The Clock in the Window

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Callan watchmender Owen

Richardson knew where everything was to be found in his Bridge Streetshop. He adhered to his own kind of order and efciency in the little universe that was his home and workplace. He had a keen interest in current a airs, and listened closely to the BBC’s World Service in the early hours of the morning, to see how the latest war or political upheaval was progressing. In the 30s and 40s, when radios were scarce, people valued a few minutes in the shop to catch the news.

Philip O’ Kee e, who lived nearby, loved to hear the voice of William Joyce (“Lord Haw-Haw”) on the old battery operated wireless. Owen Richardson and the young carpenter would sit quietly and listen to the drawling outrageous propaganda of the Galway man who drove the British wild with his nightly “Germany Calling” broadcasts from Radio Hamburg. ough his clock in the window kept perfect time, townspeople had a habit of comparing the position of the hands on this timepiece with the Friary Clock. e relative position of the hands on both clocks provoked many a heated argument. ere was no questioning his judgement. e entire face of the Friary clock had to be removed for repair from time to time. e

It was a pointless evaluation because it was Owen who maintained the Friary clock and saw to it that this jewel in the crown of Callan’s townscape never let down the people who looked to it for guidance throughout their lives.

If a discrepancy arose of even a few seconds, let alone minutes- or if anyone imagined he or she had spotted a divergence or deviation of time keeping between the Friary clock and the one vividly displayed in Owen’s window, both the friars and Owen would quickly become acquainted with the discrepancy.

In every such case that we know of, the friars called upon Owen to have a look at their clock and to make any adjustments he deemed necessary.