NIALL DELIVERS HIS LAST LETTER AFTER 46 YEARS
One retirement party I certainly wasn’t going to miss last Saturday night was that of Niall McGuinness from Belfry Drive who had finished the previous day after spending 46 years working with An Post.
I met Niall when I got there and he told me he first became interested in working with An Post when he got a summer part time job back in 1972 as a telegram boy, he loved every minute of it and did so ever since.
Niall, who was there with his kids Sarah, David and Eimear, is a keen runner having joined forces with the North East, Glenmore and Dowdallshill Runners, has successfully completed three marathons, one in London, will be looking forward to spending his retirement with his kids and grandkids.
After this I headed over for a chat with John Grogan from Lordship who said Niall is a real gentleman and a pleasure to work with. He was sitting with Mark McCann from O’Hanlon Park who jokingly wanted to wish ‘ Two Bundles’ all the best now that he had finished his run and Mickey Hoey from The Laurels who said that Niall is a real decent man and will be missed.
Not too far away I got a word with Syl Matthews from Glenwood who said he worked with Niall for 27 years and said he a lovely fellow.
Beside him I met up with Terry McCann from O’Hanlon Park who said that now that he has the free time, Niall will have plenty of time for the DkIT gym now.
After this I caught up with Benny McDonald from Willow Grove who said Niall is a real gentleman and is getting younger looking than the day he joined.
Not too long later I got a word with Beano Agnew from Oakland Park who said Niall is a real gent and was always very helpful.
Heading towards the bar I then got talking to Patricia Long from Riverstown, Alan Smartt from Rathcor, Colm Smartt from Pearse Park and Asha McCrave from Haggardstown who had all worked with Niall and said he was a pleasure to be with and that they hope he makes the very best of his retirement.
Not too far away I caught up with his neighbour at work Niall Minto who worked side by side with Niall for 10 years and they were definitely a real team and was definitely going to miss him.
Next I caught up with a gentleman who wanted only to be known as The Man from Laramie and he too wanted to wish Niall all the best now that he had finished with An Post.
I then headed over for a chat with Chris Hoey from Dublin Street and Noel McConville from Ard Easmuinn who told me that everyone at work really likes Niall and he will be a sad loss to the company.
This sentiment was mimicked by Ciaran Cunningham from Point Road and Sean McKenna from Hyde Park who said Niall I really is a lovely chap.
Not too long later I got a word with Aaron Crawley from Lower Point Road who told me he will be taking over Niall run around Hackballscross and said they certainly are big boots to fill. Aaron was there with his friend Stephen Morgan from Banbridge the curry expert and they were joined by Kevin ‘Sherriff’ McKenna from Hyde Park who said that Niall is one of his best mates, they’ve run together, run Christmas parties and loads more and said he is one of the last real gentlemen in An Post.
Making my way to another table I met up with Niall’s nephew Kevin McGuinness who was there with his mom Olivia and they were having a laugh with brother Brian McGuinness from Ashbrook, Liam and Barbara Gaynor from Oaklawns who wanted with Niall all the best on his big night saying this’ll give him plenty of time to go up and watch Dundalk FC playing.
Beside them and up for making the best of the party were Niall’s daughters Eimear and Daniel Fenton from Belfry Drive, Sara and Joe Canning from Straide in Mayo and niece Bronagh Gaynor form Oaklawns who were up for a mad night and wanted to wish Niall all the best in the future.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with sister Bernie and Michael Murphy from Mounthamilton who were there with Eilish and John Brady from Milltown who were up for making sure it was a fantastic party together.