FOND FAREWELL TO ONE OF THE TOWN’S REAL CHARACTERS

Many have paid tribute to the late Frank Sinnott in recent days, among them:

Mick O’Brien: Snip It Barbershop

‘I can’t believe my good friend Frank is gone. He would phone me every morning for a chat about everything from football to music to the nonsense of life. He was due in this morning for his weekly shampoo and shave. He liked a wee bit of pampering did Frank. Wexford has lost a genuine character with a great wit and a kind heart. Rest in peace Frank. I’ll miss you.’

Cllr. Davy Hynes

‘Hard to believe another of Wexford’s characters gone. He was a once-off and no mistake. The town will be a less lively place without this man who could insult, annoy and embarrass you one minute and make you laugh the next. The wit, the never take no for an answer when he wanted you to put an ad in the Free Press, names he called some people, probably, because they wouldn’t put an ad in (to remain nameless). Any one on the council felt a shiver when he was going to bring out a book - annoyed if in it and even more annoying if left out!’

Michael Freeman

The streets are hushed today. Our Cicero has left us. He enriched our lives. Frank Sinnott rest in peace

Brian Ennis

What can you say about Frank, an irrepressible rogue and a character who endeared himself to you against any rational thought. So sad to hear of his passing.

Collette Butler

‘I met him when working in da old Tim’s Tavern, himself and my boss were great friends. Every morning without fail in for a coffee and a booming “GOOD MORNING COLLETTE!” He was such a character, very talented writer and muscian.

Pat Lawlor

Frank used to shout “Good Morning Sir”, tongue in cheek, as I ran to work. I had several great conversations with him, a true Wexford legend. Ah Frank, we will miss your wit!’

Cllr George Lawlor

Things just won’t be the same.

Fiona Hynes

RIP Frank Sinnott, one of Wexford’s finest legends. He will be missed.

Des Kiely

RIP the legend Frank Sinnott. Here with his brother Declan in Mary’s Bar, where it will never be the same again.

Frank Jordan

I’m almost eight years on the

Main Street in Wexford and I’ll never forget my first morning in the shop. Not long in the door and in walks Frank Sinnott. ‘Are you the new lad?’, he said in one of his many accents. ‘I am.’ ‘Where are ya from?’ ‘Tipperary’. Ah for f **s sake, or something like it, followed and off he went.

Not knowing where to look, Paula said to me - ah that’s Frank, he’s alright, you’ll get to know him. He was one of a kind, had his quirks but was a decent man. We’ll miss him down on the Main Street,

David Heath

So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. We had great chats together whenever we met either at his house in the Old Pound when I was repairng his TV or on our many meetings on the Main Street.

Clár Ní Mhaoileoin

Such a character of our town, always smiling and joking and always a “howye good lookin’” whenever we’d pass each other on the town and he’d be sitting outside one establishment or another. I didn’t know him well. We must have only had maybe ten conversations in as many years. But always said hello in passing.

Denise O’Connor Murphy

That was Frank. Bless him and the Light of Heaven to him now. I’m sure he might be “delayed” at the gate!

Larry O’Gorman

Farewell brother can’t believe you’re gone from us. You will be missed by so many friends and Wexford town won’t be the same with out you. When characters were created, you were surely one of Wexford’s greatest. Thanks for your advice. Sleep well brother.

Leah Dempsey Law

Just numb - this is the man who could have me in stitches of laughter in one breath, and have me crying from an insult in the next one.

The Man who rang anywhere between 2 and 22 times in a day. From anytime betwen 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

When my phone rings at home, before anyone sees who it is, my kids shout ‘FRANKKKKKKK’. Sometimes, it was business, sometimes it was for a chat, sometimes it was only to tell me he wouldn’t ring me anymore that day. But that was how Frank was, and that was the way we were.

I am truly devastated at his untimely passing. The painting by Jackie Edwards (see page 5) was one of my favourite images of Frank, and it made me smile this morning - he loved it too.

He told me I should buy it and hang it in my bathroom.