Collinstown man celebrates his hundreth birthday

Sunday, August 2 marked a significant milestone in the life of one north Westmeath man - Paddy Curran from Fennor in Collinstown, who celebrated his one hundredth birthday.Fr. Declan Smith PP Taughmon offered a celebratory Mass, in which members of Paddy's family participated. Fr Smith, on behalf of President McAleese, then presented Paddy with a letter of congratulation and the President's award.Born on August 2, 1909, Paddy lived through a century of massive change. From the infancy of the aeroplane, he lived to see air travel become the norm for people, and space travel and moon landings an accepted fact of life.He recalls the 1916 Rising, saw the break-up of the British Empire, the foundation of the Irish state, and the rise of the EEC, now the EU. He lived through two world wars, and many lesser conflicts, as well as so many others of the events which shaped the modern world.A native of Fennor, in the parish of Taughmon/Turin, he was the eldest of the four children of Pat and Mary Curran (nee Murray). Sadly, his younger brother John and sister Bridie both passed away in their youth. His father was a farmer and Council Rate Collector.From a young age, Paddy was a very hard worker, a man of energy and determination. As a teenager, he built and operated his own limekiln, burning lime for local use. He also learned the basics of the building trade, which skills he put to good use in later years when he built his own house, and a considerable range of farm buildings, as well as many of the dwelling houses in his own locality over the years.He set up his own sawmill, which he used to provide the wooden products needed on the farms and building works of the time. In later years, also, he followed in his father's footsteps, and served as a Rate Collector with Westmeath County Council for almost fifty years.Work ethicPaddy's work ethic was tested to the full when, in 1930, his father died suddenly. As a mere twenty-one year old, and with his late brother Jimmy, aged twenty, he took over the operation of the family farm. He was a very successful and progressive farmer and built up the holding considerably. This very successful farming operation is now carried on by his son and grandson, both also called Patrick.His work was not confined to his own farming activities. He was well known throughout north Westmeath as an agricultural contractor. With his brother Jimmy and his brother-in-law John O'Reilly of Gigginstown, now deceased, he operated a threshing mill which travelled far and wide. He was also well known for his introduction of the baler to the area, again providing a service to farmers from Multyfarnham to Clonmellon and between. He was also probably the first owner of a diesel tractor in north Westmeath when, in 1940, he purchased a David Brown. This move was looked on with misgivings by many, who couldn't see beyond the TVO tractors in general use at that time.During World War II, Paddy and Jimmy were very busy with the government's Compulsory Tillage programme. With the scarcity of petrol during "The Emergency" there was no question of wasting such a precious resource, so measures were taken to improve matters. Paddy converted his Ford Model T car to a small truck so as to get a better petrol allocation, and the truck was also more useful in his farming contracting work. Also, on one occasion, when he needed a part for a farm machine he cycled to the Pierce factory in Wexford to obtain the required item! Cycle trips to Dublin were not unusual, including one to the Eucharistic Congress in 1932.The Holy YearIn 1950, and with things improving in post-war Ireland, Paddy and Jimmy, together with a number of other parishioners, took time off to visit Rome during the Holy Year. Travel in those days was not just a matter of hopping on and off an aeroplane. There was the train to Dublin, and then the boat to England, and another overland stage before another sea voyage to France. The group then travelled by rail to Paris where they spent a day and a night. The final stage involved the train trip from Paris, through the mountains and down the "leg" of Italy until Rome was reached. It was a memorable trip and, even still, Paddy can tell of all they did and saw in those momentous days when they passed through a Europe which still bore the scars of war.Family, faith and the odd spot of fishingAlthough Paddy was a man who had a keen work focus he was also a man who found time for leisure pursuits. He had a great interest in history, both local and national. He was a fountain of knowledge on his own locality and liked nothing better than a good chat about such matters with old friends. He loved to read historical material and visit historic sites such as monasteries and castles.However, probably his greatest pastime was fishing. Every Sunday from spring to autumn, he could be found on one of the local lakes in the boat which he himself had made. Over the years he fished Lough Lene, as well as Sheelin, Derravarragh, Ennel and Owel and he was a founder member of the Lough Lene Anglers' Association. He knew every rock and reed of these lakes and had many a 'fishy' tale to tell!Over and above all other interests, however, Paddy was a man of deep religious faith, and his dealings with his fellow man were guided by the principles of honesty and integrity. He was unswerving in his religious observance and was a great supporter of his local parish and all its endeavours. In the late '60s, when it was decided to build a new church in Turin, Paddy became an active member of the Parish Committee, which dealt with planning, fundraising and associated matters. The result of this committee's efforts can be seen today in the attractive Church of St. Joseph, Turin.He is a life-long Pioneer and in 1998, the centenary year of the Pioneer Association, he was awarded the Fr. Cullen Medal, introduced that year for those with sixty years' membership. At that time he had been a member for seventy-five years, and his membership now extends to an amazing eighty-six years!His family was also of central importance in Paddy's life. In 1945 he married Kate O'Reilly of Gigginstown. They have two children. The oldest, his son Paddy, lives with his wife Ann in Fennor and they have three children. His daughter, Kathleen, who also has three children, lives in Streamstown, with her husband Dick Stokes. Kate, his wife of more than sixty-four years, lives with Kathleen and Dick in Streamstown. She has now passed into her 99th year, so perhaps there is another centenarian waiting in the wings!Enjoying an 'Indian summer' in his life, Paddy remained active and busy long beyond the normal span, and was still driving his own car in his early nineties. He also continued to play an active part in the daily routine of the farm. It was commonplace for him to rise at 6 am and his day would be well filled until darkness overtook him. Eventually, however, age catches up on us all, and in failing health, Paddy took up residence in Portiuncula Nursing Home, Multyfarnham a couple of years ago.If asked what was his recipe for a long and healthy life he would probably reflect on what has brought him to such a milestone in years and say 'hard work, plain food and don't forget the Man Above'The final chapter of this story has not yet been written, and with the courage and spirit which has brought him thus far, it is likely to be some time before it is.Gura fada buan thú, Paddy!