Creevy's Brigid McPhelim celebrates her 100th birthday 

Creevy resident Brigid McPhelim, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday last, must have had a rueful smile on her face when she was driven from her home by stretch limo to a special celebration in the Sandhouse Hotel in Rossnowlagh.
Centenarian Brigid loved the limo, but she also recalled how, as a very young girl, she walked in her bare feet to attend Coolmore National School.

Pensioners forced to cut back on meat and heating due to cost of living crisis

As Brigid might say herself, it was far from limos she was reared. Coolmore National School was a remarkable centre of learning blessed with fantastic teachers, but, as was the norm for so many, just one day short of her 14th birthday, she left school, soon to find herself in the world of work.
One of a family of 13 children, Brigid Rebecca Cleary was born in Cashel, Rossnowlagh on February 6, 1922 to Anthony and Mary Cleary.

Immediately after her school days she worked around the family farm and helped her older sister Mary McManus in Belleek with her children.
She had various jobs, among them the original post office in Rossnowlagh with a lady called Timoney. That post office and shop continues today as ‘Finnegans’.
Her work life would see her link up with many people, among them Sally Corscadden (nee Lipsett), the grandmother of former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Lilah McPhelim approached her to ask her if she was interested in a job in the laundry in Ballyshannon which she took up. At Lilah ‘s wedding Brigid met her husband, Tommy and they married and had five children. Michael, Mary (Michael), Seamie (Mary), Margaret (David) and Bernie.
She took up employment with Erne Hosiery in Ballyshannon when her children were grown up but retired when her husband Tommy got ill and subsequently died at age 70.
Her seven grandchildren and (up to today) her 13 great grandchildren
give her great joy and happiness.

Donegal Minister announces Common Fisheries Policy Review Group

On Sunday Fr Eugene and the Franciscan community had a great surprise for her at 11 am Mass in the Friary. It was an emotional moment with a special presentation of a lovely bouquet of flowers from Fr Florian and Fr Pius also present.
Brigid remembers the first day the Franciscan Friary opened its doors in 1952. She has been a constant attendee there ever since at daily Mass.
After Mass last Sunday a family get-together took place at home and in the evening her good friends joined her for a bite to eat and a glass of bubbly to toast her continued good health.
Her family want to say a big thank you to everyone for all the lovely cards and the Mass bouquets Brigid has received. Among those cards and letters was one from President Michael D Higgins, which she was delighted to receive. Brigid, who is blessed with wonderful health, enjoyed last weekend’s celebrations in every way. There have been hundreds of birthday wishes, family and friends all commenting on how helpful, caring, friendly and joyful she always is. She has a fantastic attitude to life and her joy for life has more than once put a smile on the faces of those who know and love her.
In short, a fantastic, funny, witty, caring person, a lovely lady and it is no surprise that all week people have been sending her good wishes.