Cavan's oldest resident turns 107

Cavan's oldest woman turned 107 on Tuesday and her mind is so bright she can still recall her first day at Drumbrade National school in 1919, writes Lorraine Teevan. The incredible Bridget Tierney, a Great Great Grandmother from Loughduff believes the secret to longevity is good food, a calm positive mind set, and keeping active.

Indeed Bridget - whose eight surviving children are all now old age pensioners - is up at the crack of dawn every day and starts her morning with her own freshly made brown bread. The Grandmother of 30, Great Grandmother of 45, and Great Great Grandmother of four, has lived through two world wars and three pandemics.

“I was 4 on my first day in school. I remember I started the same day as my sister Elizabeth who was 6. It is as clear to me as if it were yesterday,"”she says. “I can still remember the poetry I learned in national school. I try and keep my mind active by watching quiz shows and keeping up with current affairs. I don't do much cooking any more but I always help to wash the dishes afterwards!”

Bridget has always had a love of politics and can remember walking to Granard as a child to hear Michael Collins speaking. “I have voted in every election since I got my vote and I am proud of that.”

All the neighbours in Loughduff visit Bridget and they always enjoy her sense of humour and sound advice. Her daughter Kitty Cullen says it is always a pleasure to visit her mother. “She brings a sense of calmness and happiness to all our lives. Mammy was widowed in 1983, she worked just as hard on the farm as our father Patrick, she has been a tower of strength to us all, especially since she lost her beloved son Vincent in November 2021. She is very family oriented.”

Remarkably all of Bridget's family came to see her over the past few days for this legendary birthday, including her granddaughter Deirdre Tierney who flew in from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “I am so delighted to be able to spend this momentous birthday with my Grandmother, I hated missing her birthdays over the pandemic, a visit with Granny always leaves you with a sense of peace, serenity and pride, she is a living legend.”