The Village People. (Page 02)

A very popular man of the village, Tommy McGrath, photographed in Bill's in the 1970's I'd say.

A very popular woman of the village, Peg Power, photographed outside the Fisherman's Hall in the 1960's I'd say.

A very popular barber, my grandfather William Rutter, who cut the villagers hair for nearly 50 years in his salon, or to be more precise, the first thatched cottage nearest the park up from Gerties shop.

This photo is taken from one of the British Pathe newsreel films about the Shamrock Factory in Dunmore, made in the early 1960's. The factory was on based on the quay at that time. Dinah O'Regan is the first lady in the photo and Paddy O'Connor is the man. I don't know who the other two ladies are.

This photo was taken by David Campbell in 1969 and features, Loretta and Jack Doyle, David Campbells wife and children and Jack Murphy.

A group of boys swear allegiance to the flag and promise to make Dunmore great again. The photo was taken by Helen Murphy in the mid 1960's.

Mrs. Dick Murphy, on the left, was a schoolteacher and taught in Killea school during the 1970's. I think she was in Bellelake School or Carbally School before that. The Nun in the centre is Mother Peter and Mother Agnus is on the right in the photo. I don't know the other Nun's name or who the man is. The photo was taken in Mrs. Murphy's garden.

 A photo of Barbara, Margaret and Audrey Rutter with Eileen Cullinane on the right of the picture, and I'm the incredibly cute baby.

George Roche, Tessy Fitzgerald and Carol Power.

Avril Murphy, Jack Doyle and Joefy Murphy.

John and Josie O'Connell on their wedding day. Johnny was always referred to as Johnny Honda, the origin of the name I don't know. He worked for many years in Power's Seeds and later out on the Industrial Estate as a grounds man. I always remember him with a smile on his face, he liked a good laugh.

Billy Hearne was originally from Passage East, but settled in Dunmore and was a popular figure around Dunmore when I was a child. He was noted for his good singing voice.

The Doyles and Joefy, taking it easy on a summer's day laying back in the hay.

John Grey arrived in Dunmore in the early 1980s, when the village still moved to its quiet rhythm of fishing, music, and the colourful characters that gave the place its charm. It didn’t take him long to find his way to the Anchor Bar, where the ever-hospitable Paddy Green welcomed him with open arms. Before long, his caravan—towed into the village by Kevin the Goat with his tractor—was settled behind the pub, and John had found his place among friends.

In time, he began working in the Candlelight, where the food became his true delight. He had a taste for garlic and bay leaves, which grew along the park wall, and he was rarely known to sit down to a dinner without the flavouring of both. If you went into Bill's during the 80's and smelt garlic, you'd know that John was there. 

His easy-going nature, humour, and generosity of spirit earned him respect throughout the village, and his presence became woven into daily life in Dunmore. When the day finally came that John passed away, the loss was felt deeply. The village mourned more than just a familiar face at the bar or a hand in the Candlelight kitchen—it had lost a true character, whose stories, warmth, and personality left their mark on all who knew him.

𝐀 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥'𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧'𝐬 𝟖𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲.  

Paddy O’Regan, Ned Power and Johnny Furlong out fishing on the Lydia Ann.

𝐀 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐎’𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐫, 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎’𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐧. 

For many in Dunmore, the name Jimmy Cullinane still brings back a smile and a fond memory. He lived in one of the houses behind Glenville Terrace with his wife Mary, better known as Cissy, and their two children, Michael and Eileen. 

Jimmy, also known as Slim, was the driving force of the village, the man behind the wheel of the Dunmore bus, working for Seamus Lynch. I can still picture him walking down the road after his lunch each day with his leather money bag in hand and a smile on his face. He’d give the bus a quick sweep before setting off on his route. Then, with a cloud of exhaust fumes trailing behind him and Consulate cigarette smoke blowing out the window, Jimmy would coax the old bus up Long’s Hill, stopping to gather passengers at the Dock before heading into town.

Away from work, Jimmy had his share of pastimes. He loved a game of Bingo and was even mentioned in a newspaper report in 1970 after winning £50 at a night in Tramore—a tidy sum at the time. Cards were another favourite, and Jimmy could often be found in the Strand with his regular crew: Paddy “Big Daddy” Kearney, Willie Donovan, Eddie Don, Richie Fanning, and anyone who was foolish enough to sit in on a game with them.

Jimmy was part of the daily life and character of Dunmore all through my childhood, and the fact that his name is still spoken with such affection today says a great deal about the man. He was a good one.

Jimmy “The Raven” Cullinane was another one of Dunmore’s great characters and one of the GAA’s most loyal fans. His love of sport and his enthusiasm for every local club and team made him a familiar and much-loved figure throughout the parish. Jimmy had time for everyone—he was always the first to congratulate a team after a victory, and just as quickly there to lift their spirits after a defeat. His good humour and kind manner became part of what makes him so fondly remembered.

The Waterford Hurling team was his greatest passion, and he took immense pride when his two nephews, Sean and Eamon Cullinane, broke onto the county panel, it was a dream come true for him. Jimmy was not only a supporter of the Waterford team of the day, but also a storyteller who could bring the past alive with tales of players and matches gone by.

Away from the side-line, Jimmy was the life and soul of every gathering he attended. His trademark party pieces, which included his unique match commentaries, the famous cap-in-hand dance, and his renditions of The Bog Road and Cill Chais, gave endless joy to all who saw him perform them. In the 1960s, he also became well known for his lively performances of The Hucklebuck. Local women were often wary of dancing with him as they couldn’t keep up with his energetic steps. He’d wiggle like a snake and wobble like a duck, and all people could do was stand around in a ring and watch.

However, Jimmy was more than a GAA supporter, a dancer or an entertainer—he was a gentleman, a friend to many, and a true Dunmore character. He’s another one whose presence is sorely missed, but the memories will always remain with those who knew him.

𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐎'𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞.