In today’s world of communication, we probably connect with family and friends more so today than ever before. In the blink of an eye we send emails, tweets and whatsapp messages like there were going out of fashion. However, when it comes to writing a letter, we are not that ‘flaithiúlach’. Although it is not that long ago, the exchange of letters between lovers, friends or parents to children was both touching and something that the recipient looked forward to. And of course that all important letter to a family from an emigrant son or daughter is legendary. There was a time when a page or two was allocated in every national and regional newspaper for ‘Letters to the Editor’. Alas no more!. And mores the pity.
And so it came as somewhat of a surprise when a letter arrived at The Observer newspaper, complimenting a man well known in the Kilkenny business community. The man in question is the very likeable and charismatic John Street butcher John Joe Cullen. A man who spends the majority of his spare time as a community worker, involved as he is in such projects as G.A.A. and of course The Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee. It is, what you could describe as a genuine note of thanks, praise and dare we say, beauty all on the one page. The letter arrived at The Kilkenny Observer and was written by an American couple who were quite blown away by the courtesy afforded them by Mr Cullen on their recent visit to Ye Faire City.
The Editor
Kilkenny Observer Newspaper
Friary Street Kilkenny
Dear Sir/Madam,
My wife and I visited Ireland in November of 2022 and while on a bus tour we wandered into JJ Cullen butchers, on John Street. We explained that since we were on a bus tour and then staying at a hotel with no kitchen we were not customers, but regardless the man behind the counter stopped what he was doing and insisted he would be happy to talk to us. We had been enjoying the breakfasts in Ireland and had questions about the cuts of meat used, hoping we could duplicate such delectable breakfasts at home.
The gentleman showed us anything we asked about using his knife as if it were his very hand. I suspect that he could have tied his shoe laces with that knife, so sure and dexterous were his movements. Every piece was removed, flipped this way and that, and then returned to its starting place within a millimetre of where it began all by use of that knife. We were enthralled.
Years later, we talk about three things that we saw in Ireland: the structure in Newgrange, the town of Slade, and JJ Cullen butchers. Yes we saw many fine pubs which served Guinness with such care that they were works of art, many fine museums, many fine castles, but watching that Gentleman take time out of his day to proudly show us his wares was a high point of our visit to the country. An absolutely fantastic moment in our lives. What a good dude.
We hope this letter finds him well and in good spirits and wish to let him know that he made a huge impact on us. Many thanks, Sir, and be well.
John and Judy Holmes
Warwick, NY
