The Annual Senior Citizens Party took place in Kynes Central Tavern on Sunday 15th December. The evening started with Mass in the local church at 4pm and it included the Blessing of the sick, with Fr Noel Mullin and Fr Tommy Marrinan giving the blessing. The mass was concelebrated by Fr Tommy Marrinan with Fr Noel Mullin, Canon Callinan, Fr Sean Kilcoyne, Fr Costello and Fr Gilmore celebrating with him. This was a beautiful mass with some nice thoughts from Fr Tommy. After mass, everyone headed for Kynes Central Tavern where the Senior Citizens Committee lead by Chairman Seamus O’Connell, with its secretary Agnes Lenihan, Treasurer Michael O’Connell and the rest of the committee moved into top gear, to provide a great nights entertainment. First a few drinks to get the appetite going, then everyone was seated for a beautiful meal served up by Kynes hard working staff, helped by our own committee.
After everyone had enough to eat, the arrival of the man in red Santa Clause a fair bit overweight I must say. He must be well fed all summer up there in the North Pole and it seems he made a stop at the local supermarker on his way because he had on a beautiful pair of shiny green wellingtons. Then he proceeded to present everyone with a little gift.
Seamus O’Connell welcomed everyone and he had a special welcome for our new parish priest Fr Noel Mullin and our curate Fr Tommy Marrinan.
In his reply Fr Noel said he was delighted to be present and he complimented everyone for coming out to this Christmas party. Then Seamus O’Connell on behalf of the Committee made a presentation to Fr Sean Kilcoyne on the occasion of his transfer from our parish and wished him well in his new parish.
Then Seamus made a presentation to Canon G. Callinan on the occasion of his retirement. Then to great cheers a presentation was made to May and Andy McDonagh, who celebrated their 50 years of marriage this year.
But the biggest cheer of the night came when our local hero Pat ‘Val’ Duggan was introduced. Pat has let it be known that cowardly thugs who hide behind masks and who come in numbers to terrorise our people will find no easy pickings in Claregalway. Pat was then presented with a little gift.
Then it was down to the dancing with Tom Flaherty of Cloon providing the music. The dance floor was crowded all night as Tom belted out old time waltzes, quick steps, siege of Ennis, Barn dances and the night would not be complete if they did not Shoe the Donkey! We had our Senior Citizens join in with songs such as The Banks of the Claddagh, Fields of Athenry, James Connolly and many more. We also had some lively mouth organ playing by Fr Tommy.
A great night was had by all. The Committee would like to thank Joe Kyne and his staff for a beautiful meal on the night, Tom Flaherty for a great nights entertainment and dancing and to all you the Senior Citizens of Claregalway who came out and made it all worthwhile.
Wishing everyone a very peaceful and happy Christmas.
