Gallery: Bertie's Croker birthday bash... but where's the man of the hour?

Bertie Ahern gave the press the slip as he arrived for his 60th birthday party at Croke Park last night…

FORMER TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern celebrated his 60th birthday in style last night, at a party in Croke Park organised by his daughters Cecilia and Georgina.

A host of well-known names arrived at Croker last night to toast Ahern, but there was no sign of the man himself, as photographers waited outside to catch a glimpse of the birthday boy.

It’s speculated today that he slipped in through one of Croke Park’s less public entrances, as his daughters, ex-wife Miriam, Fianna Fáil pal Charlie McCreevy, and Dublin football boss Pat Gilroy arrived for the party.

According to Mark Hillard and Lisa Hand’s report in today Irish Independent, guests were served a three course meal, while the walls of the venue were adorned with pictures of Bertie through the years.

Ahern’s daughter Ceclila said that her dad hates this kind of fuss and that he was just doing his ‘duty’ by turning up.

It’s also reported that Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Alex Ferguson all sent video messages to the birthday boy.

Gallery: Bertie's Croker birthday bash... but where's the man of the hour?

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Happy Birthday Bertie
Sisters Georgina and Cecelia Ahern pose for photographers as they arrive for their father Bertie Ahern's 60th birthday party at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Yvonne Keating arrives at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy arrives at Bertie Ahern's 60th birthday party. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Charlie Chawke with his wife Bernice. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Louis Copeland arrives. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Paddy The Plasterer (Paddy Reilly) arrives at Bertie Ahern's 60th birthday party at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Charlie McCreevy with his wife Noleen arriving at Bertie Ahern's 60th birthday party at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall
Happy Birthday Bertie
Noel Ahern, Bertie's brother, arrives at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Not everybody was there to celebrate: Eamon Reid protesting at Bertie Ahern's 60th birthday party at Croke Park. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Who could this mystery guest be? The unidentified man hid in the back seat of a Land Rover Jeep as he was driven through the back entrance of Croke Park. Photo /Photocall Ireland
Happy Birthday Bertie
Bertie Ahern's former wife Miriam Ahern and her partner Terry McCoy arrive. Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

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Gallery: Bertie's Croker birthday bash... but where's the man of the hour?

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

Happy Birthday Bertie

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A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.