Community and celebs come together to give Philip an unforgettable birthday
Dubliner Philip Walsh celebrated his 27th birthday today and it was one he will remember forever.
A massive football fan, Philip was visited by one of his heroes, Robbie Keane, earlier in the week.
Robbie went to Malahide to deliver a signed jersey and some birthday cards to the soon-to-be birthday boy.
After their meeting, Robbie took to social media to ask people to help make Philip's 27th birthday extra special.
The former Ireland international explained that Philip lost his father suddenly six week ago and his mother, Deirdre, is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
After seeing how other people who couldn't celebrate their birthdays as they usually would due to the pandemic had received hundreds of birthday cards, Philip's wish was to get as many cards as possible for his birthday.
Today, Philip got far more than he wished for.
Since Robbie's appeal just a couple of days ago, An Post has delivered thousands of cards for Philip.
But cards were just the beginning of the celebrations.
An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade, Civil Defence, the Irish Coast Guard and the National Ambulance Service arrived with lights and sirens to deliver more cards and gifts.
Malahide Gardaí joined Philip Walsh to celebrate his 27th birthday today with plenty of lights and sirens from the Emergency Services! Philip has been having a tough time lately and we were delighted to join his birthday celebrations!
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) May 23, 2020
Happy Birthday Philip🎈🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/t2LfpGFgb9
We joined our emergency service colleagues in wishing Philip Walsh a Happy 27th birthday. Enjoy the celebrations Philip 🎉 #community pic.twitter.com/Emq24KSXGS
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) May 23, 2020
The ice cream van arrived to deliver Philip his favourite ice cream and neighbours all came out to join in the celebrations and sing Happy Birthday.
Mayor of Fingal Eoghan O'Brien paid a visit to "Malahide's biggest celebrity" and named him the Lord Mayor of Seabury Walk.
Cllr O'Brien gave Philip his chain of office to wear but it seems only as a loan as he can be heard jokingly asking if he can call in during the week to collect it.
I popped down to Seabury today to wish Philip Walsh, Malahide's biggest celebrity, a happy birthday on behalf of @Fingalcoco. He's now the Mayor & I've stepped down! Last I heard the card count was knocking on 3000! Well done all who made today such a special one for Philip 👏🎂 pic.twitter.com/Dq9n2SMdbK
— Eoghan O'Brien (@CllrEOB) May 23, 2020
If you thought the Mayor of Fingal was the biggest star to attend to get involved in the birthday celebrations you have another thing coming.
Westlife's Nicky Byrne stopped by to deliver a present and make sure Philip was enjoying his day and posed for photos with Philip and some of his friends.
Robbie's appeal reached some of his celebrity pals both here and in the US and they were more than happy to help join in.
Paul McGrath sent along his well wishes as did Teen Wolf actor Ian Bohen.
WWE star Aleister Black recorded a happy birthday video and knowing what a huge wrestling fan Philip is, invited him to come to a show next time the WWE comes to Ireland.
Black sympathised with Philip not being able to celebrate his birthday as he normally would saying: "My birthday was last week and I had to stay indoors as well so I understand."
After the celebrations wound down this evening, Robbie once again took to Instagram to thank everybody who made an effort to make Philip's birthday an amazing one.
"This has all been an incredible boost for Philip and his family, his front porch is decorated with birthday cards," he wrote.
It’s the simple acts of kindness like this that make me so proud of our country.
"You have made him feel incredibly special on his big day and it is absolutely heartwarming to see how happy Philip was today alongside his lovely mother Deirdre, I know it means the world to them."
He said that Philip has touched his heart and the heart of the nation.
"You are an incredible young man, you and your mum are inspirational and I’m so privileged I got the opportunity to meet you both."
He described Deirdre as "an amazing woman" who was determined that her son would have a birthday to remember "and he certainly did".
Robbie also shared some snaps and videos of the day which you can swipe through below.
