It’s A Feckin’ Wonderful Life…

Cheers, my dear…

e used to think there must be no bigger gathering than a Moonie wedding.

Well, turns out a Mooney farewell is far bigger, and brighter, and sweeter, than anything that complete and utter cult leader Sun Myung Moon could ever put together.

From the very start of the day, it was obvious that Christmas Eve 2015 in Greystones was going to be special. It was sunny! It was cold! It was, finally, CHRISTMAS!

Swinging down early before that 1pm love-in for Bridie Mooney as she prepared to shut up shop for the very final time – after an incredible 62 years behind the counter – the atmosphere down at this Greystones landmark was dizzy with mischief and smiles.

Truth be told, ever since Thursday December 17th, when Bridie first announced her plan to hang up her shop apron forever, the town has been coming through her door with gifts, hugs, kisses and fond, fond memories. That go way, way back.

As the day progressed, the crowd grew bigger. And bigger. And bigger.

The queue out the door to say goodbye to Mrs Mooney snaked up to the side of the Holy Rosary. And it just kept getting longer, everyone keen to make it through that familiar doorway and have an audience with the Popess of Greystones.

At one point, I seriously considered asking her to simply lay her hands on my bald head, just to see if all my beautiful hair would suddenly come sprouting back.

Our plan to sing The Everly Brothers’ Bye Bye Love and The Beatles Get Back almost worked, with the crowd taking it upon themselves to sing For She’s A Jolly Good Fellow before very good Samaritan Michael Monaghan led Richard Roche and Mark Flynn through a few Christmas standards – including Fairytale Of New York, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and Jingle Bells.

And still they kept on coming. Bridie came out to wave to the mass of well-wishers, and the mass of well-wishers all waved back. Inside, the champagne was poppin’, whilst the extended Mooney family treated the day like the great big, happy party that it was.

And what made the whole occasion all the sweeter is just how fighting fit Mrs Mooney is, at the tender young age of 86. The woman is wisely stepping out of the ring whilst she still has her killer left hook.

To say she looks amazing is an understatement. To say that, from the top of her head down to the tip on her smallest pinky, Mrs Bridie Mooney is simply an amazing woman… well, everyone here today, in person and in spirit, clearly knows that.

In the end, the whole day felt like a family event. And that’s because, for just about all of Greystones, Mrs Mooney is family. Now, and forever…  

We have proper photos from John McGowan up here, and you can see the full gallery of the Pablo shots on this post right here.