Doithe hangs up mail bag for last time
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Doithe Tyrrell with his framed artwork and a trophy in appreciation of 45 years of service to An Post. Photos: Jay G FordeImage 2 of 17
Doithe Tyrrell retirement presentation from An Post. Photos: Jay G FordeImage 3 of 17
Doithe Tyrrell receiving gifts and a trophy from Joe Kiernan (Dressed up in costume) from his work colleagues at An Post.Image 4 of 17
Jack Tyrrell presenting a framed certificate to his uncle Doithe.Image 5 of 17
James McKnight, Doithe Tyrrell, Joe Kiernan, who call themselves The Three Amigos at An PostImage 6 of 17
Trevor Thompson, Catherine Purcell, Gerry Purcell (retired), James McKnight and Pat Freeman.Image 7 of 17
Shirley Aughey and Joe Kiernan at the retirement do on Friday.Image 8 of 17
Doithe with this granddaughter Mabel Masterson, at his work station in the Post Office on Dominick Street, Mullingar.Image 9 of 17
Jack and Oisín Tyrrell (nephews), Doithe Tyrrell, Alan Tyrrell brother) and Andrew Norton (nephew).Image 10 of 17
An Post late evening crew: Gerry Purcell, Martin Little, Ciaran Kerrigan, James McKnight, Patrick Freeman, Doithe Tyrrell, Robbie O’Connor, Mark Scully, Damien Duncan and Ciaran Hynes at Doithe’s retirement presentation.Image 11 of 17
The Half Five Crew An Post: Padraic Heduan, Damien O’Brien, Mark Murray, Leon Matthews, Doithe Tyrrell, Trevor Thompson, Patrick Kiernan, Matty McCormack, Mikey Kiernan, Andre Stalenburg and Joe Quinlan.Image 12 of 17
Staff celebrating with Doithe, back from left, Tom Dore, Joe Connor and Joe Shaw; front, Catherine Purcell, Leanne Rogers, Veronica Maloney, Rachel Costello, Doithe and Eddie Earl.Image 13 of 17
Doithe Tyrrell with members of his family, Patrick Masterson, Mabel Masterson (granddaughter), Avril Tyrrell (daughter), Sadie Masterson (granddaughter), Geraldine Tyrrell (wife), Danielle Gilmore (daughter) and Darragh Gilmore.Image 14 of 17
Johnny Irwin (retired) went in to celebrate with Doithe.Image 15 of 17
Doithe cutting his retirement cake.Image 16 of 17
Doithe with Eamon McArdle, An Post, manager, investigations.Image 17 of 17
Doithe with Padraic Heduan, who gave an opening speech at the retirement do on Friday.Kate Pendred
The postman who was always willing to go beyond the call of duty for his customers, Doithe Tyrrell, has hung up his mail bag for the last time after 46 years of service to An Post.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Sorting Office at Mullingar General Post Office last Friday afternoon to honour and pay tribute to Doithe for his long and dedicated service.
Doithe recalled walking into the Parochial Hall on June 7, 1980. “Tommy Murray met me and put me on training on Town 4, which my brother Alan is doing now. A fellow called Michael Duffy, Springfield, brought me out and trained me,” he said.
After six months, Doithe was let go as there was no work for him. He told his father, Mickey Tyrrell, who served as a postman for almost 50 years, that he was going to England. His father did not want him to go to England and intervened. Doithe was called back the following day to replace Cyril Beglan, who had retired, and “I have been in ever since and have met some lovely people”.
“Unbeknownst to me, my mother sent off an application for me to become a postman in Dublin. I got a letter to go to Glenageary. I met Ger Whelan going up on the train, he was going up for an interview as well, for Sheriff Street. After two years up there, I eventually came back to Mullingar and have been here ever since and have worked with great people,” Doithe said.
Doithe got emotional as he spoke of his father – “a legend, he taught me everything and it was a pleasure to work with him”, he said.
“I learned everything from him and from men like Tommy Keenan, the late Tony Devaney, I could go on and on about the people who have gone through here,” he said.
Doithe paid tribute to the managers under whom he had served, the many staff he had worked with and the current staff. “I can’t get over the turnout today. Thanks for coming, it has been a pleasure working with you all,” he said. “We are in Casey’s tonight from half seven and all are welcome. No postman, no party,” he laughed.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Doithe said he had finished up on the Robinstown, Cullion, Knockdrin route on which he worked for nearly 20 years, not far from the Monilea route on which his father had served for 29 years. He looks forward to a retirement of putting his feet up and going on holiday.
Doithe was joined on the day by his wife, Geraldine, a native of Derrygreenagh, Rochfortbridge, their daughters, Avril and her partner Patrick, and Danielle and her partner Daragh, and granddaughters Mabel and Sadie.
Staff member, Padraig Heduan welcomed all present, especially the Tyrrell family, and congratulated Doithe on his long years of service. “We all have a story to tell about Doithe,” he joked.
Joe Kiernan, in fancy dress, remarked that 46 years is a long time. He described Doithe as straight, honest and kind with not a harmful bone in his body, a man who never held a grudge.
Joe wished Doithe good luck and happiness in his retirement before presenting him with a Genesis sculpture on behalf of An Post and a framed memory collage on behalf of the staff.
Jack Tyrrell, Doithe’s nephew, presented him with a framed scroll acknowledging his long and loyal service to the Communications Workers Union.