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2 | OWEN’S ORACLE
Owen O’Reilly was born
in Marino, Dublin on
9th April, 1925. His
mammy and daddy
welcomed his arrival, along
with his brother Paddy, sister
Rose and Gerard, who joined
the O’Reilly family five years
later.
Seamus O’Flaherty was
Owen’s school pal and both
have remained good friends
to this day.
There were many
significant events in Owen’s
life growing up. One of the
many stories he often
recalled was of his
Confirmation day. He had the
beautiful suit but as the day
progressed he became ill
with abdominal pains? Now
Owen always remembers the
day he had his appendix
out!! He often jokes that his
parents got a refund on the
suit that was barely worn!!
Owen’s early employments
varied and included the cycle
up Howth Head, for Shield’s
Butchers! This job was short-
lived! The bicycle was stolen
as Owen made a short stop
at a shop!
The most significant times
in Owen’s work life were after
he joined the Irish Press
newspaper group. These
were the times an ‘extra
passenger’ accompanied
Owen on his way to work! Yes
Owen always loves “that he
was chased by Lil!”
Lil O’Brien was his one and
only. Their courting days
were wonderful and Lil and
Owen married on 16th
September, 1958. They were
blessed with five children,
Joseph, Mary, Ann, Thomas
and Niamh.
Childhood holidays were
spent with Kitty and Paddy in
Howth and Frank and
Maureen in Rush.
Owen remained with the
Irish Press for over thirty-five
years until his retirement in
1985. Working day and night
shifts in the machine room
Owen witnessed many
changes in the world of
publishing media.
Newspapers became part
of his family life and
coincidently Owen’s brother
Gerard joined the Irish
Independent Newspaper
Group, and retired from the
Irish Times newspapers many
years later. Owen maintains
his interests in newspapers
to this very day and will still
comment on print layouts or
oversights and of course the
newspaper must always be
the ‘City Final’ edition!
Owen enjoyed many
activities and was involved
with the Parish Choir in the
Church of the Annunciation,
Finglas West. He spent many
happy times in his Bowls
Club with Gerard and Tom
and Frances. He enjoyed
holidays away and
made the annual
pilgrimage to Lourdes
with the parish for many
years.
As life went on and
times changed Owen
and the O’Reilly clan
were blessed to have
Betty and Mark Murphy
in their lives. This is a
special times to
remember them and Lil
and Niamh.
Owen has the best
two daughter-in-laws in
the world, in his life. Two
more special people
that call him ‘dad’! Sure
Tina and Tara know all the
best people come from
Finglas! And it gets better!
Owen has four wonderful,
beautiful grandsons that fill
his days with laughter,
wonder and Joy. His
immense pride in their
individuality and talents
increases every day. Thank-
you Alan, Mark, Sean and
Eoin for all the craic!
Owen and the gang have
been so fortunate with
special people over the years
that supported them in
tougher times.
The O'Brien and O'Reilly
clans, far and wide, kept the
spirit and energy of family
alive.
The Shaw family have been
friends for many years and it
is great to see that friendship
and spirit emerge from a
younger generation. Lynda
and Reg have been there
from the start...sure in all
those old family photos there
is sure to be a head or a
ARE MADE OF THIS!
OWEN’S ORACLE | 3
Met Eireann have issued a
major weather warning
for Saturday, 11th
April 2015!
A STATUS ORANGE alert
will be in operation from noon
on Saturday and continue into
the early hours of Sunday
12th. An area of extremely
high pressure can be detected
in the West Finglas area of
Dublin extending rapidly to
the Blanchardstown region,
with hot spots appearing in
the vicinity of the Crown Plaza
Hotel well into the evening!
It has been reported that the heat
generated from the accumulation of
flames from ninety birthday candles
will cause extreme turbulence in the
air mass index! High pressure rising
rapidly will block polar air and the
prevailing westerlies. A worrying wind
squall, as the flames are extinguished,
will be monitored with specialised
equipment recently acquired by the
meteorological services in Europe.
The Dublin Fire Brigade will be on-site
with all units on stand-by until Met
Eireann downgrade this major alert.
This is indeed a very rare
phenomenon in the history of
weather forecasting in Ireland.
Studies in this field go back to 1925
when the first recorded incident of
this kind occurred in the Marino area
funny pose from Reg, somewhere
among the O’Reilly gang, on those
special occasions! How many people
have their own personal hairdresser
who tells the client when their cut is
due? In thanks Owen employs a
bartering system...he repays Lynda with
a dozen of the finest, biggest hen eggs,
and Elizabeth likes them too!
Owen is so lucky to have so many
other special people in his life! Edel,
Carol and Lorna Murphy, and Betty and
Mark’s grandchildren Heather and
David who will always be special. He
includes Ger and Terry there too!
To Lorraine...thanks a million; to
Sheila who adopted Owen as her dad,
you are music to his ears! Thanks also
to Carol for all the tellybingos! Special
thanks also to Siobhan, Bernard, Larry
and Martha for all you do.
A special word of thanks also to the
other Betty and her son David in No.
32; to Christy, Kathleen, Una, Lily, Peter
and Tina, thank you all; as the song
goes...’Everybody Needs Good
Neighbours’!!
In keeping with the changing times
and Owen’s advancing technological
skills in the use of his iPad, we have
digitalised Owen’s special publication.
Owen is indeed ‘a legend since 1925!’
Owen’s Oracle is for all his family and
friends. So go on...enjoy it...and ‘Read
all about it!’
of Dublin! Meteorology specialists
worldwide have been unable to
explain this atmospheric change that
illuminate surroundings. A “short-fuse
warning” which has been defined by
the met office as ‘a local weather
hazard of short duration’ is the only
known description to this curious
weather event.
Meanwhile people in the vicinity of
the Crown Plaza Hotel in
Blanchardstown, have been asked to
be extremely vigilant of these
developments until the temperature
stabilises with good visibility for all.
On a positive note meteorologists
worldwide are confident that the
outlook will be for a sunny disposition
for all those in attendance and an
extremely warm front that will only
‘melt your heart’!
HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY OWEN!
MAJOR WEATHERWARNING!
4 | OWEN’S ORACLE
In preparing to
celebrate
Owen’s special
birthday we
received many
stories from
family and
friends
recounting their
own magical
tales of Owen.
Those
memories have
been
reproduced to
share with you.
When we were kids Owen
and Lil took us for a spin
in his car with my dad Paddy
and we ended up in Wicklow.
On the way back Paddy asked
if he could drive Owen’s car
home! Paddy ended up driving
the car into a ditch!!!! We were
left stranded for hours!!!!
I want to take this
opportunity to thank Owen for
the eggs we got every year on
Easter Sunday. Owen would
arrive with four eggs, one for
Bernie, Pat, Seamus and
myself.
We all looked forward to
them. It meant we all got two
eggs on Easter Sunday, one
from their mam and dad and
one from Owen. They were
wonderful times!
Bernie, Marie’s sister, remembers
another story:
Owen, Lil and Paddy went to
the beach one day with all the
kids and they all had a great
time splashing about in the
water. Later when Marie, who
was about six years old at the
time, was trying to get dressed
struggling with her towel, she
noticed another girl standing
nearby looking in her
direction. Marie turned to her
and asked her “Are ye gawkin?”
She walked off and Owen fell
out of his standing with the
laughter!!!
My father Paddy used to be a cobbler when we
were younger and mended the shoes of
friends and family members from home! Owen
dropped a pair of his signature black shoes in for
repair. My mother Maureen was lighting the fire
one day and couldn’t get it going??? Sometimes
she would even throw paraffin oil onto the fire to
get it started. However this day she had run out of
sticks and paraffin oil and guess what she found at
the end of the wardrobe...???? Yes...she found a
shoe and threw it onto the fire and soon had the
fire blazing!
Not long after that Owen came knocking on the
door for his shoes! My father nearly died because
he could only find one shoe in the wardrobe?? My
father went out and bought Owen a new pair of
shoes but I don’t think Owen ever found out what
happened to his missing shoe!
Bernie remembers another story:
When Owen and Lil were courting they used to
take us all (my brothers and sister) in turn, on a
trip to the circus. I was picked more often than the
others? My father would sneak me out to meet
Owen and Lil and Owen would collect me at the
end of the road in his black car. It was only when I
got older that I found out the reason why I had
more trips to the circus than the others!
TO SHARE
MARIE O’REILLY (Owen’s niece) – Our American Correspondent!
BERNIE O’REILLY (Owen’s niece)
Apparently, I used to laugh the loudest at the
clowns! I thought Owen and Lil were laughing at
the clowns with me but it turned out that they
were laughing at me, because I was laughing so
much, and they had so much fun watching me!!
Bernie also remembers when Owen and Lil
came to visit with their own children when they
were small. They loved to watch Marie and herself
bake buns, cream flans, and Victoria sponges.
Owen and Lil used to say that they couldn’t wait ‘til
Mary and Ann were able to bake cakes for them
for their tea!!!
Gerard, Bernie and Naomi out and about with Owen!
Marie
O’Reilly
OWEN’S ORACLE | 5
Betty Murphy was Lil’s best
pal and in turn became
Owen’s very special and best
friend. They did lots of things
BETTY MURPHY together and most of it
involved Joe, Mary, Ann,
Thomas and Niamh and
especially Niamh!!
Betty and Owen were often
seen driving together, chatting
at doorways, doing messages
for each other, Betty cooking
Owen’s favourite meals and
generally spending lots of time
together!!
Nothing strange about that
you might think, and especially
in those days it was good to
have a good friend especially as
Owen was rearing five young
children on his own. Well he
wasn’t really on his own as
Betty was there every step of
the way.
Oh did I fail to mention that
there were three people in
Betty’s marriage.
Betty had a husband, Mark!!
And Betty had other children,
her own Edel, Carol and Lorna
and of course Jet the dog!!Betty and Owen
Betty and Mark
David and
Heather, Betty
and Mark’s
grandchildren say
that they are
severely
traumatised!!
Why? Because
their nana had a
boyfriend! Not
only did she have
a boyfriend but
their grandad was
okay with this!!!
Their encounters happened in
broad daylight!! Owen would call
to Betty’s door and they would
spend a lot of time talking
together while their granddad
was inside and he never said a
word! They are more than
traumatised!!
David and Heather
remember Owen bringing the
newspaper to their nana and
grandad every day.
Sometimes they would talk
for ages at the door or the
gate and leave two starving
children inside! Oh they are
so traumatised in many ways!!
Nevertheless David and
Heather want to wish their
nana’s boyfriend a very
happy birthday and they
remember their nana and
grandad in a really special
way today. XXDavid and Owen
Children Traumatised!
EDEL, CAROL and LORNA MURPHY, Betty’s biological
family, as opposed to her adopted ‘O’Reilly bunch’,
always remember Owen being there. The O’Reilly family
have been there as long as the Murphy clan.
EDEL: I remember Owen coming home from work in the
Irish Press, walking up the road in his overcoat and shirt
and tie. I knew then it was time for tea! On Good Friday I
would cook eggs and chips for Owen and all the
O’Reilly’s and I remember they all enjoyed them.
Thanks Edel, and when did you stop that tradition???
LORNA: I have memories of calling down to Owen to get
help with a chimney fire! Owen came up and made it
worse by putting newspaper in front of the fire. The room
filled with smoke and Owen then told Ger to ring the fire
brigade!!
CAROL: I remembers Kathleen Keogh and Mrs Walsh
having a chat one day.
Mrs Walsh “I wonder why Mrs Murphy and Mr. O’Reilly
don’t move in together, instead of running between the
two houses!!?
Kathleen...“I think Mr. Murphy might have a problem
with that?
Mrs Walsh...“What, there IS a Mr. Murphy?”
Owen was Carol’s personal driver and also remembers
him as ‘her mammy’s boyfriend’!
Breaking News...Breaking News...
Owen and Heather
Edel, Lorna and Carol
6 | OWEN’S ORACLE
Iremember Niamh opening the door to me
one day and trying to be serious and not to
laugh, which was a very hard thing for Niamh
to do!!!
You see dad had broken his false teeth and
this was indeed a very serious matter that
had to be treated as such.
I walked into the sitting room to be
confronted by dad who was very serious
looking and concerned about his awful
situation!
He took one look at me and Niamh and
said: “You told her?” I burst out laughing and
sure then dad joined in too! Niamh was at last
able to be her funny self, and let out the
shrieks of laughter!!
MAGICAL MEMORIES TO SHARE...
MARY
One of the stories
that I remember
about dad happened
when mammy was sick in
hospital. Dad decided to buy
new trousers! The trousers
were too long and as usual
he went to Betty to have
them altered.
Once the hem was cut and
the trousers altered dad
changed his mind and
decided that he didn’t like
them anymore!
So what does Dad do...? He
returned the trousers to the
shop and ‘got a full refund!’
But the story doesn’t end
there!
V Q R N H R L V Z Y N N U FI L A U G H G E S E R H F YE L T N E G H N W F W I A BW Y Z D N I K O E I W P Y XG I N S P I R A T I O N A LX C I V G E Q G S M E W P UF E F I L F O L L U F W D GW R C H A R M I N G E V E DP D U O R P E R J N F N U BF L A C I G O L O N H C E TY A F L G K D L B M V H N DW C A U C Q K D E V O L Q OS X S M I L I N G F L U I MF A M I L Y T I M E L F Z M
WORDS DESCRIBING OWEN
CHARMINGFAMILYTIMEFULLOFLIFE
FUNNYGENTLE
INSPIRATIONALKIND
LAUGH LOVED PROUD
SMILING TECHNOLOGICAL
Owen and Mary
Sometime later dad and
Joe returned to the same
shop to buy more trousers.
The shop assistant was
helping him to choose when
he picked up the original pair
of trousers that dad had
returned. He held them up
and said: “gosh these trousers
must have been made for a
midget!” He looked at dad
and laughed and dad
apparently joined in the
conversation and agreed
with him!
Dad then paid for a
different pair of trousers and
left! We often wondered if
they ever did sell those
trousers!
Needless to say it gave
mammy lots of laughs when
dad and Betty visited the
hospital that night! Mammy
could not believe that dad
had been that brazen!
Oh the thing’s one has to
do in the name of fashion!!
When I stated nursing I had
to get to work one morning
as it had snowed heavily
overnight so I decided to
walk there. Because dad is
dad he got up early and
walked almost all the way to
Fairview with me as it was
still very dark. I was in my
20’s at the time but that
didn’t matter. Dad kept me
company and knew then I
was safe.
So thanks Dad!
ANN
Owen and Ann
Holidays in Courtown, Co. Wexford - 1975
Lil and Owen
❝
❞
To the world you may be one
person but toone person you may be the world!
TOMMY
Declan and Tommy were the best of pals! Sometimes some ‘bold boys’
on the street would mess with our garden gate by swinging on it or
even taking it off the hinges? One night this bold boy was Declan?? He took
the garden gate off and after ‘acting
the maggot’, TRIED to put it back on
its hinges! But it wouldn’t work, and
no matter what Declan did he could
not get the gate back in its place!
Declan got fed up and threw it into
the nearby field!
His conscience must have got the
better of him because the next
morning Owen looked out to see
Declan struggling with the
garden gate and eventually
getting it back in place.
Owen said to Tommy, “Ah
isn’t Declan great, somebody
must have taken the gate off
during the night and Declan
is putting it back on, he is
very good!
Now do you think Tommy
told him the truth? Well you
know now Owen!!
OWEN’S ORACLE | 7
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breeds of animals!● And finally we are accredited members of the worldwide
specialist organisation F.A.M.I.L.Y (Fun And Magic In Loving
You)!
For your Magical Employment Experience contact us at:
THE CLAUS STUDIOS,
P.O. BOX 1925
NORTH POLE 90.
NOTE: Though prone to vanishing we deliver everytime!
JOE
Idrove a motor bike in my early twenties and I don’t think dad approved.
Of course the day came when dad was at work and I had a ‘little’
accident and fell off the bike. I sat on the kerb as Christie told Kathleen
what had happened.
Kathleen told me to put the bike under the window and say nothing? Of
course she did not know about the awful pain that I had in my arm? So I
said nothing as the pain got worse and waited until dad left for work the
next day to have it sorted.
At the Mater Hospital I was told my arm was broken and that I needed a
plaster of paris. I was more concerned about ‘what dad would say’ than the
broken arm!
But I had no need to worry about ‘what he would say’, because once he
had heard it had happened the day before, he said nothing!
In fact he said nothing to me for three whole days! I don’t think I knew
which was worse; the silent treatment or the yell that I didn’t get!
Needless to say, I had learned my lesson and my ‘Harley Davidson’ days
came to an abrupt end!!
Joe, Tommy and Owen
Above: Declan and Tommy as youngsters and below:when they grew up??? Now that’s questionable!!
JOBS WANTED!Three ELVES and
an unemployed SANTA seek
employment for the summer months!
Anything considered!
KITTY DUFFY (Owen’s niece)
Kitty recalls staying in nanny O’Brien’s one day
when she was young girl. Owen and Lil were
going out together at that time. Kitty opened the
door leading into the hall where Owen and Lil
were standing.
Kitty asked: “what are they doing out there?”
She got a belt from nanny O’Brien and was told
to “shut the door and mind your own business!”
Little did she know that years later she would
be standing in their hall in Finglas doing the very
same thing!!
10 | OWEN’S ORACLE
In 1952, when I was about eight years old Lil, Owen and
myself went to Glasnevin one Sunday afternoon. I had one
shilling spending money. I can only think that we had gone
to Carmel’s grave, Lil’s little sister, who had passed away in
1948.
On the way back we stopped at a little sweet shop near the
Tolka Bridge. I was parched and asked Lil and Owen if I could
buy an ice lolly. Of course they said “yes”, and instead of me
just buying one, I bought three, one for each of us!
Lil and Owen’s faces were a picture when I handed them a
lolly each. They were mortified beyond words! Adults would
not be seen eating anything in the street in those days. So Lil
and Owen stood facing the shop window pretending to be
looking in at the wares and trying to lick the lollies so fast to
get rid of them!
We’ve had a laugh over the years when Lil would say: “Do
you remember Irene Dunne when you bought those ice pops
for us in Glasnevin”? Lil laughed many times especially telling
the story to nannie and pop.
HELEN SHAW (Owen’s niece)
Owen was always Rose’s little brother and she looked after him when
she could, extending her support and love particularly when Lil
became ill and
passed away. I
remember as a
child how very
difficult and sad
this was, and as
the years went on,
how brave and
resolute Owen
was in holding
everything
together. His
strong sense of
faith sustained
him particularly
when he also lost
Niamh.
Owen, for me is
brave, strong in terms of endurance, kind, gentle and warm. His spirit of
family love kept his family together and united and I have always
admired him for that.
ANNE DUNNE (Owen’s niece)
Iremember Lil, Owen, Joseph and Mary coming to ‘117’ on St. Stephen’s Day.
After tea, when they were getting ready to go home, they looked out to find
that it had snowed BIG TIME! It was too bad to travel so mam (Kay) got dad
(Tommy) to go upstairs and get a mattress!
Michael, Joseph, Mary and I settled to sleep on the mattress on the floor.
There was no sleep though as we spent the whole night singing ‘Are You Happy
in Your Nappy?’!!
I also remember that after every visit, Mam always said: “That Owen is a
gentleman, he always wears gloves, and that’s a good sign!”
IRENE KILBRIDE(Owen’s niece)
Our Leeds Correspondent!
Michael, Owen and Irene
It may not be funny by today’s standards but it was a hoot
back then. It was so lovely to see Lil and Owen walking along
in their own beautiful world on that sunny Sunday back in
1952 – another world away from today’s chaos.
My first meeting with Owen was at nannies with Lil. He was
always immaculately dressed and the hair ‘Brylcreamed’, and
his lovely smile and shiny shoes! He always called me ‘Ureen
Dunne’!!
I remember his first car, we all piled in for a spin and I
bragged to everyone that we had been to Dunsink
Observatory. I felt very learned and cultivated that day with
the feeling I had been all around the world in Owen O’Reilly’s
car!
Owen and Kitty
Anne, Irene and Owen
Helen and Owen
MAGICAL MEMORIES TO SHARE...
TARA (Owen’s other fantastic daughter-in-law!)
Hope you have a fantastic night dad. I want to take
this opportunity to thank you for welcoming me
into the family all those years ago. I couldn’t have
asked for a better father-in-law.
You are always so kind
and caring dad. I remember
when myself and Tommy
had Sean you became the
best ‘hands-on grandad’
ever! You were always there
when we needed a
babysitter; you would sit for
hours playing with Sean.
Even when Sean got older
you taught him how to play
draughts and you would sit for
hours together...I loved
watching you both.
You are always up for a laugh dad, even dressing up at Hallowe’en, that
was a ‘Class Act’!!
You are ‘One in a Million’ dad. We are all so lucky to have you.
Enjoy your night, love you so much, Tara (your favourite daughter-in-
law Ha! Ha! Only joking Tina)!
OWEN’S ORACLE | 11
TINA (Owen’s fantastic daughter-in-law!)
In 1984 I remember dad arriving down one
morning to collect me for work and walking
up the path with ‘Rupert the Bear’. Joe had been
on a holiday with the lads and brought it back,
but got his father to deliver it!! The bear was so
big you could hardly see dad behind him!!
I had my own chauffeur those days as dad
brought me to and from work. He would wait
in the carpark at Mountjoy Square in the
evenings for me. He
would just sit reading his
Evening Press until I
arrived.
I always remember
Mary’s 40th Birthday in
Paris. Dad sitting in Eoin’s
buggy and Joe took him
for a little spin! It was so
funny. Tara and I wet
ourselves laughing and
he was loving it.
If you don’t believe me,
I have the photos to
prove it!
ABOVE AND BELOW:The younger and older Sean playing draughts
with his grandad
Ananimated
birthdaygreetinggrandad
Love Seanxxx
LILY AND TRICIA (Owen’s friends)
Lily, Tricia and their families first met Owen at
Tina and Joe’s engagement party in 1984 and
have been friends with the O’Reillys ever since.
Lily remembers Owen as a gentleman having
great time for his family.
Tricia’s first impression of Owen that night was
that he was very friendly and very happy for Tina
and Joe. Turns out Tricia’s first impressions were
right!
We won’t go into the other stories from that
night...that’s for another day...but as Lily and
Tricia said: “Ask Tina!”
Do Lily, Tina and Tricia have a story to share –
Ask Tina??
Owen and Tina
Tara and Owen
Joe and Owen
Lily, Tina and Tricia
ALAN
Iremember being in grandad’s house when I was
about three. We used to tell a story about three
brothers called Mark, Alan and Take My Hat! The
story would end with ‘Take My Hat’ being the only
brother left.
I remember grandad wearing my little green cap,
and when I had finished telling the story I’d say:
“Who was left, who was left grandad?”
When he’d say: “Take my hat”, I’d snatch the hat
off his head! I remember he used to always pretend
to take a while to answer as if he was trying to
figure it out and I’d stand there eagerly waiting to
take the hat off him!!
These are great funny memories to have!
12 | OWEN’S ORACLE
MARK
Grandad used to play a game where he would shake your hand and
say: “Hello, my father works in the G.P._, and then squeeze your
hand to make you say ‘Oh’! But most of the time I think I said ‘Ahh’!
When I was younger I always thought granddad was very protective
of the pens he kept in his jacket pocket, and I was nervous to ask for
one if I was ever drawing or writing something! I wouldn’t think twice
about it now and grandad always twists the pen before he gives it to
you so it’s ready to go!
GERARD (Owen’s brother)
Did you know that Owen could be very stubborn as a child?? One
day his daddy was busy painting and asked Owen to “go to the
shops”. Owen said “no”? His daddy said, “What did you say” while giving
him a slap across the back of the neck! That was the day Owen went
to the shops with green striped paint on his neck and Gerard was told
to go with him!!
“Yes grandad...you should
have gone to SpecSavers!”
Alan, Owen and Mark
Alan, Owen and Mark
Owen and Eoin
Gerard and Owen
❝ ❞Get on your knees and thank
God you’re on your feet!
MAGICAL MEMORIES TO SHARE...
ANNA & LOUISE (Tom’s daughters)
Our dad Tom Daniel was Owen’s bowls buddy and church choir pal. They were
friends for many years and as our mam Frances played bowls too...the three
of them were often seen together. They also travelled to Lourdes for many years
as part of the Church Pilgrimage each August. They had many good times and
lots of laughs along the way.
When dad was in hospital they both had many chats. On one occasion he spoke
to Owen about the fact that his dentures
were becoming loose and he was finding
it difficult to eat and could not enjoy his
meals. Owen had the solution? He shared
his story and the next day brought in the
products that he used.
Owen proceeded to help dad apply the
solution and just for good measure applied
two coats! Owen and Mary left with Owen
apparently happy with his good deed...!!
The ‘cement’ had only settled when dad’s
mouth became uncomfortable. The only
solution was to remove the dentures! This
was the moment that dad admitted to muttering many things under his breath!
Many gadgets and appliances were used to prise away the dentures, until a crack
eventually appeared in Owen’s handiwork! All was well again.
Owen did not know how to react when dad told him the story and as dad could
not be serious for too long it was no length before both of them were having a
good laugh about the situation. Dad joked about not taking Owen’s advice again
but it didn’t stop Owen from giving ‘suggestions’ when needed.
We still remember these times with much fondness and always have a good
laugh ourselves at the ‘denture story’!
Thanks Owen!
OWEN’S ORACLE | 13
BETTY & DAVID TANSEY (Owen’s neighbours)
On a hot afternoon one
Summer I remember Owen
sitting out in the garden. David
was a young child at the time and
had gone to the shop for an ice
pop. On his return Kathleen
Keogh asked David for a lick of the
lolly but David refused...he was
keeping it all to himself!
Not to be put out by a rejection
from the young ones Kathleen
decided it was time to open the
champagne (as you do on a sunny
afternoon!).
Owen accepted the offer of a
glass and then another! Needless
to say ‘legless’ was not the word!
The story goes that maybe it was
just to test himself, that Owen
took the car for a spin around
Barry Park. But he quickly parked
it and went inside without saying
a word to either of us!
Betty remembers Kathleen
having many a laugh as they
recounted these memories over
the years!Back: Christopher, Jackie, Sharon and Eileen; middle: Niamh andfront: David...all having ‘High tea in China cups’...in the coalshed!
DOES IT SUIT??Find out at
LOUIS COPELAND’SCapel Street, Dublin
Tell them ‘Owen’ sent you!!!
Owen, Tom and Frances on the way to bowls
‘Graduating from theUniversity of Life with
First Class Honours’!
To Owen,
Have a wonderful night:
To do all you have achieved,
To turn out such a warm and
loving family;
You are an inspiration to us all.
Lots of love from
Kitty, Paddy & family xx
* * * * *Happy Birthday Owen,
Enjoy your special night from
Bernie John & family xxxx
* * * * *American greetings Owen
from Marie, Tommy and gang.
You were always good to us as
kids! Wishing you the very best of
birthdays, enjoy your night!!
* * * * *Happy 90th Birthday!
We know the road has been long,
with many unexpected twists and
turns, but we hope that the rest of
your journey is filled with
laughter, joy and sunshine.
Edel & Ger xxx
* * * * *
Happy 90th Birthday Owen!
Love Lorna & Terry X
* * * * *Wishing you a very Happy 90th
Birthday and good health
for the future.
From Tricia, Peter & family.
* * * * *To Dear Owen
Wishing you lots of love,
luck and laughter!
Have a great night.
Cheers! Love Lynda & Reg xxx
* * * * *Happy Birthday to ‘Nana’s
boyfriend!’
From David & Heather xx
* * * * *
To Owen
Wishing you a birthday full of
health and happiness,
Best Wishes
The Crowther Family
* * * * *Greetings from Down Under!
‘Have a great night Owen’
We will raise a glass for you!!
Lots of love and best wishes
Alan, Audrey, Laura & Robert
xxxx
* * * * *Have a great night Owen
Love Sally xx
* * * * *Here’s to a cheer on your 90th
Birthday Owen!
Best Wishes Tom & Brendan
* * * * *To Owen
Wishing you a very
Happy 90th Birthday,
Best Wishes from
Declan, Annette, Julieann,
Mark & John
* * * * *
Happy Birthday Owen
I am glad to know you as my
Uncle. Have a brilliant night.
Anne xx
* * * * *Happy Birthday Owen
Reaching the furthest
of all your siblings!!
Helen xx
* * * * *Happy 90th Dad
Love you lots - Like Maltesers!
Tina xx
* * * * *Enjoy your 90th Birthday!
Good health and happiness
Love Lily & family
& all the Ward Clan!
* * * * *Grandad
Wishing you a very
Happy 90th Birthday,
Have a great night!
Lots of love always,
Mark, Alan, Sean & Eoin
XXXXOOOO
* * * * *To Uncle Owen
Love and Best Wishes
on this very special day!
Rita, Brendan, John & Emma
xxxx
* * * * *Greetings and Birthday Wishes
from Noel & Angela
* * * * *Happy Birthday Owen,
Have a great night
From Anna & Louise xx
* * * * *Congratulations on reaching
this amazing milestone.
Happy 90th Birthday
Love always Carol x
* * * * *To Owen
Happy Birthday,
From
Betty & Family xxxxx
* * * * *
Where does time go in its endless flight?
Spring turns to fall and day to night,
And birthdays come and birthdays go,
And where they go we do not know...
But God, who planned our life on earth
And gave our minds and bodies birth,
And then enclosed a living soul
With Heaven as the spirit’s goal,
Has given man the gift of choice
To follow that small inner voice,
That speaks to us from year to year,
Reminding us we’ve naught to fear -
For birthdays are a stepping stone
To endless joys as yet unknown -
So fill each day with happy things,
And may your burdens all take wings
And fly away and leave behind
Great joy of heart and peace of mind...
For birthdays are a gateway to
An endless life of joy for you
If you but pray from day to day
That He will show you the truth and the way.
Birthday
BIRTHDAYS ARE A GIFT FROM GOD
“La Breithe Sona Duit”
a Owen
From Siobhan, Frank & Emer
xxx
* * * * *Cheers Owen!
Have a great Birthday,
Liam, Lorraine & Leanne
* * * * *
To Owen
Adam is offering to help
blow out the candles!!
Have a great night!
David, Susan, Dara & Adam
xxxx
* * * * *Best Wishes Uncle Owen
Lillian, Philip & families.
* * * * *Uncle Owen
You have been there all my life
and I thank God for you.
Have the most wonderful
birthday of all time surrounded by
all who love you!
God Bless You -
Our family Patriarch.
Irene & family in Leeds xx
* * * * *Best Wishes from
Tommy, Victoria & all the
Derwin family.
Have a great birthday xx
* * * * *Have a great night and a great
year ahead!
From Veronica, Vincent &
Niamh x
* * * * *
Happy Birthday Owen
We owe you that pint soon!
Wishing you a very
Happy Birthday and
a fantastic year ahead.
Love Cathie and Barbara xx
* * * * *Happy 90th Birthday Dad
Enjoy your night.
Love you so much
Tara xxx
* * * * *To Owen
Wishing you
a very Happy Birthday,
Have a great night!
Wanda, Alfie & Wanda
* * * * *Have a good one Owen!
From Willie, Edith, Marie &
David.
* * * * *Birthday Greetings from
Willie, Edith, Marie & David
* * * * *Thanks for selling us our first car
Owen!! Time to make more
memories!
Have a great night. You well
deserve it!
Love Brian, Susan & Gang xxx
* * * * *Happy Birthday Owen
From Christie & Family
* * * * *Birthday Wishes Owen
from Tina, Peter & all at No. 26
* * * * *Well Owen
It’s a long time since our
schooldays! Lots of changes
so we really must write that book!
You got there before
me anyway! God Bless You
on your special Birthday
From Seamus, Yvonne
& family
* * * * *Best wishes and Happy Birthday
from Maeve, Mary, Rosemary
OWEN’S ORACLE | 15
GreetingsOwen, The Harley is available…
at a price!! We can negotiate?
Liam & Fran!
* * * * *Happy 90th Owen
Best Wishes from
David, Linda & family xx
* * * * *To Owen
Congratulations on this
very special night,
Allen, Caroline & family.
* * * * *Happy Birthday to my
‘Adopted Dad’!
Best Wishes Owen
Love Sheila xxxx
* * * * *Wishing you a very
Happy 90th Birthday, Owen.
Hope you have a
fantastic day and night!
Bernard, Jeanette & Hannah.
* * * * *Sorry we cannot be there Owen,
Hope you have a great night.
Happy Birthday
Larry & Martha.
* * * * *Wishing you every blessing Owen
on this very special occasion!
Clare, Fergal & Family
* * * * *
Wishing you a very
Happy Birthday Owen
Mr and Mrs Gaffney
* * * * *To Owen, Happy Birthday
Hope you have lots of luck
in the lotto!
Gerard
* * * * *Best wishes and Happy Birthday
from Maeve, Mary, Rosemary
* * * * *Wishing you a very Happy
Birthday Owen!
* * * * *Best Wishes and Congratulations
Owen on this very special
Birthday
Danny, Tricia & Family
* * * * *Congratulations Owen!
Elsie, Pat & Family
* * * * *You are sure to have a great night,
Scouts promise!
Have a very Happy Birthday
Valerie & Greg
* * * * *Happy 90th Birthday Owen
from Eileen, Vincent & Family
* * * * *To dear Dad,
Congrats on reaching the big
‘Nine O’! Wishing you the very best
on this very special occasion.
Thanks for everything Dad
Lots of love always,
Joe, Mary, Ann & Tommy xxxx