Happy 100th birthday to Mr Paddy Quirke of Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Two-Mile-Borris and Littleton, Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports:-
“Over the past 100 years Ireland has experienced enormous changes; a new constitution, the declaration of a republic, the Troubles, European integration, economic booms and crashes, historic peace agreements, and major social reforms”, so stated Mr Paddy Quirk who celebrated his 100th birthday, on Saturday night last, in the Horse and Jokey, Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pic. G. Willoughby.
Paddy was born in 1926, in Annameadle, Toomevara, Co. Tipperary, to parents Michael and Molly Quirke (nee Dwan). He is one of five children; having three other brothers and one sister.
From an early age, Paddy developed a lifelong passion for sport, which he firmly believes has played a significant role in his remarkable longevity.
He played hurling for his club, Toomevara, and was also a member of the Moneygall Running Club, where he won many medals, one of which was for the 1952 Co. Tipperary Cross-Country Championships.
He married Ms Kay Kennedy in 1958 and shortly afterwards, they sold their farm in Annameadle, North Tipperary, and moved to Clehile, The Ragg, Thurles, where they farmed for a further eight years. It was here their eldest child, Michael, was born.
Later, Paddy and Kay bought a farm in Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, where their two daughters, Mary and Majella, were born.
(According to local recollections, we learn that the house at Ballymoreen was formerly occupied by members of the Byrne, Brereton and Nolan families).
Paddy ran a dairy farm at Ballymoreen, along with a few brood mares for breeding. Later, he gave up the cows and began to concentrate on his passion for horses and went on to develop a stud farm, breeding horses for the showjumping market. As he approaches his 100th birthday, Paddy has only recently retired from the stud farm but still retains a strong interest in horses. His love of farming, horses and sport has been a big part of his life and continues to this day.
In August 2026 he was honoured by the Dublin Horse Show Committee for his long lifetime participation in supporting the event.
One of his great friends was the late Mt Willie O’Dwyer, The Steeple, Littleton, Thurles. Owners of adjoining lands they had often joked across the boundary ditch as to who would be the first to reach his hundredth birthday. Willie was sadly a year short when he sadly passed away last year at 99 years [R.I.P.]
Local people often admired how Paddy and Kay worked together as a family; always willing to help anyone in need and enjoy the chat with locals. A close farming non agrarian neighbour, Ms Maura Ryan reminds us that “it’s the chat that keeps us going”.
and as more and more guests began arriving on Saturday night last, a great sense of excitement and joy could be felt with the coming together old friends and new friends.
As guests waited, suddenly, from the Leisure Centre side of the venue, Paddy was joyfully led in by veteran piper, Mr Gerry Neville from the Sean Treacy, Moycarkey/Borris Pipe Band. During the next hour Paddy would receive the compliments and best wishes of all present. Among those present were Mr Michael Lowry T.D. and Fr. James Purcell (Adm. Thurles Parish).
Mrs Catherine Connolly (Uachtarán na hÉireann), in an earlier letter had congratulating him stating “What a wonderful occasion for you, your extended family and friends as you reminisce and celebrate a life great in years, and I have no doubt, rich in accomplishments. I join with your family and friends in wishing you a very happy birthday.”
With presentation time looming, the Derrynaflan Theatre was quickly filled with the many guests gathered in attendance. Paddy on entry was given a standing ovation, and surrounded by family especially the younger generations, sat with presidential status at the front.
Mr Michael O’Hara from Longford spoke of his yearly visits to Ballymoreen and how on one occasion someone asked Paddy where were all the medals, as proof that he had won races. With the customary glint in his eye, Paddy replied “If you had won races 74 years ago you wouldn’t know where the medals were either”.
Mr John Egan, representing the Mayo and Westmeath branches of the family spoke of Paddy as his favourite cousin and of Annameadle, Co. Tipperary, as the kind of mystic homeland of their extended families. He told us that in times past some of the Westmeath cousins brought bonhams for 75 miles on the carriers of their bicycles for fattening and even returned home with chickens for rearing.
It was at Annameadle, Co. Tipperary was were Paddy first met Ms Kay Kennedy later to become his wife and companion for 62 years. We learned paddy told John that “Every hour of our marriage was a happy one” , surely nothing better can be said of their relationship.
The presentation of a cake and candles symbolically carried all our best wishes, blessings and gratitude whether as family member or one of his wide circle of friends.
Paddy thanked all for their presence and wished everyone the best of luck. His final words “We might see another one” was met with a round of applause.
One overheard remark “This is the first one hundredth birthday party that I have ever been at”, would be true for most of those present. Those of us privileged to have visited Paddy in recent times come away enriched by the clarity of his memories
and the wisdom that life has taught him. He stated that he is grateful that things are much better now in our modern Ireland and his great admiration is for the mothers of his earlier years, who reared large families, prepared meals for the many farm workers and worked in the fields alongside their husbands.
We are extremely grateful to all who organised Paddy’s Centenary Celebrations, for the delightful finger food and “Coffee in the Jockey” that is always a special treat.
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