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08 Sept 2025
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08 Sept 2025
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Relatives of Bridie Kennedy
Tuesday, January 30, 2024, was a red letter day at the Community Hospital of the Assumption Thurles, as Bridie Kennedy and staff prepared to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Born on Wednesday, January 30, 1924, Brigid (Bridie) only child of Stephen Smee, Abbey Road, Garryvicleheen, Thurles and AnneDwan, Beakstown, Holycross, was baptised in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles on the Feast of St Brigid when she was only two days old.
Her Godparents were Thomas Smee (uncle) and Mary Dwan (aunt).
From birth, she was adored by her parents, who called her "Bridie."
That familiar name stayed the course of 100 years. She grew up and spent most of her life in the family thatched dwelling opposite the Ardeen Nursing Home on Abbey Road.
From there, her parents ran a small farm on which her father (Stephen) operated a Lime Kiln supplying lime to the farming community.
Bridie received her education at Thurles Presentation Primary and Secondary Schools.
At 11 years of age, she was confirmed at Thurles Cathedral and took the confirmation name Mary.She was a very bright student, and her name appeared in the“honours” grades for many subjects during her time in secondary school.
Completing one’s leaving certificate at that time was a rare event. After leaving school, she gained employment as a legal secretary with the firm of John P. Carrigan & Co. Solicitors, Thurles, where she was held in high esteem.
CAPTION: Bridie’s Class at Thurles Convent
On the November 26, 1946, at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, the marriage ceremony took place of Bridie Smee to Martin Kennedy, Coolcroo, Twomileborris.
The ceremony was performed by Fr Philip Fogarty C.C. Thurles. Her husband Martin was then employed at the large J.K. Moloney’s Drapery Store on Liberty Square, Thurles.
Witnesses at the wedding were: William Kennedy (best man)and Kathy Kennedy was the bride’s maid as Bridie hadn’t any sister.
After their wedding breakfast at the nearby Munster Hotel, the newly-wed couple went by train to Dublin for their honeymoon.
Bridie assisted her parents daily with farm tasks and was well able to milk a cow, feed calves and look after hens/chickens.
She was very interested in flowers, and floral displays and kept a beautiful garden.
She loved cycling and regularly cycled on Sundays to visit relatives in Holycross, Moyne-Templetuohy, Twomileborris and Moycarkey.
Distance was no object to her. She used her bicycle for shopping trips and when advanced in years and unable to cycle, she walked alongside the bicycle with her groceries in the basket.
Pushing a bicycle up over the steep railway bridge in Thurles is not an easy task for anybody never mind a lady of advancing years.
Bridie’s mother (Anne Smee) died unexpectedly in February 1962.
Her husband (Martin Kennedy) followed in June 1978, and her father(Stephen Smee) died aged 95 in July 1981.
Bridie was a glamorous lady with hair always well groomed.
She loved her ‘twin sets’ and ‘costumes’ and her handbag and shoes always complimented her outfits.
Bridie had a huge interest in hurling and was a loyal supporter of Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary Teams.
Her uncle (Willie Smee) hurled with the successful Thurles Sarsfield’s teams in the 1909-1912 period and was holder of two Tipperary County Championship medals.
He was a member of the Tipperary hurling team that won a MunsterJunior Championship in 1911.
Bridie’s interest in hurling was re-ignited after her marriage. Martin Kennedy and his brothers (Tom,Willie, & Denis), were members of the Moycarkey-Borris Club who won hurling championships.
Tom Kennedy (her brother-in-law) captained the Moycarkey-Borris team that won the 1940 Tipperary senior hurling title.
Tom won two Munster senior hurling medals playing with Tipperary in 1937, and 1941 and an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal in 1937. Bridie was an avid reader and purchased the Irish Independent daily.
She was readily able to discuss topical issues and wasn’t afraid to voice an opinion on them.
Bridie sold a site adjacent to her home in the 1980s for a petrol filling station, and later an area of land was sold for Lidl to build their first supermarket in Thurles.
The old thatched dwelling was demolished and a new bungalow was erected in the old farm yard opposite the Ardeen Nursing became her new home.
The old lime kiln quarry was filled in and is now a playing pitch used by Dúrlas Óg Club.
Outside the kitchen window of her new bungalow she had a bird-feeder and daily enjoyed feeding the birds.
During the cold winters, a little robin red breast came daily to her rear door to eat crumbs of bread left waiting on the mat inside the open door.
While the robin enjoyed breakfast, Bridie smiled enjoying the simple things in life.
CAPTION: Thatched House on Abbey Road
Bridie was a devoted catholic who attended the divine services regularly.
Her rosary beads were always in evidence in her home.
She fondly spoke of Fr Tom Butler (Templetuohy and Australia) and Monsignor Martin Campion (Kilkenny) and their photographs were proudly displayed on her sitting room walls.
When the time came in 2016 for nursing care, Bridie was pleased tobecome a resident of the Community Hospital of the Assumption, where a framed photograph of her old thatched home is on display inher room.
She always spoke in glowing terms about the Community Hospital and its Nursing Care Teams that look after her daily needs.
Relatives and friends made their way at 3.00 pm for the concelebration of Mass by Fr Jim Purcell, P.P. Thurles and Fr Conor Hayes, P.P.Templemore (a long-time family friend).
The Mass readings were read by Siobhán Davern, Neasa Merrigan and Hannah Dwan, while the Prayers of the Faithful were offered by Margaret, Marie, Mairead and Kathlyn.
At the hospital entrance a vintage bicycle stood decorated with flowers while a robin stood guard at the centenary balloon.
The sliotar and Tipperary jerseys were also evident—all very meaningful symbols inBridie’s 100 years.
A display of photographs marking momentous occasions was also on view.
Bridie, as elegant as ever, was there to greet her guests.
Later a party was hosted by the hospital catering staff and was enjoyed by all, especially Bridie who loved her birthday cake.
The President’s cheque was presented to her by Ms Mairéad Greene, Director of Nursing, Community Hospital of the Assumption.
Fr Conor Hayes spoke about growing up as Bridie’s next-door neighbour and how she always gave an extra measure of milk for the cat!
Music on the occasion was provided by Kim and Dixie.
Congratulations and thanks due to Margaret Byrne and Marie Davern for organising the 100th birthday function.
Breithlá shona duit, Bridie.
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