A Galway city boy has been waiting with excitement to celebrate his 11th birthday for years.
For when Joe Reichenbach from Salthill blows out his candles tomorrow (Friday ) he will be marking not just the day he was born in the year 2000 but also the unique distinction of being 11 on the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year.
Joe, who lives at Rockbarton Road, is one of a family of three who have been through a very difficult seven months.
His father Lennart, who lectured in French at GMIT, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last March and died at home on September 6. Formerly a journalist with Radio France, he also wrote a French grammar book which is currently used in Irish secondary schools. GMIT is honouring his memory by awarding a prize to the graduate with the best proficiency in French at the college.
Joe, who is in fifth class at Scoil Einde on Dr Mannix Road, has an older brother John who is 12 years and a younger sister Marianne who is aged seven. He is very creative and won a prize in the Galway Advertiser art competition last December. He plays soccer and Gaelic football and sings and plays the guitar.
He will be celebrating his birthday on an important day for Galway - the inauguration of Michael D Higgins as President of Ireland.
Joe was very close to his father and will miss him greatly on his birthday, says his mother, Mairead Reichenbach.
“Joe has been talking about this birthday for years. He will have his party locally in Aras Bothar na Tra and all his cousins are coming to watch the Ireland match later. As well as this being a special and happy day there will be sadness too because he was very close to his dad.”
