Over 200 come out to celebrate
THERE was joy on the double at a vintage tea party attended by more than 200 people in Foulksmills when Nellie and Peter Whelan celebrated their 80th and 82nd birthdays.
Nellie was born Nellie Reville in Rochestown, Ballylannon, on November 21, 1938, into a family of 14, eight brothers and five sisters.
She is the third youngest to parents were Ellen and Patrick Reville.
Peter was born in Kayle, Foulksmills, on November 12, 1936, into a family of eight, the eldest of the family, with three brothers and four sisters, to parents Michael and Anastatia Whelan.
Nellie and Peter met in the dances in Clongeen in the 1950s and were married in 1962. Peter and Nellie are a loving, magnetic couple. Nellie loves scratch cards and socializing with the local ladies group The Rosebuds. Peter spends his time caring for his beloved pets Lilly the Alsation and Tripod one of his many felines. They are married 56 years, and had six children: Michael, Pat, John, Steffan, Antoinette and PJ. They have 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
They both ran a very successful haulage business for nearly 50 years, and only retired two years ago.
For the vintage party one of Nelly’s nieces decorated the venue beautifully with lots of
Nellie and Peter Whelan.
signage and props scattered throughout the function room. Everyone enjoyed a cold meat salad and bottomless tea, being served by the lovely staff of Mary McGees. There was a huge dessert display for some nice treats afterwards. A large cake which consisted of a vintage tea pot with two cups and saucers for Peter and Nellie took centre stage. There were partygoers young and old from near and far in attendance, including some of Nellie’s school friends whom she has kept in regular contact with over the years. Peter and Nellie even took to the dance floor along with all their guests for old times’ sake.
Once everyone was fed Jimmy Barnwell entertained the big gathering for the night with some old classics and the dance floor was full all evening. Nellie enjoyed catching up with her family and friends who travelled to be by her side.