'Angel' Bridget celebrates her 108th birthday surrounded by family

Cavan's oldest citizen, Bridget Tierney from Loughduff, celebrated her 108th birthday today surrounded by her family who regard her as their "angel".

Bridget, who has lived through two world wars and three pandemics, is the second eldest lady in the Republic of Ireland, a milestone which her son Tom says is achievable through a life of “hard work".

“The lady of the day is in good form,” he beamed down the phone to The Anglo-Celt.

The day will be celebrated with family. Comprising of 82 grandchildren and great grandchildren, they plan to have a party outdoors to celebrate.

“She’s as happy as Larry up there once she has the children around her. “She’s healthy and in great form,” reported Tom.

Referring to her 108 years and counting, Tom said “it was hard work with her all the time” detailing that Bridget reared nine children while working on the family farm tending to cattle, pigs and hens.

Tom told a story about his mother in the year of 1952, which he described as “a very bad year” with no turf to be got for the family home.

His father, who worked in the local mill, would bring home two bags of seeds, which his mother heated to bake soda bread in.

“That’s how tough times were,” he said, explaining “the weather was very bad and there was no turf got in the bog".

Tom said he and his siblings, wider family and neighbours look after Bridget in her Loughduff home. She wakes up in the morning to “a good mug of tea”, which Tom brings to her bedroom each day.

The first thing the centenarian asks her son is "what sort of a day is it?” followed by “what have you lined out for the day?”

She gets up and has some porridge followed by tea and toast at around 11. “Then she starts to pray,” Tom said.

She sits beside her window, on the outside of which are several doves which Bridget counts daily.

“There’s not as many there as there were yesterday,” she often tells her son. “This would go on until dinner time,” he said, explaining “that’s the way the day goes for her".

Among her hobbies are reminiscing on the past and reciting poetry, her favourite of which is ‘A Noble Boy’ written by Mary Dow Brine in 1878.

“It’s a poem she learned about a hundred years ago when she went to school,” he said.

Tom said he is “very proud” of his mother, who has the height of respect for people who call to see her.

“Everyone who comes in gets a kiss on the hand to say thanks very much.” “She’s a little bopping angel that’s what she is,” he said fondly.

At 73 years of age himself, Tom says he can never remember her lying in bed a day sick.

“We are blessed to have her,” he said.