Margaret Loughlin and Concetta Palladino

Sent in by Margaret Loughlin

I live in Limerick, but Concetta Palladino from Long Island, New York, has been my very best friend since we became penpals at age 12, over 40 years ago.

We had an instant connection and it was so easy to confide all our hopes and the details of school, hobbies and home. How exciting it was waiting for the postman to bring the latest letter, postcard or the little parcels that marked Christmas and our birthdays.

Nowadays, we email and Skype all the time, which makes us even more involved in each other’s everyday lives. It is surprising how much we have in common. We both love swimming, surfing and fishing, and often see the same films in the cinema, read the same books and both love U2. We try to meet yearly – or every couple of years - and bring all of our letters, which gives our families a great giggle. We love it though – our lives are recorded in print forever.We are as close as can be, despite the wide Atlantic Ocean between us.

Martin Greenwood and Debbie Blanzy

Sent in by Martin Greenwood

Sharing fun on Inch beach trying to take a selfie with my best friend, knowing that my three boxer dogs will upstage us in their quest to be All-Ireland Kerry stars on social media.

Sharing a fragile day with my best friend, knowing a listening and trusted ear will help you through a woeful moment in time. Sharing celebrations with my best friend, regardless of whether the journey time has been five minutes, five hours or five months of planning to get there.

Sharing the top table at my civil partnership to James and having her support during the marriage equality referendum campaign.

Sharing and laughing about the comment my mum made to me before I had even met the female that was to become my best friend – my mother saying she would be a heartbreaker. Obviously that never happened and we celebrate 40 years of great friendship in 2018.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Debbie Blanzy and Martin Greenwood.

Eimear and Aoibheann Barry

Sent in by Fiona Barry

Here are my two daughters, Eimear and Aoibheann – they share a love of fairies. On the day this particular picture was taken, we were enjoying a family holiday in west Cork in a little-known woodland called Dromillihy Forest, Coononagh, on the Wild Atlantic Way.

In this forest, there are fairy doors and fairy castles scattered and hidden among the woodland. We spent the afternoon listening to squeals of delight as they discovered one fairy dwelling after the other. At this age, they really believe in magic and it is such a special time for me as their mum.

I hope to help these two best friends make many more memories.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Eimear and Aoibheann Barry.

Michael Fitzgerald and Mick Moore

Sent in by Michael Fitzgerald

Mick Moore was born and reared in Kildare. I have known him since he moved next door to myself and my family 39 years ago. He got married that same year, 1979, and now has children of his own – the eldest is 38 and youngest is 24.

Nowadays, I spend a lot of time with my friend. The time I built a shed in my backyard, I was planning it for months. Mick assured me we would construct the shed together and we did, which saved time and money.

Either way, whether changing the wheel of a car, chatting over hearsay or celebrating our families’ milestones, there is never a dull moment. When a lending hand is needed, there is always a helpful neighbour and friend nearby. Mick is my ‘‘Fisherman’s Friend’’.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Mick Moore and Michael Fitzgerald.

Martin Mulrennan and Fergal Casey

Sent in by Martin Mulrennan

I would love to win the Blue Book voucher and I would share it with my lifelong friend, Fergal Casey. Fergal and I have been friends since we were little boys.

We are genuine Irish soccer and rugby fans and have proudly supported Ireland at the European Championships and World Cup qualifying games. I would be lost without a friend like Fergal. He is there when I need advice, support or help and has even convinced our respective girlfriends, Lisa and Rachel, to become friends.

I have nominated Fergal in the Fisherman’s Friend search for Ireland’s greatest friendship, because he has the mammoth task of arranging match tickets, flights and accommodation when we travel the globe to support the boys in green.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Martin Mulrennan and Fergal Casey.

Bernie Kirwan and her best friends

Sent in by Bernie Kirwan

I have a few good friends from my nursing training in 1977. We do not see each other too often, but no matter how much time passes, we naturally reconnect. If ever I need anything, I know I can ring and the same goes for them.

This natural friendship stems from spending our formative years together. From 18 to 21 we lived, worked and partied together. We grew up a lot back then and so we all came to know each other very well.

There is a great familiarity when we meet. Once we get past the dodgy knees, backs, hips and hot flushes, the craic is mighty. No matter how many years pass, we simply reconnect. You see, the essence of who we are never changes. What a sense of comfort it is to simply be ourselves, and that my friends are friendship.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Bernie Kirwan and her best friends. Bottom photo (l-r) Kathryn Grant, Mary Byrne, Bernie Kirwan [me], Mary Sheehan and Christine O Donvan.

Carmel Tuohy Curtin and Rosaleen Maher

Sent in by Carmel Tuohy Curtin

Together we have been through 40 years of memories, lots of laughter, fun adventures and keeping each other’s secrets.

We have shared celebrations of birthdays, marriages and children. We are survivors of devastating personal tragedies and life-threatening illness. One of us is a party animal who enjoys a busy social life and the other an outdoor girl and daytime socialiser. We are opposites in ways and yet totally in tune.

Rosaleen Maher is an amazing, inspirational friend whose attitude to life is not to let tragedy define who we are, but grasp every moment and make it the best that it can be.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Rosaleen Maher and Carmel Tuohy Curtin.

Helen and Larry Kiernan

Sent in by Helen Kiernan

Why, oh why, is Larry my best friend? Larry is quiet – he would want to be, as I am not. Larry is loving and lovable. He knows how to read me, he is proactive and not reactive. Larry understands me, he knows when to comment and when to hold his opinion. He trusts me, and I trust him. Larry is confident, a trait which attracted me to him when we first met in 1973.

Larry is a great friend to have in times of trouble and in times of joy – strong, steadfast, and so full of love, my soulmate. Larry is just Larry. He is kind, considerate, supportive, loving and most importantly up for the craic.

Without Larry, my best friend, I would be nothing.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Helen and Larry Kiernan.

Carmelita Lee and Rita Banks

Sent in by Carmelita Lee

A few years ago, I joined the active retirement club in Tuam and at the time they were planning their first summer holiday away. I was asked to go with them, but I did not know many as I was new to the group. A committee member asked at the meeting if there was anyone willing to share a room with me on this holiday. There was one lady in the group who said she would give it a go.

Despite not knowing each other or anything about each other, we shared that holiday and had a great trip. Ever since, we have been going on many holidays and cruises.

We are two widows and if you have not got a good friend to go places with, then you are left at home.

We meet regularly for coffee, concerts and are with each other through thick and thin. Everybody needs a sincere, true friend and Rita is mine.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Rita Banks and Carmelita Lee. \ Ray Ryan

Kathleen O’Shea and her six sisters

Sent in by Kathleen O’Shea

This picture captures true friendship over 60 years. My six sisters have been my best friends all my life. Here we are posing to get the perfect picture and, needless to say, we are all camera-shy.

We were born and raised in Kildare and I was the only sister who left those rich pastures for the wilderness of Roscommon – all because of love. All of my sisters thought I was daft to go west, but I have never regretted a day of it.

Both of our parents have sadly passed and every year we go away for the weekend just to talk about ourselves and our lives. This year I am bringing them all west to Galway and I can’t wait to show them how wonderful the west is and all that the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer.

Ireland's greatest friendship finalists: Kathleen O'Shea and her six sisters.

Next week

We will announce the winner, who will receive a €750 Blue Book voucher and second place, who will receive a €250 Blue Book voucher.

Read more:

Pen pals

Fame and friendship