Twins Tony and Frank celebrate 80th birthday
By Aideen O'Flaherty
LOCAL twins celebrated their 80th birthday in style last Saturday (June 13), when their friends and family gathered with them while social distancing.
Frank and Tony Gallagher, who grew up in Tallaght and now live in Templeogue and Ballyboden respectively, marked their milestone birthday while sitting in the front garden of Tony’s house, where they were greeted by reams of people who came to wish them well and celebrate.
Tony and Frank enjoying their 80th birthday
Ciara Gallagher, Tony’s daughter-in-law, told The Echo: “It was brilliant. Frank and Tony were delighted, and they gave lovely speeches.
“They were saying how lucky they were with the family they have.”
Frank’s two children, Alan and Susan, were there to celebrate, and Tony’s son Geoff was also in attendance, but his daughter, Cathy, was due to travel over from her home in Canada but this unfortunately had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.
However, the men had a jubilant celebration with balloons and cake, and while it might not have been the celebration they envisioned, they still had an enjoyable day.
“They said the party couldn’t have been any better,” explained Ciara. “People were turning up on the road, and there were so many people in their cars who came to see them that there was a tailback on the road.
Frank and Tony Gallagher celebrate 80th birthday
“People were beeping their horns and their neighbours had balloons in their windows, and their friends were standing at the garden wall.
“They were sad that they couldn’t have the big party that they were expecting, but they’ve been very careful and staying very healthy, and are aware of the risks.
“But they said that they were blown away and that they felt so lucky – it was lovely and it was very emotional.”
The neighbours out celebrating Tony and Frank’s 80th birthday
The twins are family men who are very involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives, and outside of spending time with their families, Tony is an avid cyclist and musician, while Frank is a gifted woodturner and is the captain of a local pitch and putt team.
The two men are also no strangers to the pages of The Echo, as they were photographed for the paper 20 years ago, and again five years ago, and are loyal readers of the newspaper.
“They pick The Echo up every Thursday,” said Ciara, “so they’re going to be delighted with this.”
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