Carmel’s family celebrate her 90th birthday with The Echo
By Mary Dennehy
THIS week, the family of Carmel Bermingham are celebrating her 90th birthday in The Echo!
Like many families across the country, Carmel and her husband Paddy are staying home and are unable to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Carmel Bermingham with her husband Paddy
A birthday bash to celebrate Carmel’s 90th had been planned by the family for this Saturday.
However, due to current restrictions the party was cancelled, with a number of Carmel’s children, who live abroad, also unable to travel home to see her.
However, this hasn’t stopped Carmel’s 13 children, 32 grandchildren and three great grandchildren from celebrating her 90th – and they’ve sent their love and birthday wishes to their mam through The Echo (which Carmel reads every week).
Living in Old Bawn for the past 45 years, Carmel, who has another two great grandchildren on the way, turned 90 on Tuesday, March 24.
Speaking with The Echo, Carmel and Paddy’s daughter Annette Haskins said: “We just want to tell my mam how amazing she is, and how much she’s loved.
“The most important thing to mam in the whole world is her family… and even though we have to do our best to keep them safe at the moment, we want to let my mam and dad know that they are not on their own.
“We wanted to connect with my mam on her birthday… we wanted to celebrate her birthday, and celebrate with her friends in the community.
“We can all celebrate together through The Echo.”
Annette and her family lives with Carmel and Paddy, and according to Annette, the phone calls, skype messages, birthday cards and well wishes kept her mam busy on Tuesday.
Carmel also enjoyed plenty of cake on her special day, with the family now hoping to celebrate Carmel’s birthday and Paddy’s, whose 90 in October, later this year.
Described by family as the most glamerous nonagenarian, Carmel is a well know face in her community and the wider parish of St Martin De Porres.
She’s a long-time community volunteer and organised the parish bingo for years and was also involved in the local Ladies Club.
“Our mam is such a social, outgoing person and we want her to know how much she is loved on her 90th birthday”, Annette said.
Happy Birthday Carmel! Pick up today’s Echo for a two page birthday celebration for Carmel.
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