No Slow Down for Paddy Ward

The family of Paddy Ward sent along the following little bit.  It sure is lovely to see someone loving what they do so much. 

As part of Padini's  family (daughter Michelle and grand daughter Lisa) we thought we would take this opportunity to write to Irish Magic News, as he is away on holidays in Lanzarote at the moment!

We have asked him to slow down, as he will be 77 this coming February, but all he said was "get lost....you must be joking"!!  We know people say hi is still performing as good as ever and, we can assure this to be the case.  He performed some close up magic in our local bar (Casey's in Sixmilebridge) on St. Stephen's Day, as part of our charity fund raiser for Milford Hospice, and he had everyone mesmerized.  I heard one man say that he was still the "King"!  At 77 years of age he still pulls in the crowds and had a very busy Christmas.  He tells us that he already has bookings for Christmas next year, and is fully booked for Communions and Confirmations in 2012.

Will he ever learn??  To our relief he did cut back on the long distance travelling to perform but that was even a chore to get him to do that!!  Both Vincent Finnucane and himself perform lots of charity gigs - nursing homes, day care centres etc. etc. along with organising shows for various good causes. He tells us that the reward for all this is seeing the joy and hearing the laughter from these people, which is worth it's weight in gold.  Dad has been performing on stage since he was 11 (a long time) and performed all the way up through his working life as an engineer and director. The friends that he has made over the years through magic are countless, and a testament to the fantastic community of magic that is worldwide.  Only for them and the magic, dad would not have coped with the death of our mother Josie at a time when they should have been looking forward to their future together and enjoying the latter years together.  

So, a BIG thank you to all involved in magic and have been part of dad's journey so far.  I'm sure he still has more people to meet and entertain for several years to come!!  As he says - the most important thing is enjoying what you do, be yourself, dress well, present the show in an entertaining way and you will never be short of work, even at the age off 77 - MAGIC KEEPS YOU ALIVE!!

I'm attaching a photo taken at the children's show at St. Michael's School in Tipperary for 300 children.

Thanking you.

Michelle Hogan

Update on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:42PM by Brendan Byrne

Martin Duffy sent me tribute to Paddy, titled The Padini Twist, a few moments ago.  

Following on from the recent article re Paddy Ward, I would like to add the following tribute to Paddy.

Many of the great Magicians have had moves named after them.

For example, the Elmsley count or the Hammon count.

Marlo, Koran and Baker spring to mind. But all of these moves pale into insignificance when compared to the Padini Twist.

Faster than Batman with the runs, on his way to the Toilet.

Tougher than a Skinheads boot, funnier than Ken Dodd’s tickling stick. The Padini Twist is guaranteed to slay the toughest audience..

So what is The Padini Twist and who is the man behind it all? I hear you say.

Put simply The Padini Twist is a belief system which states that all the magic that you do should be entertaining first and very magical a close second. Not for Paddy, a very clever vanish with a TT which sometimes screams “ look how clever I am “. Paddy twists this by saying, “ do you see this piece of material? It’s part of my wife’s nightdress, I love making it disappear!

This always brings a smile and laughter to Paddy’s audience. They can’t fail to warm to the man. Everything is said with a mischievous smile and a twinkle in Paddy’s eye and the audience know that they are in for a good time.

Paddy’s magic is rooted in sound common sense. Only yesterday I saw an ad for Michael Ammar’s little hand gimmick. A snip at twenty pounds the ad said. Paddy goes to the local charity shop and buys a doll, he cuts off both hands and has two gimmicks for a euro. Who is the real pro?

Don’t get me wrong, Paddy is no joker when it comes to magic. Paddy’s father was a magician and Paddy grew up learning his craft. He really can cut the mustard so to speak and does so on many occasions. On a recent visit to Paddy, he did a floating wand routine that has to be seen. I said to Paddy, “ tell me that you practice that every day “. Paddy tells me that he hasn’t touched the wand in six months, a measure of the man.

The man behind the move is an even bigger story.

A larger than life figure in many ways, Paddy is a big man with a big heart. Generous with both his time and knowledge, he has very much helped me with my magic since I turned pro. Paddy being an engineer by profession is a very practical man who is blessed with a great streak of creativity. In many ways two opposites coming together to make a very unique magical talent. Rather than just winning magic competitions, and Paddy has won quite a few, Paddy has won the hearts of the people of Limerick where he lived for many years. Walking with him down the street, the car horns honk, the people stop to salute and have the craic with the Great Padini. Paddy armed to the teeth with more weapons of mass deception than Saddam Hussein is soon doing a sponge ball routine and gathering a crowd. I reckon Paddy kissed more women and babies that day than any politician on the campaign trail!

Paddy regularly travels up to Dublin and holds centre stage when five or six of us magicians meet up and have the craic with Munster’s finest.

Paddy who is seventy seven continues to encourage and inspire myself and other magicians and it’s always done with no wish for praise or reward.

To me Paddy is the magician with the likeability factor and audiences very quickly warm to him and trust him. The essence of Paddy is a man who is good at what he does, likes what he does and shows it in his performances.

I wish Paddy many more years of good health and enjoyment on the great magical journey of life.

Martin Duffy.

Update on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 6:39PM by Brendan Byrne

Paddy himself fent us the following note earlier today.

"Hi Irishmagicnews,following my daughters note re me taking things easy.both Terance Andrews and myself performed monday last for 60 mins in Carrigoran Nursing home for 75 Senior citizens photos  attached .When i see the smiles coming on the faces of these unfortunate people and hear them laugh it makes me think isn't it great to be active and well  and be able to bring a little happiness to these people some who dont have any relations visiting them. Terance, Vincent Finucane and myself [Vincent who was'nt with us on this occasion due to hospitalisation for minor operation] usually arrive about an hour before show after setting up, we spend 40mins mixing and talking to them.i will keep up performing with the same vigour as always.Just got word Vincent is fine and the way home."