A photo of an elderly man sitting in a Galway pub has gone viral online after onlookers spotted a small alarm clock in the corner of the photo. Perched near the edge of the table, the customer was using the clock to keep an eye on how long he was at the pub.
Shared to social media by the team at McGinn’s Hop House in Galway -where the photo was taken – staff said that the poor man was worried he would overstay his 90-minute timeslot.
Highlighting the true effect that current restrictions and the loss of the local pub scene can have on the older generation, the poignant photo has had quite an effect on the public. Assuring people that the customer consented to having his photo taken (and posted online), staff at McGinn’s added that they chatted with him for a while before calling him a taxi and walking him out.
His little alarm clock out on the table, oh my heart 💔 Enjoy your pint bud xx
📷 McGinns Hop House, Galway
🔊 My tears…#PubsReopening pic.twitter.com/vB30qg1mOu— Dawn 💚 Of the Tribes 🇮🇪 (@Dawn_Galway) September 7, 2020
Spurring people into action, several have said that they would like to contribute a few bob to cover his next pint/meal, with well known local man Kieran O’Malley (aka the Galway Player) ‘dropping a few quid in behind the bar’ for the local man on behalf of all his new online admirers.
https://twitter.com/GalwayPlayer/status/1303077148467617792
Header image via Facebook/McGinn’s Hop House
