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22 Oct 2025

Postman receives first class send-off after 27 years in Tipperary village

Tom Parker bids fond farewell to 'extended family'

Postman receives first class send-off after 27 years in Tipperary village

Tom Parker with his wife Nora and daughter Ciara on his last day as a postman in Ardfinnan and the surrounding area, when he received a great send-off from local people

Postman Tom Parker bade a fond farewell to what he described as his “extended family” in Ardfinnan recently on his last day as a postman in the village and surrounding area.

It was a testament to his popularity that a couple of hundred people of all ages, who had taken him to their hearts, turned out on a beautiful sunny day to wish Tom all the best for the future.

Tom has spent the last 27 years of his 39 years as a postman in the Ardfinnan area, delivering the mail to people, always with a smile in his usual cheerful manner, and always finding time for a chat.

He has now returned to Clonmel before his retirement next February.

Tom was taken aback by the number of people who gathered to extend their best wishes on his final day in the village.

“It’s unbelievable, incredible,” he said.

“I didn’t expect this whatsoever, I am stunned”.

The send-off showed exactly how much he meant to the local community. Schoolchildren turned out in force and sang a special song, ‘Postman Tom in his green and white van’.

Among those present to wish him all the best were Parish Priest Fr Michael Toomey, local councillor Micheál Anglim and the Mayor of Clonmel Michael Murphy.

Originally from New Inn, a typical day started at 5.30am when he loaded his van at Clonmel post office before doing his rounds in the Ardfinnan area, and finishing in the afternoon.

“I couldn’t have met nicer people than here,” he said. He loved the interaction with the locals and he left the area with so many great memories.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful, the people in Ardfinnan are amazing” he added.

The 27 years had gone past “in the blink of an eye” and he wished his colleagues, including Cathal Hennessy and John O’Meara, all the best for the future.

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Simone McLoughlin of An Post said that Tom was so popular that no one wanted him to leave and they had hoped he could stay until his retirement.

She said the community wished him all the best for the new chapter in his life that would begin next February.

Retirement may be only a matter months away but it isn’t occupying Tom’s thoughts for the time being.

“It’s on the back burner,” he says.

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