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EMYVALE

Postman Paddy Donnelly Retires.

Paddy Donnelly, formerly Tyholland and now Monaghan town, has decided to retire from his position as Postman working from the Emyvale P.O. Paddy has been an employee of An Post, formerly Posts and Telegraphs, for 48 years and has been stationed in Emyvale for 43 of those years. He was one of the first postmen to get a van for deliveries, instead of having to cycle round the district. He covered the area of Truagh out as far as Bragan and it meant about a 120Km drive every day. Last winter was particularly difficult with the extensive snow and frost and it was then that he decided that he would retire and take things easy.
Paddy has seen many changes over the years and the main one is that there are fewer people living in isolation than there was when he came here first. Then with fewer cars and tractors and poorer road systems people, especially the elderly living alone, were cut off and the Postman was a contact with humanity. He would have the news of deaths, marriages, births, and people who were ill. He was also called on to do ‘wee messages’ and in some cases to help the person take in firewood or other similar chore around the house - a chore that the person could not do themselves. Nowadays the number of people so reliant has decreased and with modern technology they have easier means of contact with family and neighbours. Paddy has great praise for the people living in his area and would like to thank them for the hospitality and friendship shown to him over the years. He has witnessed a generation moving on to the next and has seen the new houses being built and families coming and going. He will miss the banter and that friendship.
The late Patsy Donaghue was Postmaster when he came to Emyvale and then his nephew, Paudie Donaghue, took over the position as postmaster. It has been a great place to work and is a very busy office and there was a very good relationship between all members of staff.
Has he any plans? Nothing until after Christmas but he will think of his colleagues trying to negotiate some of the rural roads during stormy days. He is looking forward to just taking things easy for a while, knowing that he can plan his own time and days. However he knows that he will still be up early each day as his father always was up early and strict on punctuality and he has inherited that.

Paddy retires officially on this Friday, November11th and I would like to say thank you to Paddy for his dedicated service to the people of this area over the 43 years and to wish him a very long, happy and healthy retirement.

Paddy sorting the Post                         and then loads it into the Van.      Paudie wishes him well for retirement.

Pat, Paddy and Patsy - our Postmen.

Retirement presentation to Paddy  HERE