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Old phonebox a jewel in Malin's
crown
25.03.08
THE mobile phone jingle
is rarely out of earshot these days but it's a
graceful old phonebox that still calls the tune.
The old green-and-cream phone booth in Malin is a
nostalgic reminder of days gone by. But if Inishowen
Tourism had a coin for every time it was
photographed by visitors, it would be a rich
organisation indeed. |
"Nearly every tourist
who comes to Malin takes a photograph of the old
phonebox because they're such an unusual sight in
Irish towns these days. There are very few of them
left," said Inishowen Tourism chairman, John Henry
McLaughlin.
"Inside the box is an eircom cardphone and even
though local people don't use it, it's a very
important part of the tourism landscape here in
Malin."
John Henry is also the chairman of the award-winning
Malin Tidy Towns group and says the old phonebox is
a feature that helps the village in the competition
year after year. "We keep it painted |
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and well maintained to
make sure it looks its best and we make sure the
wooden door is in good working order. It adds a
certain tourism value to the village." With its
distinctive shape and square panes of glass, the
phonebox is located near another local historical
landmark - the old Malin Courthouse.
"I just about remember the odd court day there when
I was young but it hasn't been used as a courthouse
for many, many years. It's still used by the Malin
Card Club and like the phonebox, it is photographed
very often as well."
Though not used by locals, visitors still use the
old booth now and again to make calls. But lovers of
antiquity will be happy to know that it's a quaint
feature of Malin that's here to stay. "We love that
phonebox and we'll make sure it's well kept and
maintained for people to enjoy for many years to
come," added John Henry. |
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