60 golden years together
THIS Sunday would have seen the Pheasant pub packed to the rafters with family and friends of wonderful Ballsgrove couple Fintan and Marion McCarthy as they celebrate their Diamond anniversary together.
Instead, family and friends will celebrate with the couple from afar, but with as much love as ever. ‘We never thought we’d see the day we’d make it this far,’ Fintan stated.
THIS Sunday would have seen the Pheasant pub packed to the rafters with family and friends of wonderful Ballsgrove couple Fintan and Marion McCarthy as they celebrate their Diamond anniversary together. Instead, the best wishes from their five children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren will be sent from afar, but with none the less love.
‘We never thought we’d see the day we’d make it this far, and not be able to celebrate it together,’ says Fintan, a wellknown community activist, who received a Mayoral award two years ago. ‘We had planned a big bash, then maybe a smaller house party, and now that’s all gone by the wayside, we might end up in the chipper on Sunday!’
Fintan met Marion Farrelly from Boyle O’Reilly Terrace 63 years ago.
‘We’re married 60 years, with three years’ probation,’ he says with a laugh. ‘Our first date was to the Abbey Cinema, and we married in the Lourdes, with my brother Aidan as best man, and Marion’s cousin Ann Nash was bridesmaid. The wedding breakfast was in the Gwent Arms and our honeymoon was a few days in Bray.’
Like many other couples of that time, lack of employment opportunities took the newlyweds to London.
‘Jobs were better there, but as soon as Marion was expecting our first child Mary, she was homesick for her family, and we moved back to Drogheda, where we lived for a while with her mam and dad,’ he explained. ‘With two children – Mary and Geraldine – it was in 1965 that we got the keys to our little Utopia; a brand-new house in Ballsgrove.’
He said it was magical to walk into a new house, with brand new kitchen, floors, bathroom..the lot!
‘ There were so many young families like ourselves, and there was a great community, with kids playing in the street, and everyone knew each other,’ says Fintan, who worked as an engineer with the post office. ‘And 55 years later we are still living her, although many of the neighbours are gone, but we still did things like bingo during the lockdown.’
The couple went on to have three more children Lorraine, Edward and Christine, who between the five children, have gifted them with two more generations.
‘ They certainly keep us busy with birthdays and Christmas, and I’m sure we’ll talk to them all at the weekend, and there are even two more great-grandchildren on the way,’ says Fintan, who was a founder of St Nicholas GFC and designed their crest.
‘I’m not sure what the secret to a long and happy marriage is, but it’s probably to give in early, as you’re not going to win anyway!’