowledge.
Group editor Jim Hayes and news editor David Tucker spoke of his fair and balanced reporting and his obliging nature.
Several presentations were made to Fintan including a specially designed front page edition of the Gorey Guardian marking his time with the paper.
As he embarks on the new phase of his life Fintan plans to undertake an archaeology course in addition to a creative writing course and will also be working with a number of local voluntary organisations in Gorey.
In addition to a large number of his colleagues from all the regional offices in Wexford and Wicklow Fintan was joined by his father Dermot, his sister Sarah, aunts Mary and Ann and his carer Sheila on the night.
The celebrations continued into the early hours of the morning and concluded with a rousing sing song led by his colleagues Toddy Walsh, Shea Tomkins and Padraig Byrne.