Happy 40th, Gerry and Margaret!
AFTER enjoying a lovely meal in the Windsor to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary Gerry and Margaret McDonnell from Headford along with their children Ruaidhri and Liam and wives Fiona and Mel, then made their way to Kennedys Bar where a huge surprise party was awaiting them when they got there.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with sons Ruaidhri and Fiona McDonnell from Malahide and Liam and Mel McDonnell from Galway, who had organised the whole event, who said the look on their parents’ faces was enough and followed on to say they hoped they enjoyed it after the shock had subsided.
After this I headed over for a word with family friends Maria Doyle from Lis Na Dara and her mum Margaret Kenny from Ardee Road, who wanted to wish the happy couple all the best.
Heading for another table I then met up with Larry and Mary Steen from Knockbridge, who were with Patrick and Kitty McCann from Priorland Road, Frank and Cabrini McDonnell from Ardee Road, who were in great form. Frank told me about his and Jasper’s footballing exploits with the Seatown over 35s nationwide, specially when they played down in Belfast against Donegal Celtic, most of which certainly wasn’t repeatable in a family orientated newspaper like ours!
Making my way towards another table I then got talking to Esther Dunne from Redbarns Road, who was with Deirdre and Paddy Malone from Blackrock, James and Gillian Murphy from Mount Avenue, Audrey and Jack Branagan from Castlebellingham, who are all great mates with Jasper and Margaret and tried to tell me it was going to be a somewhat subdued celebration.
I then headed for the neighbours table where I caught up with Gerry and Bridie Costigan, Bernie Scott, Kevin and Geraldine Holland Patricia, Barry, Aine and Aidan McDonnell all from Headford, who were up for making it a mad one and wanted to wish Jasper and Margaret a very happy 40th wedding anniversary.
Not too long later I got a swift word with Catherine Kerr from Dunmor and Cabrini McDonnell from Ardee Road, who were up for making it a fantastic night.
Making my way over to another table I then caught up with Brendan and Maura Watters, who were having a laugh with Margaret’s brother
Neil and Madge Curran, who were up from Letterkenny and Brendan tried to tell me it was his first night out in 9 years, eh, I’d have to say no to that one Brendan!
Not too long later I caught up with Jasper’s brother Barry from Headford, who told me he was there with his beautiful wife Patricia and kids Aine and Aidan but wouldn’t say if this was going to be a major night of celebrations or not.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with Paddy and Clodagh Greene from Priorland Gardens, who were with Petrina and Vincent Hanratty from Point Road, who were there for a wild and crazy night and just hoped that Jasper and Margaret could keep up with them!