Fee-nomenal service!

FAREWELL Postmaster retires after 27 years in community of Ballyconnell

After 27 years of dedicated service to the people of Ballyconnell and its surrounding areas, Postmaster Brian Fee retired from his role as Postmaster of Ballyconnell post office last Friday.

Brian, along with his wife Angela and their family, ran the service and were well known in the area. Indeed the Fee family have operated the post office in the west Cavan town for three generations now. “I was very happy in the post office and was supported well by the community,” said Brian.

“I saw a lot of comings and goings in my time. Towards the end, we were getting more into the banking business, which wouldn’t have been there at the start.” He also says that the type of items being sent in the post has changed, having been influenced a lot by technology. “People aren’t sending as many letters as they were at the start.

Businesses aren’t sending out invoices and statements, it’s all being done by emails. However, packages have grown especially with the amount of online business that retailers are doing. People still send Christmas cards but they mostly send texts and emails, especially young people.” While he has no plans to take a holiday in the near future, Brian hopes to it easier for the time being, although he will still be kept occupied with his work as a funeral director at his company, Brian Fee Funeral Directors. “The years are creeping up so I decided to call time. I’m going to take it a wee bit easier going forward. Nothing planned going forward, but I’ll keep working in the undertaking business."

Members of the community turned out last Friday to wish Brian and Angela well.

Larry Lee, speaking on behalf of all the business people of the town, said: “We would like to thank Brian and Angela for their 27 years of excellent service. They carried out their roles in the Post Office with great dedication and friendliness.”

Fr Liam Kelly also expressed his gratitude to the Fees for their service.

“They provided the service in the Post Office in a most competent manner and with good humour – they were always courteous and kind to people. You will be greatly missed, but we wish you both a happy retirement.”

The post office will now move from its current position to Kennedys Retail where it will be run by both Martin and Olga Kennedy.

However, the Fee link with the post office will remain as Brian's son, Donal, has been appointed new post office manager. Speaking after the move Martin said: “We were eager to ensure that this essential service remained centrally located in town. We're thrilled to have secured the contract and are enthusiastic about carrying forward the exceptional service legacy established by the Fee family."

The new post office opened for business last Tuesday morning.