CHRISTY O’Connell smoked ‘til he was 70, enjoyed a few sociable drinks - a whiskey to start and then a few pints of porter - and worked hard all his life and it didn’t do him any harm as he has celebrated his 100th birthday. Christy, who was never in hospital a day in his long life, put his excellent health down to a wonderful wife, growing his own vegetables and free range eggs, coupled with hard work and a few pints at the weekend. Indeed, he and wife Bridie were inseparable for over 68 years. Married in 1955, Bridie passed away in October 2023, aged 88. They both were residents in St Michael’s Nursing Home in Caherconlish at the time and it's where Christy continues to reside. He celebrated his 100th birthday in the nursing home with family, friends and staff. Ger, one of Christy’s five children, thanked St Michael’s for the celebration and South Liberties GAA club for the wonderful presentation they gave his dad on the day. Christy won three east Limerick Junior medals, one Limerick Junior title in 1946 and a minor medal from 1944, recalls local historian and Caherconlish notes correspondent Pat Hourigan. “He was a lifelong GAA member hailing from a family who provided many players to various teams during their playing years and served as a selector with the Caherline hurling club when they won their first east Limerick junior hurling title in 1971,” said Pat. Christy was born in Ballinagarde, Ballyneety but moved the short distance to Caherconlish after marrying Bridie, who hailed from Caherline. They built a house and moved to Newtown, Caherconlish in 1966. They raised five children - Mike, Jim, Mary, Ger and Noel. Sadly, Mike passed away six months before his mother in 2023. Christy also has many grandchildren and great grandchildren Christy had a lot to celebrate and reminisce about on his 100th birthday. “He had a great day. He enjoyed it a lot. He cried, he laughed, he talked and traced back the years. His memory is 100% and he’s very healthy. He could tell you
100-year-old Limerick man smoked 'til 70 and enjoyed a small one, then a few pints of porter
