Centenarian Bridget gets a special birthday visit from the tánaiste
Tánaiste Micheál Martin presented a Centenarian's Medal to Bridget ‘B’ Delaney while campaigning in Carlow. Also pictured are Mrs Delaney’s sons Chris and Micheál, daughter Phil, granddaughter Karen and great-granddaughter May, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD and cllr Fintan Phelan Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A REMARKABLE Bridget Delaney baked four Christmas cakes, six puddings and welcomed a very special visitor to her home this week – all just days before her 100th birthday!
Bridget from O’Hanrahan’s Avenue, Carlow will celebrate her 100th birthday this Friday, polling day, so with election fever looming she was delighted to welcome tánaiste Micheál Martin to her home.
Micheál presented Bridget with her centenary medal to commend her great age and also enjoyed a chat with Bridget and her extended family.
The RTÉ cameras were there, too, with a glamourous and spritely Bridget featuring on the RTÉ news that evening.
“Oh, it’s lovely, I’m thrilled with it … it’s beautiful,” Bridget told , when asked about her treasured medal.
“It’s marvellous to have it. I know my parents would have been really proud … who wouldn’t?” she added.
Asked about the secret to her long and healthy life, Bridget immediately replied “hard work”. In fact, despite her advancing age, Bridget is still very active and this week even kept up her important annual tradition. “I’ve the puddings and cakes all ready for Christmas; I made them this week,” she said.
Originally from Ballyduff, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, Bridget met Jimmy Delaney from Killeshin at the 1949 All-Ireland final between Laois and Tipperary, and their love story began.
The couple settled in O’Hanrahan Avenue and had eight children – Helen, Marie, Una, Phil, Michael, John, James and Chris.
GAA continued to play a huge role in their lives, with Jimmy a former chair of Killeshin GAA and Carlow Town Hurling Club. Sadly, Jimmy died in 2008.
Bridget has 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, who are all extremely proud of her, as are her extended family, friends and neighbours.
“She has great neighbours,” said her son Chris. “She’s still very independent and loves to cook and bake. She also loves her garden,” he added.
“She made four Christmas cakes and six puddings this week and when they were cooling, she was looking for the whiskey for them,” said her daughter Phil.
“When Micheál Martin came in and shook her hand, she said how cold his hands were and was pulling him into the fire to warm up … she was delighted to see him – she’s a big fan,” said Phil.
