Retirement is relative ……
Kids back to school, tan fading already and I’m back in harness for another stint at the Bottom Line Business Desk. A big thank you to John Masterson who so ably deputised in my absence. While I was off air for the last few weeks I couldn’t resist listening to the show now and again and I once again marveled at the energy, creativity and enthusiasm of the people we are so lucky to talk to every week on the programme. I’m looking forward to talking to many more in the weeks ahead.
One of the first things that struck me on my first show back is about how the concept of “retirement” can be relative. The thought arose following my interview with Kilkenny Chamber President Donie Butler. Donie came into studio to chat about the Kilkenny Chamber Business Awards but the real reason I was interested in talking to him was to explore his feelings as he retires as Centre Manager for MacDonagh Junction in Kilkenny, his latest assignment in a career that has stretched well over 40 years.
Where my comment about “relativity” comes in is that somehow in the case of people like Donie, retirement doesn’t seem an appropriate word and Donie’s retirement from business would seem to many people to leave him with enough commitments to fill a full time job. Though stepping down from business and supposedly retiring, Donie is continuing to hold the office of Chamber President and will serve on the boards of South East Chambers; the Kilkenny County Development Board as well as the Enterprise Board and other bodies and organisations.
It reminds me of a comment made by a well known Irish business woman who when she was asked by someone on a State Body what was her opinion of a 39 hour week and would she work those hours reputedly replied “On holidays, yes”
Anyway, Donie summed up his business philosophy nicely and in answer to my comment about taking over the management of a shopping centre just as the bottom was falling out of the Irish and world economies as being something of a “hospital pass” Donie said that regardless of what kind of a pass he was given he always believed in carrying the ball as well as he can and bringing it over the line!
Well done to Donie, best of luck to him for a long and happy eh “retirement” and we look forward to keeping in touch with him on the Bottom Line into the future.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the Bottom Line again and please let us know if you’ve got any comments, ideas or items you’d like to see included on the programme. You can contact me or producer Edwina Grace through [email protected]
