Willie Costello

This issue of the newsletter, we feature Mr. William Costello, from Belmont Milltown. Willie lives with his wife Tess and daughter Anne in Belmont.

Full Name: Willie Costello

Occupation: Retired Farmer and Business Man.

Favourite Pastimes: In my younger days I enjoyed taking part in plays during lent and advent. My favourite play was Bands and Plans and a favourite actor at the time was a local man Mattie Mullen. Now, I like to read the daily paper, smoking the pipe and enjoy making and receiving phone calls.

Favourite T.V. Programme: Coronation Street and Brookside.

Favourite Actor/Actresses: James Cagney, Grace Kelly and Julie Goodyear.

Person you most admire: Albert Reynolds and John Hume.

Favourite Food: Pork Chops (support home industry).

Favourite drink: Pint of Guinness.

Favourite Sport: Boxing (I was good at it during my younger days).

First Job: In 1937 I served my time as a grocery assistant at Cahills, Tuam and not one penny did I get paid.

Favourite Singer: That fella that is always sweating – Christy Moore. I also like Brendan Shine singing Do You Want Your Lobby Washed Down.

First Dance: In a hay barn over at Cosgroves. We also went to tailor Rattigans where we had to pay 3 pence to go in.

Favourite Local Band: I was a roadie for this band. It consisted of Kieran Ansboro, Pake Connolly, P.J. Moran, Paddy Varley (R.I.P.) and Al Hynes. Al Hynes played the trombone – some fella said isn’t he awful then – sure I said no wonder when he is pushing that thing up and down his throat. Jim Comer from Dunmore was Taxi man. We were a famous six together and got in to many a scrap – mainly over WOMEN.

Favourite Quotations: Don’t be “codding” yourself – (Do you think you are smart)?

Happiest moment: The day I bought my first new van and of course that day I got married.

Biggest change you have seen over the years: No young lad wants to do any work without machinery – Goodbye Spade.

Persons I most admire locally: Dr. Nora McGarry and Christy Molloy.

If you won the lotto: I wouldn’t tell anyone I would go around t the pubs slip the odd tenner into a poor fellas pocket, and tell him to say his prayers and if he prayed hard enough, his prayers would be answered, and he might find a tenner in his pocket.

Motto: A wrong doing can never be hidden.

What is it like to be in the Hot Seat: It’s like being in court, but according to the Newsletter Committee – you get a couple of pints, which you don’t get in court.

Milltown Newsletter September 1995