Mr. Bernard Joseph (Bernie) Gillespie (62) who was called to the great newsroom in the sky in May 1982 was one of the most prominent and popular journalists in the West of Ireland.

For over 40 years he had an illustrious career in the newspaper business, representing the family concern at all the major news events in the region.
He had a nose for a story, something that is missing in a lot of today's highly trained newspaper men and women.
Bernie was born with this innate trait. He could, as he would say, get an angle on anything.

Bernie was a founder member of the Mayo branch of the National Union of Journalists -- now the West of Ireland branch incorporating those in the sector in Mayo and Galway.
He served for a term as chairman and it was during his reign in office that the first Mayo Press Ball was organised.
Mr. Gillespie was a noted sportsman. In particular he excelled on the rugby field and was an active member of the Castlebar club for many seasons.
However, his real passion was for angling - something of a family failing. He was a skilled trout fisherman and was closely identified with many angling organisations in the West Mayo area.
With his great friend blacksmith Denny Fahy they fished Loughs Carra, Beltra, Conn, Cullen and Mask for many years, catching many a fine fish as well as a wealth of stories, both tall and true.
Bernie was educated at St. Patrick's national school Castlebar and at Blackrock College where he developed his love for rugby.
On completing his education he joined the family business, entering the newspaper's editorial section.
He quickly stamped his brilliance as a journalist on the local and national scene and he was appointed as Mayo representative for the national and international newspapers.
He was the youngest son of Thomas H. and Katherine Gillespie. He married the late Mary Healy of Healy's Hotel, Pontoon and they had four children, sons Brian and Richard and daughters Catherine and Ann.
Always full of good humour, Bernie chronicled all the news events, both major and parochial in a career which was unfortunately shortened when he was taken ill while still in his prime.
A hard worker, Bernie thought nothing of delivering Telegraphs all through the night, having already put in a hard day in the newsroom.
He was innovative, caring and above all the best of company. No task was too great. He always believed in"getting the wagon through".
He had pride in the Telegraph and worked, particularly in the 1960s and 70s to develop the paper into the success it is today.
He covered all the major markings - tragedies, courts, inquests, sport and social affairs.
At the same time along with his brothers, Tommy, Dick and Alfie, he ran the day-to-day business at the Telegraph.
During that period the job printing section was growing and the weekly newspaper was also printed in Cavendish Lane.
Today, the paper is run off on a central printing press at the Connacht Tribune in Galway.
Bernie Gillespie certainly left his journalistic mark on the Connaught Telegraph.

Re-printed from The connaught Telegraph commemorative issue, April 1996.