Family Gathers in Force for ‘Aunty’ Conseil’s Surprise Party

Conseil McGaley-Leahy was treated to a surprise get together in The Country Market on Sunday September 24th on the occasion of a special milestone birthday. 

She thought she was going for a quiet meal with a few family members but unknown to her, many more were there to greet her on her arrival!

Her niece, Breda a founder member of Castleisland Camera Club, put her photography skills to good use on the day and pushed out the boat to collect and supply a few from the family album.

Breda also set the scene as follows:

“A great evening of stories and memories ensued – enjoyed by all especially the birthday girl!

Conseil Leahy – born September 21st 1937. The only girl in the family – Frank (RIP), Seán (RIP), Mossie (RIP), Bill, Conseil, Gerard, Aidan and Declan.

Tommy Watson was enlisted to teach her to drive when her brother Bill went to England. Bill used to drive their mother Nurse Mary McGaley to houses to perform her duties as a midwife – Conseil took over the driving for a brief period.

Island Players Committee

She married Denis Leahy from Cratloe on September 16th 1971.

She was a longstanding member of the Island Players Committee from the beginning and became a regular fixture in the office in the Ivy Leaf when they moved there.

Over the years she became an aunt to 39 nieces and nephews in total and is now grandaunt and great grandaunt to many – too many to count!

She has always been affectionately called ‘Aunty’ by young and old in the family but is also referred to as Aunty by many of her friends and even some shop assistants around town!

Nieces and Nephews – Too Many to Count

Over the years she became an aunt to 39 nieces and nephews in total and is now grandaunt and great grandaunt to many – too many to count!

She has always been affectionately called ‘Aunty’ by young and old in the family but is also referred to as Aunty by many of her friends and even some shop assistants around town!

Aunty has always been a real dog lover and has rarely, if ever, been without a dog over the years. Cheeky, Ritzy, Paddy, Sam, Ben and Harvey were so lucky to arrive to Tonbwee – all treated like royalty!

Gardening, Football, Bingo and Knitting

Conseil’s love of gardening is almost matched by that for Kerry football. The two passions tie in nicely because if a match is very close or God forbid Kerry are losing, Conseil has to leave the television and escape to the garden!
I nearly forgot to mention her love for knitting – not recently but in the past she was a great knitter and gifted many of us beautiful hand knitted jumpers.
Another love of hers is Bingo! She was a committee member here too in the past and still plays every Tuesday night in Castleisland Community Centre and lady luck is often on her side! She also enjoys Telly Bingo now.”

Happy Birthday Auntie and wishing you many more.

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