In Cork, Michael O’Regan was well known as Echo Boy. Michael O’Regan, Cork’s legendary ‘Echo Boy,’ has been selling the Evening Echo and Holly Bough in the city for almost 50 years.
“Nearly everything on Patrick Street has altered since I started selling the Evening Echo at Cavendish’s Corner,” he told the Holly Bough in 2004 when it was estimated he had sold a million Echos.
When he began in 1960, Sean Lemass was Taoiseach, Jack Kennedy was vying for the presidency, and the Evening Echo was two old pence (2d).
He received a morning pitch at No. 10 Patrick Street, outside the then-Bank of Ireland, in 1969, “the year Neil Armstrong went,” he recalls.
Echo kid worked at his cherished job for a decade, six days a week, barring bank holidays, in all types of weather. He had only just retired.
Former Echo Boy Michael O’Regan died on December 27, 2022. Let’s look at how the Echo kid died and what killed Michael O’Regan.
How did Michael O’Regan die?
Michael O’Regan, Cork City’s Echo Man, has died. Michael O’Regan, who sold Echo newspapers to passers-by in an ancient Irish city, had died. Cork’s Lord Mayor led tributes to the Echo kid.
In 1960, Mr O’Regan began his career as a newsvendor, peddling Evening Echo papers on the corner of Princes and Patrick Streets.
Cork Lord Mayor Cllr. Deirdre Forde said she knew Mr O’Regan from working in the bank and that he was a part of the city’s fabric.
“I’m really sorry to hear Michael has died because he is so iconic to Cork city and part of our society that it’s almost hard to think of Cork without thinking of him,” Cllr Forde said.
cause of death
O’Regan, of McDonagh Road, Ballyphehane, died in St. Claire’s Ward of St. Finbarr’s Hospital on December 27, 2022.
Michael (Echo Boy), the cherished son of the late Harry and Margaret (Peggy) and adored brother of Seán (John), died peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
His loyal brother, sister-in-law Theresa, nephews Anthony, Ger, Eoin, niece Nicola, and his family and countless friends will miss him.
When Michael’s death was announced, tributes poured in on social media. Echolive verified his death by honouring the Echo kid.
The editor of The Echo, Maurice Gubbins, felt that Cork had lost an institution.
“Michael was a newsvendor’s giant – one of the greatest persons in Cork’s news industry – an iconic character in our city,” Mr Gubbins added.
“He will be much missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” The circulation manager for The Echo and the Irish Examiner, Seán Murphy, claimed a piece of Cork’s history had perished.
“He was an incredible gentleman, a great, lovely man to work with; he loved what he did, enjoyed selling the paper, never missed a day, and he just adored his clients,” Mr Murphy recalled.
“Michael will be missed much.”
According to Donal Cronin, “Whose father Jerry was an Echo Boy and died earlier this year after a 70-year career as an Echo Boy, Jerry Cronin had a fantastic connection with Mr O’Regan.”
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