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Norah Hogan TUES8FEB22

ednesday, February 9th is going to be a big day for Norah Hogan.

For that’s the day this familiar face hands in her badge at the Greystones Post Office…

After 24 years of loyal service, this fine post mistress is finally getting the sack.

It was back in 1997 when Norah and hubby Joe came back with their young kids from England to help look after her mum in the family home just outside Avoca. Norah took a part-time job in the Post Office in Bray to help makes ends meet.

“Only, it was a full-time job before I even took off my coat,” says Norah. “I’m still not sure how I got roped into this…”

Norah’s move to take over Greystones post office over a decade ago (“I think it was 12 years ago now, but I actually can’t remember“) sealed her fate.

“It might be hard work some days, but I do love working here,” she says. “There’s a strong sense of community with a post office too. You get to know everyone. And who they’re keeping in touch with…”

Given how much of our lives are living online these days, does Norah think the post office is here to stay…?

“Amazon has being eating away at all the businesses around here,” she says, “and I just hope people recognise the value of having shops in their town. These are meeting places as much as anything, and they keep a community connected…

“And it keeps the money circulating locally as opposed to flying off into a billionaire’s bank account.”

Looking forward to being able to stay in bed that little bit long, Norah will nonetheless continue to keep busy, through her work with St Vincent de Paul.

“It’s important to have a purpose, something that gets you out of the house, when you retire,” she smiles. “Otherwise, I reckon Joe and I would probably go truly postal…”

If you’re passing down the town tomorrow, swing by and wish our long-serving post mistress all the best on her new adventures.

And be sure to congratulate Norah on being a successful woman in such a mail-dominated industry.