Great night as Joe retires from ESB
ON Friday night I headed for Byrnes Bar where a special retirement party was taking place for Joe Carr from Cooley who finished up that very evening after working for the ESB for 44 years and he was there on the night with wife Anne and kids Ronan, Maria and Aidan.
Originally from Mayo Joe started with the ESB on 29th September 1979 and worked in Dublin and Drogheda before moving to Dundalk where he originally worked in the garage before becoming a Lifting and Handling Inspector. Always busy, Joe will now have time to pursue his loves of shooting, fishing and wood turning and numerous other activities.
I decided to have a look round to see who else was up for making sure Joe had a great night to remember and first got talking to Colm Finnegan from Lordship and Niall Whitmarsh from Darver who told me they had both worked with Joe for years, he is a really a decent man, although they did say that one of the reasons they were there on the night was to make sure he was definitely going!
After this I met up with Jim Matthews from Ballygowan, Francis Bergin from Oaklawns and Sean Campbell from Belfry Gardens who told me that Joe is a really great colleague, is larger than life and very helpful when they were at work.
Heading for another table I then caught up with Joe’s brothers Martin and Aine Carr from Dublin, Gus and Maureen Carr from Portlaoise who had travelled to Dundalk to enjoy the party with him and his family.
Not too long later I then got talking to Paul Dennehy from Cork and John Harlowe from Galway who had worked with Joe down throughout the years and were honoured to be there for Joe and wanted to wish him all the best in the future.
Heading for another table I then got talking to Stephen Guerin originally from Tipperary now from Cooley with wife Geraldine who assured me that Joe certainly wouldn’t be taking things easy because he has so many interests and was always there to help and give a dig out whenever he was needed. They were having a laugh with Caroline Kinsella from Julianstown who had worked with Joe and described him as ‘ the go to guy’ whenever they needed anything.
Making my way over to another group I caught up with son Ronan Carr from Cooley who was enjoying the night with aunts Margaret and Monica Cass both from Kells who were in great form and were looking forward to a great night with him.
At another table I then caught up with nephew Enda Rice from Drogheda with mum Rita Rice from Cooley and Carmel and Pheilim Rice from Cooley who were up for making the best of the night and wanted to wish Joe all the best for the future.
They were sitting with Simon and Michael Rice nephews from Cooley who were up for making the best of the party along with Paul Neary from Haggardstown and Andrew Mackin from the Quay who worked with Joe and was already looking forward to their ‘Summer Project’ with him.
Making my way over to another table where I caught up with fellow workmates Anthony Ruane from Phillipstown and Lesley Walsh from Castlebellingham who told me that Joe is a thoroughly decent guy and will be sadly missed.
Finally, before I departed, I then got talking to workmates
Niall Gonnelly from Crossmaglen Brendan McArdle, Patsy Halpenny from Bay Estate, David O’Neill from Carlingford and Alan Page from Glenmore who were going to make sure he had a fantastic night and wanted to wish him all the best in his retirement.