peter
Dear Peter,
A little while ago you took a photo of my dad sitting on a bench in Dun Laoghaire and he told you about his wife and his cherry tomatoes. His name was Bill Doran. I’m afraid he passed away peacefully on Sunday.
I just would like to let you know he loved what happened from the photo you took and the piece you wrote about him. People from all over the world commented on it, ex neighbours living in Australia commented on it and he loved it. It was one of the highlights of his life. He’s been on TV, radio and in the newspapers.
He was an icon well known in Rathmines, and everybody loved him and we were all very proud of him too.
Thank you for making a big part of his life so special.
Kind regards;
Derrick Doran
“In the back garden we used to grow tomato plants, but she died about 18 months ago so I stopped growing them. She was a month younger than me, and I was already surprised that she passed away before me, so I was just waiting for my turn. A few months later my neighbors arrived with a box of tomato plants, about 12 little sprouts, and he said they’re not giving up on me. I was looking down at these little sprouts and thinking how the hell I’m going to plant them if I can’t even bend down anymore. Anyway, I thought I’d give it a try! I spend half the day in the glasshouse planting them. They’re about 16 inches high now, and the tomatoes are beautiful on them. I started to grow these new ones as well, what do you call them? Cherry tomatoes…
To be honest with you, I didn’t think I’d see Dun Laoghaire harbour again, but my son and his wife forced me out here. They went for a walk, but they bought me a tea and an ice cream, and now that I’m here, I feel happy.”