They were born about ten days apart in November 1926, they have lived as near neighbours in the Recess area for decades – and now two remarkable Connemara women are both celebrating their 100th birthdays.
Maureen Davitt of Ballinafad turned 100 on 6 November, and her neighbour Barbara O’Malley, a Joyce from Derrada East, is set to hit the same milestone in the coming days, Galway Bay FM reported. Between them, they hold two centuries of Connemara memories.
Maureen Davitt: from Longford to Ballynahinch Castle
Maureen was born Maureen Breslin on 6 November 1926 in Ballinamuck, Co Longford. In 1946, with the Second World War just over, she and her friend Sheila Nee headed west to the heart of Connemara.
She took a job at the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, which at the time was owned by the Irish Tourist Board. It was the start of a lifetime in the west. She married John Davitt from Ballinafad, and the couple built their home there and raised seven children.
Eighty years after she first arrived, Maureen still lives in Ballinafad, where she is cared for at home by her family.
Barbara O’Malley: she still remembers the Connemara train
Barbara O’Malley was born a Joyce, into the Joyce family of Derrada East, near Ballinafad in the parish of Recess. She has spent her life running her home and farm in the area.
Remarkably, Barbara still remembers the old Connemara railway – and the sound of its whistle as the train rumbled through the bogs and mountains. The Galway to Clifden line closed in 1935, so those memories reach back more than 90 years. Like Maureen, she is cared for at home by her family.
A century of change in Connemara
When these two women were born, Ireland was a young state. The Connemara train still ran, most homes had no electricity, and the journey from Longford to Recess was a real adventure.
Over the past 100 years they have seen the railway close, the arrival of rural electrification and tourism grow into one of the region’s biggest industries – Ballynahinch itself went from a state-owned hotel to one of Ireland’s best-known castle hotels. Through all of it, they have stayed rooted in their own patch of Connemara.
How Ireland marks a 100th birthday
Irish citizens who reach 100 are entitled to the Centenarian Bounty from the President, along with a letter of congratulations signed by the President. Families of those living in Ireland can apply through Áras an Uachtaráin.
Happy birthday from all at Connemara Journal
Two women, two centuries, one small corner of Connemara. From everyone at Connemara Journal: happy 100th birthday, Maureen – and many happy returns to Barbara as she joins the club. If you have a message or a photo for either of them, share it with us on our Facebook page.
For more stories from the west, visit our Connemara & Galway section.
Source: Galway Bay FM.
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