Family gathers in force for ‘Aunty’ Conseil’s surprise birthday party

CONSEIL McGaley-Leahy was treated to a surprise get together in The Country Market on Sunday September 24 on a special milestone birthday.

She thought she was going for a quiet meal with a few family members but unknown to her, many more were there to greet her on her arrival!

Her niece, Breda a founder member of Castleisland Camera Club, put her photography skills to good use on the day and pushed out the boat to collect and supply a few from the family album.

“A great evening of stories and memories ensued – enjoyed by all especially the birthday girl!

Conseil was born on September 21, 1937. She was the only girl in the family – Frank (RIP), Seán (RIP), Mossie (RIP), Bill, Conseil, Gerard, Aidan and Declan.

Tommy Watson was enlisted to teach her to drive when her brother Bill went to England. Bill used to drive their mother Nurse Mary McGaley to houses to perform her duties as a midwife and Conseil took over the driving for a brief period.

She married Denis Leahy from Cratloe on September 16, 1971.

She was a longstanding member of the Island Players Committee from the beginning and became a regular fixture in the office in the Ivy Leaf when they moved there.

Over the years she became an aunt to 39 nieces and nephews in total and is now grandaunt and great grandaunt to many – too many to count!

She has always been affectionately called ‘Aunty’ by young and old in the family but is also referred to as Aunty by many of her friends and even some shop assistants around town!

Aunty has always been a real dog lover and has rarely, if ever, been without a dog over the years. Cheeky, Ritzy, Paddy, Sam, Ben and Harvey were so lucky to arrive to Tonbwee – all treated like royalty!

Conseil’s love of gardening is almost matched by that for Kerry football. The two passions tie in nicely because if a match is very close or, God forbid, Kerry are losing, Conseil has to leave the television and escape to the garden!

She also loves knitting and bingo.

Photograph: Breda McGaley Conseil blowing out her candles with the help of grandnieces Abbie McGaley and Eimear Thomas.