|
Subject: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:10 AM Friday 18th February will be Packie's 94th birthday (he was born in 1917) so if anybody feels like sending him a card or note, I think he would appreciate it. He's always looked upon his old folkie years as the best of his life, and many people here were part of that. But do realise that he's a lot frailer these days, tires easily, and doesn't get out much, so please: - Write clearly in dark ink using fairly large letters - Don't expect a reply - it's not that he's indifferent to his messages but he really can't write well anymore: neither his hand-grip nor his eyesight is good enough to grapple with a pen - Write, don't phone. He's quite hard of hearing now and finds conversations difficult, especially when he can't see you. And, it won't surprise anyone to know, he doesn't use computers so it really means paper & snail-mail. - He likes funny cards (especially if they're a bit on the rude side!) - If you can't find a birthday card you like, a Valentine's one would do just as well - Pass the news on to any non-Mudcatters you think would like to know The recent obit threads have set me reflecting that at this age, every birthday is a blessing, so it might be an idea to write to him while we still can. If you just address it as follows, it will reach him: Packie Manus Byrne Ardara Co. Donegal Ireland |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:55 AM Thanks for the alert Bonnie... 94.....Bloody Hell! Well done young man... |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: tritoneman Date: 14 Feb 11 - 12:17 PM I used to see him at the folk clubs in the 1960's. What a great performer and nice bloke too. I still find myself completely transfixed by his rendition of 'The Holland Handkerchief'. I'll definitely be sending him a card. Thanks for the info. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: MGM·Lion Date: 14 Feb 11 - 12:30 PM Me too. I remember him as one of the very nicest people on the Scene. ~Michael~ |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Herga Kitty Date: 14 Feb 11 - 01:08 PM Thanks Bonnie for the info! I know he was born about a year after my mother, but I didn't know the actual date... Kitty |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Surreysinger Date: 14 Feb 11 - 03:06 PM Thanks for that Bonnie - the last time I saw Packie in action was actually in the Volunteer in Sidmouth. I think it must have been mid 2000's, and I have a minidisc recording somewhere of him in full flow there. He wouldn't know me from Adam (or indeed Eve), but I feel inspired to send him a card anyway!! :-) |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 14 Feb 11 - 03:16 PM Yes, do! Please don't anyone feel shy because you think he might not know/remember you. He used always to say that the folk scene was his "family" so I know that all messages will be welcomed, even if he doesn't recognise every name. It's a great idea to do as Surreysinger has just done and describe the event or place itself where you last saw him, which will call up happy memories of its own. (Or photos, if you have any?) |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,suzie adams-feist Date: 14 Feb 11 - 05:58 PM Thanks Bonnie - will send card tomorrow x x x Happy memories of time spent with you and with Packie x x x |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 16 Feb 11 - 06:34 AM Just refreshing this notice one more time (only once, promise...) in case anyone missed it first time around |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Herga Kitty Date: 16 Feb 11 - 01:51 PM Card posted today! Kitty |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Max Johnson Date: 16 Feb 11 - 01:55 PM Thanks for this Bonnie. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Herga Kitty Date: 20 Feb 11 - 03:19 PM I hope Packie got lots of cards! Kitty |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: MGM·Lion Date: 21 Feb 11 - 12:17 AM And let us all wish him MANY HAPPY RETURNS here also |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 21 Feb 11 - 02:58 AM Have just realised 18th Feb was my late mums birthday too! (apropos of nothing obviously!) I understand that someone is making plans for a 95th celebration next year! God knows what would happen if he gets too the 100. (Actually, knowing Packie, he might just do it!) There are some great pics of Packies 90th birthday bash on facebook, posted by Anne Lennox Martin. And Doc Rowe has put up a few as well. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Fiona H Date: 23 Feb 11 - 04:08 PM I live in Ardara and visited Packie on his birthday after being alerted by another friend. He was in great spirits, full of stories and jokes, though the phone hardly stopped at all while we were there - he is obviously as popular now as he ever was!! He says there is going to be a party for his 95th and we will have to have it in a "venue" so he doesn't have to do the washing up!! A lovely man, Fiona H. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:45 PM Fiona Great news! Missed his 90th bash....Certainly not going to miss the 95th! Give him my best wishes next time you see him...(and Mr McGinley too if he's still there!) Ralph Jordan |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Rita Gallagher Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:25 AM Well Packie's 95th Birthday should be one to remember! What a gentleman......they don't make them like that anymore. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:18 PM I've just come across this thread. I got to know Packie well when he lived in Manchester and then in London. What a wonderful man! I'm so pleased to hear that he enjoyed his "folk" days. I still think that his Topic LP "Songs of a Donegal Man" was one of the best and most important things that I ever worked on. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 18 Aug 11 - 02:43 PM Packie's always spoken very highly of you, Mike, and remembers you well. When I am next talking to him on the phone I'll tell him you mentioned him. If you want to email me for any reason, it's my full name (no dots or spaces) at g m a i 1 ,com Cheers, Bonnie (I used to work for Miss Gold in the Folk Shop mail-order department at Cecil Sharp House, and on my second day in the job, still wet behind the ears, I distinguished myself by not recognising you and refusing to give you goods on invoice, LOL! Miss G was FURIOUS don't-you-know-who-that-IS???!!!! But: She had told me Nobody gets goods on credit and I was just being a good little employee and obeying orders...) |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Peter C Date: 18 Aug 11 - 04:16 AM I have got somewhere a tape of the both of you, recorded from 'Folk on 2' many years ago, with 'Bitter Withy' and a couple of other tracks. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: alex s Date: 18 Aug 11 - 07:34 PM The first time I saw him was in Sandy Bell's in edinburgh. Finbar and eddie were doing the biz and Packie was playing along on the whistle - he danced into the ladies, still playing and then danced back to squeals from the "powder room"....What a feller! |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,eoin o'buadhaigh Date: 19 Aug 11 - 03:43 AM for a man who complained about his health from day one, isn't doing too bad! Congratulations Packie, I hope you see many more years, 'Keep Her Lit!' |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 19 Aug 11 - 05:53 AM LOL! I used to smile when I'd see people older than he was dancing attendance on him - Come take the armchair by the fire Packie Manus, will you have a cup of tea Packie Manus... :-) |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Mike Yates Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:22 AM This reminds me of what the old jazzer Eubie Blake said on his 100th birthday (he claimed to be 100, but was probably in his late 90's!). "Man, if I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have looked after myself!" Interestingly, my mother had an aunt who, from birth, was always sick and was unable to work throughout her life because of her fragile nature. Needless to say that she outlived all her brothers and sisters! |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Grampus Date: 18 Feb 12 - 12:59 PM Refresh Now it's...... Happy 95th Birthday Packie.....and of course many, many more of 'em! G. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Little Robyn Date: 18 Feb 12 - 02:43 PM If Fiona H is still in Ardara please give him my love. Robyn in New Zealand |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 18 Feb 12 - 04:52 PM Add my wishes too (though it's many years since we lived a few doors from each other). Mick |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: RTim Date: 18 Feb 12 - 06:55 PM A fine and lovely man who I haven't seen or heard for too many years. Keep in there, and regards from Cape Cod. Tim Radford |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,John Moulden Date: 18 Feb 12 - 07:25 PM I went over to Ardara this afternoon and found him at home in apparently very good health and pretty mobile, surrounded by a bevy of admiring ladies and a few, equally admiring, men, and enjoying songs and tunes. He sang and told lies but complains that he now finds it difficult to tell himself a story he hasn't heard before. I wasn't able to stay for the party, which is probably still going on. Perhaps Sheila Millar or Julie MacNamara or Bonnie Shaljean who were there and intending to stay, will be able to fill in the rest. Actually he has changed very little in all the times I've seen him since his eightieth birthday; roll on the ton! |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Paul Burke Date: 18 Feb 12 - 07:48 PM I saw him only once, in 1973. He looked old then (to me)... he was the same age as I am now. May the old sod continue to tell his lies until the brick haystack comes home to roost. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Leadfingers Date: 19 Feb 12 - 05:07 AM One of the NICEST men I have ever shared a chat and a beer with ! Long may he continue enjoying life |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: banjoman Date: 19 Feb 12 - 06:02 AM Last met up with him at Whitchurch Festival -I think that you were there as well Bonnie. Particularly remember his storytelling, and his weird musical instrument inventions (Pandemoniumsprings to mind) Happy Birthday. Pete & Maggie |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Howard Jones Date: 19 Feb 12 - 06:46 AM Happy Birthday Packie! |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Anne Lister Date: 19 Feb 12 - 07:12 AM And a huge happy birthday from me - I'd have loved to have got over to Ireland to deliver the wish in person, but sadly not able to. Much love from us both. Anne |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Richard Mellish Date: 10 Feb 13 - 07:07 AM Refresh. What news of Packie with his 96th coming up? Richard |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: RTim Date: 10 Feb 13 - 08:34 AM I heard that Packie's house burnt down - Any further news Tim Radford |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 10 Feb 13 - 12:11 PM Packie is well remembered from his regular visits to the Marsden folk club in South Shields in the 1960s. On an optimistic note, Manny Shinwell, the veteran Labour MP for Easington in Durham titled his autobiography- 'My First 90 Years' |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Howard Jones Date: 10 Feb 13 - 12:28 PM The fire has been reported on Musical Traditions. It appears he's OK. "Packie Byrne, the much-loved 96 year-old Donegal singer and whistle player who was resident in London for many years and well known on the English folk scene, recently survived a fire at his house in Ardara. Rescued by neighbours, he was apparently unscathed, but his house has been destroyed. He is currently staying with his nephew. The good news is that he has been allocated a new home in Ardara in a modern block of sheltered housing and can move in very soon. " Even though he's apparently escaped without physical ill-effects, it must be a terrible experience for anyone, let alone a 96 year old. I hope he's coping with the shock and loss of treasured possessions and memories. Best wishes. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Tony Rath aka Tonyteach Date: 10 Feb 13 - 12:42 PM Good luck to him. I have very fond memories of Packie and Bonnie from the Cecil Sharp House folk club. My wife still has some of the vinyl they did. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST Date: 11 Feb 13 - 08:26 PM I just want to wish Packie Manus avery happy 95th birthday, What a remarkable man and agreat talent for music and song. As a young boy about 11 yrs old I remember Packie Manus in my old home in Glendoan the parish of Ardara practicing music and songs with my uncle Eddie Keeney for a upcoming concert that week. They were great friends and both were very talented young men and worked well together. My Uncle Eddie Keeney emigrated to America and later formed his own band and played at many Irish functions in New York City during the 1950;S and 1960:s Eddie was also a bus driver in New York City, He passed away four years ago. John Keeney. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie Date: 11 Feb 13 - 09:17 PM According to friends of his Packie is now in the new accommodation, doing well,and luckily it seems that his possessions such as photographs etc were saved.I think in fact that it's actually going to be his 96th, and not 95th birthday in a few days' time. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Richard Mellish Date: 12 Feb 13 - 12:40 PM We don't have the new address to send cards to, so I hope someone can pass on birthday greetings, commiserations on the fire, and best wishes for more happy years. Richard |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Matthew Edwards Date: 12 Feb 13 - 12:55 PM I think a card addressed to Packie Byrne, Ardara, Co. Donegal will almost certainly reach him. I've been looking for a slightly saucy card to send him, but there doesn't seem to be such a category any more! All the "rude" cards I've seen are of such a triple-XXX rated rudeness that I can't believe it could be possibly legal to send them by post. Matthew |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST Date: 12 Feb 13 - 04:34 PM Fiona here again - resident in Ardara and friend of Packie. He is doing OK, and thankfully the house fire wasn't as bad as it could have been. I called in to see it with him the day after, and while the house is quite smoke damaged, it is not too bad. It looks like the fire started in the boiler house, which is adjoining the house - it is pretty much burned down. The house is OK, but it must have been pretty hot as lots of the plastic things melted, including the smoke alarm, the curtain rail, the top of the fridge, and his phone line!!! It will take lots of redecoration though, and probably some work to the roof as it was quite burned. Packie's neighbour saw the fire and raised the alarm. He headed in to get him, and managed to take a lot off his photos down from the wall before they had to get out, so at least most of them are OK. Packie moved into the local sheltered housing unit last week. It is a great place, with someone nearby all the time, and as much company as he wants. There is a weekly drop in day centre meets there, and he went to that this week - it might be the perfect solution for him, if he agrees to stay there. Plan to see him next week for his birthday and hopefully have a bit of music. Cards sent to him at St Shannaghans House, Ardara, will get to him. Will let him know about this thread - I'm sure he will appreciate the attention!! Fiona. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 12 Feb 13 - 05:43 PM (Sorry... I've only just seen this thread. Here's an update I wrote on Anne Lennox-Martin's Facebook wall a few days ago so it's not bang up to date. Going to try ringing him again in a few days for his birthday): I've just spoken on the phone to Packie, and he's come through his ordeal unscathed, thank God. The fire started just outside, at the back of the house, and Packie had lain down in the front room to rest himself for a moment, and had nearly dozed off when the flashes of light (through the frosted glass of the back door panel) wakened him - so he's DAMN LUCKY he hadn't fallen asleep. It could have been so much worse if he hadn't woken up, with smoke inhalation and all, never mind flames. It gives me the shudders to think about it! The fire started in the shed very near his back door (which leads directly into the kitchen, for those of you who haven't been there) and the outbuilding is gutted, pretty well gone. There's also some damage to the kitchen roof and the fridge door, which has warped in the heat. The fire department don't yet know what caused it. But his old photographs and Gaelic-illuminated certificates and things are all fine - tho Packie Keeney has spent the day cleaning them! But the house certainly didn't burn down, and his personal possessions are safe. Packie Manus is currently cuddled up by the fireside at Packie & Eileen Keeney's, so you know he's his normal self. He'll be going into the sheltered housing as mentioned (you can actually see it on Google Maps street view), but only until the damaged part of his house is rebuilt and then he'll move back home. He really likes it there and wants to get back as soon as it's ready, so I hope the council won't take forever. Still, it's a near miss and it's left me shaking. (Time to reach for a glass of Something Medicinal.) |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Herga Kitty Date: 13 Feb 13 - 04:47 AM Bonnie - thanks for the update. Please give Packie my best birthday wishes when you ring him! Kitty xx |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band" Date: 13 Feb 13 - 07:38 AM Dear Bonnie, Please pass our best wishes to Packie on his birthday. We have fond memories of you both at "Elsie`s", (The Queens Arms) at Cowden. |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Leadfingers Date: 13 Feb 13 - 01:13 PM I cant imagine ANYONE having anything but good and fond memories of Packie - One of natures gentlemen in spades . Fionaa and / or Bonnie-Please pass on MY best wishes ! Terry 'Leadfingers' Silver |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 13 Feb 13 - 03:51 PM Send my best wishes to Packie too. Mick |
|
Subject: RE: Packie Manus Byrne birthday alert From: GUEST,Fiona H Date: 20 Feb 13 - 11:40 AM Fiona from Ardara again - another update on Packie. It was his birthday on Monday and he had a reasonably quiet day. I went down to see him yesterday in his new place in the Sheltered Accomodation. We took along a few musicians (Peter Oliver amongst them for those who know him) and had a bit of a session in the 'day room' there. Packie was in good form, and was looking great. He says he is enjoying the new place, though he still plans to move back home when his house is fixed up. If I know the council here, that might take a few months though!! His new flat is lovely, really spacious, clean and warm, and there are lots of people around for company if he wants it. There is a weekly drop in day centre that meets in the building, and while Packie struggles with the noise of it, he appears to enjoy the company, and many of the people there are planning to call in with him for a cuppa and a blether. He had several women draping off him yesterday, and he seemed to be enjoying the attention, as ever!! We even got a couple of songs out of him after a bit of coaxing. Always a pleasure spending time in his company!! |
| Share Thread: |
