A FATHER and daughter have celebrated having 150 years between them.

Joe Clifford and his eldest daughter Isabelle Cupples enjoyed a joint party at Kilbirnie Place Golf Club for their 90th and 60th birthdays.

Joe’s wife and other two daughters, Maria and Teresa, proudly walked beside the birthday pair as they were piped into the club by local piper Calum to the sound of Highland Cathedral.

His daughter Maria told the Herald: “To have him walk in to the pipes was great.

“It’s one of the most uplifting songs, quite an emotional tune with very special memories.

“My dad has been seriously ill over the last few months.

“He is a cancer survivor, it’s all related to that.

“He is keeping well, he only got out the night before his party.

“What he went through, we didn’t think he would get to 60.”

All in all 58 family members from around the globe including England, Spain, Abu Dhabi and Australia came together for a very joyful, happy, loving and grateful clan gathering on Saturday, November 16.

Kilbirnie born and bred, Joe is the only surviving male sibling from his family of eight, having lost his five brothers Dick, John, Pat, Jim, and sister Margaret.

John’s daughter Catherine travelled from Abu Dhabi to join them.

Joe’s two remaining sisters, Mary and Kathleen, live in Australia where they immigrated in the early 1960s.

Kathleen’s daughter Therese and her friend Leonie travelled from the other side of the world to join in with the celebration.

Isabella Cupples’ daughters Cassy and Nicole flew in from Spain along with their children Chloe and Luca and Cassy’s partner Lewis.

The celebration was made even more special because of Joe’s intense months in and out of various hospitals over the last few months.

He even spent his actual birthday, November 14, in Crosshouse Hospital but thankfully was discharged on the night before his party.

Maria said: “My dad would like to give his heart-felt thanks to the NHS, all the staff, nurses and doctors.

“It’s important to say that.”

The buffet was supplied by Chris at Hallidays, the cake by Sandra Benson-Glen, music by Eddie and Des, and the family would like to thank them all, including the bar staff at the golf club.

A more sedate day followed on the November 17 at the Kilbirnie Bowling Club for afternoon tea, coffee and sandwiches, with thanks to Belle Teele.