Downpatrick’s Donny celebrates 100th birthday

Downpatrick’s Donny celebrates 100th birthday

10 January 2024

DOWNPATRICK’S newest centenarian says the secret to a long and happy life is “putting the feet up and relaxing”.

Donny Maguire was born on January 4, 1924, the same month the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin died and Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi was released from imprisonment. 

Donny, who will be married 53 years in June to his devoted wife Jaqueline, was joined by many of his family and friends for a very special birthday party at King’s Castle Nursing Home in Ardglass last week.

They included his four children, Pat, Mary, Dermot and Conor, along with with some of his 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Donny was one of seven children born to James and Anna Maguire, of Stream Street, Downpatrick.

He had two sisters and four brothers, and is the third in his family to become a centenarian, following his elder brothers Roddy, who sadly passed away in October 2021, and Michael, who is 102 and living in Co Dublin.

“He’s loved his time at King’s Castle these last few weeks,” said Donny’s wife, Jaqueline.

“He enjoyed seeing everyone at his party and remembered a lot of people that he hadn’t seen in a few years.

“He takes each day as it comes – although he has slowed down a bit because of his age, he is extremely strong-willed and always finds something to keep him going.”

A man of many hobbies and interests, Donny’s remark of “putting the feet up” is ironic considering what he has achieved.

He served his time as a panel beater in Stewart’s Motor Works Downpatrick and eventually opened his own successful garage in St Patrick’s Drive in the early 1950s, later moving to premises in Stream Street.

What he is arguably best known for around Co Down, is his contribution to the Royal Life Saving Society and being instrumental in setting up the Downpatrick School of Lifesaving in the late 1960s.

Having learned how to swim in the Quoile River as a young boy, Donny said he had a “very happy childhood”.

He became a swimming life saver by attending classes at Grove Leisure Centre, Belfast, as a young man and was a trailblazing cold water swimmer, getting into the sea to swim as often as he could, regardless of the season.

Donny remained a teacher with the school of lifesaving until he was 95, even after stepping down from the club’s management at 92.

“He was a very active and sincere teacher,” said Jacqueline. “He was very easy to get on with and was always approachable about new ideas.

“He was very keen to get youngsters as early as seven years of age into the club so they could get learn a vital skill and ensure that the club remained a fixture in the local community.

“He has taught generations of family members of the club – grandfathers, fathers and sons and daughters – he was a very popular teacher.”

Whilst Donny has remained a prominent figure in the local community, his motto has always been ‘family first’.

In 1964, he lost his first wife, Marita, after she sadly passed away in her early thirties after battling cancer.

Donny dedicated himself to bringing up his two daughters, Mary, who turned 13 the day before her mother’s passing, and Pat, who was aged 12.

Continuing his focus to raising his two daughters and to build on the success of the lifesaving school, Donny unexpectedly met his second wife, Jaqueline, at a dance in the Canon’s Hall in Downpatrick in December 1970.

“Love walked in,” Jaqueline recalled. “When we met there was an instant attraction.

“I fell for him if I’m being honest, he was so kind and had such a gentle nature to him.” 

Jaqueline continued: “He was very dedicated to his two daughters – they were his world – and we only wanted to be with each other if we had their approval.”

Six months later, Donny and Jaqueline got married on June 1, 1971, in St Patrick’s Church.

“I am so lucky to have met the love of my life,” Jaqueline added.

Donny and Jaqueline had two sons, Conor, who was born in May 1972, and Dermot, who arrived in June the following  year.

Although his first priority was to his family, Danny still indulged in many of his interests.

His involvement with the Royal Life Saving Society has earned him many awards over the years from NI Sports Council, Down Clubmark and several from the society itself, most recently in 2019 for 60 years’ continuous service. 

Donny is also a keen landscape artist, exhibiting his paintings many times in the local library and arts centre. He was also a keen member of Owenbeg Bowling Club for many years and was twice elected president.

“He has never been just a man of leisure,” said Jaqueline.  “He has always kept himself busy – whether it is through his hobbies, spending time with family or doing plenty of walking.

“Donny has a tremendous belief in his faith – he always attended St Patrick’s every weekend and then St Brigid’s once we moved home and it’s something that gave him great comfort throughout his life.”

Jaqueline continued: “He is an incredibly social being, he loves spending time with his family and especially loves family parties.

“I think that’s what he likes about King’s Castle. The staff are extremely good to him – there is a lot of socialising amongst the residents and staff.”

Asked if there are any more birthday celebrations, Jaqueline said that their family are hopeful of bringing Donny to the Quoile Fold, where Donny lived prior to King’s Castle, for an evening with friends and family.

“He’s a very humble man,” Jaqueline added. “He’s been very content with what life has given him – we are all so incredibly proud of him and we love him dearly.”