Family at the heart of everything for Bridget (90)

JIMMY GEOGHEGAN

Surrounded by five generations of her extended family including her 16 children Bridget Gaughan celebrated her 90th birthday in the Ardboyne Hotel recently in what was the mother and father of family reunions.

The logistics involved in getting all of Bridget's large family - not to mention friends and five generations of family members - together in one location at the same time can only be imagined but those involved in the organisation of the event somehow succeeded in doing just that in what was a clan gathering to beat all clan gatherings.

People travelled from far and wide including Bridget's native Mayo as well as locations throughout Meath including Tymoole, Rathfeigh, where she lived so much of her life and brought up her large family

The Gaughan family as they gathered for Bridget's 90th birthday were (from left) back - John, Anne, Eileen, Geraldine, Maureen, Paddy, Mike, Bridie, Kate, Bernie, Malacahy; front - Stephen, Bridget Gaughan, Martin, Siobhán, Josie, Noel. 

Bridget Conroy was born in Rathmorgan, Bangor Erris, Belmullet, Co Mayo on the 15th June 1927. On the 26th of November 1945, at the age of 18, she  married her late husband Pat Gaughan, also a Rathmorgan native, in Glencastle.

In 1946 the first of her 16 children, Eileen, was born in Mayo.  

“Major changes were afoot in the West of Ireland during the 1950s and as part of the Land Commission, Bridget and Pat and their young children swapped Rathmorgan and the famous Black Sod for Tymoole and the Royal County of Meath on the 24th of March 1959,†explained Bridget's grandson James Brennan. 

Characteristically Bridget took on the many challenges that came with setting up home and bringing up a big family. She took on that challenge with a sense of optimism, good humour, selflessness and hard work. 

“As ever, Bridget took these huge changes in her stride as she and Pat added to their family making Tymoole their home for many happy years,†added James.  

“All through these years, there were two constants in Bridget's life - family and farming. She happily farmed at Tymole while rearing her 16 children without any fuss, with 'Nanny' or 'Granny Gaughan'  as she is affectionately known, famously welcoming and feeding all of a Sunday afternoon as the generations began to expand!â€

Five generations of the same family (from left) back - Patricia Guildea, Eileen Reynolds, Leslie-Ann Guildea; front - Bridget Gaughan, Lexi Guildea. 

No matter what changes life brought the family remained the central focus of Bridget's life - still does.

“She may not farm anymore but family remains at the heart of everything  - 137 and counting - including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren!â€