Mayo community celebrate 70 years of incredible service from postmistress

Neighbours and friends were out in style as Catherine Delaney (née Murphy) brought the curtains down on a lifetime of service to the local community in the Tulrahan area of east Mayo. Hundreds of messages of goodwill poured in from all over the region as Catherine called it a day after over 70 year of incredible service at Tulrahan Post Office and shop.

Sitting serenely in the corner of her kitchen, Catherine acknowledged each and every one of those who came along to express their gratitude and share in the nostalgia of this special day in a rural community where she held such a special place in the hearts of all. Catherine was more than just the postmistress in Tulrahan. She was a true and trusted friend with whom locals shared their good times and challenging times. She was a rock of common sense and her solid advice and empathy with her community ensured that Catherine was at the heart and soul of Tulrahan over the years.

Johnny Mongan from Ballygowan, Claremorris, was there to collect the ‘last post’ when I arrived on the scene. The Mongan family are ‘old stock’ of the Claremorris region and travel the country to support Mayo in the league and championship matches.

Tommy Ronayne was there too as he has been for several years collecting the post in the morning for delivery around the region. It was a moment in time and the closing of an era. There was a palpable sadness there too. To those sitting in their realms at An Post HQ in Dublin, such a matter barely registered and probably went almost unknown.

But I was drawn, as so often before, to the musings of my favourite poet, the genius that was Patrick (Paddy) Kavanagh from Monaghan when he reflected so beautifully in his poem ‘Epic’: “I inclined To lose my faith in Ballyrush and Gortin/Till Homer’s ghost came whispering to my mind/He said: I made the Iliad from such A local row. Gods make their own importance.” Catherine has been a friend for many years. She was one of my special friends in that area when it came to helping me with local news items from the Tulrahan and Brickens and Logboy areas.

Terry Reilly, the former editor of the Western People, always spoke of the importance of having good and reliable contacts in every parish in the county. He has always been a newspaper man through and through and one of the best. Neighbours shared memories from over the years about the kindness and hospitality that was such a part of a visit to Catherine and her family in Tulrahan Post Office and shop. She embodied the spirit of the rural West and the lovely culture in which we were so privileged to have grown up in and that shaped our lives. Thank you, Catherine, for your wonderful service to your local community. We’ll not see your likes again.

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