The Echo Man
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Michael O'Regan was the famous Echo Man of Cork city. He sold newspapers on the streets for over half a decade. Walking down the main street you would often hear his loud 'Echo!' with his booming voice.
Sadly Michael passed away just after Christmas but I wanted to share an old video I made of him a few years ago when I lived in Cork. Rest in Peace Michael.
#uplifting #ireland #cork #memories
Love from Saudi Arabia, l lived 6 wonderful year in Cork. Really sorry to know that the city has lost this man but his ECHO still waving.
Much love from Ireland my friend!
Hi Patrick. My name is Anthony O'Regan and I'm Michael's nephew. Michael was thrilled when you did this video and the family are delighted that you've posted it again. He was some character. They don't make them like this fella anymore
Anthony I had no idea Michael even saw it! This time the video is staying up forever. Thank you so much for your kind words and I hope you're doing ok!
@@sliceofpatrick
Oh he did ya. He must have been one of the most photographed people in Cork, which he loved. So to be in a 'film' was a big deal for him. Thanks for taking the trouble to make it. It's class. He actually started selling papers in 1960 when aged 10.
I did his eulogy at the funeral. You might like to read.
Its my honour today to say a few words about OUR Echo Boy, the enigmatic Michael O'Regan.
Before I begin, I'd like to ask Matt and Liam, two of Michaels grand nephews, to bring up the Echo and Hollybough now, the two papers most associated with Michael.
When I say he was OUR Echo Boy, he was just that. A face for the beating heart of our city, of the people of Cork and all that is good about us.
Michael started selling papers before JFK became president. He spent nearly 60 years serving HIS people on Patrick Street and in Pipers in Kinsale. In the process he became synonamous with Cork. He WAS Cork and was immensely proud of being voted Corkonian of the decade in the early 2000's. It was almost as good as when he was asked to switch on the Christmas lights one year. He was like a child in a sweet shop that day.
He was iconic. At the time of elections, hopeful future leaders would climb over each other to get that photo of them paying homage to Corks favourite son.
He was a gentle soul, kind with his time and everyone he met. Photos and postcards from all around the world would be addressed to the Echo Boy, Patricks Street, Cork. He touched everybodies lives.
He attended the inauguration of over 50 lord mayors of Cork. He rode the buses in the evenings after work, touring his city, watching all the changes around him, as he remained the constant anchor in our lives, a historical link between past and present.
He was unashamedly proud of where he came from. His purpose in life was to serve his customers, the people of Cork. And the sky would have to fall in before he would let them down. He loved them. And if the tributes to him are anything to go by, they love him too.
Probably because he represented the best in all of us. In Cork, we try to look after our own and particularly the vulnerable. As he used to say himself....'Family comes first', and we were all his family.
He faced lifes challenges head on, and took them in his stride. Like all his colleagues selling papers, he was stoic and resilient. Hail, rain or shine, he was there on our streets, as dependable as Shandon Bells, reminding everyone that you were in HIS city, with his defiant call of 'Echo....evening Echo' heard all round, and probably deafening a few people along the way. And he did it all with a smile and good nature that was heart warming.
He only had kind words for people and they in turn have the same for him. He was as innocent as a small child.....yet cute as a fox too, and he'd leave you wondering which one you were talking to. Of course, he was a caffler, a rogue, a larger than life character too.
There are many stories about him. In fact, everyone seems to have their own.
One of my favourites is him arriving outside Croke Park on All Ireland final day without a ticket, and yet being able to blaguard his way in at the gates. A Corkman getting one over a Dub would brighten anyones day.
Mam still gets a great kick out of him introducing her and Dad as his sister in law and her husband. It was never my brother and his wife. All completely innocent I'm sure.
When his mother died, we started looking after him. No way would he move so Sunday night was my night to stay with him. These were my student days so I was a bit naive I suppose. Anyway, he was a deep sleeper while everyone else had to lie awake and listen to him rattle the house with his snoring. On Monday mornings, I used to have to wake him, which was no easy feat. I'd pull him up to sit him on the bed so I could dress him. I'd then make his breakfast and lunch and see him off for the first bus. For months I was doing this, pulling him up out of bed, putting on his socks, etc. Until one morning I slept through the alarm. Everything was fine though as I found him downstairs, fully dressed, lunch made and eating his breakfast in the kitchen. You'd be mad for a second but then he'd disarm you with a flash of that baby smile and those piercing blue puppy dog eyes. You couldn't but love the rogue.
And best of luck to anyone who tried to change his mind. The man was not for turning. But sure wasn't he a monument for the rebel county. What else would you expect?
In the last few days, people have been leaving loads of their stories about him online and we've had great fun reading them.
We never knew there was a horse called the Echo Boy. Not sure if he had a share in it. You'd never know with him.
Or of the good samaratin who was sitting next to Michael on a bus to Kinsale one day. Michael felt ill so the good samaritin asked the driver to stop the bus so he could call to a house and phone a doctor for Michael. This was before the days of mobile phones I presume. While this was going on though, Michael had a miraculous recovery and told the bus driver he could drive on......which he did.....leaving the poor old good samaratin standing in some stangers hall, holding a phone, with a long walk to Kinsale ahead of him.
One of the most touching stories is posted by a Carole Bradley. She tells the story of her son Chris, who sadly died from a brain tumour some years ago. Chris worked for O2 in Patricks street and used to mind Michaels papers for him when it rained. He'd also bring him cups of tea. When Chris was sick, he was in hospital in Dublin. Michael unexpectedly arrived into the hospital one day to see him, having taken three buses to get there. He told Carole that he had to see 'OUR' Chris. That was the man.
You see, everyone owns their own piece of the story of our Echo Boy.
What a legacy to leave, the memories, the laughs, the friends, the hearing aids, the names of shops on his t-shirts that had long since closed down. Sure we don't know a fraction of it. And that's probably the magic of him. This humble man left little golden nuggets everywhere. And we were just lucky to live in HIS city while he was there. All he wanted was to be around the people and streets of Cork and that never changed, even in retirement.
As a family, we are particularly thankful to all those who helped him throughout his life. You showed him such kindness.
We'd also like to thank Fr. Howard and Fordes funeral home for taking good care of Michael, and our family, over the last few days and to Patsy Seymour for singing todays mass.
Michael will leave a huge void in our lives. But its now our collective responsibility to continue to look after each other, to brazenly be as Cork as we can possibly be, to carry his torch and honour his legacy.
Thank you for coming today to celebrate the passing of the institution that was Michael O'Regan.....Corks very own.....Echo Boy
@@skills2734 that was absolutely beautiful Anthony - thank you so much for posting this
It's weird not seeing this Echo man around town anymore 😢May he RIP
He passed away? 😥
I only saw, and most of all heard him, in 2022 and was eager to come back and make a little surprise to my new vacation partner.
Its an absolutely beautiful video!!! well done Patrick for making it and sharing it.. treasure.
Thanks for sharing this. I hope he didn't die alone.
I'm sorry for your loss 💜 💜 💜 💜 💜
God Bless Corcaigh, nice video my man
Love Cork forever!
i'm so sorry he's gone. i do still read printed newspapers and am still clinging to things that i know will go by the wayside. but i will enjoy them while i still can.
thank you for this lovely film and memorial ❤
My Dad was a journalist so I have a hard time giving them up too!
Absolutely beautiful shots. I miss him.
Me too
Great video! He must have been quite a character.
Very!
Another character gone. RIP
But never forgotten
Great to see a tribute to the man. Nicely done!
Thank you very much!
Such a sad news...but really thank you to introduce this wonderful man to us... in a beautiful and respecfull way.