Happy Christmas everyone - hope it will be a good one!

What a year! Living now in Fermoy since 2008, it was the best decision made. There is no place in Ireland like Cork and its county. My husband Nicholas (Nicky) died twenty-five years ago and is buried in Dublin, RIP. My four children live in four different countries and I have not seen my grandchildren since last March.

I left for Dublin in 1958 – returning fifty years later. I am now only eighty one years of age. Had I remained in Dublin, I would be dead by now, if that makes any sense!

I am writing this looking out my window at St Colman’s Park, Fermoy which has now reopened again for walkers (thank God). Reminds me of the song, “The green, green grass of home”.

When I retired from St Vincent’s Hospital at sixty two years of age (not a medic, I was on the hospital management team) I missed my colleagues who had become friends over the years. So what now? I realised this was not the end but the beginning of a whole new life.

Now time to pack my bags. During my first six months of retirement, I travelled to seven different countries returning from each trip to catch up on family news and fill the washing machine. It was great!

Having got that out of my system, I spent time at home catching up on jobs that before, had been left to weekends. My social life took on a whole new meaning. No longer had I to refuse mid-week invitations with the excuse “sorry but I am up early for work”. To those who may be unaware, restaurants give you a greater welcome mid-week when business is quiet – no problems with booking a table. Another big advantage is availing of a grade A hotel at a lower rate.

I found plenty to do in Dublin but I missed my trips to Fermoy. With mam and dad gone, RIP, I decided I did not want to end my days in the ‘Big Smoke’. My brother Neilus was looking for a house in Fermoy for me.

God certainly looked after me – I looked at 9 different houses in Fermoy, but it took my young brother Neilus to find the perfect home for me in Duntahane. It is just perfect, a bungalow with gardens front and back. I am so happy, thank God. When I sold my home in Terenure in Dublin, it was before the recession, I got a 7 figure sum in November. By the following January, the recession had arrived. Thankfully, I was so well off I could build on a sunroom and an extra en-suite to my bedroom in Fermoy.

Management/Administration staff 1994 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. Back l-r: Mr N. C. Jermyn, Mr G Russell, Ms K Gill, Mrs P. Cuddihy, Mr K. Roche, Ms T. McDonagh, Mr A Moriarty and Mr P. Fletcher. Front l-r: Ms F. Couse, Mrs A. Greenan, Ms Bellew and Ms F Carroll.

Pauline Cuddihy with family and friends on a visit to the Dail when they met up with Bertie Ahern, the then Minister for Finance.