A golden jubilee for Echo boy Michael O'Regan

IT was August, 1969, The Beatles were still together, man had just landed on the moon, Sonia O’Sullivan had yet to be born, and, on the wireless, Elvis was singing about a ghetto.

In Cork, a young boy stepped out into the city for the first time with a bundle of newspapers under his arm.

He must have enjoyed his day’s work, because, through rain and shine, wind and yet more rain, Michael O’Regan has been a fixture on the city’s streets ever since, selling Examiners and Echos to passers-by.

Corkonians have come to view him as a part of the fabric of the city itself, and next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Michael’s era as a newspaper seller.

City-goers may have noticed he has been missing from his pitches in recent months, owing to illness, but his fans will be hoping he will be back in place come next year to mark the special occasion.

To celebrate the landmark, we’ve compiled a photo montage of Michael down the years.

Get well soon, Michael!