New Year birthday with a difference!
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Cloughjordan’s Margaret Cleary was happily surprised by the procession of well-wishers that passed by her home on New Year’s Day.Image 2 of 5
Margaret pictured on her 80th birthday with her sons and daughters (from left): John Cleary, Pauline Lillis, Sarah Bright, Eugene Cleary and Pat Cleary.Image 3 of 5
The birthday lady pictured with her grandchildren.Image 4 of 5
Margaret and grandson Kevin.Image 5 of 5
Drone photograph of the drive-by birthday at Behamore last Friday.A milestone birthday on New Year's Day was marked with a different kind of celebration in Cloughjordan last week.
A large group of family, friends and neighbours turned out to surprise Margaret Cleary at her home at Behamore on Friday last, January 1st, the occasion of her 80th birthday. But, mindful of the current restrictions on gatherings, those in attendance remained in their cars and well-wished the birthday lady as they drove passed her house.
A procession of some 40 vehicles - led by a Garda patrol car - passed by Margaret as she sat with family outside her house. The cavalcade featured a number of old tractors, including one that belonged to Margaret's late husband Louis.
The family had set up their own Facebook group to co-ordinate the celebration. Messages and videos of well-wishing were prepared by Margaret's family at home and abroad - including those in England, Italy and America - and she enjoyed looking at these later on her busy birthday. The family plan to put together a DVD of videos and photos taken at the celebration, including some scenes that were captured by drone.
A farmer's wife, mother of five and grandmother of 12 (with another on the way!), Margaret also looked after older members of her family over the years. She was as delighted as she was amazed with the lengths people went to in order to make her 80th a truly memorable birthday. Margaret and her family are very grateful to everyone who made the celebration so special despite the difficulties of the Covid-19 situation. Special thanks to Borrisokane gardaí Paul Monaghan and Brendan Healy, and to all the family abroad who sent messages of goodwill to Margaret for her special day.