Surprise birthday celebrations for Patrick

FAMILY and friends of Drumquin man, Patrick O’Kane, devised a number of special surprises to help the local bar owner mark his milestone 60th birthday.

Local poet, Paddy Montague, recited some verses of ‘The Man Behind the Bar’ while Liam Mimnagh was on hand to take Patrick and a few close family members around the village on an historic wagonette pulled by ‘Bonnie and Clyde’.

It was a big surprise for the birthday boy, but Patrick was delighted at the thoughtful gestures.

“My wife Shirley told me to make sure and be in the house for 12.30pm on Sunday. Then I got a big shock when the doorbell rang and I saw Paddy Montague some friends and neighbours standing there,” he said.

“Paddy had written a poem which he recited and everybody clapped and cheered.

“Then Liam Mimnagh took myself, Shirley, our son Davin and his partner, Marissa and their five month old daughter, Aoibhinn around the town on the horses and wagonette. It was definitely a very memorable experience.”

Patrick runs the O’Cahan Arms Bar in Drumquin and has also worked in the Ulster American Folk Park for 34 years. He admitted he had always hoped, but never expected, to reach his 60th birthday.

“I had a heart attack at 42 and to be honest never really thought that I’d reach this stage of life,” Patrick said.

“You learn to appreciate things and it was really nice for people to think about me and go to so much effort.

“I’d like to express my thanks to Paddy Montague and Liam Mimnagh and to everyone who turned out.

”It really was a memorable day.”