THERE were great celebrations in Áras Ghaoth Dobhair at Derrybeg last Sunday when Bridie O’Donnell celebrated her 100th birthday.
Bridie, who hails from Keadue in the Rosses, was joined by her family, neighbours and friends to help her celebrate her milestone day.
The fluent Irish speaker was in great form on the day and she sang a number of songs at the birthday celebrations and gave a lovely rendition of the song ‘Danny Boy’.
Among the guests at the celebration event was Very Rev. Pat Ward, VF, P.P., Kincasslagh Burtonport. He congratulated Bridie on her special birthday and offered a prayer and gave her his blessing.
He said he asked her the secret of her long life and she said: “Open a bottle of Jameson every second week”.
There was plenty of music and Bridie thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations. Her friend Dennis Bonner even played a number of tunes on the flute.
Two members of the talented Crann Óg, Áine Ferry and Pádraig Sweeney also called in and played a few tunes much to her delight.
Bridie was over the moon on Saturday evening when her idol and favourite singer, Daniel O’Donnell paid her a visit at the Áras.
She was also interviewed by Michelle Nic Grianna of the Barr Scéalta programme on Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Better known as Bridie the Bridge she is a daughter of the late Nellie and James Boyle and was born in Drumnacart, Annagry on April 27, 1925, one of eleven children.
She attended Ardcrone National School and she spent some time in Scotland.
She married Brian O’Donnell of Keadue and had lived there all her life. Her only son died in infancy.
After the death of her husband Brian she lived alone and about eight months ago she moved to Áras Ghaoth Dobhair at Derrybeg.
Tributes have been paid to her kind and good neighbours and friends who helped her in many ways down through the years.
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