The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Sheila marks milestone in style!
THE COVID-19 restrictions have been hard on us all – but it’s also brought out the best in some of us.
That’s certainly the case amongst the relations of Sheila O’Leary, a clearly much-loved lady who celebrated her 90th birthday in alternative style in Rathmore, in recent days.
Sheila – mother of 11, grandmoter of 26, great-grandmother of three – was to have a celebration in the Killarney Heights Hotel, as had been the case for her 80th birthday, with relations coming from near and far, including her sister, Ana, who’s London-based.
Sadly, fate had different plans, and it had to be postponed. But, as her son Dan said: “We couldn’t let the occasion pass without showing her how much she means to us all”.
Relations gathered on Friday evening to drive by her house after her son, Fr Gerard, had told her to sit outside as a surprise was in store. The cavalcade passed by, hooting to acknowledge Sheila, who waved back in surprise and delight.
“We pulled into the yard then and gathered around in a circle, keeping our distance from each other, and sang happy birthday. We even had a birthday cake for her too, which was organised by her grand-daughter Sheila O’Leary,” grandson Pádraig O’Sullivan told The Kerryman .“Itwas Dan who’d organised the drive past, and I’d say she thought it was done after two or three cars, but they just kept coming.”
Not everyone could be there as some live further away than others – but the family had a plan up their sleeves to deal with that also.
“Her grand-daughter, Mary O’Sullivan, got the absent relations to record a video message, and she compiled those videos then, which also included messages from neighbours, and friends,” Pádraig said. “Fr Gerard played them to her on the laptop after, and one of the messages was from her grandson, Conor, who’s in Dubai.
“In the current situation, we just have to make the best of it all, and we used our imaginations”.