Aaron enjoys a great night at surprise 40th birthday party
ONE surprise 40th birthday party I certainly wasn’t going to miss last weekend was Aaron Callan from Knockbridge’s which took place in the Lilywhite Lounge on Saturday night and there to make sure he had an excellent night was wife Michelle, daughter Rachel, mum Mags, grandfather Francie and granny Gertie O’Donoghue and a huge collection of family and friends.
Aaron, already a local hero for his and Michelle’s appearance on RTE’s ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ back in March 2015, works in PayPal and is a major figure in the snooker and pool leagues here in Dundalk, as well as a major Dundalk FC fan of curse, arrived up to a packed Oriel Park and was completely speechless (for once) to find everyone singing birthday wishes for him.
I wasn’t too look in the door when I met up with Michael Finegan from Sean’s Tavern who was with daughter Mikaela and her boyfriend Donal Mulligan from Jenkinstown. They wanted to wish him a happy birthday and Mikaela was responsible for making the Dundalk FC jersey cake specially for the birthday boy, and what a cake it was!
After this, I got talking John Finnegan from Aghameen Park who was there with his mum Marie Finnegan and aunty Betty Whitfield who was over from Wales and they were joined by Aaron’s uncle Mattie and Margaret Callan from Bay Estate who assured me it was going to be an epic night.
I then headed over for a chat to Mark Lennon from Ard Easmuinn who was with Ciara McClenaghan from Tullyallen who wanted to wish the birthday boy all the best on his big night.
Meanwhile up near the bar I met up with Hughie McDonagh from College Manor who wanted to wish Aaron a very happy 40th.
Heading for another table I then got talking to Mary and Dessie McFadden along with Aneta Rybaczyk all from Greenacres who couldn’t wait to hear the band ‘6 For 7’ who included sons Liam and Ryan McFadden, Sean Woods and Daniel Johnson who had the place jumping with a really lively set of songs while I was there.
Heading for another table I then got a word with uncles Jacko Callan from Belfry Drive and brother Fra Callan home from Essex who were having a laugh with granny Gertie O’Donoghue from Darver, aunty Shelly Rogers and Colleen Kenny with daughters Isobel and Siobhan all from Dromiskin who were having a ball.
I then had the pleasure of meeting up with Aaron’s mum Mags Callan from Woodview Park who wanted a special mention for Aaron’s sister Nicola McDonald from Cavan who didn’t make it on the night, but they were all thinking about her.
I was then introduced to some of Aaron’s mates who were over from Essex specially to see the birthday boy and they included Dan Reeder, Michelle Mason and Rob Nash who were on for a mental night with everyone there.
After this I got talking to Aaron’s grandad and Dundalk FC legend Francie Callan from Avondale Park who assured me this was going to be a major night of celebration.
Also in his company was aunty Bernie Downey from Avondale Park who was with husband Martin, the party animal that only knows how to have fun Johnny Kerley from Sliabh Foy with wife Elaine and Pat Rogers from Dromiskin whop is married to aunty Shelly and was also with daughter Isobel who were up for a major night of fun.
Not too long later I met up with Davy Tippins from Cooley Park who was with Hanna Woods from Manydown who told me they were looking forward to a mad night with cousin Aaron.
Finally, before I departed, I met up with Caitlin McGinnity from Pearse Park who was with cousin James Downey from Avondale Park who wanted to Aaron all the best on his 40th.