Getting personal

Indicating just how desperate this woman was, she admitted that she tried to bargain with the man, saying it was ok for him to remain married to the other woman and herself at the same time. She pointed out that in his culture, this man could have four wives. Now that she has come to her senses, she looked into divorcing the man. But she can't legally do it from Ireland. She could hire a solicitor in his country but she was advised not to go to the Middle East."

Another isolated man, living in Cork, placed an ad in the Echo last year, looking for a medium sized dog. "This pensioner, who had been in the Congo serving with the defence forces, ended up telling me about his family. He had been born in a county home and didn't really know his mum and didn't know who his father was. He told me about trying to connect with his family (which includes siblings) and the impact that has had on his life. You could see why dogs were like family to him."

There's an odd story in the book about a man who had advertised for a DVD of 'The Remains of the Day,' starring Anthony Hopkins. O'Connell made contact with this man who turned out to have an obsession with Anthony Hopkins. He had watched almost everything the actor had ever appeared in.

"On one level, it is quite sad that somebody had to put an ad in a paper for a DVD. It means he doesn't have a social circle and doesn't have the wherewithal to go online. These are the people I really wanted to meet."

The man's garden was unkempt and his cluttered sitting room included seats piled high with newspapers. The walls were full of newspaper cuttings, mainly about George Best and Pelé. There were lots of Diet Coke bottles on the floor.

The day O'Connell met this man, a well preserved second-hand copy of 'The Remains of the Day' had arrived. The man already had it on VHS and had worn it out because he had watched the film so often. His fascination with the Hollywood actor started when he saw him in 'The Elephant Man' in 1980.

The man lives with his brother in what was the family house. He knows all the lines and character names of the thirty-five films Hopkins was in from 1968 to 2005.

Going to Mass is this man's only social outlet. He says 'hello' to people, 'but it stops there.' Once a year, he drinks a can of Guinness - on Christmas day. His last dog had died and he reckoned that a new dog would probably be his last as he was getting on in age. The man became emotional when he spoke about the dog that had died. An ad on DoneDeal in July 2017 read as follows: 'Horse-drawn Victorian hearse, very old. For restoration. Circa 1870. Original condition, needs slight work to restore. Might consider part exchange. Also selection of traps and carriages. €2,850.'

Intrigued, O'Connell met Mike Fleming, the man behind the ad, in Boherbue on the Cork/Kerry border. Fleming turned out to be a collector and a trawler of the small ads. O'Connell writes: "Dotted around his property were many items of historical interest, from old labouring tools to a collection of vintage tractors and ploughs, to old bar signs, vintage cars and old bottles. There was even a museum scene depicting an Irish Famine wake in one corner of an outhouse, complete with life-size figures and a realistic-looking dead body in a bed. I mean, go figure."

Where did the hearse come from? Fleming thinks it's from north Cork, perhaps Doneraile. He fell for it and received a lot of calls about it, including from undertakers who wanted it as a showpiece. He had trouble trying to sell it. He said that he'd like to see a buyer completely refurbish it. 'But the most important thing is someone with the €2,000. After that, we wish them good luck and hopefully they won't need it for personal use for a long time to come.'

Echo (now the Echo) during Christmas 2014, O'Connell had to satisfy his curiosity. When he phoned the contact number, a man with a rural accent said the monkeys were gone.

He put O'Connell in touch with the buyer, Ivan Rumley, who has a pet farm outside Cork city. Rumley said the male monkey was sold but he would introduce O'Connell to the female. It turned out to be a marmoset monkey, one of the smallest breeds in the world. She was three years old at the time. The seller of the monkeys had bought them as pets from a dealer in Northern Ireland. When the owner of the monkeys fell ill, he needed to offload them quickly and turned to the small ads. Ivan Rumley bought the pair for more than €1,000. 'To be honest, I was only looking in the Echo for a pony,' he told O'Connell. All in a day's work for a journalist who describes himself as nosey and curious. He certainly has a nose for a story. And the headline above the monkey story in the book reads: 'A Monkey is for Life - Not Just For Christmas.'

SPRING BREAK TO WESTPORT

Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere www.belvedere www.facebook.com/Belvedere Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park

Sunday Feb 23rd to Wednesday 26th 2020 COACH DEPARTING CORK, LIMERICK & GALWAY Coach + 3 Nights B&B + 3 Dinners €199pps 3 Nights B&B + 3 Dinners €145pps +€25 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT QUOTAS APPLY. FREE SHUTTLE TAXI FROM TRAIN STATION. Package includes: • 3 nights Bed & Breakfast + 3 gourmet evening meals • Coach tour of Achill Island – visit to Keem Bay voted top 3 beaches in the world • Trip to National Museum of Ireland - Country Life • Free time to explore Westport PLUS a selection of discounts in local shops • Cookery Demonstration • Jewellery Making Course • Live entertainment 2 nights. Bingo on 1 night. • Full use of leisure facilities at Westport Leisure Park (located just 30m away) • FREE Tea/Coffees for duration of stay TO BOOK CALL THE WYATT HOTEL RESERVATIONS ON +353 98 25027 or EMAIL reservations@wyatthotel.com THE WYATT HOTEL, THE OCTAGON, WESTPORT, CO. MAYO, IRELAND. TOWN CENTRE • ATMOSPHERE • GOURMET FOOD • ENTERTAINMENT A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. lvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park inating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Contact: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie www.facebook.com/Belvedere-House-Gardens-Park ascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a 044 9338960 A Fascinating Estate to Visit Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) €23. Each additional child €3. Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocafinefood.com Parking Free car parking available on site This magnificent 160 acre Lakeside estate boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa built in 1740 by the famous Architect Richard Castles for Robert Rochfort –later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18 th

century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies includes the largest in Ireland; “The Jealous Wall”. Within the welcoming Visitor Services Centre is a Licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop and there are also 4 outdoor children’s play areas & many picnic areas on the estate. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. ACTIVE RETIREMENT Activity Breaks 2020 Join us at the 4 Star Sligo Southern Hotel & Leisure Centre with the best of modern comforts and so easily accessible via train and bus for one of our Activity Breaks this year. Active retirement

Relax in total comfort and enjoy what Sligo town has to offer, take in all amenities of a centrally located hotel, riverside cafes, museums, art galleries, shopping centres.

Choose from, Line Dancing, Bowling, Coach Trips from Belfast & Dublin, Bridge, Social Dancing and Turkey and Tinsel Holiday Breaks