Little rest for Oldcastle heroes who made 100 beds in one day

Staff at Briody Beds in Oldcastle produced 100 beds for Ukrainian refugees, arriving in the Meath Cavan area in just one Saturday recently.

The staff donated their time and the company the materials to produce the beds for families arriving from the war-torn country.

“We have some Ukrainian members of staff that have been working with us for the past 20 years,” explains spokesperson Kathryn Cooke.

When the war broke out, they did a staff collection for the Red Cross, but then one of the staff members, who is co-ordinating aid in the Cavan Meath area, discovered there was a need for beds.

“There are people bringing refugees into their homes, who need beds for them,” says Kathryn.

“The staff approached the company and asked if it could help. We had no hesitation in helping. The staff offered to work in their own time to produce the beds.”

Kathryn says that two thirds of the staff donated five hours of their time and managed to make 100 divans and mattresses in just one Saturday.

“We are donating the beds where there is a need for them and when the supply is exhausted, we will look at producing more,” she says.

One of the first Ukrainian people to receive one of the beds was a lady who arrived at the Briody factory to thank the management and staff.

“She was from Kiev and her son and partner are back in Ukraine, fighting.

“We offered her a job in a temporary role – temporary because she firmly hopes she will be able to go home again in a short while.”

Kathryn says she is aware of local families who have taken in refugees.

“The families that are arriving are still traumatised. It is very sad. We know that children have started school here, so it is great to be able to help, to be able to do something.”

Briody beds have been in business in Ballinrink, Oldcastle since 1974 when it was set up by Benny Briody and his wife, Bríd. The company is now run by their daughter Bridget and sons, Martin, Brendan and David.