'It was hugely emotional for mum' - Mary Bohan posts off for last time after 40 years!

Retiring Drumkerin Post Mistress Mary Bohan pictured with her grandchildren Amy, Evan and Eoghan on her last day at the Post Office last Friday October 31 Picture: Willie Donnellan

It was a historic moment when last Friday, Postmistress and Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bohan posted off from Drumkeeran Post Office after 40 years.

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Mary's daughter Aine said that there were plenty of familiar faces there on the day who came to say goodbye. "We had loads of customers coming in and friends and family and everyone stayed until they had a cup of tea and a chat. It was nice; it was hugely emotional for mum because having been there for 40 years as a postmaster herself and then worked for the lady that had the post office before her for a couple of years. When she built the house, she moved the post office over because it was easier for her to mind the kids. She could have the buggy down in the post office with Shane because he was born at the time."

Mary was not only the postmistress but she has been a councillor for the area for well over four decades. "She was able to do that alongside her council work because she has been on the council for 46 years. I don't know how she kept the whole lot going to be honest."

Aine said that growing up, her mother did everything she could for family and is now an active grandmother. "She is absolutely incredible and we are so blessed and we know that and at no point ever took her granted for all she did for us and our kids, her grandchildren. When you have your own kids you realise how much you need that support."

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Aine was at the event with her two little boys Evan, 4 and Eoin, 2, and her daughter Amy who is 20. "I worked in the post office part-time and Evan is so outgoing from meeting people everyday. He said to one woman coming up the drive, 'come in out of the rain'. He'll miss all the contact with people too."

The local shop, Nearby, has taken over the post office and they opened this week. "Sam is running it there and we wish him the very best of luck."

Hub of the community

Aine said that while her mother is no longer postmistress, Mary will continue to work for her community. "Sometimes for people, you might be the only person they'll have a chat with that week. Given that she was doing the council work it made her very accessible to the public and they could pop in. She still wants people to know that the house is there for anyone who wants to call. She might have retired from the public but she certainly still in the public eye."