FANTASTIC NIGHT AS LILLIE MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY
On Friday night I headed for the Clans Clubrooms where a very special 90th birthday party was being held for Lillie Dullaghan from St. Alphonsus Road and there to make sure she had a fantastic night was her sister Anne McKeown from St. Alphonsus Road, brother-inlaw Brendan Dullaghan from Dublin and sister-in-law Eileen Dullaghan from St. Alphonsus Villas and a huge collection of family and friends.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Lillie’s niece Philomena McArdle from Greenacres who was with husband Peter and great grandniece Amber who assured me it was going to be a fantastic night and no mistake.
After this I caught up with my old mate Pat Clarke from Bay Estate who was with Lillie’s niece, his wife Kathleen and their son Sean who is currently teaching in Dublin and came down specially to be there on the night and assured me it was going to be an epic night for sure.
Making my way over to another table I then got talking to nephew Diarmuid Dullaghan from St. Alphonsus Road who was with his mum Eileen, sisters Clare ad Kathleen and nephew Michael who wanted to wish Lillie all the best on her big night and they were there to make sure she did.
Not too far away I then caught up with family friends Patsy and Rita Dullaghan from Ashbrook and Joe McNally from Beechmount Drive who agreed the night was ‘ but a pup’ and was going to be something special for their friend Lillie.
Seated close by were neighbours Joe and Sheila Kelly from St. Alphonsus Villas who wanted to wish her all the best on her big night.
After this I caught up with the birthday girl’s good friend Martina Grant from Avenue Road who was enjoying the company of her kids Gavin and Caroline as well as Paddy McKeown from Avenue Road with his kids Amy and Molly who were definitely up for making it a real night to remember and assured me things would really kick off when the lights go down later on.
Heading for another table I then met up with Mary Clifford from Lordship and Andy McGreehan from Castletowncooley who told me that Mary works with Lillie’s sister Anne and they were definitely up for making it a good night.
Meanwhile up at the bar I then got talking to Frank McPhillips from Clones and Paddy Grant from Avenue Road who are long time friends of Lillie’s and said they used to star with her all those years ago and certainly weren’t going to miss such a momentous night.
Not too long later I met up with Tommy Bailey originally from Chicago but now hanging his hat along with Pauline Clinton in Avondale Park who told me they used to be neighbours of Lillie’s and said that she really is ‘ The Best’!
I then headed over for a chat with Maeve Egan from Moynalty who told me her husband John used to stay with Lillie when he was stationed here and was delighted to be able to come down and see Lillie again. Finally I met up with great nephew Glen McArdle who was with Grace Maddy both from Marian Park who wanted to wish Lillie a very happy 90th and were there to make sure she had an amazing night.