RIP: Warm memories shared of beloved Mayo town shop assistant

IT is fair to say that for a generation of people who called to Hynes Shoe Shop at Main Street in Castlebar, Josie Mongan, formerly from The Grove, Ballindine, Mayo, was a true legend.

Josie lived for many years in Kennedy Gardens, Castlebar, and died recently in the wonderful care of Cuan Caitriona Nursing Home in Castlebar.

It was during my thirteen years with the Connaught Telegraph in Castlebar that I got to know Josie.

She was such a part of that wonderful ‘family’ from all over the region that became acquainted with each other through Breege McCarthy’s (Ruane) delightful restaurant at Main Street in the town.

It was home away from home for all of us and the welcome Breege had for all her clientele was out of this world. No one left Breege’s place hungry and we were all familiar with those lovely words .. “are you sure you don’t want more?!”

Wednesday was ‘publication day’ for the ‘Connaught’ in those times and every Tuesday evening I called to McCarthy’s for dinner.

Josie Mongan had her own ‘corner’ and we soon got to know each other through the general Claremorris area connection.

Photos of the Mayo teams of 1950 and ’51 decorated the walls as well as the team of 1989 that reached the All Ireland Final and other teams as well.

Josie had a huge love for Mayo football and we shared so many memories in those times.

Regulars in McCarthy’s in those times included the Tommy O’Malley from Ballinrobe (a great Mayo footballer and nephew of Seamus O’Malley who captained Mayo to their first All Ireland title in 1936), Tom McHugh, the shoemaker from Belcarra, Rory O’Connor, the solicitor from Charlestown and later of Castlebar and Pontoon who died in 2021, Kevin Bourke from Ballyvary of Mayo Rehab, George the ‘Apple Man’ from Armagh, Mary Howley from Mary’s Fashions, Eamon ‘Ned’ Murren, the man in residence, and so many more.

We were an eclectic mix of so many different careers that blended in perfect harmony in Breege’s oasis of peace on Main Street. It was the perfect example of the term ‘leveling the playing field’! 

Josie loved her trips to Meath with her sisters to visit her cousins and the stories and memories they shared were of legendary proportions.

Her cousin, Maura Carty from near Dunboyne, whose mother was Julie Mongan (O’Toole), recalled those times with such fond memories.

“We loved when she would come to Waynestown (Dunboyne) with Kathleen (RIP), Sheila and Bridie. My mother Mary Joe loved these visits and would sit and laugh with them all.

"One time Josie drove into the Dublin city centre with my mother directing her in the car. Mam hadn’t a clue on traffic and just kept saying 'straight ahead'.

"They laughed so much when they got home and wondered how they weren’t arrested for driving up one-way streets!”

Paul Carty, another cousin from Meath who now resided in Kinsale, Cork, said Josie was such a lovely, kind, warm and smiling person. “I loved meeting her.

"All the Morgan women were hugely welcome to our home in Meath. The reason being is that they lit up the house with laughter and brought sunshine.

"When they left we missed them. Josie loved coming up for Mayo playing in Croke Park.”

Imelda Higgins, Ballindine, also shared her memories. “Josie was a wonderful lady and I have many memories of ‘purchases from Hynes’s in Castlebar over the years where it was always great to be helped by one of Ballindine’s finest.”

Mary Coleman, Carradoyne House, Claremorris, was among the many that joined in the glowing tributes.

“Josie was a most beautiful lady, always so friendly and extremely nice, very helpful when making purchases at the lovely Hynes shoe shop in Castlebar where Josie worked for many years.

“I have great memories of Josie and her sisters growing up in Esker, Ballindine, where Josie was practically our neighbour.

Josie, along with her sisters, were always so elegant, beautiful, smart, and ever so stylish. Walking was a great passion of Josie’s in her younger years, where she walked with style.

"Just four amazing ladies were the Mongan Sisters.”

Reposing was at Coady’s Funeral Home in Castlebar and the funeral Mass was celebrated in Ballindine Church by Fr Seán Flynn, PP, with interment afterwards in the local cemetery.

Josie will be fondly remembered by her sisters Bridie McDonagh (The Grove, Ballindine) and Sheila Coughlan (Springfield, Castlebar), her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.