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Bridget's 100 reasons to celebrate
22.02.08
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
IT'S a momentous week for the townland of Cleenagh,
near Cockhill, as not one but two of its native
daughters turn 100.
On Friday Bridget Lynch becomes a Centenarian while
a couple of days earlier Madge Doherty will
celebrate her 100th birthday in Florida.
Doherty, formerly McLaughlin, moved to America 81
years ago with her Glengad-born husband Pat.
Madge’s nephew, Hughie Duffy and his wife Sadie are
making the journey from Buncrana to the US for
Madge’s big day. They flew out on Monday afternoon.
Madge was brought up a stones throw from Bridget
Lynch, who will be opening the customary letter from
the Irish President this week. |
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Bridget’s progeny
consists of six children, 32 grandchildren, 85 great
grand kids and 20 great-great grand children. Her
son John gave the Inishowen Independent a run down
of her life.
The second youngest of nine children, born to Hugh
and Bridget Donaghey, Bridget was born on the 22nd
of February 1908.
Her teenage years were spent at home helping her
father with his duties. In her early twenties she |
married Daniel Lynch
after the couple moved to Glasgow. There the Lynch’s
lived until the outbreak of World War Two when they
returned to Inishowen to live a small farm in
Aughaweel, near Linsfort.
To what does John attribute his mother’s longevity?
“She was always a healthy eater and never put a
sweet thing in her mouth. She was very fond of home
made bread and porridge. [Bridget] was fond of young
people and I think that helped keep her young at
heart,” he said.
Bridget lived in the family home in Aughaweel for
the best part of her life, although her recent years
have been spent in the Buncrana Nursing home.
Bridget was set to come home Aughaweel to live with
John on Monday, ahead of her birthday celebrations
this Friday which, despite the large crowd, will
remain low key.
“She has asked for my brother Monsignor Patrick
Lynch to say mass at 12 noon. After that there will
be some tea and cake for the family, but nothing
major.”
Only one of Bridget siblings is still alive. Mary,
Bridget’s younger sister, turned 95 at Christmas.
She lives in Boston and will not be able to make the
trip home this week.
Bridget has been a widow for 35 years. In her latter
years she developed a fondness for bingo and also
liked to watch snooker on television. She has family
members living in Chicago, Australia, England and
Scotland, as well as many parts of Ireland. |
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