Back in 1991 Mary Sheehan joined the team of C.R.Y. Youghal as a volunteer – having in mind doing a little admin work, answer the phones etc.,  but certainly with no thoughts of ever getting behind the ‘mike’.  Well, things didn’t go quite the way Mary planned and she ended up doing ten years of broadcasting, presenting not one but two programmes, one which was co-hosted with Eddie Maloney.   The Deise News programme, which Mary presented every second Saturday ,was one of the most listened to and certainly a very great favourite with the listeners.   Her very special way of talking is unique to Mary herself, and the chuckle in her voice delighted everyone who tuned in to her programme. Report: Denise FitzGerald / Photo: Michael Hussey E-Mail: news@youghalonline.com

On Saturday last, November 12th, Mary ‘hung up her earphones’ at the end of her Deise programme, much to the regret of not only the listeners, but also her colleagues at C.R.Y.   Mary, however, after ten years said that it was time for her to ‘move on’, but promised not to lose contact completely with the Station, which gave her so much pleasure and sense of achievement over the years.

Much to Mary’s surprise and delight, all the presenters and her colleagues at C.R.Y. gathered at the end of her programme to wish her well, and to thank her for her years with the radio.   A magnificent crystal bowl was presented to her, along with a huge bouquet of flowers which were given by her friends at the Station.

Mary said she wished to thank all who helped her so much over the years, and in particular to her listeners who she called ‘her special air friends’.  Margaret Carey, she said, was fantastic on the phones and her writing exemplary and so easy to read.   She paid tribute to Colin Paynton for his efficiency and co-operation over the years and to all who helped her in any way.

Mistletoe was produced and everyone availed of the meaning of it to give Mary many good luck kisses.   Tributes were paid to her and, as one of her colleagues said, ‘Mary is the real lady of CRY’.  Before she left the Station at the end of ten years of broadcasting Mary, with a few tears in her eyes, promised that ‘maybe’ this would not be the last that the listeners would hear of her.   Let’s hope you keep that promise, Lady Mary Sheehan.
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