Inspirational Mayo community man Joe Redmond reflects on a life well lived
by Nathan Keane
JOE Redmond has celebrated a milestone birthday.
The Castlebar native, who is heavily involved in the community, turned 90.
I got the chance to have a quick chat with Joe, and the first thing I asked him was how his perspective on life has changed over the years.
“It hasn’t changed at all,” Joe started. “I am just thankful that I have got where I am. I suppose you could say that I was one of the lucky ones. Growing up I was in a family of eight, and I am the last of them.
“There is plenty to be thankful for, with all the friends that surround me.”
Joe then went on to talk about his various roles in the community. “I feel it is important when you get on in years that you have something to aim at, something to keep you going.
"I am the club president of Castlebar Celtic, which is a great thing to be involved in. I love going to the games and all the rest of it.
"The club is doing great at the minute which is fantastic to see. I’m hoping to keep the role. They haven’t thrown me out yet! It is a privilege, with all the Connaught Cups - and they play great football on top of it all.”
Joe Redmond is also involved with the Castlebar Parish Magazine, another position he is very proud of.
“I have been involved with the Parish Magazine even before I was the editor. I was involved with actually putting the magazine together, when the computer age first came in.
"1970 was the first ever edition of the Parish Magazine. It was in 1983 that The Connaught Telegraph got the printing out of it.
"Johnny Mee was the editor at the time. I was involved in composing the pages and all the rest of it, so I had an involvement in it at that time. Even before that, I was doing small bits and pieces.”
Speaking on his work with the PTAA (Pioneer Total Abstinence Association) Joe said: “I have been a pioneer all my life. I’ve met many, many friends over the years through it, at local, regional and Connaught level.
"The PTAA is a group of people who abstain from all intoxicating drinks for life. Unfortunately, very few young people are joining it in recent times. People's attitudes to religion are changing, in general. I think it is just part of the way things are going.”
On his work with the Castlebar Social Services, Joe remarked: “That organisation is amazing. When you look at the new centre, in comparison to where we started, there is a huge difference.
"It started over in the Family Centre, beside the church, back in 1973-74. I wasn’t involved in it straight away, I joined in around 1975. What it is now is completely different.
"The facilities they have now are second to none. I was chairman for two years from 1980-82. When I first joined, with the fact I was working in The Connaught Telegraph at the time, they thought I would make a good PRO!
"We were involved with delivering meals on wheels, it was a voluntary thing. The meals I used to deliver then were very basic.
"Now there is a three course dinner delivered, with soup and dessert and everything. Back in my day there was a rush to get it done as fast as you can, so the food didn’t get cold. Now they have insulation to keep the meals warm.
“It’s incredible what they can do.”
I also discussed the ongoing World Cup with Joe. I started off by asking him if he thinks it has been taken over by commercial interests.
“Well I certainly believe that it has been. I believe that money has destroyed it really. In 1966, the year England won the World Cup, I was at a number of games in that competition, in Goodison Park.
"I got the chance to see Brazil play, with Pelé, and Eusébio for Portugal.
"In 60 years, the game has totally changed. To be quite honest with you, I get more enjoyment going up watching Castlebar Celtic play Westport United, or one of the other local teams. It’s more honest, compared to players falling over whenever they get a bit of a nudge.”
When asked about who is the best player he has ever seen, Joe had two people in mind.
“At an international level, I would say Eusébio for Portugal. At a local level, Josie Feeney with Castlebar Celtic was incredible.”
I also asked Joe whether he thinks society in general has become a better place.
“It has and it hasn't,” he replied. “I may be conservative in my attitude, longing for the good old days, but life doesn’t work that way. Times change. Even though I would like to stay back in the old days, you have to move with the flow as they say.
“There are a lot of things happening now that I wouldn’t be happy about, but that’s my own opinion. On the other hand, there have been big improvements. Medicine, and healthcare in general, has improved massively.
“People's welfare has gotten a lot better. When I was growing up, times were very hard, money was scarce, and work was scarce. People have a better quality of life now.”
“If I was to live my life over again there’s not too much I’d change,” Joe reflected.
Finally, I asked him what his secret for longevity is.
“I don’t drink or smoke, that might be two factors. The fact that people tell me I maybe look seventy instead of ninety, I would put that down to my mother actually.
"My mother was three months short of one hundred when she died, and she had the complexion of a seventy year old. Genetics is where I got it from.
“I’m very lucky, and blessed with good health. I have my own aches and pains, but nothing major, nothing I cannot cope with, thankfully.”
A truly inspirational man.