Month: February 2025

Paddy Cullen died today, 7th February, at the age of 80. There were many tributes paid to him during the day, my favourites were a bio of Paddy from from Marty Whelan and the second a recording of a compilation of GAA greatest moments.

Paddy Cullen was a giant among goalkeepers. Picture: Connolly Collection / SPORTSFILE

Paddy Cullen made his debut in goal for Dublin in 1966 and during the next 13 years  he was one of the best known figures in Dublin GAA.

He won three All-Ireland titles and four All-Star awards as part of the swashbuckling ‘Heffo’s Army‘ that rejuvenated the game in the capital. I still get a thrill when I hear the Heffo Army song with Micheal O Hehir’s voice backing introduction to the team

O the Jack are back the Jacks are back
Let the Railway end go barmy
For Hill 16 has never seen the likes of Heffos army

We came marching out of Leinster, when no-one thought we would,
Then we smashed the mighty champions, when they said we never could.
For 11 years we’ve waited, now there’s nothing left to prove
So let’s hear it now for Dublin, Heffo’s Army’s on the move.

They came marching in from Ringsend and from Ballyfermot too
From East Wall and Marino to support the boys in blue
For eleven years we’ve waited and theres nothing left to do
Now hear it now for Heffo, Heffo’s army’s on the move

O the Jack are back the Jacks are back
Let the Railway end go barmy
For Hill 16 has never seen the likes of Heffos army

I have 2 enduring memories of Paddy Cullen:

• his penalty save against Galway in 1974 when Dublin won the Sam for the first time in 11 years
• his immortalisation in 1979, not so much by being lobbed by Mikey Sheehey, but by Con Houlihan, describing Cullen dashing “back toward his goal like a woman who smells a burning cake”.

Inspired by an online article by Eliza Hartley |February 4, 2025, 2:24 am] – some of it is quoted below.

I remember Mam turning 70 in 1995 …. Her sons and daughters plotted and planned a big surprise party for her in Johnstown Inn. Of course she graciously participated (what choice did she have and also by nature she would never want to disappoint us). Afterwards, however, she told me that it was the first birthday she dreaded. It made her think of old age, dependency, frailty and it scared her. She felt that with Dad gone, she worried about being a burden on her children. Old age seemed less frightening with a partner.

I was the same coming up to 70. I knew from bouts of illness what losing independence was about. So yes! 70 was a milestone I didn’t particularly welcome. I had made it clear that I didn’t want a “surprise” and maybe that denied my children a chance to plot and plan??? Anyway a variety of celebrations were organised and each was wonderful. My favourite of course was in The DEAN with Dean and David and Caroline.

Like Mam, I think I’ve settled into my seventies well. I’m certainly doing more of what I like. I’m taking more time for me. I’ve got rid of some of the activities that made me busier than I wanted to be. My bucket list may not include the four corners of the world, but I am getting to places I want to see.

It’s still a bit strange when someone stands up on public transport to let me sit. It’s still a start to hear that the neighbours’ kids are turning 50. But I enjoy being part of retired communities – they can be quite inspiring, actually, about how to accept and live in the present.

Today, I read this online article by Eliza Hartley and it expresses nearly all I feel. So I’m sharing snippets of it with others who might like a 70s roadmap!

Here are portions of what Eliza Hartley has to say about aging:

Here’s how I discovered that turning 70 was not an end to youth, but rather a new beginning to feeling more vibrant than ever before.

1) Embracing the age, not fighting it

At first, I tried to fight the calendar, to deny the reality of turning 70. But then I realized something profound. Age is just a number, a chronological marker that has nothing to do with my spirit. And instead of seeing it as an enemy, I decided to embrace it. The moment I stopped fighting my age was the moment I started feeling more vibrant and alive. I began to explore new hobbies, meet new people, and even take on physical challenges that I had previously thought were beyond my reach.

2) Discovering new pursuits

Once I let go of my fear and embraced my age, I found myself with a world of possibilities at my fingertips. I discovered that turning 70 didn’t mean that I had to settle into a life of routine and monotony but rather it opened the door to new experiences.

3) Finding wisdom in the words of others

As I continued on this journey of embracing my age and rediscovering my zest for life, I came across a quote by the celebrated French author Marcel Proust: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” I thought about this quote often, and it resonated deeply with me. Here I was at 70, not seeking to change my circumstances or my age, but rather changing my perception of it. And as I did, I found that age didn’t limit me, but instead gave me a new lens through which to view my life. This new perspective wasn’t about denying the years I’ve lived, but celebrating them.

4) The science of aging

In my quest to understand this newfound vibrancy, I started to delve a bit deeper into the science of aging. Turns out, our brains continue to develop and change well into our 70s and beyond. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t just stop growing mentally or emotionally. We’ve all heard of neuroplasticity – the ability of our brains to form new connections and pathways. This doesn’t just stop when we hit a certain age. In fact, it’s a lifelong process.

5) The power of curiosity

Embracing my age, seeking out new experiences, finding wisdom in the words of others, and understanding the science of neuroplasticity all pointed me in one direction: the power of curiosity. I realized that curiosity was the fuel that kept my spirit vibrant. It was the driving force behind my willingness to learn new things and challenge myself. It was the spark that ignited my creativity and pushed me to explore beyond my comfort zone. And the best part is that curiosity isn’t age-specific. It doesn’t fade away with time; if anything, it only intensifies.

6) The joy of connection

As my journey continued another pattern emerge(d): the importance of connection….. connecting with my own self and my passions….. connecting with others who shared similar interests or … a zest for life.

7) The gift of gratitude

As I fostered my curiosity, nurtured my connections, and embraced my age, I stumbled upon another unexpected source of vibrancy: gratitude …. a quiet, humble gratitude for the rich tapestry of my life. I found myself more appreciative of the small moments of joy, the daily miracles that often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of life … I found a deep sense of satisfaction and vibrancy in acknowledging these moments. This practice of gratitude illuminated my life in unexpected ways. It made me realize that every day brought with it new opportunities to learn.

8) Living in the present

I realized one final thing: the importance of living in the present. There’s no denying that turning 70 comes with its share of challenges. Living in the present didn’t mean ignoring the past or not planning for the future. It was about fully engaging with life as it happens, … giving myself permission to be fully present, to immerse in each moment.

The journey continues

Turning 70, or any age for that matter, is not a signal to slow down or fade into the background. Instead, it’s an invitation to fully embrace life, to explore new interests, to nurture connections, and to celebrate each day with a grateful heart. Living vibrantly isn’t about defying age, but about redefining what it means. It’s about recognizing that life doesn’t diminish with time; it only deepens and becomes more meaningful.

As Albert Einstein once said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” Let your imagination run wild. Don’t limit yourself by the number of candles on your birthday cake. In the end, it’s not about how old you are but how you are old.

My star gazing niece informed me at Christmas that January and February 2025 would be good months for observing the planets (except for Mercury), as Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune would all be visible in the night sky.

Astronomy continued to feature as a topic of interest as the new year began -just after the holidays one of our Retirement Group quiz questions was about the “planet parade”.

So for a few nights, I googled BBC Sky at Night hoping to identify some of the “bright lights” I  see .

“On 1 February, there’ll be a brilliant chance to spot something quite spectacular, and that’s Venus, Saturn and Neptune in the same twilight region of the sky, surrounding a very thin crescent Moon, just 12% lit.

You’ll be able to spot Venus and Saturn with the naked eye, but you’ll need clear, dark skies and binoculars (if not a telescope) to be able to spot Neptune.” (Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk © Our Media 2024)