Postman Maurice retires after 30 years serving community
By Mary Dennehy
AFTER 30 years delivering post to more than 700 homes in Kilnamanagh, Maurice Shiels this week delivered his last letter – and received a fond farewell from the community he has become part and parcel of.
Maurice (65), who lives in Kingswood with his wife Mary, has been working for An Post for the past 38 years, with 30 of those years spent working the same route in Kilnamanagh.
Maurice Shiels, who retired last week has delivered post in the Kilnamanagh area for 30 years
A father-of-five and grandad to 12, Maurice has been delivering on average 1,500 letters daily to more than 700 homes, businesses and schools in Kilnamanagh for the past 30 years – even though a few local dogs attempted to stop him along the way.
“I started every morning at around 6am and everyone had their post by 12pm,” Maurice told The Echo.
“I delivered around 1,500 letters each day, with places like the doctors, schools and local shops getting lots of letters.
“Many of my customers would be watching out for me when I came onto the road, they could set their watches by me.”
Maurice, who was involved with Kilnamanagh AFC, added: “The dogs used to be waiting for me too.
“They’d be literally waiting at the window for me to come onto the road and when they’d spot me they’d run around to the letter box.
“I’ve had a good few bites over the years and tetanus injections, the residents loved me but the dogs didn’t.”
Since word spread of Maurice’s retirement, the community of Kilnamanagh has expressed its appreciation for the cycle postman – who is an important part of the fabric of local life.
“I’m delivering post to people now who as children used to run after me down the road asking for elastic bands or looking to help me deliver letters,” Maurice said.
Changes
“Looking back there has been changes.
“I remember the Credit Union used to be based in the school hall and there was no security, nothing – just someone sitting behind a desk.
“Now there’s triple glass on everything.
“However, the estate itself hasn’t changed or the people. There’s great people living there.”
When asked if he’ll miss his trusty post bike, Maurice said: “I won’t be giving up the cycling, I’ve bought a new bike so will be out-and-about on that.
“My post bike served me well… and I’ve been the same weight for 40 years!”
Working since he was 14, Maurice said that he is ready to retire – despite missing all of his work colleagues, customers and working in the summer months.
“I will miss the camaraderie in the sorting office in the morning, there was always a bit of banter”, Maurice said.
“I’ll miss the people in Kilnamanagh that I met in the mornings too and I’d like to say thank you to all of the people for their kind words, good wishes, presents and cards… it meant a lot.
“It was a pleasure serving them for the past 30 years, people in Kilnamanagh always made me feel appreciated and I felt like I was part of the community.”
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