It was a special day in Kilmacthomas on Wednesday January 4th as the village's oldest resident, and one of its most popular ladies, celebrated her 102nd birthday.
Bridie Griffin, well-known to many across Waterford and beyond through her family's business Griffin's Garage, was born in 1921, a year defined by the final months of fighting in the War of Independence and the agreement of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Born and reared on a farm in Ballingarron near Bonmahon, Bridie was the third eldest in her family which consisted of three brothers and five sisters born to parents William and Mary Anne O'Connell. Bridie walked three miles to attend Ballinarrid National School and later went to Carrick-on-Suir as a boarder.
She married Jack Griffin in October 1947 and the couple raised two sons, Leo and Willie, and one daughter, Marian (RIP). Bridie is grandmother to Laura, Brian, Katie and John and recently become a great-grandmother.
Two years ago, when Bridie turned 100, a socially distant celebration was held outside Griffin's Garage at the height of Covid-19 restrictions. This year, Bridie welcomed a steady stream of well-wishers to her home in Kilmacthomas throughout the day and spoke to WLR about how she was feeling on her special day.
To listen, click the play button in the centre of the image above.
