Huge crowd in Clans Gerry’s 60th
ONE party I certainly wasn’t going to miss last weekend was the 60th birthday party for Gerry O’Hare from Ashbrook and there to make sure he had a really great night were his daughters Rebecca and Jenny, brothers Jamie home from Haydock, Arthur from Belfry Drive, sisters Lorena from Warrenpoint, Mary from Dromiskin and his partner Veronica Kelch and a huge collection of family and friends.
I then decided to see who else was there and met up with Patricia Duffy from Blackrock and Cora Toner from Bellurgan. Patricia told me that the first band she ever played in had Gerry on drums and they’ve been friends ever since.
I then headed for a table where I got talking to Mickey Duffy from St. Nicholas Avenue who told me he was in the same class at school as Gerry and was there with Fra Kieran from Carrick Road, Jim Boyle from Old Muirhevna, and Paddy White from Woodview Park who are all Clansmen and told me that Gerry’s dad was one of the founder members of the club. Fran actually told me that he had taught Gerry how to sing too!
Not too long later I got a word with Bagger Brady from St. Patricks Terrace who was with Gerry and Eileen Duffy from the Meadows who joined up with Mary and David Neary from O’Hanlon Park who sad he hoped ‘ the wallet’ had a great night. This sentiment was agreed by Johnny Kerley from Muirhevnamor, Madeline and Marie Kelly from Legion Avenue. It was about this time I was told that Gerry is an important member of the McAlester’s Monday Club, but that was all that was being said on the subject!
Seated close by were Eugene and Mary O’Hanlon from Riverside Drive who were with Issa and Marie McGuirk and were having a great laugh when I caught up with them.
Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Jennifer, Paddy, Kerry and Aoife Lawless from Hawthorn Crescent who were enjoying the evening with Paul and Emma Nordon from Castlebellingham and they wanted to wish uncle Gerry all the best.
Also at the same table I got a word with nieces Niamh McAlevey from Castleross and Lisa-Jane O’Riordan from Dowdallshill who told me it was certain to be an epic celebration.
After this I headed over for a chat with Declan Moore from Beechmount Drive who was with Michelle O’Hare from Belfry Gardens and Alice O’Hare from Belfry Drive who told me she was only there because ‘ the wallet’ was paying and was having a right laugh with Cillain and Ciara O’Hare from Belfry Drive who all wanted to wish Gerry a very happy 60th.
Next I met up with Padraic and Sandra Barry from Glenmore who were having a laugh with Mick and Yvonne Gallagher who had come over from Ballina specially for Sandra and Yvonne’s cousin’s 50th.
Not too far away I met up with Gerry’s cousins Geraldine Gallagher from Fatima Drive, Tina and Monica Halpin from De La Salle Terrace who were with aunty Bridie Duffy from Maran Park and her friend Renee Nordon from Marian Park who were all up for a major night of fun with Gerry and the rest of the family.
After this I managed a few words with Gerry’s sister Mary Nordon from Dromiskin who were with Gerry’s kids Kerry O’Hare from Laytown and Jenny O’Hare from Lis Na Dara who told me it was going to be a fantastic night and they were definitely going to ‘give it a lash’.
Meanwhile up near the bar I got talking to Anthony Lynch from Castletown Road who told me he used to be a neighbour of ‘ the wallet’ and he was having a laugh with Declan Connolly from Marian Park, a ‘very good friend’ of Gerry’s.
Next I had the pleasure of meeting up with my old friend Bertie Roddy who had come home from Birmingham specially for his cousin’s birthday and he was with his brother Paul Roddy and Pamela Kelly from Carlinn Hall, Conor Roddy from Hackballscross, mum Mary Roddy from bachelors Walk, cousins Maura ad and Caoimhe McEnteggart from Greenacres and friend Gerry Tuft also from Bachelors Walk who told me it was a lovely night altogether.
Finally, before I departed, I got a word with Esther and Mickey Ralph from Doolargy Avenue who told me that Mickey and Gerry used to drive taxis for Shevlin’s and they were delighted to be there and wanted to wish him a very happy 60th.