WHILE having a great grandparent is always something special in a family, having a living great-great grandparent in the family is a remarkable fact for any family.
Monday, 22 August 2016 was a very special occasion for one local family when they welcomed baby Tilly-Sarah Brudell-Doyle into the family.
Last Sunday, was equally as special as the christening of baby Tilly-Sarah took place at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar. Afterwards the gathering of five generations took place at Danny Byrne’s on Pearse Street, Mullingar with an array of eye-watering refreshments put together by Tilly’s mother, Sacha.
Baby Tilly’s birth at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar wasn’t the first of the fifth generation into the family, however, but rather the astonishing seventh!
The unique distinction has brought great pride and joy to the family whose living roots trace back to England in the year 1922, when Rose-Ellen Bartlett was born in the market town of Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Now aged 94, Rose married her late husband William when she was aged 17.
Rose – or “Nanny Rose” as she is known in Castletown-Geoghegan – started her working life in the service industry, progressing on to working at management level of a busy restaurant in the centre of Stratford-Upon-Avon.
When her husband William passed away in 2009, Rose made the move across the Irish Sea to Castletown-Geoghegan to live with her daughter Jackie and Jackie’s husband Richard, who have called the area their home for over 40 years.
“We visited here when we were younger and fell in love with the area. We’re here over 42 years now,” says Jackie.
Now calling Castletown-Geoghegan home, Rose has no shortage of visitors of daily basis, with 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren to keep her company.
Coming from the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s no surprise that Rose is fond of the written word, but naturally, age has brought with it its difficulties “She’s an avid reader. Age has brought with it its difficulties, in terms of sight, but she enjoys listening to audiobooks just as much,” says Jackie.
While the day was about baby Tilly’s Christening, there was no doubt that her great-great Grandmother Rose was at the heart of the celebrations, and was visibly enjoying the occasion.
To cap off the day, at 94 years of age, great-great Grandmother Rose Bartlett raised a pint of Guinness. “Cheers!” she said, to great enthusiasm of everyone.
