Eddie Don RIP

Eddie Don was one of the all time great characters of the village and

for many years amused locals and visitors alike, with his quick wit and

funny stories. He was a great poker player and would have fitted in

well in the Wild West. I remember him telling me a yarn one night in

The Strand about a time he had heard people outside his house at a

late hour. He assumed that they were trying to break in and as any

sane man would do he went for his gun. He didn't bother to open the

door but instead discharged the weapon through the window, spraying

glass and lead out into the street. When he was sure that the danger

had passed he rang Sergeant Flynn and told him of the incident. The

Sergeant asked if he had killed any of them and Eddie replied no, that

he had missed the buggers. The Sergeant told him that it was okay

and to return to bed and not to take any further action.

Another evening I remember being in the Anchor Bar, when Eddie,

some stranger in the village and me were the only customers and

Paddy Green himself was behind the counter. Eddie had had a few

too many pink gins and was finding it difficult to stay on Paddy

Green's wobbly stool. So knowing he had enough he decided to leave,

but found it hard to keep his balance. Paddy Green asked me to give

him a hand to help Eddie out the door. I was delighted to be escorting

someone out of the pub as opposed to being the one escorted myself.

When we returned a minute later the stranger said "surely ye're not

leaving that man walk home in that condition". Paddy Green replied

dryly, " ah sure he's alright, he's driving."

I think a whole website could be filled with stories of Eddie's

escapades and I'm sure everyone in the Dunmore has an Eddie Don

story. He was one the most honourable men the village ever had.

From Von Rutter

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