by Louise Doyle
OWEN Coyle is a friendly and trusted face in Dungloe, where he has been delivering people’s post with diligence and kindness for the last two decades.
Whether those letters brought good news from a family member living away from home or notification of a much-awaited hospital appointment, they were carefully dispatched by Owen who also always took the time to have a chat with his many customers.
Over the last few days, many of these customers on Owen’s route have been standing out on their doorsteps to wish him well as he retires tomorrow, bringing an end to one era but marking the beginning of another chapter for the father-of-two.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Owen recalled how a phone call asking him if he would help out with postal deliveries over a busy Christmas period turned out to be the beginning of a new posting.
“I worked in the seaweed factory for 24 years. After it closed, John Columba Boyle telephoned me to ask me if I would cover the Christmas holiday period. I said I would, but I didn’t realise what it entailed. Jimmy Ward who was the postmaster in Burtonport at the time helped me out greatly.”
An early memory for Owen was the amount of Christmas cards he sorted through and delivered.
“There were loads of Christmas cards that year, I’ve always remembered that because as the years have gone on they have become less and less each year. They have certainly become fewer and fewer in recent years while the amount of parcels have increased. I think the tradition of sending Christmas cards is more or less gone now, it died with the last generation.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, many workers were on the frontline offering services and support to those most vulnerable and isolated, particularly those in rural areas. Postmen and postwomen were a lifeline to many during that time. When lockdowns forced families and friends to stay apart, postal workers were there.
“The Covid-19 pandemic was very tough on everyone, particularly those older and in rural communities. Sometimes we were the only people they would have seen in a day and our voices were the only voices they heard,” said Owen.
“The postman and postwoman really offers a lifeline to older and more vulnerable people. Often, they are waiting for you just to have a chat with you. They couldn’t get out of their house at all and they were not allowed any visitors either. You might not have letters or post for them but they would still be there, waiting to see that friendly face and share a conversation.
“I do think that into the future the thing of going down the country lane will be a thing of the past,” said Owen.
Asked about what he has enjoyed most about his job, Owen said it was the people he has worked with and those he met along the way.
“I really enjoyed all the people I met, all my customers and having a chat with them every day on my rounds. I have met some great people who have shared some of their life stories with me. That was such a privilege.
“I’ll also miss the camaraderie in the office with my fellow postmen and ladies. We are a team and have always worked as a team for our customers.
“Plenty of well-wishers have been on their doorsteps over the last few weeks and days to give me their best as they know I am retiring, and that means so much to me.”
Looking ahead, Owen said he hopes to enjoy a bit of travelling with his wife, Cathy. Owen is a proud father to Joanne and Catherine and grandfather to Sophie (14), Maeve (6) and four-year-old Ronan.
“They’ll keep me busy now,” said Owen.
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