Special night for James’ 40th
ON Friday night I headed for Byrnes in Hill Street where a rather special 40th birthday party was taking place for well known musician James Mackin from Castlebellingham and there to make sure he had an excellent night were parents Paddy and Kate, sisters Eimear and Niave, brother Laurence and girlfriend Aimee Woods along with a huge collection of family and friends.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I caught up with James who was in great form and told me he is a regular in Byrnes, he plays there on the first Sunday of every month with a collection of the best musicians the country has to offer and if you want to hear the best jazz, this is the place to be.
The place was packed with party revellers and I then got a quick word with niece Cathy Bell from Kilsaran who was with Megan Lynch from Castlebellingham who were looking exceptionally well and said they were definitely going to have a mad night.
After this I got a quick word with aunt and cousin Phyllis and Debbie Woods from Avenue Road who assured me it was going to be a wild night for sure.
Next I met a couple who were going to make the best of the night were Shauna McKeown from Garrybawn and nephew Padraig Bell from Castlebellingham who told me he’d be taking it easy because of the dreaded ‘work in the morning’.
Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Alan Halpenny from Kilsaran and Ciara Muckian from Castlebellingham who were joined by Kevin McGeough originally from Togo but now from Castlebellingham who was with Cathy Kealy from Castlebellingham who all wanted to wish James all the best on his big night.
Not too far away I met up with three lads Peter Pritchard and David Whyte both from Castlebellingham and Faolan Morgan from Kilcurryish who told me they were old school mates of James and Peter had also lived with him for 7 years. Needless to say, the lads were there to make sure he had an epic night.
Seated up near the bar I got talking to Colin and Josephine Dullaghan form Blackrock who told me that he and James were in the band Tern all those years ago and he has been friends with him for around 25 years so they certainly weren’t going to miss the party.
Next I headed over for a word with Eilish McCarthy from Muirhevna and Elizabeth Redmond originally from Texas but now in Castlebellingham with Bernard Kelledy and they wanted to wish James a very happy 40th.
One lady who was making sure the night got off to the start it deserved and that was ‘Cocktail Queen’ Teresa Mackin from Point Road who was making sure everyone got something tropical in them before they got the night going.
I then caught up with Bernard Kelledy who was there with brother Geoff who told me that Bernard and James were best mates since primary school and Geoff mentioned something about them playing with Star Wars figures, but there’s no need to go into that now!
After this I headed over for a chat with Nicola and Jamie Murphy from Castlebellingham who were looking well and ready to make the night a massive with their friend James.
Not too long later I met up with Alannah Molloy from Kilsaran and Mark Kearney from Castlebellingham who were with Lee Hack from Castlebellingham and Billie Fagan from Feede who assured me they weren’t just there for the goujons and wanted to wish James all the best on his big night.
I then caught up with musicians Niall Cloak from Bray and Martin Shields from Drogheda who said he was a vague acquaintance of James but was there for the party anyway.
Not to far away was James’ dad Paddy from Annagassan who told me he wanted a big shout out for his cousin Mara Waring from Bachelors Walk and husband Paul who were flying home from Prague specially for the party.
Waiting for his turn to get up with the band was guitarist Paddy Goodwin from Drogheda who was going to make sure that James had an epic night.
Making my way through the crowds I met up with Rosie and Brendan Crean from Drogheda who were enjoying the night with Kate Pat and Doreen Mackin from Mount Avenue and couldn’t wait to hear Brendan and James in action later on.
Finally, before I departed, I got a word with Anthony Lynch originally from Bothar An Chaislain but now hanging his hat in Willow Grove who told me he just loves James’ music and was delighted to be there for the session.