PHOTOS: Athlone man returns home for 90th birthday celebration
A special gathering was held locally on Friday night last to celebrate the 90th birthday of Athlone native Desmond Sullivan.
Originally from St Patrick's Terrace, Desmond has been based in Leicester, England, for most of his life.
He has maintained an enduring connection with his home town over the years and returned to the banks of the Shannon last week to mark this milestone birthday.
Along with family members, including a number of locally-based nieces and nephews, Desmond celebrated his 90th at a party which was held in the NCOs Mess in Custume Barracks.
Born on February 4, 1934, Desmond was one of nine children who grew up at 1 St Patrick's Terrace.
A son of Tom Sullivan and Esther Sheerin, his brothers were TJ, Paddy and Frankie, and his sisters were, Lily (Lennon), Colleen (Curley), Daisy (Rafferty), Nuala (Flynn) and Mary (Holohan).
Unfortunately, his brothers and sisters who lived in Ireland are no longer with us, but his many nieces, nephews and other family members joined in for the birthday celebrations on Friday.
Desmond's daughter, Teresa, said her father was 21 when he made the move to England, and when he did so first he decided to join the religious life.
In 1958, at a ceremony in Leicester, he pronounced his first vows as a member of the Blessed Sacrament congregation, taking on the name of Brother Vincent.
After spending more than a decade as a Brother, he decided to leave.
"It wasn't the right path for him, so he left and then met my Mum," explained Teresa.
His late wife, Kathleen, was originally from Clonmel and had moved, as a child, with her family to Leicester.
Accompanying Desmond on the trip back to Athlone last week were his son Liam, daughter Teresa and their families, along with other relatives and friends.
In addition his Manchester-based sister, Mary, surprised him on the night, while his brother Frankie, also residing in the UK, was unable to attend but sent his best wishes.
The Sullivan family's long association with the Athlone Pipe Band continues right up to the present day.
The band was in attendance on Friday to play a few of Desmond's favourite tunes, including one of the latest ones it learned, called 'Desmond's March'.