Signed, sealed and delivered - Margaret calls time on Delvin Post Office after 44 years
After 44 years, Margaret Hughes is calling time on her service behind the counter at Delvin Post Office.
Having started working there in 1977 aged just 23, Margaret witnessed many changes as the national postal service progressed and developed over the years.
Here, she recalls with fondness the people she met, and the friendships she made, as the post office moved from the centre of the village on Delvin’s Main Street, when the postmistress was Miss Kiernan, to the time it became part of Leonard’s shop at the top of the village, and her brother Michael took over as sub-postmaster.
“I was working in Dublin for a short time, just three months, but it was daunting to be honest - moving from a rural village like Delvin up to Dublin. So I came home again and worked for a time with Dr Cox in the chemist, before getting a job in the post office with Miss Kiernan.
“She was a tough boss let me tell you, but the experience I gained under her stood me well over the years,” Margaret tells the Westmeath Examiner.
One day in particular stands out for Margaret, when in October 1992, the post office was held up by alleged members of the IRA.
“Back then you had no protection like you have today. There was a counter and that was it, you had no protective screen.
“And in 1992 we were robbed. Myself and Jacinta Brady were working there that time, and Mrs Kiernan was in hospital with a broken wrist.
“It was a Friday morning and everyone was coming in to collect the dole, when all of a sudden this fella came in wearing a balaclava and carrying a gun, and started roaring and shouting, ‘Get down, get down, we want your money’.
“It was the IRA and we were all terrified. A few of the lads who had come in to collect the dole were put lying face down on the floor.
“This fella was about six foot six standing over me, and he told me, ‘If you don’t shut your mouth I’ll blow your head off!’
“Post offices had safes at the time but they were so new Mrs Kiernan was afraid we’d forget the code. So it was left open, and they got away with 15,000 Irish pounds. That was a huge amount of money in those days.”
Margaret recalls how the robbery must have been well planned ahead of time, as an accomplice was posted at the door, while another waited in a getaway car that was later found burned out in the bog.
“It was a terrifying day but thank God nothing like that ever happened again. It’s so different nowadays, every post office has its safety glass and there’s a lot more security measures in place.”
The lifeline of the village
As well as being a vital service for people living in rural communities, Margaret says the role of the post office and its social aspect, is as important now as it was over 40 years ago.
“From my own point of view I got to know everyone living in Delvin, and in latter years, when a lot of people moved down from Dublin, I got to know all of them too.
“There’s a huge social aspect to the post office, it is a lifeline for many people, especially as there is no bank in Delvin.
“The post office has so many services today, people rely on it for everything, whether it’s paying a bill or having a savings account, insurance, post and packages - which has become even more important with online shopping. It’s vital to rural a landscape like our’s.”
Taking a leap
A particularly difficult year due to Covid-19 brought about a sea-change in the lives of many. It too has prompted Margaret to make changes both at home and in her worklife.
The new lockdown era of travel restrictions, with movement prohibited no further than 5 kilometres, has prompted Margaret to call it a day working in Delvin Post Office. She also wants to move closer to her family and grandchildren who are based in Mullingar.
“Between Covid and my brother Michael [Leonard] retiring last year, it just seems to be the right time to make a change,” Margaret explains. “You realise the importance of being closer to family, and while I’ve no doubt it will be a big change, we all have to keep moving forward”
But Margaret doesn’t plan to rest on her laurels for long, as she aims to study a course and carry on working.
“Being a ‘lady of leisure’ is not my style,” she admits. “I still work in the dog track in Mullingar, and while that’s not on at the moment, they’re hoping to get back up and running again later in the year.
“But I will miss Delvin, where I’ve lived and worked all of my days. And I just want to thank all the people in Delvin for all the years of support and friendship.”
A word from Michael Leonard
"Wednesday January 13 saw the retirement of my sister Margaret Hughes from her position in Delvin Post Office.
To say that Margaret became an institution in her own right during her years of service in the various transformations of the An Post service within Delvin Post Office would be an understatement.
From those who remember the days of Miss Kiernan when pencil, pen and stamps that you had to “lick” were the norm to the modern computerised multi service one stop shop of today’s Post Office
Margaret was the bridge that spanned the generations and helped ease those of us not as “au fait” with some of today’s new norms to accomplish our transactions.
Speaking as her previous employer in my time as Sub Post Master of Delvin Post Office, and leaving aside our family relationship, I would like to thank Margaret for her untiring commitment and dedication to me and I am sure that his sentiment will be echoed by most recent employer Sharon Leavy Sub Postmistress and proprietor of Leavy’s Shop and Post Office.
If I can be allowed at this time I would also at this time extend my gratitude to Margaret’s co-workers over the years in Delvin Post Office during my tenure all of whom I hold in the highest esteem.
I wish Margaret well and as she enters a new chapter in her live, a new home nearer to her family in particular her grandchildren and I hope that we realise that life balance far outweighs the much-dreaded end of month accounts balance of the Post Office, I have no doubt that in time she will.
Thank you Margaret."