Finglas locals share their memories of eventful 2019

REPORTER Béibhinn Thorsch took to the streets of Finglas to find out what locals will remember most about 2019.

While rushing from Dealz, one local revealed: “I had a baby, so I haven’t been watching anything or minding anything – I don’t even get to watch the telly!”

A Finglas grandmother we met told us: “I really enjoyed the recent unveiling of the Liam Mellows statue. We brought all the kids out to that.”

Many stories were more touching, as hardships that occurred during the year were made all the more difficult coming up to the holiday season.

Others told harrowing tales of hardships they experienced during the year, which were made all the more difficult in the run up to Christmas.

“We became homeless in August because our landlord wanted to sell,” one local resident revealed. “We tried to keep that secret. I’ve lied through my teeth to my children. My perception of homelessness was someone in a doorway – I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

She added: “I look at people in a totally different way to what I did. I never realised it could happen to anybody. We’re living in a hub, in one room. I have a 12-year-old, a 10-year-old and a nine-year-old.”

Despite her predicament, she was still full of praise for the people of Finglas.

“I love Finglas,” she told us. “Everything is like a community; there’s such unity. If you were to fall down, somebody would go over to you. You don’t get that everywhere.”

When we caught up with Sandra Connaughton, who works in the post office, she recalled some of her own memories from 2019.

“I went to a wedding and my granddaughter’s christening,” she revealed. “Nothing ever happens here in the village.”

Declan, who works in Dolan’s Butcher’s, said his standout memory of 2019 was winning a championship with his football team.

Many of those we spoke to, including Rosaline Wade, mentioned the death of presenter Gay Byrne as something they will remember about 2019.

“Gay Byrne dying was big,” she said.

Des McDermott, who proudly declared he was practically born and bred in Finglas, told us of his own experience of Gay Byrne.

“I wasn’t a fan until I read his book,” he admitted. “Then I found out that he came up the hard way. He was never on the kind of money that presenters are on now. I became a fan of his then, but he was already retired at that stage.”

Daniel Carvill told us of some of the headlines he remembered from the year.

“The crisis in Scouting Ireland and the Government still being in power – even though they don’t have any power,” he said. 

He added: “It’s the longest serving minority Government in Irish history. Even Charlie Haughey couldn’t do that!”