End of era as Margaret Farrington, Delvin, passes away at age of 103

Margaret Farrington, late of Main Street, Delvin, passed away peacefully on Sunday November 26 at the age of 103 at the St Camillus Nursing Centre, surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret, a native of Rathvilly in Carlow, was predeceased by her husband Mick in 1984; she was the loving mother of Margaret (Reilly), Judy (Tracey), Kathleen (Beggan) and Patrick Farrington. Margaret will also be sadly missed by her sons-in-law Christy Reilly, Tommy Tracey, Jimmy Beggan and her daughter-in-law Geraldine Farrington, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Margaret was one of five daughters, from Rathvilly, County Carlow. She met Mick, a Wicklow man, and his job brought them to the midlands, and they settled in Delvin in 1958, where they raised their family.

Margaret was an independent woman, who until recently lived alone, cooked her dinner daily and enjoyed baking and going on Sunday drives with her family.

During WWII, she minded children for Lord Rathdonnell on the estate at Lisnavagh in County Carlow and later worked in the kitchens at St Columba College, White Church, Dublin, where she was a cook. She also worked part-time in the Red Cross.

When she arrived in Delvin, she worked as a housekeeper and cook for Fr Carey in the parochial house.

She had a strong faith and prayed daily to Our lady.

One of Margaret’s pastimes until a few years ago was going to bingo on the local bus and she also enjoyed playing telly bingo from the comfort of home. She was a keen GAA supporter and loved to follow the games on TV.

Margaret’s loved to receive phone call or a card in the post from her family and she always enjoyed having her grandchildren and great grandchildren visit, and listen to their stories and tell them stories from her childhood.

A proud moment in her life was being asked to be grand marshal for the Delvin parade in March 2015, when she was 95, and she paraded down the town in an open top car.

A significant milestone in Margaret’s life was her 100th birthday, which was during the Covid-19 pandemic. Margaret was delighted to receive her congratulatory letter and Centenarian Bounty from President Michael D Higgins and each year since she has received presidential medals. She couldn’t have a big party due to Covid social distancing measures, and she was so happy when her family, local residents and the community in Delvin came out to do a drive-by beep and congratulate her on reaching the milestone.

She also took part in a live stream via Zoom to St Tola’s National School to chat to the children about reaching 100 years and about life was in her early childhood. The children made her beautiful cards for the occasion.

Over her 103 years, Margaret was part of many defining historical events. She was born three days after the execution of Kevin Gerard Barry, the Irish republican, who was from the same parish as Margaret, Rathvilly. She was 19 at the time WWII began and she always recalled having to ration food and how hard life was for families in those times.

Asked recently what her secret to living a long life was, Margaret said “hard work” and strong family genes.

Margaret’s funeral Mass was at The Church of Assumption, Delvin on November 29 and burial was in the local cemetery.

Margaret’s month’s memory Mass is at 11am on Sunday December 24 in the Church of Assumption Delvin.