'You were a legend' - huge party held for retiring Kilkenny postman
From this week's Castlecomer Notes in the Kilkenny People
Long before this catchphrase was associated with the Liveline Show, Castlecomer had its very own unique version. In 1978, Cork won the All-Ireland, beating Kilkenny, and the great Joe Dillon commenced his vocation in life as our local postman, which culminated in his retirement celebration at Bollards Bar on Friday night.
Starting his career as a telegram boy he soon moved up the ranks and has been part and parcel of what we are on Deenside for the past 48 years. Popular and personal, that’s what his daily service was all about whether that involved chatting hurling or farming, he was never stuck for a word. His modus operandi outside Johnny O’Rourke’s was a lesson for every aspiring postman.
Organiser in chief Dick Mullins welcomed all to the celebration. Dick recalled how Joe might be a few minutes late in the morning but never missed a day.
"You were a legend in the sorting office on the Square and key to the camaraderie that ensued. The country and rural life in the area will never be the same," he stressed as he called on senior retired postman Marty Connolly to present an inscribed memento to Joe. Behind every good man is a great woman and there was a bouquet of flowers presented by Anna Mae Mullins to Joe’s wife, Marese.
Marty echoed the sentiments of the previous speaker on how well he soldiered with Joe whom he recalled might not be punctual but always managed to arrive. He went on to recall how, together with Joe, they won a minor championship at the expense of his home town Freshford. Brother Eugene recalled a rather funny incident in another match where Joe was the Bainaisteoir. The Comer boys were taking a proverbial pasting and as a result were way behind on the scoreboard at half time.
Undaunted Joe was keen to avoid further punishment, so he retorted, "Boys, the longer ye stay in the dressing room, the longer ye will stay in the championship."
Further contributions on a night of nostalgia followed from Martin Walsh (Rural Farming), Maurice Shortall (The Working Man), Jim Bollard (Barrack Street Residents), as well as a few tales from his fellow postmen that shall remain in the confines of the pub.
Finally, an emotional Joe said he was embarrassed by the plaudits and was only too glad to play his part in a job where you just got stuck in and delivered. "I had a good run at it, enjoyed being down in the trenches, you all know this was a busy job. I appreciate the wonderful sentiments, and from my point of view, I can honestly say you wouldn’t meet a better bunch of workers in any walk of life."
From a local perspective, the "tacit knowledge" and expertise he gained were through experience and intuition rather than formal training. Thank you, Joe from all on Deenside. We wish you and the family well in your "retirement transition."