Charlie "The Spy" Carpenter

***Update!***

Since this article was written Charlie and June have moved back to the States. Best of luck guys. We wish you all the best. Keep us updated on your adventures.

Alot of customers have come into Cronins over the years, and this months featured customer is one who stands out. Affectionately known as Charlie "the spy" Carpenter.

Charlie and his bride June are living in Lepps Landing, overlooking the Cork Harbour shipping lane. Charlie is originally from Hawaii, while June is a bottle stopper (i.e.: from our own native Cork)

Charlie breezed into town about five years ago and has taken permanent residence here since. He was quickly christened Charlie the Spy after he let slip the escapades and adventures of his youth in the US Navy. We are lead to believe, that communications is his specialty.

In a recent interview he speaks to Joleen and Sean about his time as a spy.

Charlie, how do you feel about being the Cronins Pub featured customer?

As the American expression goes.... Gobsmakcked!. Do you realise millions of people will see this?

You could be more famous than you already are

God that's something............... that's fantastic.

How long were you a spy for?

In communications with the marines, a few years.

You're not giving much away!. When and why did you move to Ireland?

I had to find a place for June. You have to put a rose somewhere and if you put her in dirt, she'd never survive. It was the least I could do. Lets face it, 27 years is a long way from home. We've been together 38 years now.

And how did you two meet?

I met her when she was working in the Old City Hotel in Derry. She was the receptionist.

That's interesting. What were you doing in Derry? Spy Work?

Yeah, I was working behind the "Green Door"

What's that?

Emmmm....... what was known as the "Rabbit Hatch"

Tell us more....

Let me tell you. Back in the old days, the US and Russia were in a tete a tete. The Navy used to have a top secret programme called HARE. This is no longer classified so I can tell you. (He pauses) Did you see Hunt for Red October? It was in that one or Red Storm Horizon. Yeah, one of those two had the message that was sent by the US submarines. That time I had been out for about four years. They actually printed the info from the program I was in, which was really top secret!.

Was your cover blown?

Well the job was. If the submarines wanted to send messages, they would use the HARE. On the system we would then get the message. Of course at the time, this was all classified.

Do you miss it now?

The military? No.

They miss you obviously.

I doubt that very seriously. It was a good time. If I had to do it all over again, I would. So anyway, back to my story. I brought June home. (He stops and looks over at Joleen who is scribbling something on a note book). Man, you need a tape recorder or short hand!....... Now I do nothing.... I come to Cronin's and I bug Sean.

(Sean) Or you mess about with my flashing Morse code light! You seem to be very impressed with that.

Yeah, always have been.

Tell us a bit about Hawaii

Let's see..... I was born in Kamuki, raised in Kilua and left in 1950 when I went into the service.I now got the biggest collection of Hawaiin shirts in Crosshaven.

How did you end up going into the service?

Oh, I was young and foolish..... to much drink. (He laughs) I was only 17 and always in trouble.

So now, you're married to June, and you've two kids.

Yep, match set - a boy and a girl. They went to school here.

Have you any message for your fans on the Internet?

Come down and join us for a pint. Cronins is the best!. Holaha shirts accepted.

Thanks Charlie, its been great talking to you. We know you could tell us lots more, but its all classified.

Yeah, that's why the American Ambassador was down last week. (He laughs)

(At this moment, June comes over to see how the interview is going)

(Charlie smirks at her) We were going out for seven years before she even knew about my spy activities.

(June laughs) Yeah and when we were living in Scotland, our extension was 007!. And did you know that Charlies name in the Navy was Charlie Echo!

(the two banter on about Happy Days and after a while, Sean comes down with a Cronins polo shirt which he gives to Charlie. He looks tickled pink, and goes home with a big smile on his face.)