THE weekly bridge game of Mary Carroll and her friends in Signature Care Nursing Home in Killerig had a new player last week in the shape of Daniel O’Donnell.

Daniel delighted the Tullow lady in a surprise visit to the Killerig nursing home and also played a couple of hands.

Mary, a former matron of Cheshire Home for 30 years, has Motor Neurone Disease and has been a resident of Signature Care nursing home since earlier this year. Every Tuesday afternoon, a group of Mary’s friends visit to have a chat and competitive game of bridge.

Daniel O’Donnell enjoys a game of bridge with Mary Carroll and friends at the Signature Care Nursing Home in Killerig: Eileen Gray (standing), Mary Carroll, Barbara Gahan, Ailish Sheppard, Daniel O’Donnell and Anne Dormer

“Mary’s great fun and a great character,” said one of Mary’s friends, Isabella Cartwright.

Mary is also a big fan of Daniel O’Donnell. When Isabella heard of her friend’s illness, her first thought was to write to the singer hoping he would send a card to Mary.

Daniel not only did that, but stopped in on Tuesday of last week on his way to a concert at the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny.

While the bridge club features some experienced players, the Donegal singer was more than able to hold his own, having picked up the game recently while on a cruise.

Mary can’t speak and uses a tablet computer to communicate, but it was clear that she was delighted and moved by the visit.

“It was touching; it was such a lovely gesture,” said Mary’s friend Anne Dormer.

Daniel also spent time and chatted with the other residents at Killerig before continuing on his journey to Kilkenny.

It’s fair to say that he has a few new fans in Carlow.