Helen O'Sullivan - Surprise Visit & Presentation

On Sunday 21st February 2016 , a very special occasion took place at Westside Estate in Togher. Two co-workers and old friends had arranged through family and friends to meet up to renew their friendship - Helen O'Sullivan nee Molloy and Kathleen O'Keeffe nee Roche. The visit was to have a twofold function , for unbeknownst to Helen , members of the Togher Historical Assoc. - Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien - were waiting to surprise her with a special presentation on behalf of her late Father Billy Molloy. The group had interviewed Mr. Molloy at his home at Togher Square in 2014 ( see here ).

Helen ( 2nd from left ) & Kathleen ( right )

 in Guys Printing Press ( later Waterstones )1973

Helen O'Sullivan & Kathleen O'Keeffe 

- February 2016

Helen was accompanied by her Daughter Lisa ( who had co-operated with the History Society in planning the surprise ) and Grandchildren. After the initial shock of meeting Billy O'Brien ( whom she had babysat for as a child ) the discussion quickly became a trip down memory lane - where private moments were recounted. Thoughts soon turned to Guys Printing Press where both Kathleen and Helen had worked as youths back in the 1970s. Another common trait shared between the two old friends was the fact that they both married in 1975.

 Billy O'Brien presenting Framed Photos to Helen

 Lisa & Children with DVD Interview

After refreshments Eamonn captured the special event with a photo shoot while Billy O'Brien on behalf of the Togher Historical Assoc. presented Helen with some momentos of her Father's interview - two framed photos and a DVD of the video interview. The afternoon finished with a promise to keep in touch. All in all an absolute pleasure where people who had been out of touch for 40 years had the opportunity to talk and laugh and share some stories. And all cemented by one common bond - Togher!

Cork City acknowledgment of Billy Molloy

A fantastic finishing touch to the story of Billy Molloy came in the form of a Special Sympathy Notice from Cork City Council which was presented to the Molloy Family. The Blog felt that this was a moving acknowledgement by the City of one of its Citizens.