Page 11 - Best Of Local Mag May 2023 Edition

Paddy Turns 80 (with a little Irish Luck)

Paddy and Philomena Kissane live quietly in Mary Street in the
Village where each morning (weather permitting) the flutter of
racing pigeons can be seen above, circumnavigating the Mary
St/Rose St aerial pathway, only to return to their backyard
pigeon roost where Paddy secures the lock to keep them safe.

On Sunday 2nd April this year, the Irish Clan of Kissane, some
from back home in Ireland and others making the journey up
from Melbourne gathered at the Mango Hill hall to celebrate
Paddy’s 80th Birthday, a feat that his parents back in 1943 Dublin
would have considered highly improbable.

Paddy Kissane would be the first to say, “I was born under a
four leaf clover, when I became only the 2nd baby in Ireland to
undergo surgery to repair a leaking valve in my heart”. (Note:
World War 2 was raging all around the young Republic of Ireland,
which only 20 years before, had gained independence from
Great Britain.)

Paddy Kissane was born in Dublin on 3rd April 1943 and despite
being neutral, wartime Ireland would still experience rationing
and economic hardship due to a lack of basic foods and materials
as the major powers fought for control of the sea lanes. Then
growing up in post war Ireland was not easy for young Paddy,
given rations continued and the overall economic climate of the
young Republic was generally very poor.

Like so many other young Irish lads, Paddy left school early to
pursue a trade in painting and decorating and developed a
strong passion for both painting and racing pigeons, both of
which he pursues today.

After a courtship of 6 years, in 1966 Paddy married Philomena, a young Dublin girl, and over the next 20 years they raised their 4
children and he continued his painting & decorating business as well as breeding and racing pigeons.

The 1980s in Ireland were bleak economic times with short term governments in an era of political instability, which led to a decision
by the family to emigrate to Australia, like so many other Irish families, both to be nearer family members already in this country
and to escape the economic climate.

From Dublin to Mackay Qld.

What a change of climate and from the winter cold of Dublin to the summer humidity of central Queensland. Paddy continued his
painting trade on and around a number of the Whitsunday Islands, whilst Philomena enjoyed volunteering work in the local family
care centre.
Then in 2008, after some 20 years of the central Qld environment and some ongoing health issues, Paddy and Philomena moved
south to Mango Hill to be closer to medical services and family who had earlier relocated to Brisbane.

“When I travelled down Kinsellas Rd and saw the Mango
Hill Village for the first time, I felt I was in Heaven,” quipped
Philomena with a broad smile on her face. “Our Mary Street
home has a big back yard, plenty of room for Paddy’s pigeon
roost and the community has that real rural feeling. It is so
quiet and relaxed.”

After 15 years in the village, Paddy continues his passion of the
arts and painting whilst Philomena enjoys volunteering down
at Redcliffe Hospital with the local Auxiliary as they relax in
their Village home.

We all wish Paddy “Many happy returns of the day”.

May 2023 www.bestoflocal.com.au 11