Before many people in Armagh have left their beds, an unnamed woman is already walking through the city centre, collecting other people’s rubbish and tending public flowers.
Her quiet routine came to light after solicitor Diarmuid McKeown spotted her during an early-morning walk to catch a bus. He had noticed empty bottles and cans scattered around Market Square and had begun putting some of them into a nearby bin.
A short time later, further into town, he saw a woman carrying a black bin bag and doing the same thing. He stopped to speak with her and discovered that she regularly walks through Armagh’s streets at around 5.30am or 6am, often finding them litter-strewn.
A daily clean-up before dawn
McKeown said the woman told him she was not originally from the area. He was struck by the fact that she was not complaining about the litter or seeking attention. Instead, she was simply collecting it and helping to keep the city clean.
“What impressed me was that she wasn’t complaining about it or looking for recognition. She was simply picking it up.”
Although McKeown left to catch his bus, he looked back and saw that the woman had moved on to one of the small flower beds recently installed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. She was tending the flowers as part of the same unpublicised morning routine.
The account was shared after Armagh I received an email from a local resident who had encountered what the publication described as a “lesser-spotted Armagh Womble”. The comparison reflects the woman’s early starts, quiet litter-picking and care for the city, rather than any formal role or organised campaign.
‘A little thank you’ for an unseen contribution
McKeown said he did not learn the woman’s name, but believed she deserved recognition. He also suggested that she may not be the only person making an unnoticed contribution to the local community.
“There is plenty written about what is wrong with our towns, perhaps there is room occasionally to celebrate the people who, without fuss or recognition, simply make them a little better.”
The story highlights a practical difference made by one resident: litter is removed from public streets, bottles and cans are placed in bins, and a council flower bed receives attention before most of the city is awake.
Armagh I is now inviting readers to share details of anyone else who makes an undercover contribution to the community. Suggestions can be sent by email to [email protected].