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Five days after his fateful decision to have a pint at McGinn’s, John Joe Quinn is taking his newfound international fame in stride.
The moving image of John Joe enjoying a Guinness with an alarm clock by his side went viral and even became The New York Times.
The photo, taken at McGinn’s Hop House in Woodquay, Galway, and uploaded to their Facebook page on Monday, sparked a torrent of emotion, from affection to anger, over the impact of Covid restrictions on women’s social lives. persons.
Some social media commentators criticized the government for its strict rules on time limits in pubs.
Although he was eager to obey the 105 minute rule, John Joe told the Independiente.es brought the alarm clock to make sure he was home in time for the RTÉ Six One News.
However, the image propelled him to the news and gave him a newfound level of fame.
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John Joe Quinn with his watch. Photo: Andrew Downes
When we met him again, he apologized but said he couldn’t speak for long as he had to do a radio interview.
Amused by the interest in him, John Joe said that it was all surprising, but that he was enjoying the experience.
“I’m very well thank you.
“I don’t know how I feel about all this. I take it easy.
“It’s a lot of publicity, okay, and I guess I wonder what’s interesting about having a pint. But there you have it.
Bursting with laughter, he said: “A man has even written a poem about me. The man at the bar left it for me yesterday. I liked. It is a lovely poem.
“My brother was surprised by everything; it all happened so suddenly.
“I have a sister in Las Vegas and I’m going to send her the newspaper.”
After the photo went viral, people across Ireland began contacting Fergus McGinn, who took the photo.
Many promised money for John Joe to enjoy a pint with them.
But John Joe, “80 and a little” revealed that he prefers to pay his own way.
“The man from the pub came to see me yesterday, and there’s a lot of drink down there for me, and he even offered me a barrel of Guinness.
“But I gave it all to the retirees, a donation you could say.
“I didn’t want it at all.
“I donated everything, money and everything. Some of the older people at the bar may enjoy it. “
As the image of John Joe sitting alone at McGinn’s gained traction online Monday, many felt it symbolized the isolation many older people felt during lockdown.
However, John Joe said he did not find the confinement too burdensome and believes it was necessary.
“I don’t care (confinement restrictions). She had many things to do around the house.
“Everyone is welcome here and I have good neighbors. The best of the neighbors.
“I go into town once a week to do business here and there, but you have to be careful.”
John Joe explained that he does not usually go to McGinn’s and that under normal circumstances he would visit the local pubs in Bohermore.
“I usually go to Crowe’s or Tonery’s, but they have been closed for the last six months.”
During the pandemic, John Joe said that he liked listening to the radio and revealed that he is a big fan of Joe Duffy on Liveline.
“The chat programs on the radio are very good. That new lady is very good, Katie Hannon and Mary Wilson.
And Claire Byrne, who got the job, is also very good.
“I really liked Sean O’Rourke, but they did a hames going there (Clifden, where O’Rourke was present during the infamous Golfgate dinner). They shouldn’t have. Jesus, that was a disaster for the country. “
John Joe worked for 47 years at Galway University Hospital, and says that to this day, people still remember him and stop him on the street.
“When I left the hospital, they had a great goodbye for me: all the staff.
“And I invited a lot of people to Crowe’s and we had another session.
“I worked in the hospital for 47 years, I was in the storage and supplies department, so I have been retired for the last 10 years.
“When I think about it now, all the sisters (nurses) and doctors that I knew at that time, they all passed away now.
“The only man left now is me. They are all gone, “he said.
With a smile, he adds, “Am I not a great man?”
Fergus McGinn looks forward to welcoming John Joe to the pub next week.
“I offered to bring him yesterday for a few pints and a meal, but he said no, and had other plans, but he will come next week.
He wants all the drink from the tap to be taken to the other retirees who come here and we will certainly fix it.
“He loves the photo and said he was happy that we hung it on the wall.
“Honestly, he’s a lovely man and we can’t wait to have him back.
“There will always be a welcome for him here.”
Online editors
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