Memorial bench honours an amazing Laois woman
Fr Brian Griffin PP with the McRedmond family at the unveiling of the Bernadette McRedmond bench in Castletown. Photos: James Fennelly
A REMARKABLE Laois woman was remembered with pride at the weekend, when a beautiful memorial bench was unveiled in her honour.
Bernadette (Bern) McRedmond from Knockanina, Mountrath made history when she was only 12 years old, as she became the county’s first Special Olympic medalist.
The bench unveiled in Castletown village on Sunday 18 January is a lasting tribute to a beloved daughter, sister and friend, who passed away on 14 January last year. The poignant but uplifting occasion marked Bernadette’s first anniversary and celebrated an extraordinary life and legacy.
Following a mass led by Fr Brian Griffin, members of the McRedmond family were joined at the unveiling ceremony by special guests who included Laois Co Council chairperson Cllr Barry Walsh, Cllr John Joe Fennelly and Meadhbh McHugh of Special Olympics Leinster.
Born in 1967, at a time of few facilities and opportunities for children with special needs, Bernadette’s athletic prowess saw her selected for the first Irish team to compete at the Special Olympics.
She went on to win a bronze medal at the event in New York in 1979, on an exhilarating day that made local, national and international headlines.
The seventh of 11 children, whose mother Sheila died very young in 1975, Bernadette was deeply loved by her family and her many friends, particularly at Laois Arch Club where she was a member for over 30 years. After her Special Olympics success, she went on to win a large collection of national medals.
Fint Cuddy acted as MC at a ceremony filled with wonderful moments and memories, including performances by the Timahoe Male Choir, Linda McGill and Aisling Mulhall.
Kathleen and Michael McRedmond presented the Bernadette McRedmond Perpetual Cup to Liz and Kizzie Clear, with members of Laochra Laois and Ms McHugh, who is Special Olympics Leinster regional development officer.
Predeceased by her parents Bernie and Sheila, brothers Liam and Christy and sister Sheila, Bernadette will be forever missed by her sisters Mary (Moore), Margaret (Boyhan), Kathleen (Mulhall) and Chris, her brothers Michael, Frank and Donal, other relatives and friends, who now have a special place in the village to remember an exceptional woman, who had a positive and lasting impact on everyone she met.
