Pauline’s surprise 80th celebration
On Saturday night I headed for Byrne’s No.10 where a special surprise 80th birthday party was taking place for Pauline O’Connor from O’Hanlon Park and there to make sure she had a great night were her children John, Patrick, Richard, Imelda, Caroline, Rose and David, along with grandcchildren Orla, Kerri, Laura, Sean, Aine, Liam, Chloe, Celli, Callum, Stephen, Denise, Ryan, Freddie, Barry, Andrew and Megan and a huge collection of family and friends.
Pauline had absolutely no idea she was going to a party, she thought she was going to a charity fundraiser and got the shock of her like when she arrived in and found everyone waiting to celebrate her birthday.
I then decided to have a look round to see who was enjoying the festivities and met up with son David from Warrenpoint who was with his wife Aoidin and kids Sean, Aine and Liam. He tried to tell me it was going to be a quiet one, but I somehow doubted it!
After this I met up with Pauline’s nephew Kay Corbett from Bishops Court with husband Dessie. Kay said that Pauline is her aunt and godmother and a very special friend and she was delighted to be there.
I then got talking to daughter Imelda Hoey from Brid-a-crinn who was with husband Eamonn and daughter and husband Denise and Colm Brady from Tudor Grove, son Stephen Hoey and partner Aoibheann Savage from Kilcurry who were up for a major night of fun with everyone there.
Not too long later I managed a quick worked with daughter Caroline Ferguson from The Bush with husband Pat and daughters Orla and Megan. Caroline assured me they were going to ‘rock the night’ (and morning).
Two young men who were looking extremely well on the night were Freddie Mackin from Bay Estate and Ryan Carroll from Ardee who wanted to wish their granny a very happy birthday.
I then managed to meet up with Pauline’s best mate Noelene Donegan from Ladywell Square who was part of the rouse and had tricked Pauline into thinking she was going to a fundraiser, but the white lie was definitely worthwhile.
Next I caught up with sister Anne Devlin from Muirhevnamor who was with Leo Fidgeon from Ardee who were up for making it a real night to remember.
I then headed over for a word with niece Marie Kelly from Legion Avenue who wanted to wish Pauline a very happy birthday and hoped she had a great night.
After this I got talking to family friends Phelim and Carmel Rice from The Bush who told me it was going to be a great night for a great woman.
Making my way through the crowds I then met up with son Paddy O’Connor from Knockbridge with his wife Emma and kids Kerri and Callum. Paddy wanted to wish his mum all the best on her big night, but he’d be keeping the celebrations down to a minimum because he was at work at 6.00am the following morning.
Next I headed over to one of the tables I then met up with son John O’Connor from Oaklawns with his wife Olive, sons Barry and Andrew, daughter Laura and her friend Ciara who were ready for a major night of celebrations.
I them met up with Eamonn Hoey from Brid-a-crinn, Tom Hardy from Gibstown, Colm and Denise Brady from Mullaharlin Road who wanted to wish Pauline a very happy 80th and were on for making it a real night to remember.
Close by I met Pat and Caroline Ferguson from Cooley, Theresa Hardy from Ardee Road with husband Tom who assured me the crack was only just getting going.
Heading over towards the tables where many of Pauline’s mates were sitting I then got talking to Margaret and Jim Roe from O’Hanlon Park who told me that Pauline is a neighbour and a bingo mate and they were with Nancy Rafferty from McDermott’s Terrace, Sheila Farrelly from McSwiney Street, Bridie Martin from Williamsons Place and Margaret Craven from Kilcurry who told me they had all worked alongside Pauline in Clarkes Shoes!
They were having a mad night with Geraldine Carroll from Ard Easmuinn, Ann Gonnelly from Newtownbalregan (who told me her 50th wedding anniversary night had been a brilliant night), Rose Casey from Fane View, Maureen Mackin from Castle Road and Marie Casey from Beechmount Drive who are all old mates of Pauline’s and were delighted to be there to celebrate with her on her big night.
After this I caught up with Jennifer Donegan from Clan Cullen Park who was with Lambie and Tommy McCormack from Riverstown who are all good friends of Pauline’s and wouldn’t have missed her party for anything.
Finally, before I departed I got a word with daughter Rose O’Donoghue from Blackrock with husband Niall and kids Chloe and Celli who were having a fantastic night and all hoped that Pauline was doing the same.