Redcastle pays tribute to beloved postmistress Elizabeth with annual New Year’s swim

As the village of Redcastle prepares to celebrate Christmas and New Year, locals are also remembering lost loved ones with yellow ribbons on the village Christmas tree.

And the annual New Year’s Day swim, a highlight in the local calendar, will this year be in honour of postmistress Elizabeth Hannon, who died just before Christmas last year.

Elizabeth’s daughter Catherine McDermott told how a light has gone out in the family’s life, but they are taking great solace from the fact that Redcastle is remembering her in such a special way.

“The past year has been hard – you just notice how much Mammy did now that she has gone,” said Catherine, mum to Dáithí, Cahir, Charlie and Conan.
“We didn’t realise how much she did or how much she held everything together,” she said.

Catherine explained that while Elizabeth may have settled in Greencastle, where she raised her family, Redcastle was her life.

“She lived and breathed it. It was a case that you could take the woman out of Redcastle, but you wouldn’t take Redcastle out of the woman. Her life plan was to retire in Redcastle – she was always going home,” said Catherine.

She explained how the family didn’t fully realise the impact Elizabeth had on everyone’s life in the village and further afield, and it had been such a comfort to the Hannons and wider Faulkner family that people knew the real Elizabeth.

Elizabeth took over as postmistress of Redcastle Post Office from her aunt Kathleen Henry. In turn, Elizabeth’s son Seamus is now at the helm.

“She would never have wanted to have been the centre of attention. She was all about helping other people, and it was the same at home – as long as we were okay. We were told so many stories of how she touched so many people”.

“It’s wonderful that people want to remember her at this time of year. We can’t put into words how much it means. Of course, it’s emotional, and it’s bringing everything back, but it’s lovely that people are taking the time to remember her,” said Catherine.

“It hits hard, driving past the post office. When we were taking her home, the number of people lining the road at Redcastle was huge. That meant the world to us,” she added.

While all monies raised from the New Year’s Day swim will go to Cancer Care West, yellow ribbons of remembrance are also on sale in local outlets for people to remember their own loved ones on the village Christmas tree.

People may buy a ribbon for €5 and write their loved one’s name on it and hang it on the tree, which is already festooned with many yellow ribbons.

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Elizabeth’s husband Michael Hannon and son Seamus will both brave the chilly waters of the Foyle on New Year’s Day in the annual swim at 1pm at Redcastle Pier, something that has become a popular tradition even for non-swimmers.

Redcastle Village Association spokeswoman Tanya McColgan said the annual swim allows people to have fun while also raising money for a good cause and remembering lost loved ones. The first swim over a decade ago was in honour of local woman Susan Doherty.

After the dip, there will be a draw for some fantastic prizes as well as food and music in McGowan’s Bar. Ms McColgan advised anyone taking part in the swim to wear old footwear or beach shoes.

Swim sponsor sheets are available at Redcastle Post Office, and anyone who wants to enter the draw can do so at local outlets or on New Year’s Day itself.

“The Doherty family started this in memory of Susan Doherty over a decade ago. This year we’ll remember Elizabeth Hannon, who was a great inspirational person who’s in all our hearts this Christmas,” said Ms McColgan.

She added that Elizabeth always loved to look out the post office door to see the lights of the village Christmas tree twinkling, and the yellow ribbons of remembrance for people who have lost loved ones would have meant a lot to the postmistress beloved of everyone.

Ms McColgan thanked the local community and businesses for donations for the community event, which always draws a crowd on New Year’s Day. All welcome.