100th birthday celebrations for Mayo man
ONE-HUNDRED years of history were celebrated in great style in Ballyhaunis when parishioners turned out in large numbers at St. Patrick's Church to celebrate with Joe Keane from Knox Street on the great occasion of his 100th birthday.
To mark the occasion, a special Mass was celebrated in the parish church, where Parish Priest Fr. Stephen Farragher welcomed the large attendance, saying: “This is truly a momentous occasion. Not often do we have the opportunity of celebrating a 100th birthday and being as hale and hearty as Joe is today.”
The opening hymn by the choir said it all: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” And rejoice the local community certainly did with their beloved parishioner throughout that day.
Joe was joined by his wife Marcella (née Greene), sons John, Pat, Joe, Tony and Rob, daughters Karen, Stella and Gillian, and his 15 grandchildren and extended family members.
This was a true Ballyhaunis community occasion, where parishioners – and many from well beyond – turned up to the community hall at various times during the day to join in the festivities to chat to Joe and to wish him well on this very special day.
Born on September 20, 1923, Joe married his neighbour from Knox Street, Marcella Greene, in 1961, when he was 38 and his bride was 22. Joe followed in his father's footsteps when he became a master tailor, a trade which was to serve him and his family so well throughout his life.
A man of great character, patience and wisdom, Joe performed his particular task with great love and welcomed customers to his door at any hour of the day or night. Indeed, anybody who ever called to his home to pick up an item of clothing was always sure of not only a great welcome, but also a lengthy conversation as well. He was a people's person and loved a lengthy chat with whoever called.
Joe had three great passions in his life, as well as his beloved wife Marcella, of course, and his eight children. Those were: politics, the FCA, and Annagh Magazine.
He was a life-long active member of the Finé Gael party, an organisation to which which he devoted so much time and energy over many years. On the occasion of reaching his 100th birthday, many were those representatives from the party who turned out to pay him tribute on reaching this milestone. Among the many messages of congratulations which he received was one from former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who, on wishing him well, paid tribute to Joe for his many years of service to the party.
For many years, he was much involved in the FCA, the reserve defence force outfit. Having joined the LDF (Local Defence Force), he later became an active member of the FCA, serving for many years at Galway and Finner camps, training young recruits who had come on board as volunteers. Joe has been president of Annagh Magazine for many years and as a member of the editorial committee, his contribution to this society has been enormous. He had a vast reservoir of memories of people and of characters from the town stretching back over many decades. His knowledge and his contribution to the Annagh Society has been of tremendous benefit not only to the editorial team, but also for the large readership of the magazine from so many parts of the world.
A deeply religious man, Joe served as sacristan in the parish church for a good many years, working under former pastors the late Canon Patrick Costello and Canon Joe Cooney. In this role too he was meticulous in the manner in which he carried out his duties.
At the conclusion of the Mass in the parish church, Joe's son John spoke lovingly about the life and times of his father, detailing all the many aspects of his life over the past 100 years.
Chief celebrant Fr. Stephen Farragher was joined for the celebration by Ballyhaunis native and fellow historian Fr. Kieran Waldron.
This particular celebration was one of joy and thanksgiving, where, in the words of Fr. Farragher: “We give thanks to God for the long life of Joe Keane and a life so well lived.”
Music for the celebration was provided by the combined Parish Choir and the Abbey Male Choir under the direction of Martina Kelly, with organist Paula Donnellan accompanying.