Lots of words - but they're not mine...

Just recovering from a Family Reunion long weekend.  It was in honour of the 'Big Chief' who will turn 80 this month. Collectively know as Eddie/Dad/Granddad, it was a surprise party for him and it turned out to be fantastic fun filled weekend, in a great setting, and even the weather smiled on us.  Being the 'comedy crew' that my family is, we decided to have a Wild West night to mark the occasion.  The entertainment on the night was provided by all involved.  Including two amazingly beautiful 'Saloon Gals' who, as if by magic, appeared on the night.

Eddie's three eldest grandchildren decided to give him a comedy roasting in 'Mock the Week' style under the heading "Things you would never hear Granddad say".  Those boys really know their Granddad, they got it so right and made everybody laugh, including Granddad himself.  The highlight of this was Cian delivering the line "I have a new joke...."

Next came the "Life and Times of Eddie Brennan" quiz, with questions compiled by his middle son Ciaran. Of course everybody wanted my mother, Eddie's wife of 53 years, to be on their team, as who better to answer questions about the man himself.  Eh....her team lost.....!  The "favourite daughter's" team won....hmmm!!   I could go on and on here and give you a blow by blow account of the whole comedy weekend, including how one (very drunk) brother sang every song at the 'Guitar-eoke' session in 'the style of Bob Dylan'.  But...

... in typical Eddie/Dad/Granddad fashion, the man himself, who knew nothing about this party, upstaged us all by producing his own 'party piece' at short notice and...He made us laugh, he made us cry.  I can't compete, so I won't even try....

80th Birthday Poem

Where the river Lifey divides a town in two

A village on both sides, modern but not new

To Chapelizod I arrived and in the year of 1931

The world was introduced to the Brennans second son

The village had a school where I began to learn at 5

All the readin’ an’ the ritin’ that helped me to survive

In a time where education mattered

Although the students clothes were tattered

In 1938 when I was a lad of only eight

We were granted a house which had a garden and a gate

A most timely move up the housing ladder

Which made happy parents of my ‘mudder’ and my ‘fadder’

The move was to a new town known as Drimnagh

Which after the ‘Lizod” was kind of EDEN or something simla

I now moved to a new school over the canal at Inchicore

where I loved the schooling and it never was a bore
there the Maistir O’Maille taught me the “cupla focal”

his teaching was only kindness and he never used the knuckle

After primary school with cert in hand I moved on to Bolton St

On a scholarship which was no mean feat

I learned lots of new subjects in this school called the Tech

And it payed me a handsome twice yearly cheque

From 1946 until 1952 I was apprenticed to a trade

Ml. Phelan and Co. gave me a grinding in how furniture is made

Six years on and now a journeyman, work is hard to get

Jobs were scarce and I knew that my future was not set

At twenty five it was clear a change was overdue

So I sat the P & T exam in the hope of something new

As a result I became a postman on Dublins Stephens green

I went around like lightening the smartest they had ever seen

At this time a most fortunate meeting with a lass

Introduced me to a lady who displayed a different class

To all whom I had known in the recent past

The one whom I had hoped for appeared at last

It was said that you never make passes at pretty girls who wear glasses                                                        

But she was my exception to the rule

Because I thought that she was as cool

As the breeze from the sea at Collimore

On our first date in those days of yore

Through the courting years of 56, 57 and 58

I knew that I had found my true soul-mate

On the day we were wed we planned to emigrate

Across the pond to a very different state

We hadn’t much but we had each other is an old cliché

But the start that London gave us set us on our way

And brought us together, stronger and closer every day

Although we arrived in London just a lonely two

Before returning home how the number grew

Now four more than whence we came

All were christened with a Gaelic name

Deirdre, Shane, Siobhan and Fergus

With three more later set to join us.

Bluebell was to be our home until 1969

School for some and work was fine

In turn Ciaran, Eamonn and Declan arrived

Now there were seven but none were deprived

January of 1970 brought the Brennans a new dawn

we moved to a house in Tallaghts Old Bawn

a semi – detached with a mountain view

with space to play for our motley crew

There were schools to go to for those who should

With sporting clubs and scouting cubs that would

Keep the children busy smart and fit

If you could afford the cost of togs and kit

With the growing the studying and the learning

Each developed, matured and grew quite discerning

In a house always busy with cousins and friends

Discussing music, sport and fashionable trends

With ever maturing bodies and minds

They studied subjects of varying kinds

At college or tech. And some still at school

All made good use of the educational tool

The eighties rolled on and before the decade ends

A new experience was meeting girl or boy friends

By Eighty Five two daughters had married

The boys were more cautious and decisions were tarried

The new men had to take all of us as part of the deal

And even were invited to an occasional meal

Mother went working and  back to a job

All were to benefit from the extra few bob

In the Nineties four daughters in law joined the clan

And perked up the family as strong women can

Then came a young lady from Worcester in Mass.

The youngest sons choice an American lass

The coupling complete the outlaws increased

But the joy for us parents never has ceased

It was then retirement for me and a new lease of life

With the added bonus and benefit of a working wife

We made good use of leisure time previously so scarce

Which is hard to explain in one line of verse.

  

Now we enjoy life together with family around

Where in-laws and outlaws regularly abound

I thank the Lord prayerfully each and every day

For all of the blessings He has directed our way

Were blessed with grandchildren the first three being lads

All who have grown to be as big as their Dads

The next being Sasenach and two of a clutch

Not least is Alexander, he is partially Dutch

Next are two lassies - Rachel and Eliza

Two you’d be happy to have sit down beside yah

One likes things pink and the other things flowery

which will be the one to inherit the elusive Dowry

A life longer than hoped for, healthy and strong

With such in-laws and outlaws I couldn’t go wrong

So God bless you all for giving me such joy

I promise you all that I’ll be an even better boy

A heartful thanks for all that you have done

You have more than increased my quota of fun

I love you one and all and I am happy to say

You have made this for me an unforgettable day.