A Tower of strength for many a couple

PENSIONER Maura Tobin, describing herself as a 24/7 carer, says she would never have a break if there wasn’t a facility such as the Towers in Ballybunion.

The 73-year-old is a full-time carer of her husband Terry, 74, who has suffered from ill health for several years.

“This place is a godsend for people like me,” she said.

The couple from Ballylanders, Co Limerick, met on a blind date in Kilburn, 53 years ago, and have been married for 51 years.

They returned from London to Ballylanders in 1981 and are enjoying their fourth holiday in the Towers.

Terry, who worked as a landscape gardener, has lost an eye from cancer and continues to be dogged by chronic health problems. For him, the break in Ballybunion is something he looks forward to throughout the year and he likes to sing a song, or two, at night.

“We’re extremely well looked after here and the food is just brilliant. I actually think we’re overfed. You’d put up a stone weight in a week here,” joked Terry.

The jovial couple, who lost their special needs daughter Maria at the age of 24 in 1993, have three surviving children.

“This place is just like home to us while we’re here. Everything is laid on and the people couldn’t do enough for you,” said Maura.

Another Co Limerick couple, Denny and Mary Ryan, both 72, are enjoying their first holiday at the centre.

Denny, who said he hadn’t a holiday in about 60 years, loves to get up early for morning walks on the beach in Ballybunion.

“There’s nothing like being on the beach at around half-past seven, with the waves rolling in,” he remarked.

The Kilteely man, who worked as a groundsman at the University of Limerick, also enjoys the nightly craic in the Towers. His party piece is Mother Machree.