The last post for Fidelma
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Karen Moore, Lil Fleming, a former Post Mistress in Killeshandra who dropped in to wish Fidelma Seymour a happy retirement. On Fidelma’s knee is little Rían O’Reilly.Image 2 of 5
Fidelma Seymour, retiring as Post Mistress after 40 years of service in Ballinagh Post Office with Aisling King behind the counter; and Tom and Kathleen Moore, who goes on to become the new Post Mistress. PHOTOS: Sean McMahonImage 3 of 5
Ena Hartslief presenting a miniature garden to Fidelma Seymour, who is retiring after 40 years working as the Post Mistress in Ballinagh Post Office which is located at in Moores Spar.Image 4 of 5
Paula Seymour with Darragh and Jimmy Fitzpatrick wishing her mother, Fidelma Seymour, a very happy retirement after 40 years as Post Mistress in Ballinagh Post Office.Image 5 of 5
Paddy Delaney enjoying a cup of tea with Fidelma Seymour on her final day in Ballinagh Post Office after 40 years’ service as Post Mistress.It is not unusual for people to hand Fidelma Seymour envelopes, her having been the postmistress for 40 years in Ballinagh. But on this day, they are not asking for a stamp to go with it, the addressee is Fidelma herself. She is retiring and the people are not only thanking her for her “dedicated service”, they are also saying goodbye to a precious friend.
“Agony Aunt is what some people called me,” said a teary-eyed Fidelma reminiscing on the years behind the An Post desk. She cannot say what her first official day looked like, because she “basically grew up in the post office”, which at the time was located opposite its current location on the main street.
“My parents moved here from Cavan to take over the post office and, as children, we were always there working along.”
Fidelma remembers the time the phone exchange would ring in the middle of the night. Her father, would pad down the stairs from their house to the office space, to answer and relay the message. In the background, short, often abbreviated messages were ticking through the printer producing small pieces of paper.
“I was about 10 years old when I was sent to deliver telegrams all over the neighbourhood,” she recalls.
Her grandson Darragh said to her recently, there is nobody in Cavan she doesn’t know. Which might be only a slight exaggeration, judging by all the customers she greets by name in Moores Spar Ballinagh, where the post office is lodged. Many have confided in her.
“You get to know people over the years and follow up with them every time they come to post something.”
Ena Hartslief is one of those people. Today, she brought Fidelma a handcrafted miniature garden with a rocking chair to relax and a cup of tea. “For all the love she gave me over the years.”
With the intention of working as a nurse after school, Fidelma left for England where she stayed until 1985. She returned to Cavan to take over the post office from her father who had fallen ill.
“At first I missed being a nurse, but I then really loved it.”
In a way she never stopped caring for people, just in a different capacity.
To shop owner Kathleen Moore, Fidelma represents “security and comfort, having your best friend beside you”. The popular postmistress helped her through a difficult time and she calls Fidelma “my rock”.
Even though she will be off duty officially, she finds comfort in the fact Fidelma will only be a stone’s throw away to share tears of sadness and joy.
“The craic was mighty”, Fidelma acknowledges. Sharing tea and scones with the customers on her last day, one of the patrons tells her proudly how he won €25 in the lotto draw the week before. At least now they could sit down in peace, he cackles.
“I only waited 40 years to have a cup of tea with you.”
Meanwhile, it’s business as usual in Ballinagh Post Office. Kathleen Moore officially takes over as postmistress. She will have a new staff member behind the counter assisting her.