There was a special day for one of Dunabbey House’s residents this week, as Paddy Mooney celebrated his 100th birthday.
Paddy, a native of Dunabrattin, Annestown, Co. Waterford and an RAF veteran of World War 2, had the occasion marked for him in a day of socially distanced festivities at the residential nursing unit in Dungarvan.
The highlights of the day were an honorary flypast by the Coastguard helicopter based at Waterford Airport and a visit from Airline Captain David Moen to present Paddy with his letter of congratulations and bounty cheque from the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins.
A number of Paddy Mooney’s family and musician friends were able to gather outside Dunabbey House with the birthday cakes prepared for the occasion and wish Paddy a happy birthday.
With reporter Marian Ní Fhlatharta present on the day, Paddy spoke of his remarkable life – including also live on WLR fm’s “Déise Today” show with presenter Damien Tiernan:
Paddy Mooney was born in Dunabrattin, Annestown on 4th of May 1921 during turbulent times in Ireland. After later emigrating to England as a young man, Paddy joined the Royal Air Force in the early 1940s and trained as a flight engineer. Paddy went on to serve in Egypt, Iraq and Palestine during World War 2. As regards his dangerous missions flying on Lancaster Bombers, Paddy said he was never frightened.
After the War, Paddy Mooney worked at Boyd Cooper tailors in Mayfair, London and in 1953 made his way to Australia. Paddy had varied jobs “down under”, including at Vauxhaull Motors, in the building trade, as a truck driver and working on a large ranch.
Paddy returned to Ireland in the 1960s and purchased a pub in Ballylaneen near Kilmacthomas. Calling it “The Bush Inn”, Paddy developed it as a hugely popular music and dancing venue. In later years, Paddy moved on to serve with the grounds staff at the world famous Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, Waterford.
Appropriate to the occasion being marked as it was, President Higgins noted in his letter to Paddy:
“You have lived through remarkable times in the history of Ireland and the world. You have witnessed remarkable changes, in lifestyle and technological developments, unimaginable at the time of your birth in February 1921.”
The Director of Nursing at Dungarvan Community Hospital/Dunabbey House, Ms. Paula French, said: “We are thrilled that that so many efforts on and off this campus over the year, the advance of vaccinations and the easing of some restrictions made it possible for us to mark this day with the remarkable Paddy Mooney and his family as we have.”
“Despite the challenging times for residents, our excellent staff and their supportive families in each case, we looked forward to being in a positon to have this occasion and I’m delighted to report that it was indeed a happy birthday for Paddy!”
