Surprise 70th party for Patsy
ON Saturday night I headed for Jackies where a special surprise 70th birthday party was being held for Patsy Rogers and there to make sure he had a fantastic night were his kids Alishea, Serena and Lorraine, sisters Anne Burns, and Mary McDonnell, brothers Bertie from Greyacre Road and Owen from Muirhevnamor, grandchildren Cole, Logan, Lennix, Eadaoin, Jordan and Shauna and partner Mary Keenan along with a huge collection of family and friends.
I decided to have a look round to see who I could find and first met up with Hugh and Mary Shalvey from Monaghan who told me they are great friends with Patsy and were delighted to be there.
Next I got talking to Eddie and Monica Marmion from Greenore who wanted to wish Patsy a very happy 70th and hoped he had a great night.
Not too far away I met up with Patsy’s favourite nephew Pat Rogers from Blade FX who was with his delightful wife Nicola and mum Ann Rogers from Greenacres who assured me it was going to be a helluva night.
Seated close by were Kevin and Jean McGeough from Tallanstown who were there with ‘Lord Litchfield’ oops I mean Patrick and Terry Litchfield from McSwiney Street who were with Eugene Litchfield and Grace McEnteggart from Kilkerley who couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he came in the door.
Next I headed over for a word with Mickey and Ann Kelly from Ardee Road who told me that Mickey and Patsy were in a band called The Other Things back in 1966 and they were with Shane and Sharon McKeever from Haggardstown who told me Shane’s dad Sean was also in the band. Unfortunately, Sean and his wife Serena McKeever couldn’t make it to the party on the night because they were on holiday in Canada.
Seated close by were baby Laura Rogers from Grey Acre Road who was there with her mum Lorraine who was chatting too Harry Lee from Oaklawns who told me that he used to be a neighbour of Patsy when they lived in Hill Street.
I then headed for the Joe Dolan table where I caught up with Gerry, May and Elaine Mathews from Legion avenue, Bridie Masterson from Clones, Una Clerkin from Dublin Road and sisters Martina Grant from Avenue Road, Marie Toner from Armagh and Frances Nulty from Avenue Road who were all delighted to be there to celebrate with Patsy on his big night.
Heading for another table I then caught up with Arthur and Ann Burns and Briege Cahill from Greenacres, Mary and Francie McDonnell from Camlough, Jacqueline Burns and Jason McConville from Greenacres and niece Irra Rogers from Ravensdale who were all in great form and couldn’t wait for the birthday boy to arrive.
Not too long later I then got talking to David and Baljit Murphy from Rathmount who wanted to wish Patsy all the best on his big night.
I then caught up with Rose McCrave from Long Avenue who was there with her son Anthony and they too were looking forward to seeing Patsy when he came in the door.
After this I headed over for a word with neighbours Patricia and Mickey Kelly and Maria O’Callaghan from Legion Ave- nue who told me it was going to be a great night too.
Meanwhile up near the bar I then got talking to cousin Owen and Moira Lennon from Point Road who were there to make sure that Patsy had a fantastic night and wanted to wish him a happy 70th
Not too long later I met up with Hilda McManus from Muirhevnamor and Tommy Toner from Mountpleasant who is a long time friend of Patsy and even did a bit of work with him in the past and they too were looking forward to seeing the birthday boy.
Also up near the bar I then met up with Eamon and Mary Callan from Faughart who told me Patsy is a good character and it should be an excellent night.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Patsy’s brother Bertie who told me with all the people there, they were going to have a lovely night together.