The Late Christy Tiernan The congregation that filled St Mary's Church, Gortletteragh for the funeral Mass of Christy Tiernan didn't just come to pay their respects but also to commemorate the life of a person who had given so many years of service to his community. Christy, who was 89 years of age when he passed to his eternal reward, enjoyed a long and happy life as Postmaster of Farnaught Post Office. Together with his late wife Lizzie, they operated the Post Office from their home from 1952. Four years later they purchased the Garda Barracks just across the road after it was sold off by the State. This fine stone building, which was an RIC barracks in British times, soon became known as "Christy's" and became an institution in the parish. For several decades it was the focal point for people to come together and socialise, it being adjacent to the hall and situated at the crossroads which was famous for its bonfire dances. As Postmaster, Christy was a very well liked man who loved a good chat and would rehash stories of his youth as if they only happened yesterday. The Post Office was more than just a payout station for pensions and children's allowance. It was a place for people to meet where they could swap stories and get all the up-to-date news. Long before the telephone became the popular way of transmitting news, the telegram was nearly the only communication families had with their friends around the world. Christy and Lizzie delivered these telegrams which were the first draft of good and sad news, from career advancements, to marriages, to the deaths of family members from abroad. From an early age, Christy was fascinated with the development of the motor car. So it was no surprise when in 1936 he purchased a hackney car - a 14.9 Ford. Over the next forty years he was witness to much social change and liked nothing better than sharing his experiences and memories with the younger generation. With a smile he recalled his first assignment as a hackney driver at a Church of Ireland wedding in Rynn which was fairly grand affair. The reception was in the bride's house and consisted of a four course dinner. Such was the standing of the hire men that he was included the the first dinner setting with the bride and groom. It was customary that the newlyweds would go on a sightseeing tour after dinner and return later for the dance. Well, the splendour of this occasion was in sharp contrast to another wedding he covered in the Cornageeha area. Here the poor unfortunate couple didn't check the church calendar before booking the marriage with the priest and he didn't make them any the wiser. With the result that they were married on the Black Fast. Breakfast consisted of boiled eggs. However, the men polished off half a barrel of porter after deciding among themselves that it didn't contravene the fast. Christy's hackney service was very much in demand during the Second World War. He laughed as he reminisced about driving Dr. O'Mahoney of Drumlish to the many home births. The good doctor was equipped with a black saucepan and a little stove, which ran on methylated spirits. Later he transported expectant mothers to the maternity hospital and was as accurate as a register when it came to dates of birth in the area. During this period he was taxi to the Leitrim team on the excursions around the country. The price of the fare to the All-Ireland semi final in Croke Park in 1947 was a cut price of £6 a car. As cars became plentiful he retired from hackney business in 1973 but was active in the Post Office until shortly before his death where he would still make up the bills with his pen. No matter what day or hour you called he was the same Christy who always brought a bit of sunshine to people's lives. His role in the life of Farnaught was recently featured in a double page pictorial spread in the 2003 edition of the Leitrim Guardian. Christy will be sadly missed by all his customers and friends and not least by his family, son Noel, daughter Dolores, son-in-law James, grandchildren and great granddaughter. We are glad you passed this way. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar an anam. A.K.Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer February 2003 Tweet

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