On 9th April 2001, 66 members of The Naval Association had travelled to Westport
Co. Mayo the hometown of Michael Philbin to spend a week at the very popular Hotel Westport. Michael had been elected President of the Irish Naval Association at the annual
general meeting in January.
The outgoing President Ray Murphy handing over the chain of office to Michael Philbin, also in the picture, L/R Christy
Burke (chairman, Dublin Branch), Mr. Piaras O Connor (President 1995-1999), our new
President Mr. Michael Philbin (Westport), Mr. Ray Murphy (President 1999-2001),
Mr. Thomas Kavanagh (chairman, Waterford Branch)
The group was welcomed at the Hotel Westport by the hotel general manager
Mr. Gerry Walshe. Little did our group know that the week ahead would surpass
any other event todate. The quality of the food under the watchful eye of the Head Chef
Mr.Stephen Fitzmaurice was unbelievable,
and the cosmopolitan staff made up of Russian, Spanish, Czech. Hungarian and of
course the Hotels abundance of local born staff seemed to compete with each
other for the most lovable person of the week. We gave each a vote 10 out of 10
On our first evening Mrs. Norah Walshe (head of entertainment
at the hotel and wife of the General Manager Jerry Walshe) held a welcome reception for all the
guests staying at the hotel. Everyone was given a complimentary drink of his or
her choice. Mrs Walshe outlined the plan of the week, which included coach tours
of the Clew Bay area, Croagh Patrick, Kilmore Abbey, and Achill Island. Other
activities included, golf, indoor bowls, and table quiz, to name but a few.
The leisure centre has a swimming
pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, Sauna and a fully equipped Gym.
Kylemore Abbey (during our tour) Just one of the comforts at the hotel
During the week music was provided in the ballroom and some
excellent singers form the 200 guests at the hotel provided additional
entertainment each evening. Our last evening was our principal evening as Michael Philbin
and his wife Peggy was our guest of honour. In keeping with the high standard of
the hotel they set about preparing the evening and a dinner that would leave any
hotel or chef in the world with a standard hard to surpass. Pheasant, Duckling,
Crocodile, Pork, Beef, Venison, and fresh Fish caught that day was included in
the choice of the evening. This of course was not exclusive to the Naval
Association but was available for all guests each evening of the week.
Michael Philbin joined the newly formed Marine Service during WW2. and served in the Marine Service until it was renamed the Naval
Service in 1946. Michael stayed on in the Naval Service until 1952. During his service he was a stoker before joining the elite corps of physical instructors. Michael and
his wife Peggy live in the lovely Co. Mayo village of Louisburgh on the shores
of Clew Bay and have two daughters, Patricia and Margaret.
President and former Presidents with their wives
An Taoiseach and Michael Philbin
