Ger’s top of the pops: Cork man voted Ireland's best lollipop man 

When Ger Gleeson retired as a fireman, he still wanted to keep his hand in when it came to the important role of safeguarding the public.

So he became a lollipop man - and nine years after taking up the big red stick, he has just been named the best in Ireland.

Ger, who patrols the Main Street in Youghal outside Bunscoil Mhuire, was delighted to be named the All-Ireland winner in the Tonstix Lollipop Person of the Year competition 2025.

“It has taken three of us to replace him while he claims his prize inside the school gates,” said Sergeant Aisling Keohane, who was directing people safely across the road along with her colleagues Garda Bernard Kelleher and Garda Karla Fay while Ger was otherwise engaged.

But at least they hadn’t far to come to work today.

“No,” says Aisling with a smile. “The garda station is just across from the school!

“It is a great day for Youghal,” added Aisling of Ger’s honour.

“I am blown away,” said Ger, who claimed the coveted prize ahead of thousands of other entries from all over Ireland. “I feel like the Lotto winner!

What did he win?

“I won a lovely glass trophy engraved with my name and the name of the competition and a €1,000-holiday.

“I’ll go for a few pints tonight!” added Ger.

Popular with young and old alike, Ger is thrilled with his win.

“I want to thank all those who voted for me twice,” he said. “First as the Munster winner and now the All-Ireland winner.”

Who voted for him?

“All the parents and all the grandparents in the community,” says Ger, who is a widower and who was in the fire service for 30 years, serving as a mechanic and then as station officer.

Why the fire service?

“Isn’t it what everyone wants to do?” says Ger, who was hailed as ‘a hero’ by the parents.

“I retired from the fire service in 2015, and I’ve been the lollipop person at Bunscoil Mhuire for nine years now. I love it.”

A family man, Ger dotes on his two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren.

“I love them dearly and they all live close to me,” he says.

Ger was hugged and kissed by all and sundry as a samba band played lively tunes out the school, while the children and their parents vied for photographs with ‘their hero.’

“He is so kind,” said Elwige Francoise Mbazoal, mum to Anne Karen Camata, who is in senior infants.

“He knows all the children and all of us.”

Ger is committed to his important job. “I am here every morning in all weathers at 8.20am and then again at 2.45pm when school finishes.

“The younger children get out a bit earlier. I am here, rain, hail or snow.”

Even during the floods?

“Yes, of course,” says Ger. “I have all the clothing gear and uniform that I need from the council, so I am always ready to go to work to see the pupils into school and then see them safely across the road when school finishes.

“I wear layers when the weather is cold.”

Do the children observe the Safe Cross Code?

“They are very good,” says Ger. “They are all aware of the Safe Cross Code and the pupils make sure to look right and left before they cross the road.

“Sometimes, when the bell rings the children are excited and start running out of the classrooms. But they know not to run across the road.”

The children know how to walk before they can run.

“That’s for sure,” says Ger. “But you still have to watch them.

“I know them all. I know the children’s parents and their grandparents.

“I remember all their names. I know all the staff who are lovely here.”

Ger has a special relationship with his charges.

“He has an amazing rapport with all the children, their parents and their grandparents,” says teacher Niamh Butler.

“My own children come to school here and they are mad about Ger. I think the whole town is!”

Ger is all things to all people.

“He is grandad and friend to all of the community,” says Marian Mooney, deputy principal. “We are so thrilled for him. We are so proud of him.”

All 517 pupils attending Bunscoil Mhuire in Youghal are proud of Ger too.

The three cheers resounding across Youghal Bay for him echo these sentiments

“Irish company Tonstix and Travel Pops set out to honour these unsung heroes across the provinces,” says Sinead Crowther, who travelled from Dundalk with her colleague Denise to present Ger with his well-deserved prize.

“The competition is on a much bigger scale this year because of its success and popularity last year. Now, it is a national event.

“We were delighted to travel down from Dundalk to Youghal to meet Ger, to crown him All-Ireland champion lollipop person, and to be part of the phenomenal turn-out of crowds of people here at the school and along the street. It is just fabulous.”

Did Sinead and Denise expect to see the Garda line-up outside the school to honour Ger?

“Now that is a first!” says Denise laughing.

Ger isn’t laughing.

“I am mortified,” says Ger. “And I am amazed. The school nominated me, and it just snowballed.”

Ger, always guiding pupils, parents and grandparents across the road on every school day, deserves his few pints he is planning on having later on.

“Don’t write that down!” laughs Ger.

I already have.

Now Ger is laughing.