A postcard from the U.S. has been successfully delivered despite being addressed simply to “Albert, Carndonagh, Ireland.”

The recipient, former school principal and Sinn Fein councillor, Albert Doherty, received the postcard last Wednesday after it was sent from Missouri on December 4.

IrishNews.com reports that the postcard was one of two sent with minimal addresses to Inishowen from Donegal’s sister city, St Louis. Carndonagh publican Pat Kelly received a card, addressed to “Pat, the Diamond, Carndonagh,” from the same source.

Doherty said the postcards were sent from St Louis officials who visited Carndonagh earlier this year.

“I was delighted and my sons and wife were really pleased.

“I’d like to pay tribute to An Post as well for all their work. Going into the Christmas season, I’m sure some postal staff will be getting grief, but it’s only right to praise the good job they do,” he said.

Doherty said the postal service’s task may have been made more difficult if the sender had included his surname as there are so many Dohertys living in north Inishowen that most are known by their nicknames. 

Inishowen postal staff have had to overcome address difficulties before. This summer, a letter was correctly delivered to: “Your man Henderson, that boy with the glasses who is doing a PhD up here at Queen’s in Belfast. Buncrana, County Donegal, Ireland.”