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Laying a floral tribute to mark what would have been, Christie Hennessy’s 70th birthday were, from left: Ollie Ross, Deputy Michael Healy Rae, Mayor of Kerry Pat McCarthy, Cllr Graham Spring, Cllr Sam Locke, Jimmy Ross and Mark Leen. Photo by John Drummey
THURSDAY would have been Christie Hennessy’s 70th birthday and to mark the occasion, a healthy crowd gathered outside ‘The Messenger Boy’ singer’s memorial in Central Plaza.
The occasion also marked plans for a light that will shine across Central Plaza lighting up the Christie Hennessy statue, which was unveiled back in 2009.
Though his children Hermione, Amber and Tim were unfortunately unable to attend, Christie’s family was represented by his brothers Oliver and Jimmy Ross who still live in town today.
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“It’s brilliant to see the crowd here and it’s great what is done to remember him here. He’d love all of this,” said Jimmy Ross.
“Christie always kept a fondness for Tralee. He would always come home on holidays and I’d be on stage with him playing the guitar, it used to be great,” said Jimmy.
A special 7oth birthday floral tribute was laid by the memorial to honour the occasion. The ceremony comes only two weeks after the ‘The Christie Hennessy Festival’ which had one of its most successful years to date.
Local musicians performed, including Mark Leen who was on hand throughout the ceremony, playing Christie’s songs and dispensing little nuggets of information of how they came to be and how Christie’s legacy still lives on.
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Christie Hennnesey’s brothers, Oliver and Jimmy Ross. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Fans and family gather outside the Christie Hennessy memorial in Central Plaza to mark would have been his 70th birthday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At a ceremony to mark what would have been, Christie Hennessy’s 70th birthday were, from left: Anne O’Brien, Joseph O’Brien, Billy Lyons and Mary Mahony. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At a ceremony to mark what would have been, Christie Hennessy’s 70th birthday were, from left: Hayden Whelan, John McGillycuddy, Aideen Martin, Bernie Kennedy, Niamh Ni Gearailt and Cathleen Healy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At a ceremony to mark what would have been, Christie Hennessy’s 70th birthday were, from left: Eward Fitzgearld, Fiona Dwyer, Mary Ross, Oliver Ross, Richard Quirke, Jimmy Ross, Donie Houlihan, Donal Carey and Adrienne McLoughlin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
