Capt Paddy and Lucky on final approach
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Jason Phelan and Larissa Tormey with Captain Paddy and Lucky. Thomas GibbonsImage 2 of 14
Wayne Howe, Rosie McCormack and Danny Lewin on Friday evening. Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 14
Fiona Brennan (Emper NS principal) on the bagpipes. Thomas GibbonsImage 4 of 14
Ethan Kumar and Mary Glennon from Mullingar. Thomas GibbonsImage 5 of 14
Enda Seery and Adam Reynolds at the Annebrook House Hotel. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 14
Paul Maxwell and Paul Duggan on Saturday evening. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 14
Robbie Burzawa and Thomasina Maxwell (MC). Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 14
Assumpta Byrne and Pauline Sammon from Emper. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 14
Suzi Pollack, Niamh Stanford and Faye O’Sullivan from Raharney. Thomas GibbonsImage 10 of 14
Anne Phelan from Ballynacargy and Pat O’Connor from Mullingar. Thomas GibbonsImage 11 of 14
Muireann Maxwell Duggan, Méibhin Maxwell Duggan, Jack O’Rourke, Hannah Mulligan, Catherine Kiernan, Tomás Maxwell Duggan and Matthew Mulligan from Emper NS. Thomas GibbonsImage 12 of 14
Mick Phelan and Cyril Glynn from Emper. Thomas GibbonsImage 13 of 14
Katie Reynolds and Grace Maxwell at Saturday’s fundraiser. Thomas GibbonsImage 14 of 14
Bartle Garry, Sean McNamee and Brendan Burke at the Irish music night. Thomas GibbonsGlobetrotting aviator teddy bears, Capt Paddy and Lucky, who have been flying all over the world and have raised over €13,000 for the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Dogs Trust Ireland, had their Last Shout Hooley in the Annebrook Hotel, Mullingar, last Saturday night, November 8.
The bears have circumnavigated the globe 21.5 times since their adventures began in 2023. They have flown to 30 different countries and logged over 900 flying hours, flying with several different airlines.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner at last Saturday’s ‘hooley’, the bears’ ‘carer’, Jason Phelan, an aviation and photography enthusiast from Ballynacargy, announced that, after three years, Capt Paddy and Lucky’s adventures will end in January 2026.
He said the Westmeath Examiner was the first media outlet to publicise Capt Paddy and Lucky when they launched in 2023, “and they have been fully supportive since”. He thanked the newspaper and all who had helped make the bears’ adventures so successful – the pilots, cabin crews, those in the aviation industry, sponsors, and everyone who donated. “It has been an incredible journey,” he said.
“Tonight is all about a party night, to raise more funds and to just have a great hooley night of pure Irish entertainment,” Jason said.
Compère at the hooley was Thomasina Maxwell from Emper, a former employee of the Westmeath Examiner. The evening featured a fantastic line-up of talented performers from Emper, Ballynacargy, Kilbeggan, Mullingar and across the county.
Among those who took to the stage were Danny Lewin of Lord of the Dance, Larissa Tormey, singer and songwriter who co-wrote Ireland’s entry in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, ‘Laika Party’, Enda Seery, flute player, composer and singer, Emerald Lakes Academy Irish dance group, Willie Kavanagh on the banjo, Emper Community Session Players, and young musicians from Emper NS.