To Mick Penston it was a job which led him to meet people like any other job. He rattles off names as if they were workmates or neighbours. But when you catch mentions of guys called Mitchum, Cagney and Newman, your attention just has to be grabbed. Mick worked for forty years as a chauffeur to the stars whenever they were in Ireland, Oscar winners-a-plenty have chatted and laughed with this genial and gentle man while he has transported them from set to set.

This sprightly and active 74 year old lives in Havelock terrace off Bath Avenue with his two sons Brian and Gerry, his three daughters Therese, Celine and Nuala have all married and flown the coop. Youngest of four, Mick was born in No.8 Stephens Lane off Mount St. and has never moved out of the area. His father fought at Ypres in World War 1 and worked in Bolands Mills for many years. One of Mick’s earliest memories was of the pigs and horses that his dad kept in the mews there.

Mick’s first job was lumberjacking in Duleek, Co.Louth during World War 2. With the coal shortage there was great demand for wood. It was tough work with just crosssaws and axes in hand. From there to his first experience behind the wheel , driving a van for T.F.H Edges who were based in Dame Court.

1953 was a big year for Mick, He married Agnes O’Brien, a former neighbour from Stephen’s Lane and started chauffeuring for a living. He had got together with Agnes on a cold New Years Eve walking to Christchurch for the bells and never really were apart till her sad and early death, also on New Year’s Eve in 1974. Anyone who knows Mick’s children know what a fine job he made of rearing and providing for his five children and how thankful they are for his years of advice and support.

Having graduated from the sound and camera cars, Mick’s first star to drive for was Paulette Goddard - a former wife of Charlie Chaplin from her hotel to the Gaiety . “It was daunting at first but I soon learnt that the so called superstars were only people like ourselves. I always had a placid nature when driving, not a chance of road rage with myself... even nowadays.” Other stars in those early days of the Gaiety and Theatre Royal include Betty Hutton, Laurel & Hardy , Danny Kaye (a great man for tongue twisters) and the unforgettable partnership of Roy Rogers and Trigger. Roy actually rode his steed from Amiens St. Station to the theatre leaving Mick follow in his Dodge Royal.

Ardmore studios emergence in the late fifties meant even more opportunity for Mick to meet the stars with its first film “ Home is the Hero” to some other classics as “The Gentle Gunman”, “Rooney O” and “Shake Hands With The Devil”. It was on the latter film that a lasting friendship with James Cagney was forged. “ He was a real gentleman , never touched a drop of the hard stuff and was truly a good man”. Cagney once excused himself from the company of P.V.Doyle, the famous Dublin hotelier after only 5 minutes because he had ignored Mick in Cagney’s presence. Cagney commrnted to Mick about the incident, “he ignored someone who was with me and I cannot stand a friend of mine being ignored”.

Both Cagney and Robert Mitchum asked Mick to return with them to the States and become their personal chauffeurr. On both occasions the offer was turned down on account of his young family. Mitchum wrote to Mick as recently as last October to dismiss the major rumours of his ill health, his letter a fond remembrance of a long friendship. “He was a man’s man; tough and never looked for trouble-but it searched him out ”.

Among Micks favourites is the American actress Stephanie Zimbalist ( star of Remington Steele), daughter of another acquaintance, Efram Zimbalist- one of the most suave and sophisticated stars of recent years. Stephanie corresponds on a regular basis, never forgetting Mick, his humour or his good nature. Mick values her letters and photos like the crown jewels. The only item more treasured being an accordion his late wife Agnes bought him many years ago.

Mick taught himself both to play the piano and piano accordion, though unable to read music, Mick can carry a tune as good as any - as any passer by to Murrays on a Sunday Night can verify. Mick only started taking a drink seven or eight years ago when dragged out of the house by his sister. After taking a dislike to sherry, a pint was put in front of him and he hasn’t looked back, “ it agreed with me so I stuck with it”.

One of the more unusual duties he has carried out was delivering a pint to Peter Sellers in St.Vincent’s Hospital. Sellers had taken ill while filming an advert in Dublin. “I reckon I have his last autograph as he died in London a day or two later”. Another interesting fact for the archives is Lee Remmick was so taken with how well Mick took care of her child Sarah on set, that she asked to be godmother to Mick’s child Gerard.

“Well I couldn’t refuse really”.

John Ford, the Director also rates highly on Mick’s list as “The best in the world” -he once held up shooting on “Young Cassidy” until he was transferred to being his driver.

Lord Killanin, the producer of the film had to come down personally to persuade him to leave the film he was on. Three days shooting was lost and as Ford had a fondness for traditional music between shots, all he did for the duration was listen to Albert Healy play his accordion on set.

On the set of “The Gentle Gunman”, the Gardai almost arrested him for outpacing the police escort assigned to his car. “ I was collecting rifles from Clancy barracks as per special arrangement for the film and didn’t know there was an escort arranged. I, to the misfortune of the Gardai had a V8 ,42 horsepower Dodge Royal while they had only two Ford Zodiacs. They’re weren’t too pleased when they arrived in Ardmore half an hour after me.”

Film stars also marvelled at the great Irish humour. Lee Marvin once being serenaded by a gang of 20 construction workers on site opposite the Hibernian hotel - “Wandrin’ Star” never sounded so good. Marvin shrugged and said “It could only happen in Ireland”

Favourite film worked On ? “Probably ‘The Blue Max’ with George Peppard and James Mason.

Those planes flying over Baldonnel and Kilpedder were just such a sight”.

Original shots from the picture still adorn son Brian’s bedroom wall.

You rarely meet people as interesting as Michael Penston, I could listen all day to the anecdotes and role call of stars that have listened to Mick’s patter, and not do justice to this man’s achievements . But I think you’ll find me in Murrays of a Sunday night along with “Mick’s merry men”- Dan and Delia Aherne, Christy Boyne, John Sheridan, Tony Harnett and John Tiernan, listening to the music and craic provided by this quiet man of Havelock Terrace.

Mick Penston reflects on his life of stars in his car.