Ann and Dermot’s 50th anniversary

ON Friday night there really was only one party to be at and that had to be the 50th wedding anniversary of Dermot and Ann Gonnelly from Newtownbalregan and there to make sure they had a fantastic night were their sons Mark and Graham, daughters-in-law Jenn and Jackie and grandkids Adam, Ben, Grace and Ciara and huge collection of family and friends.

I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Dermot who told me that their best man Bertie McAleer from O’Hanlon Park was there along with Ann’s bridesmaid Briege Gonnelly from Boyle O’Reilly Terrace were also there and ready to keep the anniversary celebrations going all night long.

I then decided to have a look round to see who else was up for making the night such a success and then I caught up with Nigel and Audrey McManus from Lios Meade who told me that Ann and Audrey’s mum are best mates and they used to be their neighbours and wanted to wish them every happiness for the future. They were later joined by Audrey’s brother and wife Gary and Mairead Whitmarsh from Kilcurry who wanted to wish Dermot and Ann all the best on their big night.

After this I got talking to Jackie and Marion Carr from Forkhill who were there with Ann’s brother Charlie and Lily McAleer from St. Nicholas Avenue who were in rare form and ready to make the best of the party.

Not too far away I then met up with Madeline McAleer from Fr. Murray Park who was with another of Ann’s brothers Jim McAleer and nephew James Jnr all from Fr. Murray Park who couldn’t wait for the fun to begin and assured me it was going to be an epic night for sure.

Meanwhile at another table I then caught up with another of Ann’s brothers Tony McAleer from Ashbrook who was with his wife Imelda and daughters Kate and Sarah and Imelda said they all wanted to wish Dermot and Ann a very happy 50th wedding anniversary.

Making my way over to yet another table I then got talking to Margaret and Jimmy Roe from O’Hanlon Park who said they are friends of the happy couple and when I asked if the night was going to be any good Jimmy replied ‘you’d better believe it, we’re only just getting warmed up!’

Next I met up with Olive and Gerry Savage from Culhane Street who told me their daughter Jackie is Married to the couple’s son Graham and they wanted to wish them a very happy 50th and hope they have a fantastic night.

Making my way over to an adjacent table I caught up with Ciaran McAleer from O’Hanlon Park who was with his mum Margaret, dad Eamonn, sister Laura and brother Conor all from O’Hanlon Park and Conor’s main squeeze Grainne McCarragher from Oaklawns who all wanted to wish Eamonn’s sister and Dermot all the best on their night.

I then caught up with my neighbour Helen Pepper from Parnell Park with her daughter Paula Quinn from Dunmor and Helen told me she’s a good friend and holiday companion with Dermot and Ann having been away with them loads of times down through the years and really enjoyed it.

Seated in their company were Pat Neary from Fr. Murray Park, Gertrude Bird and Briege McAleer both form Beechmount Drive who were in great form and told me it certainly wasn’t going to be a quiet celebration.

Next I met up with Patricia and Dickie Callan from Culhane Street who were with Gertrude and Peter and Theresa McKeown from Bellurgan and the ladies said that Dickie, Peter and Dermot are all Pigeon Men and were wondering where Singing Woodsie had gotten to?

After this I caught up with Clare Murphy from Greenacres who said Ann is her grandaunt, she was with her mum Olive Murphy from Farndreg who is a niece-in-law and is also married to their godson John Murphy who is a hard working paramedic and couldn’t make it to the party, but was thinking about them.

Not too long later I then got talking to nephew Mervin and Maria McGuinness from Beechmount Drive and was told that Mervin is still remembering how good a day it was at their wedding.

Another lady who remembered the wedding was Briege Gonnelly from Boyle O’Reilly who certainly made the best of it, she was Ann’s bridesmaid and was enjoying the crack with Kirsty and Aimee Davidson from Woodview Park, and Karen Gonnelly from Hackballscross who were later joined by Joe Davidson and Catherine Boylan from Clan Cullen Park who wanted to wish the happy couple a great night and every happiness for the future.

Finally, before I departed I met up with Fiona and Jay Coleman from Deerpark who were with Aileen and Barry Murphy from Dublin Road and Fiona and Barry wanted to wish their aunt and uncle a very happy