‘Thousands’ of people turned out for the unveiling of a bench at Portnablagh Pier on Saturday last to commemorate the life and times of Charlie Robinson – or at least that how Charlie would have recalled the occasion!
The event was organised by Mr Robinson’s family, with Boyd Robinson, who runs the Letterkenny-based estate agency set up by his father more than 25 years ago, acting as MC.
Charlie Robinson, whose career spanned farming, auctioneering and estate agency, died in Donegal Hospice last November. May 24 would have been his 74th birthday.
The bench was unveiled by Mr Robinson’s widow Mary and her two oldest grandchildren, Hannah Robinson and Adam McKinley.
Boyd Robinson thanked everyone for attending and said they appreciated the support of all the family’s friends.
He said they felt that Portnablagh pier was an appropriate location for the bench, given his father’s love of the sea, boating and fishing.
The family’s holiday home overlooks the pier and Mr Robinson often organised fishing trips on board his Boston Whaler boat.
Local resident Dessie Nairn paid tribute to Charlie Robinson and recalled many happy fishing expeditions over the years.
He said Mr Robinson was the “unofficial harbour master” at Portnablagh and always kept a watchful eye on boats at anchor in the harbour and out at sea.
On numerous occasions Mr Robinson had helped to rescue boats which were in danger or trouble.
He also noted Mr Robinson’s tendency to exaggerate things, recalling that his description of a pod of dolphins in the bay had started at 20 but increased to 50 by the time they were back at Portnablagh.
Appropriately the inscription on the bench reads: “Sit down and tell a story – exaggeration compulsory”.
Following the ceremony refreshments were served by the Robinson family in the family’s house on Shore Road, and many happy memories were shared by those present.
