Birthday land for Joe
Well known Tralee man, Joe Flaherty was ready to celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday last Friday night at the Austin Stack’s Clubhouse but he got the surprise of his life when he arrived to find all the family waiting to celebrate his own 80th.
Joe’s son, Mike of Fla Cabs, collected his dad from his St John’s Park home around 9 pm and drove him to his local clubhouse where over 60 family members and friends were waiting, including his sister Nora Moloney from Marian Park who is now 93 years of age. His sons Tim and wife Breda, Jim and Bev, Joe and Mary and Mike and Mary had arranged the party for Joe who was totally surprised. He thought he was there to celebrate Cliff Dillon’s birthday but he didn’t realise that Cliff isn’t actually 40 yet!
Other family members from Tralee were the O’Briens of St John’s Park, the family of the late Christine (Joe’s sister) and Mike and the Sheehy family (Sheila Sheehy is Joe’s sister-in-law) from Marian Park and of course Joe’s grandchildren.
His birthday was on Thursday night and he gave a gentle reminder to the family during the week but they passed it over by saying they would have a drink to celebrate at Cliff’s party. Little did he know the planning that was going on in the background.
Joe who originally came from Reidy’s Terrace was married to the late Mai Galvin. After settling in Dawson’s Terrace they moved to St John’s Park where they reared their four sons. He worked in the Co-Op in Rock Street and later in Dennys where he was a grade A butcher.
Joe is a very active 80 year old; he enjoys playing cards twice a week at the Stack’s Clubhouse, he loves fishing and has a keen interest in a ‘little flutter on the horses’
The food, fun, music and craic was flowing on Friday night and it was a huge success with many memories stirred up. The night was a fitting tribute to a great family man and father who is a true gentleman and the party will be remembered for a long time to come.
Around the town
Happy birthday to Margaret Murphy, Balloonagh Estate, who celebrates a ‘special birthday’ on Tuesday 13 and is just back from a well deserved holiday in sunny Portugal with hubbie Patrick and sister Pat.
Happy birthday to Joeleen O’Keeffe, Shanakill, and to Paddy Kissane who celebrates this week.
Happy birthday to three ‘Yellow Road’ fans who celebrate their birthdays this week. Kit Ryan celebrates on 12th and Vera Power of Clogher Lí and Norma O’Reilly (Carrig) also celebrate.
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