Who?
Drumcong PO. Last train from Drumshanbo to Ballinamore - 31/03/1959.
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Sleepy Eamon unlikely to receive rapturous in the hostile environs of North Leitrimā¦.
Itās the lovely Edwina again! What a girlā¦.cc@Midshipman_Asha
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A real character passed away recently. Big Sinn Fein supporter from Kesh. Iām sure @anon67715551 knows who Iām talking about.
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Universally liked by all sides. Encyclopaedic knowledge of your family tree going back generations.
Covered yesterday on the other thread. Mary Lou will delegate the oration to OāCaolĆ”in Iād imagine.
My father was a big FF man and got on great with Gabriel.
Shurā what could you do but get on with him. I remember him in the Kiltubrid jersey back in the day despite him being a Fenagh parishioner. Heāll get a good send off anyhow.
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One thing Iāll add about Gaby is that he was the countyās, if not the countryās foremost and most fearless canvasser. His knowledge of inter-connections and families histories of voting was legendary.
He wasnāt put off by the knowledge that he wasnāt going to have any success and the threat of the dog being set on him didnāt trouble him in the slightest. āStick with me this timeā was his trademark call.
We would have crossed paths on many a canvass and there was never a rancorous word between sides - understandable as weād possibly in the same pub at the close of play. A great old campaigner RIP.
The art of canvassing.
My old lad was similar in terms of knowing what type of house it was. He would advise candidates to stay clear of houses not to their liking.
Iād never follow that line, every vote is in play being the motto. Call, state your business and fight your case. Youāll know soon enough which way the wind is blowing but Iād never have it said we didnāt bother to call. Donāt wear out your welcome either, get in - get the vote and get out. Anything beyond that is like going on your cĆ©ilidh to the householder.
Focail scoir: if drink is offered always accept, itās manners.
Youād get some cunts that would attack for coming knowing they werenāt FF. That would be a son of a mother who was FF.
My old fella didnāt care much for abuse on the doorstep either. āNot mannersā heād say.
The picture of Gabriel behind pallbearer Carron at Bobby Sands funeral is mad!
Would he have come from Republican stock?
Not that I was ever aware of. That nexus where Fenagh/ Aughnasheelin and Kiltubrid meet would be strongly Republican and I suppose Gaby drifted into the political wing of things. He was at his best either at a match, canvassing or sinking pints. Distant cousins are his nearest and dearest.
My Dad used to meet him in McKeons of Kesh. There was mutual respect there.
McKeons has been sold. A local hero who made good in London. Has 100 employed working for the city of London no less. I asked a lad how heād accumulated the wealth given that he wasnāt exactly bristling with grey matter as a younger man. Fuck knows says he, heās able to write his name and Keshā¦ā¦
Canāt work the Keshcarrigan bit though says he but covers it the finest. 7 en-suite bedrooms to it now, a small boutique hotel itās now marketed as. Plans to add more if you donāt mind.
Foley is scowling across the road at itā¦ā¦
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A good, if slightly long article by the indefatigable Andy McGovern on the Motor Neuron Disease that has had a profound affect on his life. Heās battled the illness for 40 odd years and is a regular Facebook contributor on historical matters in Leitrim to this day. Heāll be 90 next year and is a gent. He operates the keyboard with a foot pedal as outlined in the article. An exemplary man. Worth a read at least.
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