Centenarian basks in richness of family
Dubliner Andrew O’Brien said he was a very lucky man after being chosen by a panel of judges from Friends of the Elderly and Cadbury Roses.
“I remember years ago down in Ballina, I remember going to a fortune teller ata carnival and she told me I’d always be lucky but I’d never be rich,” he said.
“But I am rich with a family. They are worth all the money in the world.”
The plucky pensioner, who celebrated his milestone birthday in February, has five children, 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grand- children – including the newest addition, two- week-old Jane O’Brien.
The former bus driver still lives in the family home in Crumlin, which he shared with his wife Jane from March 17, 1939, with daughters Joan, 65, and Janet, 50, and 12-year-old grand- daughter Shauna John- stone – who nominated her grandfather because she believes he is the best in Ireland.
“He’s brilliant to live with, he’s never grumpy. He’s just absolutely amazing for his age,” she said.
Mr O’Brien admitted he also a special soft spot for his granddaughter.
“Oh Shauna, she’s my favourite. She’s a great kid she is,” he continued.
“Her, her mammy and Joan, the three of them are looking after me well. There’s never a dull moment.”
Mr O’Brien’s beloved wife Jane died in 2002 after 66 years of marriage.
He started out as a bus conductor and then became a driver, achieving 48 years accident-free service in CIÉ.
He got the chance to sit in the driver’s seat again when a double-decker bus parked outside Dublin’s Merrion Hotel where the ceremony took place.
The competition was run to mark National Grandparents’ Day this Sunday, when grand- children across Ireland are encouraged to visit their grandparents and say thank you for all the love and support they have given over the years. A Sunday stroll will also be held in St Stephen’s Green from 10am and 4pm.
Shane Guest, of Cad- bury Ireland, said it was great to see someone 100 years old still enjoying life to the full.
“We hope that this competition has encouraged grandkids young and old from allover Ireland to take a moment to consider their own grandparents and thank them for all their love and support,” he said.
