Bridget Tierney, one of Ireland's oldest women, dies aged 108

Bridget Tierney, one of Ireland's oldest women, has died

One of Ireland's oldest women has died at the age of 108.

Bridget Tierney, from Cavan, died peacefully on Wednesday "in the tender care of her very devoted family, in her 109th year".

Ms Tierney, who lived through world wars and pandemics, had nine children, 30 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was a "cherished" grandmother and will be "sadly missed by her adoring family", including her daughters Mary, Margaret, Pauline, Betty and Kitty, her sons John and Tom, sons-in-law; John Joe, Peter, John Joe and Colm, daughters-in-law; Maureen and Eileen.

She is pre-deceased by her husband Patrick, son Vincent, daughter Patricia and brother-in-law Joe, her brothers James and Sonny and her sister Elizabeth.

Last July, as Ms Tierney celebrated her 108th birthday, her son Tom said his mother reared nine children while working on the family farm.

He told The Anglo Celt that Ms Tierney would wake up in the morning to “a good mug of tea”, which he used to bring her.

She would ask her son, "what sort of a day is it?”, followed by: “What have you lined out for the day?”.

He told the paper he was "very proud" of his mother and that she had the height of respect for people who call to see her.

"Everyone who comes in gets a kiss on the hand to say thanks very much. She’s a little bopping angel that’s what she is.” 

Ms Tierney will repose at her home in Drumgore on Thursday, February 29, from 5pm to 10pm and on Friday, March 1, from 1pm to 4.30pm. Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 2, at 12pm with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Mourners offering condolences described Ms Tierney as "a lovely lady" who was "an icon in Ireland's history".

In January, Kitty Jeffery - who was widely believed to have been Ireland’s oldest person - died at the age of 109.