Angela celebrates her 95th with family at Annebrook party
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Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh with her children, Rita Riccard, Frank Murtagh, Jean Anderson, Johnny Murtagh, Claire Orme, Noel Murtagh, Mary-Rose McKenna, Kathleen Filby and Oweney Murtagh.Image 2 of 15
Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh at her 95th birthday party.Image 3 of 15
Billy, Tommy, Vinny, Levi, Aisling and Jack MurrayImage 4 of 15
Annales Murtagh Monaghan the great great grandchild with Angela Bernadette Kelly MurtaghImage 5 of 15
Jo Murtagh, Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh, Kayleigh Murtagh Smith, Louise NewmanImage 6 of 15
Tola, Odhran, Lorcan, Una, Brendan and Larry Murtagh with Angela at her party on Saturday.Image 7 of 15
Lee Davison, Darren Roberts, Jacob Roberts, Harry Roberts, Jemma Roberts, Bella Roberts, Harold Filby, Kathleen Filby, Jennifer Filby at Angela’s birthday party on Saturday afternoon.Image 8 of 15
Harold Filby, Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh with daughter Kathleen FilbyImage 9 of 15
James Murtagh, Aaron Murtagh, Leah McGrath, Larry Murtagh, Una Murtagh, Sandra Shaw, Brendan MurtaghImage 10 of 15
Leanna, Ruby and Kayleigh Murtagh Smith with Angela. Photos and article by Jay G FordeImage 11 of 15
Angela Bernadette Kelly with her daughters Claire Orme, Rita Riccard, Jean Anderson, Mary-Rose McKenna, Kathleen FilbyImage 12 of 15
Angela with her sons Frank Murtagh, Oweney Murtagh, Johnny Murtagh, Noel MurtaghImage 13 of 15
Ava Clark , Teresa Kelly with Angela Bernadette Kelly MurtaghImage 14 of 15
Patricia Healy , Anna Collins from Hertfordshire, EnglandImage 15 of 15
Jack Collins the oldest great grandchild of Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh, with his partner Vasta Pozenciute.Article and photos: Jayde G Forde
Angela Bernadette Kelly Murtagh celebrated her 95th birthday with a family of four generations, in the Annebrook House Hotel on Saturday.
Born on March 24, 1930, Angela has lived a life filled with love, resilience, and strong family values.
Angela, originally from Kildalkey County Meath, later made her home in Delvin, where she still lives. She was married to her late husband, Larry, and together they reared their family of 11 Angela now has 48 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She proudly wears the engagement ring Larry gave her in 1947, which he had bought after selling two loads of turf.
One of 12 siblings, Angela recalls a childhood marked by hard work and strong family values. “My father was a small farmer, and I used to ride a donkey up the fields; we had simple life, we sang in the choir, we went to school, my mother made sure we were all taken care of.”
Angela’s life was defined by family and also by her strong work ethic. She began working at Athboy post office at 15 years of age: “It was my first job, I walked it every morning and every evening from Kildalkey to Athboy.”
Throughout her life, she loved reading and gardening. “I love the romantic stories,” she said, a passion that has remained with her to this day.
Reflecting on the vast changes she has witnessed during her lifetime, Angela highlighted the impact of electricity.
“There was no electricity or running water. We had to dig wells. Toilets were outside, just simple sheds. Today, people take these things for granted.”
When asked what her secret was to reaching 95, she said: “I don’t think about yesterday, I live for the day, and I don’t think about tomorrow.”